Dinner Dress 1935 - 1942

Hedwig Emanuel made this watercolor and graphite drawing of a dress. I wonder if she had dinner parties in mind when she created it. I can almost see her imagining the cut of the fabric, or how it drapes and folds. The drawing is so precise, it almost feels like a blueprint. Look at the ghost of a dress hovering in the background, a pale echo of the main design. It's like she was working out the details, shifting and refining the image. I love how the floral patterns and lace trim add a touch of softness to the geometric structure of the dress. It's a delicate balance between ornamentation and functionality. You can sense Emanuel's interest in the way clothes shape not only the body but also the way you move and feel. It reminds me of Charles James, who was also interested in dress as architecture. Ultimately, all artists draw on each other's creativity, building on ideas, and expanding our visual vocabulary.