A rare Schiaparelli pink damask evening coat, 1944, printed black on white Paris label, the silk woven with Tudor roses and rampant gothic-style beasts, with shirred detailing to the front bodice and sleeves overlaid and outlined in pink cord with a gold thread and blue silk lattice, edged in gold thread toggles, matching tie belt with gold thread tassels, silk covered disc buttons edged in gilt metal laurel wreath bands, lined in violet silk, bust 86cm, 34in An identical coat was owned by Marlene Dietrich and forms part of the SMB Kunstbibliothek Staatliche Museen, Berlin. She spent several months touring North Africa and Italy on a morale boosting tour for the USA and she chose to wear this model over a floral silk dress when inspecting the troops on November 30th, 1944, when she was photographed by Bettman. Upon her return to Paris in November 1944 she chose to wear the coat for an atmospheric promotional photoshoot with Lee Miller.

Generally good condition, slight fading to front skirt along a fold line, left centre-front, left side, back right, back left hem to 1/3rd way up and rear collar. The lining is also faded along fold lines. Moth holes and 2 brown stains on inside lining left shoulder area. Small white deoderant mark near right shoulder lining. Embroidery and braid is good, slight tarnishing to gilt threads. Braided ropes on front are slightly paler than the rest. Button at waist is soiled. 2 small holes at left elbow are largely concealed by braid.