Cocktail dress
Adele Simpson · 1950
Adele Simpson
- American ready-to-wear
- Draping
- Textile-led eveningwear
Adele Simpson began working in New York fashion as a teenager and launched her own label in 1949. She worked directly with fabric instead of sketching, adapting the lessons of Paris couture to American wardrobes.
Five looks to know
Collection selection
Cocktail dress
1950
The rayon cocktail dress has a fitted waist, shaped neckline and short draped sleeves.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Evening dress
1964–1966 · The Met collection
Silk eveningwear with metallic detail.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Landmark design
Lady Bird Johnson’s red-orange ensemble
1968 · LBJ Library collection
Lady Bird Johnson repeatedly wore this dress and matching jacket on official trips and at informal events.
LBJ Library museum collection
Collection selection
Navy silk dress
c. 1947–53
A navy raw-silk dress from the museum’s collection, documenting Simpson’s approach to polished daywear.
Kunstmuseum Den Haag, 0321922
Collection selection
Silk evening dress
1955–60
Silk chiffon and satin form a dress from Simpson’s mid-century eveningwear.
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields; gift of Mrs. William A. Nyland, 75.165Archive pieces, grouped by date
1 piece1950
1 piece · Season not recorded
About Adele Simpson
Travel informed her textile choices, including the use of cotton and sari fabrics for evening dressing.