Cocktail dress
Ceil Chapman · 1955–59
Ceil Chapman
- Cocktail dresses
- Elaborate draping
- Decorated eveningwear
Ceil Chapman launched her own New York label in 1940 and became known for glamorous ready-to-wear evening dresses. Her work emphasized elaborate draping, dramatic necklines and decorated surfaces, making her a favorite of Hollywood clients including Marilyn Monroe.
Five looks to know
Collection selection
Cocktail dress
1955–59
The blue silk cocktail dress uses close-fitting drapery across its narrow silhouette.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Wedding dress
1948 · The Met collection
Cotton.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Cocktail dress
1950s · The Met collection
Silk, synthetic fiber.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Evening dress
1953 · The Met collection
Silk.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Draped silk dress
c. 1955
Silk jersey and taffeta give this mid-century dress its sculptural silhouette.
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields; gift of Cathrina Bauby, 80.336Archive pieces, grouped by date
1 piece1955–59
1 piece · Season not recorded
About Ceil Chapman
She adapted the intimacy of fitting and fabric manipulation to an American market for occasion dressing.