Art Deco evening lines with a youthful portrait
Art Decocore
Art Decocore translates Art Deco’s clear geometry and polished surfaces into evening styling. This illustration studies a 1935 Jeanne Lanvin gown with a broad angular collar, paired with a circa-1930 Raymond Templier brooch. Black lattice shoes, a silver clutch and sculpted chestnut waves connect the historical references to a complete original fashion look.
An illustrated combination of two museum collection objects with two contemporary accessories. The museum gown and brooch are design references, not current shopping offers.
Background
The V&A’s Art Deco fashion account connects the period’s clothing to geometry, long lines and reflective materials. Its 1935 Lanvin gown uses a rectangular neckline and parallel stitching to emphasize the collar, while the Templier brooch brings together curved bars and circular coral elements. These particular objects anchor the guide’s 1930s evening direction within the wider Art Deco period.
What defines the look
Repeat geometry at different scales. The broad collar supplies the largest angular form, the brooch adds a small repeated curve and the clutch contributes a bright horizontal shape. Keep the gown surface plain so its satin reflections and stitched collar remain visible. Sculpted S waves and softly smoky eyes make the portrait feel considered rather than simply adding vintage jewelry to an ordinary dress. The selected shoes are modern revival pieces with an earlier styling range, combined editorially with the gown. The illustration lifts its front hem to show both shoes; the museum object is floor length.
Hair & styling details
Arrange shoulder-length hair into defined S waves with a deep side part and a small temple curl. Keep the wave rhythm consistent around the jaw and clear of the geometric collar.
Use softly smoky gray lids, fine arched brows and a defined berry-red cupid’s bow. Gentle cheek color keeps the face youthful beside the formal satin.
An illustrated outfit study
Violet geometric satin, sculpted waves and coral accents
Art Decocore translates Art Deco’s clear geometry and polished surfaces into evening styling. This illustration studies a 1935 Jeanne Lanvin gown with a broad angular collar, paired with a circa-1930 Raymond Templier brooch. Black lattice shoes, a silver clutch and sculpted chestnut waves connect the historical references to a complete original fashion look. The illustration interprets visible details; it cannot establish hidden construction.
The 4 pieces & their references
Documented references, with current availability unverified. Open each reference note to see what the source establishes.
Purple geometric-collar evening gown
Jeanne Lanvin · Winter 1935
Full-length purple satin dress with a wide rectangular neckline, large folded angular collar and close parallel stitch lines. The body follows a fluid narrow line before spreading into a slight train; a flat stitched waist ribbon is visible at the side.
View V&A Lanvin evening dress T.340-1965About this reference
Opened source record and inspected photographs. Reference photographs for Evening dress, T.340-1965, identified in the linked source: V&A Lanvin evening dress T.340-1965. Documented views: front.
Collar angles and stitched lines are enlarged, side ribbon longer and drape fuller than the museum object. Front hem is lifted editorially; no unseen back construction is asserted.
V&A production field and dated label identify winter 1935; this date belongs to the museum object.
- Model name
- Evening dress, T.340-1965
- Manufacture date
- Paris, winter 1935, as catalogued by the V&A
- Materials
- Satin, machine-sewn, as catalogued by the V&A; fiber composition not specified.
Rounded geometric brooch with three coral discs
Raymond Templier · About 1930
Long rounded rectangular pale metal plaque. A narrow sparkling horizontal center bar sits between two black curved bars, with three coral-colored domed discs arranged on a rising diagonal; the center disc is the largest.
View V&A Templier brooch M.134-2007About this reference
Opened source record and inspected photographs. Reference photographs for Brooch, M.134-2007, identified in the linked source: V&A Templier brooch M.134-2007. Documented views: front.
Three coral discs retained, but their sizes, diagonal and metal/diamond arrangement simplify. The center disc is largest after correction; right disc remains larger than the left.
V&A catalogue date ca. 1930; no exact year is asserted.
- Model name
- Brooch, M.134-2007
- Manufacture date
- Paris, about 1930, as catalogued by the V&A
- Materials
- White gold, brilliant-cut diamonds, black enamel and coral, as catalogued by the V&A.
Black lattice-strap low shoes
American Duchess · Source record and photographs re-inspected October 2, 2026
Black closed shoes with a gently pointed rounded toe, crossing lattice straps, two functional side buttons and a low curved French heel. A narrow warm leather sole edge is visible.
View American Duchess Astoria shoes in blackAbout this reference
Opened source record and inspected photographs. Reference photographs for Astoria Women's Edwardian Shoes in Black, identified in the linked source: American Duchess Astoria shoes in black. Documented views: front, side.
Straps simplify to a broader crossed arrangement with larger gaps; low heels are more block-like than the source curve. Two buttons and closed rounded fronts remain visible.
Inspection date only; exact release and manufacture dates remain unknown unless explicitly attributed.
- Model name
- Astoria Women's Edwardian Shoes in Black
- Manufacture date
- Unverified
- Materials
- Calf-leather upper, pigskin-leather lining, leather sole and covered heel, as stated by American Duchess.
Silver folded frame clutch
Olga Berg · Source record and photographs re-inspected October 2, 2026
Low wide silver clutch with a straight base, folded inward side corners, gently curved frame top and a small centered silver disc lock. The soft body has broad plain reflective areas.
View Olga Berg TALLY Metallic Clutch in silverAbout this reference
Opened source record and inspected photographs. Reference photographs for TALLY Metallic Clutch in Silver, identified in the linked source: Olga Berg TALLY Metallic Clutch in silver.
Clutch is narrower and more strongly framed than source, with less pronounced side folds. Lock is more raised; hands conceal some edge detail.
Inspection date only; exact release and manufacture dates remain unknown unless explicitly attributed.
- Model name
- TALLY Metallic Clutch in Silver
- Manufacture date
- Unverified
- Materials
- Vegan leather and silver-tone hardware, as stated by Olga Berg; exact polymer and metal composition not specified.
Build your own look
Pieces to start with
- Geometric-collar satin dress
- Look for strong neckline shapes and a long fluid skirt. If choosing a contemporary alternative, prioritize one broad angular collar over scattered decorative trim.
- Small geometric brooch
- Repeat a few clear shapes in contrasting materials. Place the brooch where the neckline is firm enough to support it and keep its edges away from delicate loose threads.
- Low lattice-strap shoes
- Closed toes and repeated straps create a small structured detail at the foot. Check button placement and instep fit before choosing the skirt hem.
- Silver frame clutch
- A broad quiet metallic surface balances the gown’s color. Carry it without a long chain crossing the satin and keep the clasp small beside the neckline ornament.
A palette to try
Colors for this interpretation. Adapt them to your own wardrobe.
Ways to put it together
Styling suggestions from Coreification.
- Illustrated study: purple Lanvin gown reference + Templier coral-and-enamel brooch reference + black lattice shoes + silver folded clutch. Sculpted shoulder-length waves and berry lips finish the portrait.
- Practical modern version: plain violet midi dress with an angular neckline + one geometric brooch + low black shoes + a silver clutch. Preserve the long clean line with fewer trailing folds.
Sources & further reading
These sources inform the cultural account. References for the illustrated pieces appear with the outfit above.
- V&A: Art Deco fashion
Connects 1920s and 1930s fashion to Art Deco geometry, reflective surfaces and exchanges between dress, jewelry and the wider arts. The article supports historical references; it does not establish a contemporary Art Decocore community or rules.
- View V&A Lanvin evening dress T.340-1965
Full-length purple satin dress with a wide rectangular neckline, large folded angular collar and close parallel stitch lines. The body follows a fluid narrow line before spreading into a slight train; a flat stitched waist ribbon is visible at the side. Collar angles and stitched lines are enlarged, side ribbon longer and drape fuller than the museum object. Front hem is lifted editorially; no unseen back construction is asserted.
- View V&A Templier brooch M.134-2007
Long rounded rectangular pale metal plaque. A narrow sparkling horizontal center bar sits between two black curved bars, with three coral-colored domed discs arranged on a rising diagonal; the center disc is the largest. Three coral discs retained, but their sizes, diagonal and metal/diamond arrangement simplify. The center disc is largest after correction; right disc remains larger than the left.
- View American Duchess Astoria shoes in black
Black closed shoes with a gently pointed rounded toe, crossing lattice straps, two functional side buttons and a low curved French heel. A narrow warm leather sole edge is visible. Straps simplify to a broader crossed arrangement with larger gaps; low heels are more block-like than the source curve. Two buttons and closed rounded fronts remain visible.