Philippe Venet Haute Couture Tiered Dress with Balloon Sleeves, Fall/Winter 1991

Couture clients often develop strong relationships with the houses they patronize. Couture designers came to play integral roles in Countess von Galen’s life over decades. Philippe Venet and his partner Hubert de Givenchy designed for the Countess and in their friendship, were present for many milestones in each other’s lives. James Taffin de Givenchy, the designer’s nephew, noted that, “As Monsieur Hubert de Givenchy’s lifelong companion, he helped to build the house into an international force in fashion, and his many contributions remain an essential part of our DNA.”

Haute Couture red silk charmeuse tiered mini dress with wide neckline, gathered balloon sleeves, and back zipper closure.
Label: Philippe Venet
Size Label: Unlabeled
Style/Serial No.: 2406-60

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 14"
Chest: 34"
Waist: 31.5"
Hips: 36.75"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 34.25"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 28"

Property from the Collection of Countess Anita von Galen

This lot is one of sixty-seven in this auction from Countess Anita von Galen, a German aristocrat and socialite known for her avant-garde sense of style and brilliant entertaining. Over the years, the Countess von Galen has used her visionary eye and a penchant for unique silhouettes to build an extraordinary collection of haute couture. She considered Hubert de Givenchy (Lots 1-18) and his partner, Philippe Venet, also a couturier (Lots 19-20), close friends, with Givenchy designing the baptismal gown (Lot 1) for her only son, Ferdinand Otto von Galen. Beyond her friendship with the couple, Countess von Galen was an ardent supporter of emerging, avant-garde designers including Pierre Cardin (Lots 25-48), Kansai Yamamoto (Lots 61-62), and Yohji Yamamoto (Lot 63).