Gold goes glam
Looking for outfit inspiration? You’ve struck gold! 💫
In 1943, the estate of fashion entrepreneur Henri Bendel donated a number of fashion sketches to the Brooklyn Museum Library. We received similar donations throughout the 1950s, ultimately forming a collection of over 11,000 sketches by more than 170 designers and fashion houses. Among them are examples by early 20th-century designers Jeanne Adèle Bernard (known as Jenny), Callot Soeurs, Louise Chéruit, and Jacques Doucet, to name a few.
Solid Gold features 45 of these sketches, which showcase the timeless application of gold in fashion. See a sampling below, and view them all in person by visiting this shimmering exhibition of more than 500 works.
Keep experiencing Solid Gold
Art History Happy Hour: Solid Gold
Thursday, February 27, 7–9 pm
Don’t miss the next Art History Happy Hour, an evening of lighthearted and informative lectures celebrating Solid Gold. Enjoy a specialty drink and after-hours admission to the exhibition! 🥂
Brooklyn Talks: Anna Sui
Reflect on Solid Gold in a conversation between featured designer Anna Sui and curator Matthew Yokobosky. Sui—whose celebrated brand spans ready-to-wear, accessories, cosmetics, and fragrances—explores gold’s many symbolic meanings and its role in her work as both a color and a material.
From the top: Solid Gold VIP preview and dance party, November 2024 (Photo: Matthew Carasella); Gold and silver wedding dress, mid-calf-length full skirt, train, ruffled panels, bodice with bateau neckline, short sleeves; sheer gold veil on headband, Spring 1918. Brooklyn Museum Libraries and Archives, Henri Bendel Collection, Fashion and Costume Sketch Collection, 1912–50, HB 027-26. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Long gold strapless evening dress with train, black bead swags and straps, Summer 1914. Brooklyn Museum Libraries and Archives, Henri Bendel Collection, Fashion and Costume Sketch Collection, 1912–50, HB 008-36. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Jenny, Gold strapless evening dress, straight ankle-length skirt with train, sheer hip-length gold blouse with round neck and gold and teal floral design, Spring 1919. Brooklyn Museum Libraries and Archives, Henri Bendel Collection, Fashion and Costume Sketch Collection, 1912–50, HB 032-23. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Sheer gold lace or net day dress, knee-length skirt, bodice with bateau neck and cap sleeves, narrow belt, underslip or dress in orange, skirt with design of applied flowers in orange and green with gold and black details, Fall 1920. Brooklyn Museum Libraries and Archives, Henri Bendel Collection, Fashion and Costume Sketch Collection, 1912–50, HB 037-08. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Callot Soeurs, “I Dole” Dress, silver and gold tea-length dress, gold underskirt, fitted bodice with square neckline, long sleeves, Indian-inspired design, Spring 1917. Brooklyn Museum Libraries and Archives, Henri Bendel Collection, Fashion and Costume Sketch Collection, 1912–50, HB 024-15. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Gold knee-length day dress, skirt with short tiers of ruffles, gathered at sides, bodice with scoop neck and short sleeves; narrow gold belt; brown cloche with brim on one side and brown feathers; a single strand of long beads; long white gloves, Fall 1920. Brooklyn Museum Libraries and Archives, Henri Bendel Collection, Fashion and Costume Sketch Collection, 1912–50, HB 037-53. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Long silver metallic sleeveless evening dress with square neckline, dress fabric with design of gold metallic phoenix and scrollwork; sheer red shawl edged in metallic silver, Summer 1914. Brooklyn Museum Libraries and Archives, Henri Bendel Collection, Fashion and Costume Sketch Collection, 1912–50, HB 008-16. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); “Madeline” Evening Dress, long sleeveless black and gold dress, white drape over skirt trimmed with fur, black bow at hip, square neckline, black straps, Summer 1914. Brooklyn Museum Libraries and Archives, Henri Bendel Collection, Fashion and Costume Sketch Collection, 1912–50, HB 008-38. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Doucet, Yellow-gold day dress with tiered skirt, sash and red flower embellishment at high waist, fur trim around collar, wide dolman sleeves, lampshade silhouette, full-length tapered skirt; red parasol; red hat, 1914. Brooklyn Museum Libraries and Archives, Henri Bendel Collection, Fashion and Costume Sketch Collection, 1912–50, HB 005-30. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Jenny, Black and gold tea-length evening dress, surplice bodice with shawl wrapped and tied around waist, balloon hem peplum skirt, train, Fall 1916. Brooklyn Museum Libraries and Archives, Henri Bendel Collection, Fashion and Costume Sketch Collection, 1912–50, HB 020-55. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum); Installation view, Solid Gold. Brooklyn Museum, November 15, 2024–July 6, 2025. (Photo: Paula Abreu Pita); Anna Sui, May 2024. (Photo: by Huy Luong, courtesy of Anna Sui)
