Circa 1950

France

A masterful coat, a formal cape in white silk organza by Maggy Rouff, a renowned French haute couture house since 1929. A wide kimono-style cape cut on the bias from three panels forming a 180° semicircle, featuring three-quarter-length pagoda sleeves in pleated Chocking Pink silk faille. With a historicist look inspired by 18th-century dresses, this pleated cape with shoulder pleats is worn open and fastened with two bra straps. White label with black lettering, sewn on the side, reading “Maggy Rouff.” Very rare micro-rust spots and slight yellowing in the shoulder pleats are the only flaws to note. No holes or stains. Good color and condition. Rare piece.

Dimensions: Large one-size-fits-all. Height 163 cm, sleeve-to-sleeve 125 cm, sleeve length 38 cm, sleeve circumference 80 cm, bottom cape circumference 685 cm.

Maggy Anna de Wagner, known as Maggy Rouff (1896–1971), of Austrian and Belgian origin, began her career in couture at Drecoll in 1912 and was close to Jeanne Paquin. In 1929, she bought the Rouff fashion house and moved to 136 Avenue des Champs-Élysées under the name Maggy Rouff, which she ran until 1948. By the 1930s, the Maggy Rouff fashion house had become one of the leading haute couture houses with an international reputation. In 1931, she traveled to the United States under the auspices of the Minister of Foreign Trade and gave a series of lectures on the art of fashion. Maggy  Rouff.” Very rare micro-rust spots and slight yellowing in the shoulder pleats are the only flaws to note. Known for her ceremonial opulence and dubbed by the press as “the architect of couture,” she is distinguished by her work on asymmetry and technical precision.