Date: c. 1950s
Origin: USA
Fabric: Nylon mesh
Brand: Mme. Berthé
A pair of heavy duty nylon mesh knickers, embellished with floral nylon appliqué and heavy cording. These were most likely worn by a showgirl, with the heavy weight construction indicative of these being a piece of professional costume. The waist and leg elastics are stitched into channels, allowing for easy replacement if needed. The garment fastens at the rear with a heavy duty metal zip and hook and eye. An interior garment label reveals the name of the knickers’ original wearer (the first name appearing as ‘Lilian’).
Mme. Berthe was a New York based costumier who worked between the 1930s to the 1970s, having immigrated from Russia in the 1910s. She is credited as designing the costumes for the 1944 Broadway Variety show, Take a Bow and for the 1932 musical revue, Hey Nonny Nonny! which played at the Shubert Theatre.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
