Date: c. 2000s-2010s
Origin: UK
Fabric: Viscose
Brand: Agent Provocateur
A dress designed as a shop staff uniform for luxury lingerie retailer Agent Provocateur. It was designed by Vivienne Westwood, mother of AP founder Joseph Corré. The dress has become somewhat of a collector’s item, fetching high prices on resale websites.
The dress is made from a textured weave viscose in pale pink, with the Agent Provocateur brand logo embroidered in black at the left breast. The dress is cut with a pointed collar, hip level pockets, half sleeves and a shaped hem. A row of metal buttons engraved with the brand’s initials form the centre front closure. It is not uncommon for the dress to be worn partially unbuttoned at the bustline or leg, to reveal the brand’s products (be that a glimpse of bra, stocking or suspender strap).
Agent Provocateur was founded as a luxury lingerie retailer and brand in 1994 by Serena Rees and Joseph Corré, with the first store opened on Broadwick Street in Soho, London, UK. The brand became renowned for its provocative and daring designs and advertising strategies. The label often used celebrity models, and many early campaigns focused on women’s sexualities performed for their own pleasures, rather than the typical male gaze.
The brand was sold to investment firm 3i in 2007. The company faced financial difficulties and entered financial administration in 2017, to be later sold to Four Holdings.
Kindly given to The Underpinnings Museum by an anonymous donor.
