This gown bodice was worn by Lady Henriëtte van de Poll (1853-1946). She was lady-in-waiting to Queen Emma and known for her exquisite taste in clothes. Unsurprisingly, her wardrobe was made by renowned fashion houses, such as Brussels-based Madame van der Taelen - the name on the waistband. Brand labels are now indispensable, but the custom of signing clothes was only introduced in the mid-19th century by fashion designer Charles Fréderic Worth.

 [text 2024]

 

This evening dress was one of lady Carla de Jonge's very last acquisitions and was added to the museum collection in 1951. The turquoise dress with gold lace and gaze-de-soie sleeves is part of a purchase of various items of clothing, for the total amount of five hundred guilders. Part of this purchase went to the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague. The dress was worn by lady Henriette van de Poll (1853-1946), lady-in-waiting to queen Emma from 1880-1934, who was well-known for her elegant taste in clothes. She had them made by various well-regarded fashion houses in The Hague and Brussels. This velvet dress, with a long train, was made by the famous Madame van der Taelen in Brussels, whose name is on the ivory coloured rep ribbon inside the waist. The lady-in-waiting was also a customer at Maison Divoire-Bawin, also in Brussels. The Centraal Museum also owns one of their beautiful, signed dresses which is on show in the first exhibition room.