BALENCIAGA, PROBABLY AUTUMN/WINTER 2006-07

This piece by Spanish couturier, Cristóbal Balenciaga, represents an understanding of clothing as sculpture and an innovative cutting technique, for which the designer was so well known. It is typical of the simplicity and elegance of Balenciaga's designs from the 1960s onwards. Understandably, this garment is a favourite of Daphne's and she has worn it as both a coat and alone, as a dress.

Compare The Victoria and Albert Museum collection for a similar white silk gazar coat from February 1963, museum number 'T.31-1974'.