• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
gallery
June 17, 2016

Lavish Art Deco Fashions, Painted by Erté

By Danielle Cohen

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd

It’s impossible to look back on flapper dresses and 1920s fashions without mentioning the so-called “Father of Art Deco” Romain de Tirtoff, famously known as Erté. The artist’s career spanned over 80 years, during which he designed sets and costumes for both the stage and screen, jewelry, fine art, sculpture, and over 200 covers for Harper’s Bazaar. Known for an unwavering Art Deco style, he was equally renowned for his wide range within the art world, including his wildly popular Alphabet Suite prints, sketches for Paris fashion houses, and cognac bottle designs for Courvoisier.

The artist influenced Twiggy, Stella McCartney, and Barbra Streisand, who owns a large collection of Erté’s work. When Streisand bought an Art Deco Manhattan townhouse in the 1970s, she commissioned a mural and freize by Erté.

This month, the artist’s works will be showcased for the first time at the Hermitage Museum in Russia, where he was born. Opening June 21, the exhibit includes 136 pieces. New York’s Martin Lawrence Gallery in New York also houses an extensive collection.

Click ahead to preview designs from the Hermitage exhibit, including artfully symmetric costumes, gilded accessories, and a woman with a lavish feathered plume forming the number two.

View
1 / 15 Photos
Cosmetic Pallette, a hand-signed serigraph. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Costume designs for Aladdin and his Bride for a 1929 performance of Aladdin at the Folies Bergere. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Ar... Costume designs for Aladdin and his Bride for a 1929 performance of Aladdin at the Folies Bergere. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Ebony and White, a hand-signed serigraph. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Letter L from Erté’s Alphabet suite, which Erté began in the mid-1920's and did not complete until 1967, when it was exhi... Letter L from Erté’s Alphabet suite, which Erté began in the mid-1920's and did not complete until 1967, when it was exhibited in London.  Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Numeral 2 from Erté’s Numerals suite, conceptualized after the success of the 1967 Alphabet exhibit and the first series th... Numeral 2 from Erté’s Numerals suite, conceptualized after the success of the 1967 Alphabet exhibit and the first series that Erté produced in print. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Loge de Théâtre, a hand-signed serigraph. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Costume designs for the Mother of Pearl Ballet, performed in 1922 at L'Alcazar de Marseilles. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Lt... Costume designs for the Mother of Pearl Ballet, performed in 1922 at L'Alcazar de Marseilles. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Motherhood, based on a 1924 set design for Les Idoles.  Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Star Spangled Night, a cover design for the August 1934 issue of Harpers Bazaar. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Earrings, bracelet, and ring. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Printemps, based on a 1919 series of costume designs for Princess Aline, Mirabelle, and Galatee in Les Rois de Legendes. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & ... Printemps, based on a 1919 series of costume designs for Princess Aline, Mirabelle, and Galatee in Les Rois de Legendes. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Robes Nouvelle, a cover design for the October 1927 issue of Harpers Bazaar. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Robes de Soir, a cover design for the December 1921 issue of Harpers Bazaar. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
Starfish. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
White Tie, serigraph. Photo: Courtesy of Chalk & Vermilion and Seven Arts Ltd.
1 / 15

Tags:

  • erte
  • hermitage museum
  • russia
  • romain de tirtoff
  • art deco
  • martin lawrence gallery
  • gallery
  • fashions
  • slideshows
  • More

More Galleries

campaign trail Apr. 12, 2021
7 Women on Where They’re Finding Hope These Days  A new fashion campaign that focuses on the positive. 
fashion Mar. 15, 2021
Dramatic Wedding Gowns Inspired by Flowers  Danielle Frankel bridges the gap between bridal and fashion. 
campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.