Cowl neck

A cowl neck is a neckline consisting of loose draped fabric around the collarbone.[1] The term can describe the neckline of a wide variety of garments, from the draped neckline of an evening gown to a raised neckline of knitwear similar to a turtleneck.[2] The neckline was introduced in the 1920s by Madeleine Vionnet based on her study of ancient Grecian sculptures.[3] The style is named for the cowl, a feature of monastic dress that serves as both a collar and a hood.

Cowl-necked pajamas created circa 1930 by Denise Vandervelde-Borgeaud based on designs by Madeleine Vionnet

History

20th century

Inspired by the draped garments of antiquity, Madeleine Vionnet created the cowl neckline in the 1920s using the bias cut technique that she helped to popularize.[3] The cowl neck enjoyed the peak of its popularity in the 1930s.[1]

Cowl neck sweaters were popular in the 1970s.[4] Dresses of the disco era also frequently had cowl necks.[5]

Cowl necklines were a common feature of slip dresses made in the 1990s by designers such as John Galliano.

21st century
Pippa Middleton in her cowl-necked bridesmaid gown.

Two of the most notable garments of the early 2010s featured a cowl neckline. Lady Gaga's cowl-necked meat dress, created by Franc Fernandez, caused a stir at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.[6] At the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Pippa Middleton attracted media attention for wearing a form-fitting dress featuring a cowl neck.[7] Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the dress quickly generated demand for high street replicas.[8]

The cowl neck experienced a resurgence in the late 2010s as part of renewed interest in 1990s fashion.[2] Vivienne Westwood has been cited as an important driver of the trend.[9][10]

See also

References
  1. Morton, Camilla. "Fashion A-Z". Business of Fashion. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  2. Montgomery, Joy. "Everyone's Favorite Teenage Trend Is Back and All Over Instagram Already". Who What Wear. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  3. Taylor, Kerry (2017). Vintage Fashion & Couture (2 ed.). Octopus Books. ISBN 9781845338565.
  4. Butler, Grant. "Back-to-school fashion: How many of these looks from the 1970s-2000s do you remember?". The Oregonian. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  5. Bramley, Ellie. "Tommy Hilfiger and Zendaya rock the Apollo for NY fashion week". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  6. Graddon, Frankie. "Raising the steaks: The impact of Lady Gaga's meat dress 10 years on". Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  7. Carter, Claire. "Pippa Middleton: my bridesmaid dress fitted a little too wel". Telegraph.co.uk.
  8. Bergin, Olivia. "Debenhams produce £170 copy of Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid dress". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  9. Freeman, Ellen. "Red Carpet Trend: Return of the Cowl Neck". The Fashion Spot. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  10. Leitch, Luke. "Vivienne Westwood Red Label Fall 2015 Ready-to-Wear".
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