STAR L E T: M A R L EN E D I ET R I C H This past summer, MTS received a call from an enthusiastic repeat customer who had bought a dress with a unique history. The exqusite garment is an over-dress or robe that is intended to be worn on top of another garment. Constructed of sheer silk embellished with metallic embroidery over a black silk taffeta lining, the dress closes in the front with only two hook-eyes. It was clearly worn, based on the fraying at the center-back hem, but is in fair condition overall, and relatively clean and stable.
Based on information provided by the dress’s current owner, as well as photographic evidence, this dress is believed to have been worn, if not owned, by the film star Marlene Dietrich (1901–1992). A production still of Dietrich wearing what appears to be the same dress in a scene from the film Shanghai Express, published in a 2012 New York Times article. While much of the dress is hidden in the photograph, the distinctive metallic embroidery is clearly visible on Dietrich’s right shoulder. The dress’s current owner also provided MTS with an image of a magazine showing Dietrich wearing the dress in a photograph for an article promoting the same movie. Again, while little of the dress is seen in this photograph, the distinct embroidery is visible, as is the collar of the dress in question.
Fig. 12. Marlene Dietrich and Clive Brook in Josef von Sternberg's Shanghai Express. Private collection.
10 Fig. 13. Border. Details of Manatunga wool blanket, made in Duneclin, New Zealand. 10
