Woman standing by a brass hotel elevator in a crimson quilted velvet puff-sleeve top and a red satin high-low skirt

Velvet and embroidery · Autumn · Winter

Quilted velvet puff-sleeve top and red satin high-low skirt

A diamond-quilted crimson velvet top with enormous puff sleeves over a red satin wrap skirt that drops to the floor at the back, shot by a brass hotel elevator.

Two reds that argue politely. The top is crimson velvet, diamond-quilted all over, with a round neck and two puff sleeves the size of cushions that end just above the elbow; it stops at the waist so the skirt can start. The skirt is red satin, wrapped and pleated across the front, cut to the knee at the front and sweeping to the floor behind, with the quilted velvet lining showing where it folds back.

It is a night piece and does not pretend otherwise. Wear it with a thin black sandal, hair straight, and resist any jewellery beyond the watch. Autumn and winter, hotel corridors, a dinner that was meant to be casual and clearly is not.

The elevator took its time. So did I.

the pieces

Crimson diamond-quilted velvet puff-sleeve topcrop top · velvet · burgundy
Red satin wrap skirt with pleated front and high-low hemmaxi skirt · satin · red