Vietnam, 20th century, Cloak in yellow fabric, lined with yellow silk with embroidered decoration in light relief in yellow velvet of interlacing leafy stems. Bears a beige silk label inside from Worth (cf. Charles Frederick Worth). N.B. By family reputation, this cape is said to have been worn by Empress Nam Phuong. H. at sight. 112 cm and 121 cm The Maison Worth was founded by Charles Frédérick Worth in 1858. A pioneer in the world of haute couture, he revolutionized women's fashion by presenting collections on real mannequins. He introduced the notion of branding, affixing his house's labels to his creations. He was known as the couturier to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, and went on to achieve international renown with queens, artistocrats and other celebrities. The Maison Worth was then taken over by his sons Gaston and Jean-Philippe until the middle of the 20th century. An exhibition entitled "Worth, inventing haute couture" is currently on show at the Petit Palais in Paris until September 7, 2025. The cape shown here bears a Worth label on beige silk near the collar, a previously unseen piece worn by reputation by Empress Nam Phuong.