In her Haute Couture Summer 1951 collection, Elsa Schiaparelli used pleats to create sumptuous graphic effects with stunning color combinations and contrasts of materials.

On the ethereal balconette evening dress, photographed by Horst P.Horst for Vogue, a pleat of purple organdy wraps around itself, creating transparency effects that evoke the magic of a Venetian lantern, playing on a plum organdy skirt.