New York fashion designer Jessie Franklin Turner, who specialized in creating robes and elegant, understated evening gowns tailored for specific clients, designed this robe for Margaret Payson of Falmouth.

The designer made the dress with a hand-dyed dusty pink knit-like woven wool fabric, which she paired with padded shoulders and a side tie closure. It features luxurious magenta satin lapels, cuffs, and lining, accented by a horizontal band of sage green that matches the tie belt.

Turner opened her design house in 1923 and retired in 1942. During her career, she was known for her unique and striking clothing. She developed her style by directly draping fabric onto models to achieve the elegant draped look that characterized many of her garments.