The Shrimpton Couture Archives

• The twin of this dress was shown on the runway for the Spring 1990 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Oscar de la Renta.
• This dress beautifully showcases the genius of Oscar de la Renta and the work that he was doing in this time period. The dress has a beautiful elegance to it and is quite striking.
• This sense of refinement is a constant in Oscar's work and I particularly love the earlier examples of it. You can see how many of the elements in this dress are a reflection of the standards he adhered to for his entire career and body of work.
• The dress is made from multiple layers of a lightweight slightly textured silk chiffon in the most stunning deep sapphire blue colour. The colour in person has more of a gray blue feel to it and is a touch brighter than how it shot.
• The bodice is gathered in an elaborate ruching of silk that meets in the centre under a thick braided detailing. The braiding runs down the center of the bodice to the waist.
• It is strapless and the neckline is cut into a rounded sweetheart shape that is very flattering. The bodice is fitted and cinches in at the waist with interior boning to help hold the shape.
• The skirt cascades to the floor at the back and then curves up and around you to come slightly higher at the front so you get a flash of leg when you move.
• The skirt is made up of three layers of weightless silk chiffon and this lets the skirt float over and around the body to give it the feel of airiness and lightness. The lightness of the silk gives it a gorgeous movement when you move and walk.
• It comes with a matching huge silk chiffon shawl / cape piece. On the runway it was gathered and hooked at the neck but with every one of these that I have seen in person the chiffon piece has had no closure and it is just one giant rectangle of fabric. You simply  float it over your shoulders and let billow out around you.
• The dress is fully lined through the bodice in a hand set blue silk and the three layers of silk chiffon the skirt is made of serve as its lining. The dress closes with a side painted metal zipper. Hand finishes. I see some small breaks in the fabric near the hem of the skirt. Please see the photo after the label shot.
• There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
• Excellent condition

Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 11" from the top of the bodice to the waist
Total length: approx 36" from top of the bodice to shortest part of the front hem, 55" to the longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Reference Photos: Spring 1990 Oscar de la Renta Runway.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.