40'S SOPHIE ORIGINAL SILK FLORAL APPLIQUE COCKTAIL DRESS
SKU: dr1459
Truly a rare, collectible find! During the 1940's Sophie Gimbel was the exclusive in house designer for Saks Fifth Avenue's high end Salon Moderne. In 1947 she was the first fashion designer to ever appear on the cover of Time Magazine.
In her book "The History of New York Fashion",
Caroline Reynolds Milbank states "Sophie's 1940's custom designs usually fell into the formal category, whether for daytime or evening. She made fitted coats and suits that were known for their feminine shapes, although she was also a fan of the strong padded shoulder line. While she lowered the hemlines of her clothes in 1948 in concession to the New Look, she maintained her narrow, yet curvy silhouette".
This amazing dress is a wonderful example of her designs. I can picture the exotic Dorothy Lamour in an outfit such as this.
Black crepe and a bold tropical type floral print silk in rasberry/fuschia, chartreuse, white, black and kelly green combine to make a dramatic statement.
The bodice has a straight neckline with a dolman type sleeve and heavily padded shoulders.
The floral silk fabric has been painstakingly cut and appliqued onto the bodice.
Dress buttons at back neckline, then has an opening above the metal zipper closure.
Pencil style skirt has a curved V shaped cutout at center hem. Silk floral fabric border at hem is also cut and appliqued to the black crepe fabric of the skirt.
There are eight pleats at front waistline.
Original belt is missing. We've shown it with a black stretch belt for display purposes only. Not included.
Labels read "Sophie Original" and "Saks Fifth Avenue"
Actual garment measurements-
Bust 40"
Waist 30"
Hips 44"
Shoulder to waist 16 1/2"
Waist to hem 33"
There should be three fabric covered buttons at back neckline. Top one is missing. Otherwise dress is in excellent condition.
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Price:
$325.00
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QTY
Out of stock
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Please see How to Measure for Proper Fit
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