ARCHIVE - 1970s Gina Fratini Romantic Satin Maxi Dress

This is a phenomenal dress by celebrated British designer Gina Fratini who was a favourite of Princess Diana and many an aristocratic debutante. She was renowned for her floor sweeping romantic designs and extraordinary attention to detail. This is a superb example of her flamboyant work, perhaps one of the best we've ever seen. There is voluminous amounts of fabric in a cream satin with a contrasting printed design in sea foam greens, eau de nil and pale blues. It looks rather abstract and it reminds us of a cubist painting. The dress has a very renaissance look and begins with a square cut neckline, edged in lace with the eyelets threaded through with ribbon. There is also a large ruffle lace trim that edges the entire neckline and follows around the back into a low sweetheart line. The sleeves are elaborate Juliette sleeves which became fashionable during the era under the influence of Zeffirelli's film Romeo and Juliet. The bodice is made up of full dress length panels falling directly from the bust line all the way to the floor. These are cut longer at the back to give a small train. There is a centre zip fastening to the back and it is lined in a quality acetate.

This heavyweight satin dress is in very good vintage condition and verging on excellent. Whilst it does show gentle signs of use and wear, the overall look is very pleasing. There are no faults of any note. There is one exceptionally small, well executed repair towards the back hem - it looks like it was a small hole but this is impossible to see when worn. There are no noticeable stains on the satin which still retains a remarkable lustre. We estimate this will fit a range of sizes up to UK size 10 due to the dress falling freely from the bust. It could also be further altered for larger sizes and we would be happy to advise on this. It would make a spectacular wedding dress and you would be in good company - Elizabeth Taylor choose a colourful Gina Fratini dress for her second marriage to Richard Burton.

MEASUREMENTS:

BUST - 31.14 in. (81 cm)
WAIST - 35.15 in. (91 cm)
HIP - 90.5 in. (230 cm)
LENGTH - 61.8 in. (157 cm)
SLEEVE LENGTH - 25.9 in. (65cm)

NOTES ON DESIGNER:

Gina Fratini was a British designer renowned during the 1970s and early 1980s for her romantic gowns which were of elaborate construction. She was a favourite of Princess Diana who wore her designs on several state occasions. Elizabeth Taylor famously chose a medieval style Gina Fratini gown for her second marriage to Richard Burton.