2011 Julien Macdonald Runway Gold Beige Lace Appliqué Fern Print Dress

Julien Macdonald’s Fall 2011 collection was described by Vogue as “a moody, ethereal, and hard-edged take on the tartan-heavy Highlands.” His unrivalled expertise with both bead work and knitwear was evident, and the models walked the runway resplendent in glamourous gothic looks - think delicate sheer cobwebby fabrics, intricate crystal beading and muted hues.

This high-low dress walked the runway as look 28/33. Tailored from a lightweight silk-chiffon, it is patterned with an autumnal print of ferns, leaves and other sketchily rendered plants in muted gold and earthy tones. The dress is cut to a pleated mini-skirt length at the front, which is finished with a fluffy raw hem as the floor-sweeping printed silk cascades around it. It has a panelled construction, and the waistband at the rear is crafted from a blush pink silk-chiffon. The back of the neck is panelled with glistening gold lace. True to Julien Macdonald’s detail orientated viewpoint, the front of the dress is adorned with applique fern leaves woven with metallic gold, bronze and silver threads. They are finished with tiny glittering beads as though they have caught the morning dew. The front is cut to a low V and is trimmed with gold lace that falls and frames the front of the skirt. The dress is lined with blush pink silk-chiffon. It fastens under the left arm with a hidden tonal zip.

This dress is in excellent archival vintage condition and doesn't appear to have been worn as it carries some of its original tags. It is labelled 100% Silk and the fabric has no stretch. It is a size 40 which equates to a UK 8 - 10 or US 4 - 6 but please check the below measurements as there is some leeway on the hips and waist.

Note on the designer: Julien Macdonald OBE rose to prominence in the late 1990s. After graduating from the Royal College of Art, he was hired by Karl Lagerfeld to work at Chanel, and was later appointed chief designer at Givenchy. In 1997, Macdonald launched his eponymous label and it was here that he cemented his reputation for high-octane, couture-level craftsmanship. He was named “British Fashion Designer of the Year” at the 2001 British Fashion Awards and, in 2006, he was awarded an OBE for services to fashion. Macdonald is known for his meticulous handwork, opulent fabrics, and body-sculpting silhouettes that marry traditional techniques with unabashed sensuality. His designs, often featuring intricate beading, feather work, and lacework, have made him a red carpet favorite and a key figure in modern fashion, celebrated for reviving the spectacle and decadence of haute couture in a contemporary context.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 32 in. (81 cm)

WAIST - 30 in. (76 cm)

HIP - 42 in. (107 cm)

LENGTH FRONT - 36 in. (91 cm)

LENGTH BACK - 84 in. (213 cm)