1950s Ceil Chapman Navy Silk Shift Dress with White Lace Top
Ceil Chapman was a female American fashion designer working and designing in NYC from the 1940s to the 1960s. She was revered as a creator of super glamorous cocktail and party dresses and celebrity clients flocked to her for her gowns including Marylin Monroe who declared Ceil Chapman her favourite designer.
This is a beautiful example of Ceil Chapman's early work from the late 1950s. Tailored from navy silk faille, the skirt is tailored to a pencil style with gentle pleating at the centre top of the back and atop the left hip, which cinches it to the wearer’s curves in a highly flattering manner. The top is cut from white silk, adorned with panels of white lace and finished with lace flowers. White lace forms wide, sheer sleeves. The dress fastens at rear with a hidden tonal white zip and hook-and-eye. The skirt is lined in smooth navy silk. It is labelled with the early Ceil Chapman label in black with white scroll.
In very good vintage condition and is robust enough to wear. If we are being picky, the lace has very mildly discoloured due to age in some places but it is not at all obvious when worn. The dress has no composition or size labels. Best fit for around a UK 8-10 or US 4-6 and sizes smaller.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST - 36 in. (91 cm)
WAIST - 29 in. (74 cm)
HIP - 38 in. (97 cm)
LENGTH - 44.5 in. (113 cm)
Pickup available at CIRCA VINTAGE
Usually ready in 24 hours
F.A.Q.
Will you set anything aside for me before I come?
We are happy to find anything you may be interested in from our website. We have an extensive offline collection. It is helpful if you can let us know your size, style, favourite colour to wear and perhaps your budget in advance of your appointment.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Clients may wish to bring modern shapewear. You may also wish to bring favourite footwear. We often find a classic pair of nude shoes work well when trying-on, or gold and silver. We have a huge variety of slip dresses and petticoats to complete your look. Many of which are also for sale.
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Many of our lower priced pieces, under £250, are not available to buy online. Dresses usually start at £150 and go up to £30,000 for the very best archival couture. Our bridalwear price points range from £1,000 to £20,000.
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Yes but please do let us know the size of your party in advance.
Where can I get alterations?
We offer some alterations in house. Should you need alterations we cannot provide, we can refer you to one of our tried and trusted tailors.
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We will advise you on the best way to clean and preserve your vintage purchases and can also recommend trusted local dry cleaners.
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Our address is Circa Vintage, 87A Lansdowne Way London SW8 2PB
Upon arrival, buzz the 87A button on the gate or call us 020 7736 5038 to let you in.
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What is archival fashion?
Archival fashion refers to historically significant designer garments preserved for their cultural, aesthetic, or technical importance. At Circa, archival fashion includes couture archive pieces, runway garments, early designer work, and museum-quality vintage that document the evolution of fashion history.
How is archival fashion different from vintage?
While vintage typically describes clothing over 20 years old, archival vintage is selected for its rarity, provenance, and relevance to a designer’s archive or fashion history. Circa specialises in archival pieces rather than general vintage.