ARCHIVE - 1960s Italian Alta Moda Orange Silk and Linen Shirt Dress
This vibrant early 1960s dress is a very fine, unlabelled couture garment and most likely handmade in Italy. Designed to look like a two-piece suit, it appears to have a jacket and skirt construction from the outside but is in fact one dress. Both the jacket and skirt sections are crafted from a sumptuous, textured orange silk and trimmed with silk faille braid. The buttons fall down the middle of the jacket, where as the skirt appears to have an off-kilter fastening. The couture made buttons are decadently crafted: elaborate gold-toned metal flowers with tonal glass cabochon centres. The top has long-sleeves and a relaxed, open neckline. There are two patch pockets at the chest. The skirt has a slit on the front left hand side and is lined with tangerine satin. The top is unlined but features shoulder pads.
When I first saw this design and the quality and construction of the materials used, I was pretty sure it was by made by someone special and skillfully trained in couture. No design labels remain; however, the fabric is labelled in the selvage of the skirt "Bassetti Tessuti" and the Italian words for "Pure Silk". Bassetti was founded in Milan in 1830 and is also Rome's finest fabric merchant who supplied all of the Alta Moda Ateliers during this period. This unusual button placement design first appeared in the 1962 Yves Saint Laurent (pictured) and Chanel haute couture collections for that spring. The dress almost certainly dates to this period.
The dress is in superb vintage condition and looks unworn - truly remarkable for the age of the garment. Please check the below measurements closely as the fabric has no stretch to it. We believe it would best fit up to a size UK 10, US 6.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST - 38 in. (97 cm)
WAIST - 35 in. (89 cm)
HIP - 40 in. (102 cm)
LENGTH - 39 in. (99 cm)
Pickup currently unavailable at CIRCA VINTAGE
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.
Do you have a price range?
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.
Can I bring anyone with me?
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.
Do you have an after-care service?
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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You are free to cancel but please do give us as much notice as possible.
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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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We offer free, secure, off-street parking but it is a tight squeeze – so do let us know in advance if you will be needing this and we can make sure that there is space available.
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Underground:
Stockwell (7 min walk) - Northern and Victoria Lines
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