1960s Jean Louis Linen Dress Suit with Four Leaf Clover Embroidery
An important late 1960s ensemble by one of Hollywood's greatest costume designers - Jean Louis. The set consists of a dress and jacket and is crafted from beige linen which is lightly textured and embroidered all-over with four-leaf clovers in an assortment of complementary rainbow hues including lime green, baby blue, fuchsia, tangerine, lilac and yellow. The dress is tailored to a classic short-sleeve shift-style. It has a casual V-neckline and relaxed pencil-skirt that falls to just below knee-length. It fastens at the back of the neck with hidden tonal zip and hook-and-eye clasp. The jacket is cut to a boxy, lightly tailored fit. It fastens at the front with three circular plastic buttons, one orange, one yellow and one blue. It has an open collar with wide lapels and both the jacket and dress are lined with tonal crepe.
This important ensemble is in fantastic vintage condition with no flaws to the dress or jacket and looks barely worn. Couture made for one of Jean Louis's fabulously wealthy clients, neither piece contains a size or composition label. We think it best suited to a US 6 or UK 10 with a little wriggle room if you are edging up to the next size on occasion.
Notes of Designer: Jean Louis, born in Paris in 1907, became one of the defining costume designers of Hollywood’s Golden Age. After serving as head costume designer at Columbia Pictures from 1944 to 1960—earning 13 Academy Award nominations and winning for The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956)—he left the studio system in 1961 to establish his own label, Jean Louis, Inc. His firm specialized in refined cocktail dresses, evening gowns, and impeccably tailored suits, translating his cinematic sense of drama and line into garments for private clients. He continued to freelance for film studios, maintaining his connection to Hollywood while expanding his couture clientele which included leading actresses Lana Turner, Joan Crawford, Vivien Leigh, Judy Garland, and Julie Andrews. Jean Louis was celebrated for his ability to integrate a performer’s persona with character-driven design, a skill evident in the strapless black gown he created for Rita Hayworth in Gilda and the crystal-embellished, flesh-toned dress worn by Marilyn Monroe during her 1962 “Happy Birthday” performance for President John F. Kennedy whose sketch was drawn by a young Bob Mackie.
MEASUREMENTS DRESS
BUST - 39 in. (99 cm)
WAIST - 32 in. (81 cm)
HIP - 41 in. (104 cm)
LENGTH - 40 in. (102 cm)
MEASUREMENTS JACKET
BUST - 39 in. (99 cm)
WAIST - 32 in. (81 cm)
LENGTH - 18 in. (46 cm)
SHOULDERS - 17 in. (43 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.
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.
Can I cancel my appointment?
You are free to cancel but please do give us as much notice as possible.
Where's the showroom?
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.
Do you have parking?
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.
How do I get there by public transport?
Underground:
Stockwell (7 min walk) - Northern and Victoria Lines
Nine Elms (9 min walk) – Northern Line
Overground:
Wandsworth Road (13 min walk) – Westbound to Clapham Junction / Eastbound to Dalston Junction
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, credit/debit card, bank transfer, contactless, Paypal
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.