1970s Mary Therese Couture Pastel Textured Brocade Maxi Dress
This beautifully made dress was designed in the 1970s by Mary Therese, an atelier in Nice, France, that flourished in the mid-20th century. Mary Therese famously made dresses for Princess Grace Kelly, alongside the Givenchy and Christian Dior fashion houses, and today these pieces are much sought-after by collectors. This dress is tailored from the most wonderful, weighty fabric - an elaborately textured brocade detailed with swirling baroque motifs and patterned with aqua, tangerine, apple-green, mauve and candy-pink florals. The gown has a long-sleeve maxi silhouette and the curved neckline gives way to the blue buttons and hidden zip that secure the front. To make the dress easy to put on, the long sleeves have zip cuffs and the waistband can be partly opened with snap closures. There is a detachable belt in coordinating fabric with a square cloth-covered buckle. The dress is fully lined in a sheer off-white mesh and the full skirt is finished with a slip in cream satin.
This dress is in excellent vintage condition. Of minor note, the leather on the back of the belt is slightly cracked due to age but this is not apparent when worn. The fabric of the dress has no stretch and there are no size or composition labels as this was couture made for one of Mary's fabulous clients. We think this is best suited to a size UK 8 or US 4 and below on account of the small waist.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST - 33 in. (84 cm)
WAIST - 26 in. (66 cm)
HIP - 40 in. (102 cm)
LENGTH - 56.5 in. (144 cm)
Pickup available at CIRCA VINTAGE
Usually ready in 24 hours
F.A.Q.
Where can I find more information about this item?
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about any item on our site. Please get in touch at shop@circavintage.com or on +44 (0)20 7365053.
Will you set anything aside for me for my appointment?
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 to my appointment?
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 at the showroom?
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 to my appointment?
Yes but please do let us know the size of your party in advance.
Where can I have my circa garment altered?
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.
Does Circa 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 Circa 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 at the Circa showroom?
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 to the Circa showroom 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 does Circa 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.