{"product_id":"1997-christian-lacroix-haute-couture-knitted-lilac-and-blue-dress","title":"ARCHIVE - 1997 Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Knitted Lilac and Blue Dress","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis runway documented gown walked the runway for Christian Lacroix’s Fall 1997 haute couture collection, Look 39. The silhouette is classic and the fabric unusual - signature traits in the French designer’s highly collectible couture designs. The outside of this dress is crafted from a highly textured, super soft fantasy bouclé wool; fluffy looped tufts form shell-like shapes or petals, swirling out of the boucle which is interwoven with silver metallic threads and anchored by a criss-crossing, tighter loop stitch. The dress is hand-dyed in ombré tones; fading from a multi-toned cobalt and cerulean blue at the top, it subtly and slowly shades into lilac grey tonals and reaches vibrant violet at the bottom hem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe silhouette is cut to hug the body with a corseted bustier top and asymmetric wide sleeve and strap. The back is low, offering a sensuous flash of skin which contrasts the cosy fabric. This is gathered at the bottom of this low-back and falls in soft pleats to echo a Watteau style short train to the bottom hem. Under the cowl neckline, the detailing at the bust is exquisite; Lacroix’s signature fantastical embroidery showcases a psychedelic mix of iridescent sequins, hot pink rhinestones, thick metallic threads and tiny pearls set against pink and purple embroidered netting and plumes of sheer lilac chiffon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside, Lacroix’s expert corsetry is unveiled. Lined with beautiful nude silk at the top, it is boned the whole way around the ribcage and a modesty strap cinches the waist. The rest of the gown is partially lined in slate blue silk. Under the wide straps, the nude and slate blue silks meet - making this dress a comfortable wear and soft against the skin. This dress comes with a coordinating shawl. Worn on the wrist or forearm as a single sleeve, the shawl wraps around the back and drapes across the other arm. The shawl is fringed at the end with tassels of violet loop-stitch and silver metallic thread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece is in truly excellent archival vintage condition and appears to have had no customization from the runway design. Pristine externally, we have noted the following; there is a thin silicon band underneath the left strap which is starting to perish. We can remove this or the new owner could replace if desired; however, it is functional as is. There is very, very, faint yellowing to a small section of the underarm silk on the left hand side and two pin-prick dots on the silk lining. None of these effect the look or wear of the dress as they cannot be seen when worn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to being couture made, it does not have a size or composition label so please check our measurements carefully; our estimate for best fit is up to a US 2 or UK 6 as the fabric has no stretch. The original yellow couture label inside reads “Christian Lacroix Paris”. A worthy contender for a couture collector or a red carpet event.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMEASUREMENTS DRESS\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBUST - 32 in. (81 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWAIST - 26 in. (66 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHIP - 38 in. (97 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLENGTH - 58 in. (147 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMEASUREMENTS SHAWL\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLENGTH (WITHOUT TASSELS) - 55 in. (138 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTASSELS LENGTH - 5 in. (13 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWIDTH - 15 in. (38 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSLEEVE OPENING CIRCUMFERENCE - 8 in. (20 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CIRCA VINTAGE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54734461141370,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0398\/5978\/1798\/files\/1997_Christian_Lacroix_Runway_Documented_Haute_Couture_Knitted_Lilac_and_Blue_Sheath_Dress_and_Shawl_5_5127a9ba-da34-4faa-9a28-e29d4c404259.jpg?v=1731942874","url":"https:\/\/www.circavintage.com\/pt\/products\/1997-christian-lacroix-haute-couture-knitted-lilac-and-blue-dress","provider":"CIRCA VINTAGE","version":"1.0","type":"link"}