1970s Jean Varon psychedelic Autumn Tone Maxi Dress

An exceptional original vintage Jean Varon maxi dress dating to 1972. These designs by John Bates for Jean Varon boast an exceptional shape and this example showcases an incredibly dramatic satin print by Sally McLoughlan in satin 'Tricel Surah' fabric in muted colours of green, grey, orange, ochre, brown and ivory. This dress features a huge full length skirt, double-row frilled cuffs and a neat ruffle collar. The dress is front fastening with the original metal zipper and has poppers on the cuffs and a hook and eye fastening for modesty above the top of the zip.

In many a fashion museum's collection, this design featured in the 2006 John Bates retrospective at Bath's Fashion Museum. A different version of this dress featured in Vogue magazine as per the image. John Bates, along with Ossie Clark, Gina Fratini and Bill Gibb, pioneered a romantic and dramatic mood in fashion in the early 1970s.

This piece is of archive quality and in superb original condition with no faults of any note. With all the labels present, including a Harrods retail label, the dress will best fit a US size 4-6 or UK size 8-10. Although labelled a vintage size 12, it runs smaller for modern sizing.

MEASUREMENTS:
BUST - 36 in. ( 92 cm)
WAIST - 27 in. ( 68.5 cm)
HIP - Free
LENGTH - 58 in. ( 148 cm)
SHOULDERS - 14 in. ( 35.5 cm)