This gown is divine and made to couture standards. I love richness and instant impact of the fabric and the elegant cut. I feel that Halley designs always start with the fabric and this fabric is amazing. It is a rich, heavy cream silk with a hand paint design of grapes and flowers running over its surface in a soft, romantic wash of color. Over and through the design runs a layer of silk velvet fused over the pattern and used as an outline to give the fabric an extra layer of depth and texture. The bodice has a high neck and beautifully cut sleeves that widen as they near the wrist. The waist sits slightly above the natural waist line giving it an almost baby doll effect. The skirt is tremendous with a great volume of fabric and full underskirts to give it the shape and fullness you see. Halley started at Charles James who said of the young designer that he "was a genius at draping". By the time he opened his own atelier in 1966 he was in full form and was a master cutter as well. His work is on par with couture and each piece is hand finished and has all the lovely high end details one looks for in proper couture. He is without doubt one of my favorites and I treasure each piece I can acquire. Excellent, museum quality condition
Fully lined in hand set cream silk and closes with a back hidden set, painted metal zipper. The bow hooks into place in the back. Hand finished throughout with a multi layered inner skirt of silk organza and silk tulle in addition to the inner silk lining. Please note that it was too small to fully zip on the mannequin so I have included a back view photo of it lying flat so you can see it zipped as intended.
Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 13"
Bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open as each side is slitted to waist
Bodice: 12" from neck to bottom of 1" waist band
Skirt: 39.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS
Item# DD1990
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
