Incredible 1978 Pierre Cardin Haute Couture Soft Taupe Silk Cape Dress w Rhinestone Detailing

This is a fantastic and surprisingly avant garde Haute Couture dress by Pierre Cardin. It is from the 1978 time period and we have included some reference photos of a version of the dress done in a darker colour. I love that we have these as sit really gives you an idea of how fantastic and unusual this is once it is on the body. It is a beautiful and elegant piece that may not be as mod in feel as some of Cardin's earlier pieces but it is one that shows the breadth of his talent. From a historical perspective it's also an interesting insight on what was to come as far as volume and play on proportion in the 1980s. 

Throughout his career Cardin often played with volume and for the 1978 collection he put huge voluminous caped bodices over very narrow skirts and then played with the detailing at the front. This dress is made from a fine silk crepe dyed to a pale taupe and you can see that fantastic play on volume in the cut. The dress is finished by hand and the fine workmanship is wonderful to see. That avant garde cut is all created by clever seaming and traditional couture methods and this mix is fascinating. The bodice is almost cape like in its cut. The neckline is a plunging V and it is this unexpected expanse of skin that balances out the volume of the top. The edge of the plunge, the opening for the sleeves and the middle of the bow are all finished in a rhinestone ribbon for a touch of glitz. The opening for the sleeves sit from the very outside exaggerated edge of the bodice and then are cut inwards on a slight downwards slant. This is what gives it that incredible and unusual silhouette that you see in the reference photos. The sides of the bodice extend straight out from the shoulders and then swoop down to meet those openings. You simply slip your arms through the openings and then the top portion of the dress just billows out around you. All of the silk then swoops towards the centre and has been gathered up and into a stiffened bow that sits at that base of the detailing on the top. The bow has an inner insert of stiffened fabric so its intended shape is help perfectly. The skirt falls from under that in a sleek and simple cut that is all cut on the bias. On the hanger it looks incredibly slim but the bias cut allows it to drape over you. It comes up at the front and has a slit so that you can walk and show a little leg. The back is unexpectedly simple, falling in a sleek sheath feel to the hem. It is very chic and unusual. Excellent condition with a note below

Unlined and hand finishes to couture standards. It slips over the head to wear. The proper Cardin couture tag is present. There is a spot near one arm opening where there is a lightened mark on the silk and a couple of minor fait spots on the front. Please see the photos after the label shot. It oversee looks to have been worn very little if at all. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. It will feel more of an oversized piece on a smaller frame

Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: no defined seam
Waist: no defined seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# DD4518

Reference Photos/Video: (1-2) 1978 Pierre Cardin Couture Preview.  /  (3-4) 1978 Pierre Cardin Couture Ad Campaign.  /  (5) French TV clip on Spring 1978 Collections.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.