helena barbieri

Beautiful 1950s Helena Barbieri Strapless Pink & Gold Silk Brocade Dress

I am always so pleased to have a Helena Barbieri piece come into the shop as they are a rare label to find and each is very special. Her specialty was formal wear and her signature looks included decadent details and extremely fine, unusual fabrics. You would be hard pressed to find modern counterparts as finely done and constructed as far as the workmanship and detailing in one of her gowns has. This one is especially beautiful and it literally made me gasp out loud when I first saw it.

The fabric on this dress is a beautiful silk brocade that has a secondary gold design woven through its surface. This design runs over the entire dress and the silk seems to almost glow from within as a result of this color combination. The pink has a very rich and vibrant feel to it and in person, it has a more luminescent effect to it then how it photoed. I know the person who buys this will be very pleased once they see this one in real life. The bodice is strapless and it is cut to curve around the bust in a way that makes it appeared to be wrapped and tied into place. The waist is defined below this with a wide inset band of the same fabric. This tops a beautifully cut skirt that has pleats set along the hips so that you get a soft fullness there. Once you move you realize that there is also a good deal of fabric in that skirt and it moves wonderfully. It is cut to be slightly longer at the back. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is also drop dead gorgeous. Excellent condition with one small note below to review.

Fully lined with pink silk organza through the skirt and a white muslin through the bodice. Ribbon finished seams  at the hem and boning through the bodice with a hook and eye interior waist stay. Hand finishes. Closes with a back painted metal zipper. There is the slightest loosening of the cross weft of the silk along the bodice edges on each side but it does not effect the appearance when on at all. I photoed each side and you can see these after the label photograph. The price has been reduced quite a bit as a result. It is very strong and wearable as is.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to front hem, 44" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2630

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

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SIZE GUIDE

Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.