1970s Stavropoulos Gold Metallic & Ivory Lace One Shoulder Dress

George Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear and his signature looks often involved draping and the use of multiple layers of silk done on a bias cut. He focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. It was said that his gowns "seemed to float on air". He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. His dresses were made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there - that starting price point equals to around $26,000US in today's dollars. So when you buy a vintage Stavropoulos gown you are getting incredible value for your money. The only reason his work is not under the Haute Couture category is because he was not an official member of the association.

I love the light and airy feel of the dress that is created by the yards and yards of silk chiffon used under the top layer of netted lace used in its construction. Working in this type of fabric is already difficult and this would have taken many hours of work to execute the making of this dress by hand. The silk layers underneath are all cut on the bias and this gives it a lovely movement and makes it very comfortable to wear once on the body. The dress is suspended from the single shoulder and falls from there with a loose and billowy effect as it widens out to the hem. The top layer of the dress is made of a netted ivory with a lace feeling pattern that runs over that. This is then detailed with gold thread that gives the dress a slight touch of sparkles. Once the dress gets past the bust it widens out to be quite full by the time it reaches the hem so that when you move you get an unexpected bit of volume. it is also gathered up at the side toward the back and this gives it a little extra volume there, shows off the layers underneath the top layer and also helps to create that asymmetrical hem. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon under the top lace and net layer and closes with a hand set, painted metal zipper set off side at the back. Has four full layers of silk chiffon under the top netting layer under the skirt

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to longest point of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3107

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