1940s -1950s Designer Black Silk Crepe Cocktail Dress - New!

Regular Price
$580.00 AUD
Sale Price
$580.00 AUD
Regular Price
Sold Out
Unit Price
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SKU #1403

Measurements

Size: Small

Bust: 32 - 34 inches + 82 - 86 cm 

Waist: 26 inches + 60.5. cm

Hips: 35 inches + 89 cm 

Bodice Length From Outside Shoulder: 16 inches +  41 cm

Total Length:  44 inches + 117 cm 

  

Description

* Vintage 1950s black silk crepe cocktail dress

* Classic silhouette with cinched waist and figure hugging draped skirt

* Sleeveless bodice with pinafore styling

* Under bodice consists of black lace with scalloped neckline over coffee taffeta

* Gently shaped sheath skirt with draping due to insert panel at centre front hem

* Black over bodice resembles pinafore at front 

* This narrows to two draped open panels at back

* Fully lined with black metal zipper

* Bodice is boned for support and fully lined

* Label reads Dorothy O’Hara

Dorothy O’Hara commenced her illustrious career in the fashion industry in the mid 1930s, working for various small dress manufacturers in Los Angeles. Some years later she was employed by Paramount Pictures as a studio costume designer. When the opportunity came a couple of years later to renew her contract, she was able to negotiate the ability to design clothes for personal clients concurrently with her work in the movies.  Subsequently she launched her first collection in 1945 for Arnold Constable, a high-end department store. Her specialty was in designing alluring dresses that accentuated the female figure. These were invariably afternoon, cocktail and evening dresses that fitted close to the body, often with loads of draping.  In 1953, she launched her first complete evening wear collection. She also designed the dresses in which the daughters of the Governor of California would meet Queen Elizabeth. Throughout the later 1950s, her work was prominently featured in both advertisements and editorials in the icons of fashion magazines: Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Sadly, Dorothy died in 1963 at the young age of 51.

 

Condition 

This spectacular dress is a wonderful example of her work. It's packed with wonderful design elements including sensual draping, a flattering neckline, unusual floating back panels, a contrasting lace under bodice and last, but not least, a modern take on the hobble skirt of the 1910s. The dress is in  wonderful condition for its age with no flaws that I can see. Please drop us a line if your require additional information about this listing.

 

Shop Policies

Availability
This item is within our selling stock. In the unlikely event that two buyers purchase this item concurrently, payment will be immediately refunded to the latter purchaser. We apologise in advance if this rare circumstance arises.


Postage
We make every effort to post your item within 1-3 days of payment. Should a circumstance arise where we are unable to post within this timeframe (eg we are away at a fair) we will contact you immediately. Please note that our postage charges are based on standard international and domestic air packages - all with tracking. If you want to upgrade to express postage or require insurance, please contact us prior to checkout and we will adjust the rates accordingly.

LayBys/Layaways
Yes we do offer flexible layby/layaway options and are open to negotiation as to the time period. Obviously, the more expensive the item the longer the time you will have to finalise payment. Contact us to see how accommodating we can be :)

Special Orders
If you are looking for something that you don't currently find in our shop - let us know we may be able to help you with a special listing!

Photography
Our photos are taken with a mix of studio and ambient lighting. Whilst we take care with the colour balance of our photos, individual computer monitors register colours differently depending on their calibration. If you want the exact colour shade drop us a line and we will give you the Universal Pantone colours that match the item.