This is the second time I have had this dress and I love it even more the second time around. It is just a spectacular example of his work. The same dress is part of the permanent collection at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and that one was displayed in the 2013 exhibit "Hippie Chic. A similar gown also resides in The Met collection with a shorter skirt length and different pattern. The cut is otherwise the same.
The Fall/Winter 1971-72 collection took its inspiration from the Medieval time period and many of the pieces in the collection had this influence, including this one. Sant' Angelo was the winner of two Coty Awards and two Council of Fashion Designers of America honors and was known for his innovation and pioneering use of stretch fabrics. Here we have a dress that really showcases his love of color and mastery of mixing it. It also showcases his use of fabrics that were, up to this point in time, largely not used at all in woman's fashion and certainly not for dresses. The fabric he chose is a soft cotton that has a fleeced T-shirt feel. It has a touch of a stretch to it that makes it deliciously comfortable to wear. His signature piping finishes the neck and the multiple patterns are masterfully layered over each other in tiers through the body and over the waist. The sleeves are amazing and made of two tiers of fabric that sit over each other to mimic the tiers used on the body of the dress.
Sant' Angelo once said, "I am not a fashion designer but an artist who works in fashion engineer of color and form". This dress shows us how true that statement was. Excellent condition and a rare, highly collectible piece.
Unlined and closes with a back painted, hand set metal zipper. I see a couple of tiny nicks on the front skirt. They are lost in the pattern and are stable so have been left as found.
Sleeves: 20"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from neck to back hem, 54" at the front hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD2490
Reference photos: (1) / (2) At Museum of Fine Arts Hippie Chic Exhibit (Photo: Laura McLaws Helms) / (3) The Metropolitan Museum.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
