Jean Louis is the designer who created the dress that Marilyn Monroe was sewn into when she sang Happy Birthday to President John F Kennedy. Louis worked in the movies and headed the costume department at Columbia Pictures before starting his own label in 1961. Once he began designing under his own label he concentrated on suits and evening wear and was known for his beautiful fabric choices. This is an exceptional example of his work and it is absolutely gorgeous.
This is a truly beautiful cocktail dress that has the lines and cut that were so suggestive of the work being done in this time period. It is a very beautiful dress and I am very pleased to have it in the shop. It is impeccably constructed with lots of hand finishes and details. You get the feeling that no expenses were spared in the construction of it. The cut follows and emphasizes your curves. The bodice is cut too be more fitted and I love how the straps that suspend the dress from the shoulders are set so wide across the top. This leaves the collar bones bare and open. It scoops down at the front and the back dips even lower. The waist nips in and there is a panel of the same fabric the bust is made out of under the waist seam that skims over the tops of the hips. The entire upper portion of the dress is covered in a black netting. What is remarkable is that the netting has been pleated into perfect little knife pleats and then placed over the inner fabric. This gives the dress an extra added level to detailing that is remarkable. I love the very subtle striping effect it creates while still giving it a soft and slightly transparent feel. The skirt is spectacular. It is made up of three layers. There is an inner silk net layer for volume and then a silk organza covered layer over that and finally the top netting. The very top layer was then detailed with feathers. The feathers hang down past the hem and the slightest bit of air it create a tremendous movement around you. It is all hand finished and just an exceptional example of dresses from this period. I love it. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a black silky rayon and the skirt is constructed as described above. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. It looks like there is a feather missing but there are so many it is inconsequential. Please see the shot after the label shot for the little spot on the netting it left. Otherwise it looks to have been worn very little if at all.
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of bodice to waist 42.5
Skirt: 24" from waist to hem, 28 to end of the feathers that extend past the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3579
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
