#2634 $950
Zandra Rhodes printed silk chiffon dress, 1980s
Among today's most original designers, Zandra Rhodes (b. 1942) is first and foremost a textile artist. Her print designs, like a stylized form of handwriting, set her apart from other designers—not surprising, considering her background. She studied lithography, intending to become textile designer but instead gravitated to fashion design, where she has made a brilliant career.
She never loses sight of the raison d'etre for fashion: to make the wearer feel pretty and desirable. Each of her unique creations, no matter how unconventional, blooms like an exquisite flower. If she has to break the "rules of fashion" to reach her goal, she goes for it.
The bodice front and sleeves are printed with a variation of Rhodes' Indian feather design. She developed the Indian feather theme after a visit to the Museum of the American Indian in New York in the 1970s.
The plain black skirt is divided into panels to reveal a glimpse of leg when you walk. The skirt lining is also split into panels. The hem is bordered with a band of black satin ribbon. The labeled dress features Rhodes' signature pearl trim. The dress is lined with black China silk and closes in back with a nylon coil zipper.
Rhodes' exotic originality makes her work among the most copied in the fashion world today. In recent seasons, interpretations of her prints have appeared on the runways at Dior, Miu Miu, and Fendi. What her rivals know but can rarely obey is Fashion Commandment #4: if the design is outré, it must also be extravagantly beautiful!
The condition is excellent and wearable.
The size tag has been removed.
It measures: 40" bust, 34" waist, 40" hip, 15" from shoulder seam to shoulder seam, and 50" from shoulder to hem.
