#6936 $800 Sold
Ceil Chapman beaded party dress, 1950s
The talented American designer Ceil Chapman found her true calling after WWII, when Dior's New Look (the wide, low neckline) returned prettiness to center stage in the fashion world. Chapman's designs were a favorite of Marilyn Monroe.
While Chapman is best known for draped, body-conscious styles that celebrate the female figure, she also produced intricately beaded designs like this fabulous satin cocktail dress.
The dress is fashioned from peachy, pink satin covered with alternating stripes of beading and velvet ribbon. The beading has an inspired textural assortment of faux pearls, faceted crystal balls, rhinestones, and silver-lined clear crystal beads.
This beauty is lined with matching taffeta and closes on the side with a metal zipper. The bodice seams are boned for support. The straight skirt has three kick-pleats in back.
The condition is excellent and wearable.
It measures: 36" bust, 26 1/2" waist, 36" hip, 16" from shoulder to waist, and 44" from shoulder to hem. The dress was taken in; the extra fabric remains in the skirt and can be let out, but the bodice seams were trimmed.
