#6930 $700 Reserved
Carolyne Roehm goddess-style evening dress, 1980s
As savvy collectors have long known, the vintage advantage can be found in a one-of-a-kind vintage garment without the high cost of new couture. Vintage provides a wider choice of flattering styles and colors vs. what is on offer from current designers.
Carolyne Roehm served her fashion apprenticeship under Oscar de la Renta. She then created her own line of luxurious, feminine designs, but this lasted only six years. Her work is not easy to find today—her clients do not wish to part with her creations.
The dress is a stately creation of heavy-weight, ivory silk faille. The goddess-style draped bodice is bias cut. The softly pleated long skirt overlaps in front. In the knockout dress, we can see the influence of Roehm's mentor, de la Renta, the great devotee of the goddess style in modern couture.
Known for meticulous attention to detail, Roehm used self-covered buttons and loops to close the dolman sleeves at the wrist. The back zipper is stitched by hand. The bodice and skirt are lined with white georgette; the sleeves are unlined.
The beautiful and stylish Roehm created a true fashion legacy before marrying a wealthy financier. She then became a leading player in the hothouse 1980s New York social scene. Check out this insightful article about Roehm at the New York Social Diary.
The condition is excellent. The dress, which still has the original envelope of extra buttons, looks like it was never worn.
The size is marked 8.
It measures: 36"-38" bust, 27 1/2" waist, 42" hip, 23 1/2" sleeve
length, 16 1/2" from shoulder to
waist, and 60" from shoulder to hem.
