#2243 $850
Karen Stark/Harvey Berin beaded dress, 1960s
Harvey Berin, the manufacturer, and Karen Stark, the designer, worked closely to produce feminine, ladylike designs. Each season they adapted styles from Paris couture for the American market. Founded in 1921, the firm was an important name in high quality ready-to-wear from the 1940s to 1970. Pat Nixon's inaugural gown of 1969 was a Karen Stark/Harvey Berin creation.
The dress has two layers: the outer one is peach silk chiffon embellished with opaque white beaded flowers with loops of silver-lined crystal beads in the centers; the under layer is a pink silk crepe slip dress.
The style is unabashedly pretty—both ladylike and sexy. The delicate white beaded petals against a soft pink background make me yearn for spring (and will make the men in the room yearn for you!)
The bodice is lined with ivory faille; the skirt is lined with pale pink China silk. The under layer closes in back with a metal zipper; the outer layer closes with tiny snaps. The neckline and armholes are beautifully finished with hand-rolled hems. The cummerbund and bow are peach silk organza.
After an age in the wilderness, pink has again been adopted by some of the most influential designers. French Vogue has just given Barbie's favorite color its endorsement by featuring a bouquet of bright pink dresses on the cover of its autumn/winter collections issue.
The dress was purchased in June, 1965 in Saks Fifth Avenue. A Saks label with the name of the original owner is located near the designer label—see the bottom picture.
The condition is excellent. It is clean and ready to wear.
The size is marked 12. However, a vintage 12 is much smaller than a modern 12. It measures: 36" bust, 28" waist, 38" hip, 16" from the shoulder to the waist, and 40" from the shoulder to the hem.
