lanvin

1940s Rare Castillo Window Pane Dress

Castillo is of course for his movie costumes and his work at Lanvin. Pieces from his Lanvin days are highly collectible and to find piece that pre-date that are as rare as rare can be. This piece is just that as it is from the 1945-1950 time period when he worked for Elizabeth Arden's design salon and on top of being rare is exceptionally beautiful. This is the dress for the girl that wants a LBD but with the kind of details you only find in couture or very high end master level vintage. A simple day dress with not so simple details, the subtly and attention to detail are absolutely fantastic and I hope my photographs can come close to how wonderful this dress is. The top is made of a fine, soft wool with rounded, slightly padded shoulders that end in a zipped, tight to the wrist cuff, with hand set zippers of course. Proper buttonholes under a refined collar close the dress to the waist and the line remains clean at the back with a mid back hand set zipper. The skirt is marvelous. It appears to be full at first and you could certainly add a crinoline between the layers of it if you wish. The inner skirt is black silk crepe and cut long and lean and fitted. The exterior is quite full and is a marvel of fine wool panels intercepted with extremely fine mesh and some of the finest stitching i have ever seen. Truly a collectible and masterful piece it is in excellent condition!

Shoulders: approx 15" but with no defined seams
Bust: 20" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" from side seam to side seam
Hips: Inner skirt under top layer is 19" from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist seam
Skirt: 30" from waist to bottom hem
Sleeves: 23" from shoulder seam to cuff

The dress is unlined through the bodice and the skirt has an inner skirting of black silk under the fuller top skirting. It closes with fabric covered buttons to the waist at the front and has a mid back set painted metal zipper at the back. Each cuff has a zipper to close.

Note that there is NO discoloration to the lining - that close up of the label is a lighting issue - the lining is jet black and the label black with bright pink script.

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML

Item# DD645

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival

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SIZE GUIDE

Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.