ceil chapman

1950s Rare Ceil Chapman Dress & Coat

Every once in a while in this business you get something that is truly magical. This early 1950s set is just that! I have never seen a better piece by Chapman then this set and I have seen a lot of her designs! This is an early 1950s piece and you can see the heavy Dior New Look influence on it. The coat is cut extremely similar to the couture 1954 Dior I recently sold to a private collector. And the dress is as exquisitely made as some of the couture dress from this time period I have had. Before I even begin to delve into the cut I must talk about the fabric. It s a cut velvet that hose upper most layer has been painted in a deep olive! The base is a pale cream with a green tinge and it has a subtle color changing hue to it! It literally changes tone as you move it! I honestly have never seen a more amazing an unusual fabric in my entire time of dealing in vintage! It is truly special! The coat is a loose cut, voluminous draped affair constructed entirely of that painted and cut velvet and then lined in an olive silk to match the sash of the dress. It has short cuffed sleeves and deep shawl collar. The dress has a sculpted and full skirt that nips into a silk sashed waist. The front is cut high and square across the neck, with a dipped V back, You can see the future infamous draping the Ceil employs through the detailing on the front skirt. Exceptional and in excellent, appears unworn condition.

Jacket:
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: open
Waist & Hips: open
Length: 41ÔøΩ from neck to bottom hem

Dress:
Bust: to 18ÔøΩ flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5ÔøΩ flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5ÔøΩ from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 25" from waist to hem

The dress is fully lined in a hand set green silk through the bodice. The skirt is backed with dressmakers paper and then there is an interior lining of cream rayon - parts of which are also backed with dressmakers paper and parts of which have tulle added so it creates and keeps the shape. The coatÔøΩ is lined in the same green silk that also hand finished. The collar has has same dressmakers paper worked inside so it holds its shape. It closes with a large fabric covered button at the neck. The dress closes with a hand set, back painted metal zipper. Ribbon edged finished seams inside and high end construction. Only the dress is labeled.

Note that I am loathe to separate this rare set so priced it as acombined piece - Individually each wouldbe priced more then the combined price!

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML (2-small waisted and busted6)

Item# DD1077

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


Setting up a layaway is super easy and we are happy to provide this service!

Here's how deposits work on a standard layaway:

  • We require three equal payments of the layaway total. You will be invoiced for the first amount upon request
  • payment two of the remaining balance will be billed two weeks from the date of the initial deposit.
  • The final payment is due two weeks after the second payment and shipping will be billed on this invoice as well.
  • items less then $500, or that are on sale, require a 50% deposit with the final payment due in two weeks from the date of deposit 

Read More

We offer flat rate Standard UPS shipping worldwide. All shipping options are displayed at checkout in the pull down menus provided.

Want it faster?

We offer flat rates for expedited and express shipping options - these will also display at check out and can be selected with the drop down menu during the checkout process.

Read More

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.