1980s Bellville Sassoon Appliqued Bodice & Princess Skirted Tulle Dress
The Bellville Sassoon label was founded in 1953 by Belinda Bellville but did not officially take on the Bellville Sassoon label until 1970 when David Sassoon, who had been with the company since 1958, took over most of the designing. In 1987, Irish designer Lorcan Mullany joined the company and took over designing and the brands labels changed to reflect this. The Sassoon label became internationally known when Princess Diana began wearing pieces quite extensively. Countless other celebrities wore the label as well such as Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, and Madonna.
The is the perfect princess dress and is absolutely wonderful with its dramatic and full cut through the skirt and densely beaded bodice. The bodice is fitted and the waist nips in. The bodice is cut to be barely there and is covered in a dense and elaborate combination of beading, sequins, applique work and metallic silver & embroidered ribbon that gives it a 3D feel. This is suspended from two tiny straps . The waist begins just under the bust line and under that is is gathered and fitted so that you are completely nipped in to create an hourglass shape. The illusion of the smallest possible waist is further exaggerated by the tremendous volume of tulle that forms that dramatic and extra, extra full skirt that you see. There are five full layers of tulle that make up that skirt and the inner most layers have additional lower ruffles to add even more volume. That fantastical fullness this creates is the perfect balance to that fitted top portion of the dress. I love that the bead work is done in a black, ivory and silver, but the skirt is actually a deep, deep navy color. It is an unusual color combination that works. It is beautifully made and so pretty in person. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a black silk and closes at the back with a metal and nylon zipper. tagged a UK 12 but it is very tiny. It is probably best suited for a size 0 as it did not zip fully on my size 2 dress form (it will of course close perfectly on the proper sized girl). Appears to have never been worn
Bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at the inner lining: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to seam under the bust
Waist Banding: 9" from seam under the bust to lowest seam where skirt begins
Skirt: 39" from lowest seam where skirt begins to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD3088
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.
