The duo behind the La Mendola label met in Rome in 1960 and started their business making dresses and selling them one by one, piece by piece. In 1967 they opened a shop and women like Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth become steadfast clients who were buying, and even wait listing for pieces as they were produced. They were located in Italy and their atelier closed in 1974.

The prints that you see on the La Mendola pieces were all done in house. This one is suggestive of long feather rows and it has been screened onto a beautiful silk jersey fabric that is gorgeous and easy to wear. It is also a fabric choice that takes the colour and print of their designs exceedingly well. The set is made up of three separate pieces, a dress, a matching cape, and a turban. The dress has a simple scooped neck and an equally simple cut through the bodice and sleeves. It skims over the waist and then gradually widens out as it nears the hem. The simplicity of the design is a backdrop to how the printed fabric is set to make the the dress. You can see how beautifully it lines up at the centre seams. Over this is goes a cape made in the same fabric. The cape has soft rounded shoulders and slits at the front that you can put your arms through. It is cut to end just below the hem of the dress under it and it is a study of refinement. To tie it all together the set comes with a simple matching turban. Each piece is simple and elegant and when worn all together it makes a dramatic statement. Together they are absolutely beautiful. Excellent condition with one minor note below

All the pieces are lined in a black silk. The dress zips to close at the back and the cape closes down the front with a series of buttons. Hand finished throughout. The top button on the cape is missing its black cap that the others have as shown in the final photo

Dress
Sleeves: 24.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from neck to hem

Cape
Shoulders: no true seams
Length: 42" from neck to hem

Turban
23" around with slight stretch 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3495

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

The 1970s saw the height of the cape's popularity and they were a tremendously easy way to add a ton of drama to any outfit from jeans to evening wear.  This one is made from a heavy grey wool and is cut to be full length and with tremendous volume through the cut. The lines are easy and the weight of the wool allows it to fall from the shoulders in a swoop of fabric that falls to the floor. It is constructed from a steel grey wool that is warm and has a decent weight to it, but is not so heavy as to be cumbersome when on. It hooks at the neck with a large hook & eye and is open below that to allow for the maximum movement.  The detailing on it is incredible. It has a hand set braided cord in two shades of grey that is done in an intricate pattern to  follows the collar and then runs down both sides of the front. Two large medallions of cording are also set under each point of the collar. Excellent condition with a note below

Unlined with ribbon finished interior seams and closes with a hook & eye at the neck. I see a couple of pinhole repairs that are seen from the back only

Length: 58" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# C448

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