• The twin of this dress walk the runway for the Fall 1989 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Patrick Kelly.
• The Philadelphia Museum of Art hosted an exhibit of the work of Patrick Kelly in 2014. The show notes state: "“I want my clothes to make you smile”—that was the goal of late African American designer Patrick Kelly in creating his bold, bright, and joyful creations. Kelly achieved this on the streets, nightclubs, and runways of New York, Paris, and beyond in the heady, inventive, and often-subversive urban milieu of the 1980s....Kelly’s work pushed racial and cultural boundaries with golliwog logos, Aunt Jemima bandana dresses, and his ubiquitous black baby-doll brooches. His playful looks were inspired by his muse, Josephine Baker, and admiration for couturiers Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Yves Saint Laurent, among others."
• Supermodel Iman wore the twin of this on the runway and I love how spectacular she was in it.
• The dress is made out of a fantastic stretch velour fabric that will stretch to hug your curves and show off every bit of the body. That said the velvet keeps it flattering and easy to wear as it gives support at the same time it molds to the body.  This combined with that leopard print is just fabulous.
• The cut through the body hugs your every curve and the dress is molded to your frame all the way down to the hem. The stretch the fabric and the way to lower hem flares out is what allows you to walk. 
• The back is completely open and the front extends out too long extended ties from both side sides. These ties are what allow you to style the bodice in multiple ways. I shot a few here for you and you might find that once it is on you that you can think of more. It makes it an incredibly versatile dress.
• Whether you wear it halter style, as a one shoulder dress, or strapless, as soon as you turn around you get that bare expanse of skin which is very sexy.
• It curves over the hips, narrows back inwards slightly and then flares out beautifully for the lower skirts. The front hem of the skirt curves up a touch and then the back is cut a little longer than the front. The shape once this is on the body is fabulous and it is very easy to fit because of the stretch.
• It is a showstopper and an amazing example of his work. I love everything about this dress and that it is a true piece of fashion history that is extremely well documented.
• The dress is unlined and you just slip it on and tie the top part  as you wish to wear it. At some point the bottom hem was let down and I have left it for that extra length.
• There is no size tag present and it does have stretch. I have put the comfortable range while laying flat below. You probably still have some extra room if needed because of the stretch of the fabric.
• Excellent condition

Bust: variable because of the way it can be tied in multiple ways. It should fit just about any size chest.
Waist: 14-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: the full height of the bodice is 20" from its top to the waist. When you tie it, it will drain or fold and is meant to give you that versatility. For the length I folded the bodice in half so it's 10" from the top to waist.
Total length: 54" from top of the bodice, when folded as noted above, to front hem and the back extends another 8" past that.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD5153

Reference Photos/Videos: Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• A longer version of this caftan walk the runway for the Spring 2002 YSL collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Tom Ford.
• When this went to the shops it was sent in two lengths. One that was extremely long as shown on the runway and one that is a more manageable length that is about to the ankle on most women depending on your height.
• The caftan is made from an ultra light fine silk knit. A fantastic leopard print is worked onto the fabric and I love the bold statement that this makes.
• Long vertical panels of the knit are set side-by-side to make up the caftan and in between they are attached by little horizontal threads set down the full length of the caftan. This gives you a very subtle tiny cut outs vertically down you and all the way around.
• It plunge in a V at the front and does the same thing at the back. The sides are closed with open slits for your arms to slip through. The body of the caftan is open and easy as a result and it should fit almost anybody
• The lightness of the fabric makes it the perfect piece to wear on its own as an evening piece layered over something underneath, and that something could be as bare as you dare. You could also wear it during the day layered over a swimsuit. It is a really versatile piece and easy to travel with.
• You can see how fantastically it moves in the video reference we added. 
  
• It is unlined and slips over the head to where
• Tagged  YSL Medium
• Excellent condition

Bust-hips: open
Total length: 50" from the top of the shoulder to the hem including the fringes when it's laying out flat. When it is on it can extend down up to 59" at the sides.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD5152

Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) S/S 2002 Yves Saint Laurent Runway, Look 39, Model: Caroline Ribeiro. / (5) Photo by Craig McDean for Harper’s Bazaar, January 2002.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

The Shrimpton Couture Archives

• The twin of the dress was shown for Look 8 in the Pre-Fall 2013 Gucci collection.
• Made under the creative direction of Frida Giannini
  
• One was also worn by Clara Paget that same year
• A gorgeous leopard print covers the entire surface of the top silk chiffon layer of the dress.
• The front crosses over itself at the neck and then buttons in place behind the neck. Under that the top blouses over you and comes in at the waist. This leaves the back almost fully open and bare.
• It was shown with a belt that was sold separately and you could easily wear it with any belt to add more shape or wear it without.
• The skirt falls from the waist and it is incredibly full with yards and yards of chiffon. When you move this catches the air and billows out to move fantastically around you.
• The Gucci logo for this time period is worked within the leopard pattern over the entire dress
• Fully lined in a black silk chiffon and closes with a back hidden set zipper. It buttons to close at the back of the neck
• Tagged a Gucci 40
• Excellent condition with some very minor repairs near the hem of the skirt that you would never see

Bust: covers to 16.5" flat across from side to side with no true side seams
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 15" from neck to waist
Total length: 61" from neck to front hem, 66" to the longest point at the back

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5151

Reference Photos: (1) Pre-Fall 2013 Gucci, Look 8. Model Lin Kjeruif.  /  (2) Clara Paget in Gucci at the Serpentine Summer Party, 2013.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.