1970s Giorgio Sant'Angelo Red Silk ChiffonDress w Pink Silk Chiffon Lining & Prettiest Gusset Skirt

Giorgio Sant'Angelo was the winner of two Coty Awards and two Council of Fashion Designers of America honours. He was known for his innovation and pioneering use of stretch fabrics and unusual textiles in how work. He has had an entire museum exhibit dedicated to his work and career and his name is firmly entrenched as one of the great designers of his time period. His work captured a moment in fashion history and his love of colour and strong lines will forever be collectible. Pieces reside in museums worldwide including an extensive collection at The Met Museum. This is an exceptionally pretty piece from him and I love it.

The dress is made out of a soft red bias cut silk chiffon that sits over a second pink layer of silk chiffon. The colour this creates as the layers float over each other is the prettiest. I love that when you move you see that unexpected flash of pink. Both layers are completely cut on the bias and they float over each other perfectly to drape over the body. It is incredible. It is as light as a feather and the dress feels wonderful once on the body. The neckline is high and gathered around the neck and then there is a long keyhole at the back that leaves a bare expanse of skin showing. It is cut loose and easy through the body and we have added a wide grosgrain ribbon in a matching red for some shape but I also included a photo of the dress without the ribbon so you can see how it has a bit of a caftan feel if you choose to wear it not belted. It skims over the body and then falls in this extravagant swoosh of bias cut silk to the floor. It is cut very long and the bias cut of it lets it swirl around the body underneath and at the same time it feels insanely comfortable on because the fabric weighs ounces. The sleeves are incredible. Each is cut wide and straight and extends out from the shoulder. They are cut very low on each side and you can see that when you belt the dress that the bottom of the sleeves end up starting just above the waist. They also have that inner lining of pink so you get that flash of colour there as well. The perfect finishing detail on this dress are the inset panels that run all through the skirt. They start just below the top of the hips and extend all the way down to the floor. The panels add incredible volume to the lower skirt. If you laid out flat it is more than a full skirt circle of fabric. When you move the fabric swirls and floats around you with the slightest bit of air. It is stunning. The photos give you a tiny sense of that but in person and on the body it is so much better. The easy cut is immensely flattering once on and should work an a wide variety of shapes. This is a dress you will want to wear over and over for every summer occasion from day to evening. It is truly a remarkable dress that is hands down one of my favourite pieces ever. Excellent condition with a small note below.

Made from two layers of silk chiffon as described above. It closes with hook & eye at the back of the neck. The ribbon in the photos is not original to the dress but will be sent with it. There are some repairs at the tops of the gussets along the skirt and at the base of the keyhole. Please see the photos after the label shot. Hand finished throughout. The bias cut does have some stretch so should fit a variety of sizes. it will just drape more on a smaller frame and come up a little bit in length on a larger.

Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: no true side seams
Waist: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Top of hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam and open under that
Total length: 60" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4641

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.