Bill Gibb was one of the most influential designers in 1970s Britain and his clothes were sought out and worn by the rich and famous. His work has a high fantasy element and he was crowned Designer of the Year in 1970. Much of his work verged on couture and he was unrelenting in striving for perfection. This dress is simply amazing and a wonderful example of his work. The dress is made from a silk chiffon that has been dyed to a deep fuchsia that gradually darkens to a deep mauve. I love how the color deeps as it goes down the dress through both the bodice area and the skirt. The bodice is cut with a wide sleeve that comes out from the gathered and corseted waist. The neckline at the front and back dip in a deep V to meet the high set waist and this creates a beautiful shape that is far better on a real body then how it looks on my dress form. The front neckline is detailed with a little fabric flower that is finished with sequins to pick up on the detailing on the skirt and tie the top and skirt together. The skirt cascades to the floor in a sweep of silk chiffon. Onto it is a design that is made up of fused glitter so that every time you move it sparkles as it moves. The outer silk is backed with an inner lining if a silver silk and this gives the fabric added dimension. It is far better in person and really a wonderful dress that is meant for a real body to make it truly shine. Excellent condition.

The dress is fully lined in a silver silk and closes with a side metal and nylon zipper and hook and eye along part of the bottom seaming of the arm on that side. The waist area appears to be boned but it is not - that is all seaming. Big glass buttons on each cuff. Some of the pattern in the skirt looks like a shadow on the silk and I suspect that it is where glitter was once applied and has fallen off. That said it is regular so it could have been done like that purposely. It certainly doesn't appear or feel like a flaw and is mentioned for accuracy only. It appears to have never been worn, or worn very little

Sleeves: approx 23"
Shoulders: no defines seam
Bust: no true side seams so open and variable
Natural waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at bottom of gatherings 24" down from the shoulder: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam, skirt is open under that
Length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3068

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

A dress from this same 1976 collection was photoed on Tina Chow by David Bailey for Vogue. I have included those reference photos here and you can clearly see the same ribbon detailing and pleating technique used. Pieces at this level and beauty by Bill Gibb are extremely rare and it is a privilege to have such a gorgeous example of his work in the shop.

Bill Gibb was one of the most influential designers in 1970s Britain and his clothes were sought out and worn by the rich and famous. His work has a high fantasy element and he was crowned Designer of the Year in 1970. Much of his work verged on couture and he was unrelenting in striving for perfection. This dress set is amazing and I feel that it is a high couture, fantasy version, of the one worn by Ms. Chow. It is made up of two pieces  - a long maxi skirt and a top that has an attached, full length net jacket. The inner skirt is gorgeous in its own right. It is made out of a fine silk chiffon with a soft pink silk interior. The exterior silk chiffon is knife pleated so that it has a lot of movement. The outside layer is finished with that pretty ribbon finish made up of three stripes of silk satin ribbon in a pale blue, a pink and a mint green. This same striping edges the inner portion of the top. The inner top is made from the same silk and chiffon combination as the skirt and treated with that same knife pleating technique. Sitting over, and attached to this, is a long jacket and it is here that the high couture fantasy aspect of the piece goes into full play. The neckline is cut wide across so it almost sits off the shoulder. The fabric that sits over the inner silk top is a fine ivory netting that has a stunning design of flowers and vines that trail up from the hem to the top. They are denser around the hem. Each bit of that design is hand embroidered with a multi-colored pastel thread that has a metallic silver running through it so that it has a subtle glint. It is like wearing a literal work of art. The combination of the fine embroidery work and the metallic of the silver is incredibly beautiful and delicate in feel. All of the edges are all finished with silver cording and there is a ling tie of it at the neck. The sleeves are even more incredible. They are cut extra long and each has an inner pleated base made out of a pale pink silk chiffon that is knife pleated like the skirt and inner top are. Over this is a slightly more ivory toned silk netting that poufs out from the shoulder and is caught up just below the elbow. It then flares back out, widening as it reached the end of the sleeve. Each sleeve is densely hand embroidered with that same metallic thread as the body of the jacket. Long silver cords hang down from the seam at the elbow. This is a rare and absolutely amazing piece that is even better in person. It would even make a beautiful choice for a bride who is looking for an alternative to the traditional wedding gown. Excellent condition

Both piece are fully lined in a pale pink silk. The skirt closes with a metal and nylon zipper. The top slips on to wear with snaps and hook and eye at the very top of the inner most silk part. Museum quality and appears to have never been worn, or worn very little. The colors in person are softer and bit more pink feeling in person. So much better in real life.

Skirt
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 44" from waist seam to hem

Top/Overlay
Sleeves: approx 31"
Shoulder opening: approx 17"
Bust: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist- hips: open
Length: 25" from top of shoulder to hem of inner top, 58" from shoulder to the full length hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3081

Reference Photos: Tina Chow in an ensemble by Bill Gibb. Photographed by David Bailey for British Vogue, April 1976.

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 twin of this gown resides in the permanent collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum. They dated it with a general reference to the 1960s but I feel that it has more the feel of the 1977 collection as per the reference photo that I have provided here. Pieces at this level and beauty by Bill Gibb are extremely rare and it is a privilege to have such a gorgeous example of his work in the shop.

Bill Gibb was one of the most influential designers in 1970s Britain and his clothes were sought out and worn by the rich and famous. His work has a high fantasy element to it and he was crowned Designer of the Year in 1970. Much of his work verged on couture and he was unrelenting in striving for perfection. This dress set is simply amazing and a wonderful example of his work. It is made up of two pieces. The inner dress is amazing all on its own even without the piece that tops it. It has an empire cut with a halter style bodice that is suspended from the shoulders by two tiny straps. The fabric is a fine ivory netting that has a gold thread applied to it to form the lace pattern. This runs over the dress from the top of the shoulders to the hem. The pattern gets denser as it nears the hem and really makes the gold take center stage. The skirting of the dress has been finely pleated and the combination of those tiny pleats and the gold is incredibly beautiful and delicate in feel. It has a lining of the palest pink silk that gives the netting just a touch more of a pink feel to it in certain lights. Over this is a long, sleeved overlay or jacket, that is made out of a pale pink silk chiffon that has been embroidered by hand. It has four panels of fabric that split between each right up to the waist line of the dress. These sit on each at the front and then two more at the back. The opening between each panel so fabric allows the gold of the dress to show underneath when you move. The chiffon is a pale, dusty pink in color and the embroidery work on this outer layer is done in a combination of soft corals, mint and ivory. The tiniest little seed pearls detail parts of the design. All of the edges of the outer jacket are finished with gold lace. This is a rare and absolutely amazing piece that is even better in person. It would even make a beautiful choice for a bride who is looking for an alternative to the traditional wedding gown. Excellent condition with one minor note to review below.

The dress is fully lined in a pale pink silk and closes with a side metal and nylon zipper. The overlay is unlined and slips on to wear with hook and eye at the very top. Note that it was a bit tiny on my dress form and will fall even better on the proper sized girl. Museum quality and appears to have never been worn, or worn very little. There is one small storage spot on the front panel of the chiffon jacket near the lower edge that is shown on the photo after the label shot. The colors in person are softer and more of a true gold and very soft dusty pink.

Dress
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist at seam: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of straps to empire waist seam
Skirt: 44" from waist seam to hem

Overlay
Sleeves: 19"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist- hips: open
Length: 52" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3079

Reference Photos: (1) Tree Allen in Bill Gibb by Barry Lategan, 1977.  /  (2) Bill Gibb Set from the V&A Online Collection.

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

A version of this set is held by the Liverpool Museum and is currently on display in the exhibit happening now at the Walker Art Gallery Collection for the Fashion Icons: Celebrating Gay Designers exhibit.The show motes for that version state:

Bill Gibb was born in Scotland and moved to London to study fashion design at St Martin’s School of Art. Between 1969 and 1972 he worked as a freelance designer for the fashion house of Baccarat before launching his own company.
This evening dress, with its petal-shaped hemline, and glowing jewel-like colours, is typical of much of Gibb’s work in the early 1970s. In particular, his use of an exotic pattern and a metallic Lurex thread in the fabric shows how he was often influenced by rich historic fabrics and non-Western cultures.

Gibb was one of the most influential and famous designers in 1970s Britain and his clothes were sought out and worn by the rich and famous. This three piece ensemble plus a belt is amazing and an absolute perfect example of his work. Included are the midi skirt, a sleeveless tank that buttons at the front, the jacket and a fabric belt. The skirt is cut to midi length and is made of a series of flat, knife cut pleats that fall from a more fitted hip. Into this tucks a top that is sleeveless and buttons down the front with amazing holographic faceted buttons. The jacket is a work of art - it is cut with high capped shoulders and has a fabulous dog eared collar. It cinches at the waist by a seam and flares out below that to past the hip. There are big curved pockets on each hip and the same buttons close the jacket that are on the top. It almost has a slouchy cardigan feel to it. It also has its original belt that has an unusual finish of a flexible holograph strip that picks up on the buttons of the jacket and top. The colors are a fabulous mix of greens with other colors running through and the glitter of the lurex is amazing. This is a rare and absolutely wonderful set. Excellent, museum quality condition.

The skirt is lined through the hips and where the pleats start it is unlined. It closes with a side zipper. The top buttons to close and has an expanse of lining around the lower half that you tuck in and it helps it stay on place. It is unlined. The jacket is lined in a green silk satin and buttons to close with two buttons on each cuff as well. Pockets on each hip of the jacket. Original tie belt included. The skirt and jacket are tagged. Appears unworn.

Jacket
Sleeves: 24" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 16" from waist to hem

Top
Bust: 16.5-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 21" from shoulder strap to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 34.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2739

Reference Photos: (1) Evening dress, Bill Gibb, 1973 from the Walker Art Gallery Collection (on display now for the "Fashion Icons: Celebrating Gay Designers" exhibit). / (2) Evening dress, cellulose acetate, nylon and lurex, Bill Gibb, 1973, Liverpool Museum Archives.

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