Bill Gibb was crowned Designer of the Year in 1970. He was one of the most influential designers in 1970s Britain and his clothes were worn by the rich and famous. His work has a high fantasy element to it that I love. Much of his work verged on couture and he was unrelenting in striving for perfection. This dress is from his 1976 collection and version from that same collection with similar elements use for it was photoed on Tina Chow for Vogue that season. His pieces were never produced in large quantities and this one is exceptional. It is wonderful to have such a gorgeous example of his work in the shop.

This amazing set is actually two separate pieces which is lovely as you can mix and match them with pieces you already own to extend their wear. The top piece is this fantastic evening coat that is pure drama. It is made out of a pale pink silk netting with a built in inner bodice piece that is made out of pale pink silk. This sits over a full length skirt that is made out of a fine silk chiffon with a soft pink silk lining. The top layer of silk on the skirt is knife pleated all the way around. This gives is some volume and movement when you walk. Around the hem are three stripes of silk satin ribbon in a pale blue, a pink and a mint green. This same ribbon detail is also used to edge the inner silk of the jacket. The effect of seeing the stripes on the skirt and the top through the netting of the jacket is stunning. The inner top also has the same knife pleat finish so that it feels like one ling piece under the netting once on the body. The very top layer that floats over everything is a silk netting that has been hand embroidered with a flowers and vines design. The design has done with a soft pastel thread that has a metallic silver running through it. This covers the entire outer later and gets denser as it reaches the hem. The thread itself is the same colour combination as the ribbons on the skirt and under the top but with that metallic finish. The final effect is incredibly beautiful and romantic. The edges of the jacket are finished with silver cording and there is a long tie of silver cording at the neck. The sleeves are incredible. They are cut extra long and each has an inner knife pleated inset made out of a pale pink silk chiffon. They pouf out from the shoulder and are caught up just below the elbow. On an actual arm they are meant to sit up on the arm where they are brought in so that they netting above is very full. Below that the lower sleeve is cut to flare out and widen as it reaches the end of the sleeve. Each sleeve has the same hand embroidery detailing as the body of the jacket. Long silver cords hang down from the seam at the elbow.

No matter how much you might love the photos this one is even better in person. The workmanship in it has to be seen in real life to be fully appreciated. It is a beautiful and glamorous dress that is red carpet worthy and would make an amazing wedding dress for the bride looking for a non-traditional choice or as an alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration. And of course it could also be worn to any big event. Excellent condition

Both piece are fully lined in a pale pink silk as described above. 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 neck. The colours in person are softer and bit more pink feeling in person. There is some light fading to one side of the skirt near the closure but its very minor. 

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: (1-2) Tina Chow in an ensemble by Bill Gibb. Photographed by David Bailey for British Vogue, April 1976.  /  (3-4) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

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

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. I love finding his worn becasue its rare and exceptionally well made. It represents the more fantastical side of British fashion during this time period and I love that. 

This dress is amazing and a wonderful example of his work. It may not be what you typically think of when you see Gibb's work but it does show the range that he was capable of. 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 deepens as it goes down the dress. 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. 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 to tie the top and skirt together. The body of the dress is one large extra wide band. The silk is gathered over it and it is given  support and shape by that gathering and the seam work inits construction. This runs right to the top of the hip. The skirt cascades to the floor from there in a sweep of silk chiffon. Fused directly minor the silk of the skirt is a fantastic pink glitter that catches the light every time you move. The inner lining s a pale silver blue silk and having that colour layered under the top colour gives it a very unique effect that is conveyed better in real life then how it photoed. It is gorgeous and really needs an actual body in it to bring it to life. Excellent condition.

The dress is fully lined in a pale silver blue silk and closes with a side metal and nylon zipper. There are hook and eye along part of the bottom seaming of the arm on that side as well. Big iridescent glass buttons on each cuff. Small areas here and there where the glitter has fallen off but its minimal and I am being picky. 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.