This is the second time I have had a version of this dress in the shop and I think this one is in even nicer condition then the first was. I love finding Donald Brooks pieces, they are extremely well made and his main label pieces, like this one border on couture in their construction. His main line was basically made to order pieces. Brooks launched his main line label in 1963 with a collection for the Spring 1964 season. He quickly became one of the most sought after of the American designers and his client roster included Mrs. Kennedy, Claudette Colbert and Faye Dunaway. The New York Times said that he was one of 'the three B's of fashion' alongside Bill Blass and Geoffrey Beene. He helped to launch the American Council of Fashion Designers, won three Cody Awards and he designed the costumes for numerous Broadway plays. He launched a secondary boutique line 1971 but by 1973 both of his self named labels shuttered as he chose to focus on his costume and stage work which was really his first love.

This remarkable dress is one of the best pieces I have had in by Donald Brooks. The workmanship and fabrication of this dress is an absolute dream. The fabric is very special and one of those fabrics that you will only ever find in a really great vintage piece. It is a rich and intricate combination of a chenille cording that is coiled and hand stitched into place over a metallic black lace base. The chenille cording gives it this beautiful soft feel and adds dimension and texture to the dress. The netted and embroidered lace that it sits on has a metallic finish at its edges and an open weave so that you get this very subtle sense of seeing little glimpses of skin through the pattern. For the final detail the fabric has glossy black sequins that have been hand sewn and stitched into place to follow parts of the curving design of the chenille. The lines of the dress are kept fairly simple so that the fabric can take center stage. The bodice dips into a V at the front and is more fitted to the body. Inside there is a little weighted piece that sits at the base of the V inside the lining so that it sits perfectly when on. The bodice then narrows into the waist that is set just upwards of the natural waistline. A satin finished sash is attached to add detail and then the skirt flows out from there widening out as it nears the hem. The sleeves are gorgeous. Each sleeve widens to be very full by its end and I love how the ends are finished with a scalloping. That same scalloped detailing finishes the neckline and hem as well and that little bit of a metallic detailing on the underlying lace that peeks out around the edges is just fantastic. It is truly really a work of art. Excellent condition

The bodice is lined in a nude lingerie weight netting and the skirt is lined in an inner nude silk. The sleeves are unlined. The inner skirt closes with a zipper and the the outer skirt snaps over that. The back buttons to close with hand covered silk buttons and loops.

Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 37.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3724

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

I love finding Donald Brooks pieces, they are very well made and his Boutique pieces especially have a sense of fun and wit about them that I love. Brooks launched his main line label in 1964. He only designed for a very short time, closing his business in 1973. He had a secondary, boutique line that he started in 1971 that also closed in 1973. This dress is from the boutique line which gives us that small time period from 1971-1973 for its date.

A cropped skirt and top set really showcases what the early seventies flower power hippie movement was. This set is especially fun with its feeling that it could be fully reversible between the red bandana waffle weave cotton print on the exterior and that contrasting black and white dot print inside. The way the zipper and hooks are set make so that it is only wearable the way that you see it, but, it is finished well enough inside that if the fastening were done a different way it could be worn inside out. Which is a testament to the quality of the outfit. The top is a simple bikini halter type top and it is cut to be fitted to the bust with a hook at the back and ties at the back. Its short length shows off a taut, tanned stomach. The skirt is long and sleek feeling with a decorative tie at the front waist that exactly mirrors the tie at the back of the neck on the halter. I love the two super high slits at the front that allow almost the full leg to show when you move. On both pieces that pop of the black and white dot against the red floral print is just amazing. Excellent condition

Both the top and skirt are lined in the dotted cotton that you see. The top closes with a hook at the back and ties at the back neck. The pants zippers to close with flat hook & eye at the waist.

Top
Cups: should fit a B-C cut
Bottom strap: 15" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 13" from neck to bottom strap and you can tie to adjust

Skirt
Waist: 14.5" from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Total length: 40" from waist seam to hem
Slits: 27" from hem up

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3464

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

Donald Brooks launched his self-named label in 1964 and only designed for a very short time, closing his business in 1973. During that time he did two lingerie collaborations, one with Sinclair and one with Maidenform. The pieces for Sinclair were slightly less 'lingerie' and more hostess and at home wear. This is a wonderful dress from that collaboration.

This was originally meant to be worn only at home but is just thick enough that you could definitely wear it out. It does have a touch of transparency to it but just a touch. The fabric is a nylon jersey that you can easily wash and it will travel exceptionally well. It is cut on the bias so once you slip it on it just drapes over the body. It is not meant to be super form fitting which makes it very easy to wear and very flattering on. It has that perfect one shoulder cut and the edge of the neckline is finished with a band done in a contrasting black and white print. The entire body of the dress has the print set on a angle with helps to give the wearer the illusion of more height. A very high slit up one leg belies it lingerie roots but makes for a very sexy dress for our modern world. Excellent condition

Unlined and zips to close up the side.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem, with 1.5" turned under the hem
Slit: 30.5" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3433

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

I love Donald Brooks pieces and this little black strapless number is a great example of how he could do sleek and simple superbly. It is made of a slinky, fluid jersey and its simple exterior hides a very well constructed interior. The strapless bodice hugs your torso and is held in place by an inner corset that hooks to close under the top layer. This gives you a sleek line and shape. Under this the skirt falls to just about the ankle, or just above depending on your height, and there is an astonishing amount of fabric in that skirt. The fabric is light weight enough that it falls perfectly when you are standing still and does not seem bulky, but the second you move (or twirl across a dance floor) the amount of fabric becomes apparent. It is finished with two long panels of fabric that are attached at the back and then curve around the front and loop through the loop at the front center east. These then hang down the front in long ties. I am sure you could get creative and style them a few interesting ways too. Excellent condition

The skirt is unlined and the bodice has a full inner corset that hooks to close. The corset lining is a black silky rayon. The dress closes with a hidden set zipper over that.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: hooks at either 13" or 13.5" f;at across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 8" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 41" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2893

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