• This dress is from John Anthony's 2004 collection and is the original sample from his archive.
• It was made under the creative direction of John Anthony.
• Each piece that John Anthony made was on a made-to-order basis, which means that each piece is the only one that exists, or in the very occasional circumstance that there are similar pieces made, only a very limited amount of pieces were done.
• All of the pieces I have (and have had in the last couple of years) in the shop come directly from John's archive.
• John is one of the great American couturiers and he was known for his sharp tailoring and striking evening wear. He launched his atelier in 1971 and he quickly rose to fame, winning a Coty award in 1972 and then again in 1976.
• This is the original sample of this piece from his archives. We found a series of photos of pieces with the same bead work so you can get an idea of how beautiful they are on the body.
• John Anthony's business was all done on a made-to-order basis. That means that each piece is the only one that exists or in the very occasional circumstance that there are similar pieces only a very limited amount of pieces were made.
• The first thing you notice about this jacket is the extensive embroidery. It is incredible.
• The base is a brown velvet and onto that is an extensive pattern made from hand applied black silk cording, little metal mesh pieces formed into leaves and thousands of different size gold beads and sequins that are hand applied over that.
• It has a beautiful tailored cut with light padding in the shoulders and long sleeves. The waist is brought in with meticulous shaping and seaming so it has a beautiful curve. There is a hidden hook and eye to keep it closed.
• The hips flare out from there for beautiful shape. It is meticulously tailored.
• John told me that creating jackets was one of his favourites things to do. They are infinitely challenging to have them sit perfectly on the body and his are tailored to a master level.
• The collar is a rich chocolate coloured silk and it is a neat rounded shape that plunges down the front in a sleek V.
• The beads, silk cording, sequins and other appliques are all applied by hand and are set into a dense pattern that covers the entire jacket.
• To think of the man hours put into this jacket is incredible. The personal attention to each piece is clearly seen in the workmanship of his designs. His work is very expensive and beaded jackets like this retailed for up to $10,000 and more during this time period which would be around $25k in modern dollars to recreate at this level.
• Fully lined in a black silk with a hook and eye closure at the front. Padding in each shoulder. Made by hand. A one of a kind.
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 25" long and 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Lower seam: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4578

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.

• This dress is from the Fall 1981 Jpohn Anthony collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of John Anthony.
• Each piece that John Anthony made was on a made-to-order basis, which means that each piece is the only one that exists, or in the very occasional circumstance that there are similar pieces made, only a very limited amount of pieces were done.
• All of the pieces I have (and have had in the last couple of years) in the shop come directly from John's archive.
• John is one of the great American couturiers and he was known for his sharp tailoring and striking evening wear. He launched his atelier in 1971 and he quickly rose to fame, winning a Coty award in 1972 and then again in 1976.
• This is the original sample of this piece from his archives. We found a series of photos of pieces with the same bead work so you can get an idea of how beautiful they are on the body.
• The dress is made out of a feather light deep brown silk chiffon. Glass tube beads are set in vertical rows over both pieces and all of the beads have been applied by hand in perfect little rows onto the silk. I love how they catch the light from every angle.
• Both pieces have a simple and easy cut so that they are easy to wear and are very flattering on the body. The neckline is scooped and closes with a hook and eye at the back of the neck above a keyhole. The sleeves have the same bead detailing and then they fall in a straight cut to the wrist for a touch of fullness.
• The bodice is cut to skim loosely over you to the waist. The waist is finished with elastic which lets the silk pouf under a touch.
• The skirt has a banded waist and falls to the floor under that. It flares out a touch as it nears the hem. It has a high slit on one side for a flash of leg to show.
• They are gorgeous when worn together but have the versatility of being able to be mixed and matched with things you already have.
• The work has all been done by hand and the workmanship is fantastic. They fall like a dream once on the body.
• Fully lined in a second layer of nude silk chiffon. The top closes with a hook and eye above a keyhole at the back of the neck and has elastic at the bottom seam. The skirt closes with hook and eye at the waist and a zipper under that. A tiny area of missing beads here and there but nothing major. Please see the photo after the label shot. The sample tag is stitched inside the cuff of one sleeve.
• There is no size tag present because it is a sample piece so please go by the measurements listed below.
• Excellent condition with the minor note above.

Top
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom seam: 14-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 45" from waist to hem
Slit: 27" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5503

Reference Photos: Fall 1981 John Anthony Ready to Wear Advance Preview.

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.