Mollie Parnis is one of my favorite American designers who dressed numerous first ladies and was very well known for her designs. She started a label with her husband in 1933 and by the 1940s was designing solely under her own label. The boutique label launched in 1970 and the fabrics used for this label were targeted to a younger audience and the fabric tend to be brighter and bolder like in this dress.

I absolutely love the bright and happy feel of this dress. I also love that it mixes two silks. A silk chiffon for the top and a silk twill for the skirt. Both fabric use the same print but feel different because of the change in transparency. The colors used are a bright combination of a pinks, purple, blues green and red and this is all set onto a white base. The bodice is more fitted tot eh waist and each sleeve balloons out with some volume above their cuffs. The sleeves are left unlined so add yet another layer of interest. The collar is gorgeous an d made of layers of the silk chiffon to create a a 'ruffle' effect around the neck. The skirt falls to the floor and widens out as it nears the hem. A feminine tie belt circles the waist and this is made out of three pieces of velvet ribbon done to bring out the colors n the print. The dress has a fantastic romantic, pretty and light feel but is still regal and beautiful. Excellent condition.

The bodice is lined in a white silk and the sleeves are unlined. The skirt is lined in a muslin with ribbon edge finishes at the hem. It closes at the back with a metal and nylon zipper. Each cuff snaps to close and the snaps could easily be moved to perfectly fit your wrists. The belt is original to the dress.

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 41" from waist to hem with 2.5" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3419

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

This dress is stunning. It is a full length dress from her ready to wear line launched in 1970. Mollie hired designer Morty Sussman to do the initial designs and then approved everything he did before it went into production. The dress is made from a lightweight silver lame knit jersey that has a pewter undertone to with the black that is mixed in with the silver. Onto this are thousands of tiny silver sequins that have been sewn into place so the entire dress gleams in the light. These are placed flat on the fabric and cover the entire dress head to toe. The neckline is notched and the sleeves are cut long and straight. The waist gas a looser feel and it comes with a belt accented with a bow that you can use to cinch it in more if you choose to. The skirt falls to the floor under that, softly widening out as it near the hem. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a back painted metal zipper. The belt hooks to close and it would be easy to adjust the hooks if needed. Note that in person it is a touch more a true silver feel then the deeper grey it photoed as. The label shot is the closest to the actual color in real life. The fabric has a touch of stretch

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3364

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