1970s Yellow Silk Chiffon Stavropoulos Caftan Dress

George Stavropoulos was an amazing designer and to find his early work is already fabulous but to find a piece done at this level is just a treat. This gown is really museum worthy and is the third of three pastel color jewels to land in the shop recently. His clients, who included Elizabeth Taylor and opera singer Maria Calla, adored and cherished him for his ability to create stunning evening wear. His hallmark pieces were simple but with a masters attention to cut. He shunned overt ornamentation and instead focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. This is an amazing example of what he could create following that simple guideline. His pieces are almost always entirely hand made and most are made to demi-couture standards giving you incredible value for your money.

This stunning dress is an absolutely beautiful example of Stavropoulos' work and it is truly is incredible. I love how each of the chiffon gowns I have in the shop by him are all slightly different and have their own individual feel. The lightness and airiness created by the layers and layers of the pale lemon yellow chiffon is magical (in person the layers give it an even better hue - the photos don't quite capture the tone of the color the layering creates - it's even better in person). The fabric is cut on the bias and there are yards and yards used in the making of this dress. Incredibly, there are four full layers of silk used in the lining of the skirt alone and that is under the top exterior layer that also has yards and yards of fabric just in itself. The bodice of the under-dress  is simply cut with a scooped neck on both the front and back. This peeks through the top layer for the prettiest effect. That inner dress is suspended from the shoulders by tiny straps and then the entire dress flows outwards in yard of silk to the floor. The back closes with a series of tightly spaced, silk covered buttons and a long separate tie adds drama to the neck or can be used to cinch in the waist. The inner dress is currently tacked at one shoulder  and at one side to the exterior dress but you could if you wished undo those few stitches and wear these pieces separately as well. The top layer kind of wraps over itself at the front. Long and pretty sleeves that are made of a single layer of silk chiffon finish this lovely dress. It is so very pretty and fresh feeling - a girl will dance the entire night away in a dress like this. Excellent condition

Comprised of multiple layers of the yellow silk chiffon with a more opaque silk used for the inner most layer. Closes with a series of silk covered buttons down the back and buttons at each cuff. I see one teeny bit of darkening to the fabric on the back near the buttons (photoed). The volume of fabric efficiently hides this and I don't feel any of it detracts at all from this magnificent gown -  it may come out with one more cleaning. Bias cut so there is some play in the listed measurements - we have listed to the max they will go. The color is a slightly brighter truer yellow then photoed. Like fresh lemon meringue pie color.

Sleeves: 21.5"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13.5"
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: open
Hips: open
Length: 61" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2506

Reference Photo: Shot for creative purposes by Nicole Ormerod  /  Stylist: Nadia Pizzimenti  /  Hair & Makeup:  Jodi Urichuk  /  models: Riley Young & Viktoria Light.

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