oscar de la renta

Fall 1969 Oscar de la Renta Black Velvet Dress w Metallic Gold Embroidered Dots & Metal Trim

  • The dress is from the fall 1969 Oscar de la Renta collection.
  • It was made under the creative direction of Oscar de la Renta.
  • This is just a fantastic and rare find. Peggy Palmer was photographed by Francesco Scavullo for the December issue of Cosmopolitan that same year wearing the twin the dress. It is incredible to have that reference photo.
  • I love that this is such a fantastic and early example of his work. In 1965, at the very beginning of his career, Oscar entered into a partnership with the fashion house of Jane Derby. Jane died shortly after that partnership was formed and in 1966 the first labels that bore only the Oscar de la Renta name appeared.
  • The dress is made out of a inky black cotton velvet that has been hand embroidered with gold metallic dots.
  • During this time period Oscar was using extremely lavish and decadent finishes and you can see that in the edging that circles the neck line cuffs and around the hip. The bands that you see there are made from actual gold toned metal mixed with gold, braiding, sequins and prong set rhinestones. This is an incredibly decadent choice and shows the attention and quality that you will only find in vintage.
  • The neckline of the dress is scooped and has been finished with the metallic edging described above. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are kept simple, narrowing down slightly into zipper cuffs that are edged in the same metal detailing.
  • The bodice skims down to the waist. There is a dropped seam just below the waist that is curved downwards and cut generously. The dress comes with its original matching velvet and gold belt that hooks into place to add more shape. 
  • It curves back out under that over the hips. The very top of the hips have another band of that same metal and rhinestone detailing that wraps all the way around. This is a very clever way to create the specific shape that the skirt has by adding a touch of added structure.
  • Pockets sit along the seam just under that banding and when you put your hands in the pockets it helps to add and emphasize the intended shape. If you really wanted to emphasize and exaggerate that shape even more you could add some structure under the dress around the hip area so that it really sits full and wide. From there the skirt widens out beautifully as it falls to the floor.
  • Over the entire dress are large dots that are made from a gold metal thread embroidered onto the velvet backdrop to create the shape of the dots. These are a fantastic and whimsical addition to the dress.
  • The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes with a back zipper. Each cuff has a hidden set zipper. The belt hooks to close with multiple holes to choose from. Pockets on each hip. I see some dots that have a bit of patina to them with the occasional missing gold thread in America. It's very minor and mentioned for accuracy. There is the occasional small gold medal piece missing on the braiding. I also want to note that the skirt is turned up under the metal braiding around the hem by just under three inches. There is also 1.25" turned under the cuffs of each sleeve. If you needed extra length on either spot it would be possible to let them down as there does not seem to be any wear (or very minor wear) along the edges. The belt is 36.5 inches from and to end with four options to hook it closed. It appears that it was re-glued at some point and you can see some evidence of that on the back. This is minor and doesn't show but mention for accuracy.
  • There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
  • Excellent condition with the minor note above.

Sleeves: 23" and they are just under 13" around the upper arm with 1.25" turned under as noted above.
Shoulders: to 16"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 27"
Bodice: 14.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 58.5" from top of shoulder to hem with just under 3" turned under as noted above.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD5844

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SIZE GUIDE

Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.

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