1970s Stavropoulos Couture Romantic Layered Silk Chiffon Dress

This stunning dress is one of the most incredible Stavropoulos gowns I have had in the shop. I love the lightness and airiness of it that created by the layers and layers of the mint green silk chiffon. In person, the layers give it a depth not quite captured in the images here. The photos don't quite capture the tone of the color the layering creates. Trust me when I say it is even better in person. It is also a touch more of a pastel tone in person. The entire gown is cut on the bias and there are yards and yards of silk that have been used to make this beautiful dress. Four full layers of silk are used in the lining of the skirt alone and that is under and in addition to the top layer. The interior bodice has a simple V neckline that you see under the top layer of silk. A second V at the back mimics the front. The waist is shaped by vertical seaming and gives the dress just the perfect touch of shape. That seaming opens up into deep pleats on the skirt that allow the tremendous amount of fabric that makes up the the top layer of the skirt have full movement and drape. Each sleeve is a single layer of silk chiffon and flow cape-like over the arm. The sleeves are cut very wide and full. Each is fully open along the lower edge so you get a real flowing, cape feel from them. It is beautiful. Excellent condition

George Stavropoulos is one of my favorite designers and his work is extremely overlooked in my opinion. He was known for his evening wear and his signature looks often involved draping and the use of multiple layers of silk done on a bias cut. He did not like overt, flashy ornamentation and instead focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. It was said that his gowns "seemed to float on air". He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. The majority of his gowns are almost entirely made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there - that starting price point equals to around $26,000 in today's dollars. So when you buy a vintage Stavropoulos gown you are getting incredible value for your money. The only reason many of his gowns are not considered Haute Couture is because he was not an official member of the association.

It closes with a back painted metal zipper and buttons at the neck above the keyhole. I see one teeny bit of darkening to the fabric about mid-waist on one side and two tiny areas on the back of one shoulder.  The dress is entirely bias cut so it will drape to fit a range of sizes.

Sleeves: 31"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 60" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2502

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