c.1967 Gene Shelly Blue Crystal & Silver Sequin Stretch Knit Dress
In its heyday the Gene Shelly of California label was highly sought after. The label was doing some of the best of the early sequinned vintage pieces that you could find anywhere on the planet. All of the sequin work that covers this dress was done by hand in Hong Kong on American manufactured knit. The company would send the fabric to be hand sequinned and beaded. After that was done the fabric would be sent back to California where the dresses were made. At the time, Hong Kong was doing the best sequin and bead work in the world outside of the specialty ateliers in Paris. Additionally, this dress is extra special as it is the same dress that was worn by Diana Ross and the Supremes for their 1967 appearance on The Hollywood Palace.
All of Gene Shelly's dresses start with the labels signature stretch knit fabric, this one is a beautiful pale baby blue that perfectly sets off the silver. Onto this are thousands and thousands of tightly spaced sequins. Each sequin has been meticulously applied by hand into its set place. Every inch of the fabric is covered with sequins and the dress glimmers in even the lowest of light. Set in among the silver sequins are big faceted blue paste crystals. These circle the neckline and upper shoulders like a built in piece of jewellery. Each crystal has been is hand sewn into place and they are large enough that they each have a 3D effect. Tiny blue glass seed beads outline the larger ones. More of these circle the ends of each sleeve and I love how the sleeves widen out. A slit up one side of the skirt is the perfect, final finish. The dimension and texture created from the result of all of this hand work is wonderful. The dress itself is immensely flattering with its figure hugging shape. The knit base makes it very comfortable to wear as it conforms to your curves. The knit is set on the bias so it shapes and molds to your figure once on. Excellent condition.
The base is a baby blue stretch knit and the dress closes with a painted metal zipper at the back. The sequins are all applied by hand and I see no bare spots. The measurements are taken flat and shows the comfortable range of each spot. The stretch will allow for a variety of sizes and the dress will fall to approx mid-calf on most
Sleeves: 18" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 17.5-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 50" from top of dress to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD3059
Reference Photos: (1) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon. / (2-4) The Supremes, 1967.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
Setting up a layaway is super easy and we are happy to provide this service!
Here's how deposits work on a standard layaway:
- We require three equal payments of the layaway total. You will be invoiced for the first amount upon request
- payment two of the remaining balance will be billed two weeks from the date of the initial deposit.
- The final payment is due two weeks after the second payment and shipping will be billed on this invoice as well.
- items less then $500, or that are on sale, require a 50% deposit with the final payment due in two weeks from the date of deposit
We offer flat rate Standard UPS shipping worldwide. All shipping options are displayed at checkout in the pull down menus provided.
Want it faster?
We offer flat rates for expedited and express shipping options - these will also display at check out and can be selected with the drop down menu during the checkout process.
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.
