Incredible 1990s Gemma Kahng Black Backless Mini Dress w Bow & Gold Button Detailing

In April 1999 Gemma Kahng gace an interview were she said 'The inspiration for each of my collections comes from my desire to create clothing that is sexy, witty, glamorous, comfortable, and most importantly, practical... Each of my collections begins with high-quality fabrics, an important tool for good design. Mostly I choose wools, silks, cottons, and linens that are luxurious yet basic, so that my design aesthetic becomes more prominent than the fabric itself. The details of clothing from the historical past are a good influence for my ideas. I am fascinated by the cultures of different time periods, especially the Victorian era, and find it challenging to combine them with the look of today.' Barbara Phillips of the Wall Street Journal  onve wrote that 'her (Gemma's) work is to render a classic idea slightly askew or fresh with a theme of whimsy' and that 'it is all just right but for that one eccentricity or detail that seems gloriously juvenile or marvelously anomalous in the template of a traditional garment.'  I feel this perfectly sums up the concept behind this dress. It's very simple little black dress but the details on it give it that exaggerated sense of whimsy and bit of sexiness. It's a fantastic dress and is far better in person than how the photos came out. 

This is an incredible dress. It is very short, very bare, and yet somehow manages to seem very girly, chic and yet eccentric, all at the same time. The dress has almost a Chanel feel to it with when you first glance at it. It is suspended from the shoulders with wide black silk satin straps that extend out from the top of the bodice and curve down to the back where they meet in the center, leaving most of the back exposed and bare. The neckline is cut straight across at the front and then dips down and around under the arms. It is edged with a border of that same silk satin ribbon as the straps. It's cut to skim over the bust, come in for the waist and then skims over the hips. At the hem it flares out in a bit for the suggestion a ruffled like finish that has more movement and shape than how you see in the photos. The shape is made by panels of fabric that have been pieced together vertically around the entire dress. It is just fantastic in person. At the back the waist line curves down to the low back and this really emphasize that ruffle finish at the bottom. The front is embellished with four black grosgrain bows that have a large gold floral topped black button at their centers. Two sit at the base of the straps where they connect into the neckline and then two adorn the top of little slash pockets that sit at the front of each hip. The pockets actually are functional and each has a little hidden snap to help support the weight of the bow. The perfect finishing touch is the large black bow at the back that sits at the base of where the straps. This gives the dress this fantastic and extravagant detail as you walked away. I love it. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silky rayon and closes with a offset hidden zipper at the back hidden under the bow. The straps button to close inside at the back. There are two buttonholes on each strap so you can adjust its length if needed. Tagged a vintage 8.  The gold on the buttons show a tiny bit of patina. The fabric little bit of stretch.

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 34" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4174

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