Spring 1973 Halston Bright Tangerine Striped Silk Chiffon Caftan w Sash

This is a gorgeous original Halston caftan dress that is a beautiful example of his earlier work. Halston was a master at combining function and ease but without sacrificing glamour. He did this with the very minimum of seaming. His pieces that were bias cut, like this one, seem to almost be shapeless and not very exciting when you see them on the hanger. But, once you slip them on, they drape and settle into place the way they were intended and the transformation is remarkable. There is true genius on their simple cuts and they are addictive. A slightly different version of this dress was included in the Halston book by Phaidon and that reference photo is included here.

This dress is entirely cut on the bias with that minimal seaming signature of his best work. The color is a bright, vivid tangerine orange that you can't miss. Worked within the silk is a slightly wavy stripe done in yellow, blue and green. The combination of colors is lovely and it is nice to see a brighter, more colorful piece of his work. It is feather light and you are barely conscious of wearing anything once it is on. The cut through the body is extremely loose and easy, running in one long bias cut sheath to the floor with a little more volume towards the top. The bias cut gives the dress the slightest of shape as it drapes around your body. The neckline is cut straight across. It comes with a very long sash that is original to the dress and you can wrap this around the waist, the neck or even wear it as a turban or head wrap. All of the edges are hand rolled and stitched. The work to get this as perfect as it is would have been astounding - there is no trickier fabric to hand stitch then this. Each sleeve is cut straight and to just past the elbow with a slight flare to them as they reach their ends. Laid out flat, the dress is more of a T-shape. Once on, everything falls in soft and flattering folds. The silk is semi-transparent so it will require something underneath. This transparency made it hard to photo on the dress form and caused a lot of shadows. In person the color is crisp and true and it does not have quite as much of a transparent feel. It is amazing in person. Excellent condition

The dress is constructed from one single layer of a silk crepe chiffon that is semi-sheer. It is entirely bias cut and just slips over the head to wear. Hand rolled and finished edges. One edge of the matching sash has been re-stitched at a later date by someone and has a looser stitch then the rest of the piece. The easy cut will allow it to fit a full range of sizes.

56" flat across from the end of one sleeve to the other
Bust- hips: to 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 54" from neck to hem
Sash: 23" wide x just over 5' long

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3435

Reference Photos: (1) Model in Halston, Vogue, May 1973. Photo by Chris Von Wangenheim.  /  (2-3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

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