Unusual 1970s Miss Dior Purple Silk Chiffon Tiered & Pleated Sleeve Caftan Dress

The Miss Dior label launched in 1967 and it was meant to appeal more to the daughters of the established couture clients. The boutique was right next door to the Couture atelier and the line was sold only there and in stores throughout France. In December of 1970 the line hit the US market, in place of the by then finished Dior-New York label. It was an instant hit. The clothing produced for this label was made in the Dior workrooms and was designed primarily by Phillipe Guiborgé, who also designed the Boutique lines, but was still overseen and finalized by Marc Bohan.

The dress has the bit of an avant garde vibe to it that is fabulous. The color is that perfect true royal purple and the fabric is silk chiffon that is used so cleverly. For the collar and sleeves it is used to create ruffles and then for the body of the dress there are three layers of the chiffon so that it is opaque enough to wear but still stays feather light. It just floats beautifully over the body once on. The outer dress is cut with extreme volume and if you choose to wear it as is then it has this fabulous easy caftan feel. I also took a shot of it with a purple velvet ribbon around the waist (which I will include) so you can see how dramatically adding a belt changes the way the dress looks and sits on you. I love that it gives you the option of having a more caftan feeling dress or one that has shape. The neckline is high and finished with a 6" wide ruffle made out of a knife pleated silk chiffon. The edges of the ruffles are finished with a double row of the pleats for that little bit if extra volume and detail. Each sleeve is made of four more tiers of this same pleated silk chiffon and it gives it a stacked pagoda sleeve feel that is just insanely good. The contrast between all that detail on the sleeve and collar and then the simple fullness through the body of the dress is the perfect contrast. The easy cut also makes the dress extremely versatile size wise and it should work on a range of sizes. Excellent condition with a note below

The body of the dress is made of three layers of the chiffon. The sleeve are unlined. It closes with a back zipper. The velvet ribbon tie is not original but will be included. By the upper part of the zipper and near the seam under the hop the silk has a slightly bumpy texture from minuscule pulls. There is so much volume you really only see it when laid out flat and looking for it. Please see the photo after the label shot.

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4039

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