1978 Pierre Cardin Haute Couture Dress

Cardin often played with volume and for the 1978 collection he put huge voluminous caped bodices over long narrow skirts and then played with the detail at the front. This dress was done in a pale mint green, fine silk crepe, and you can see that play on volume in the cut. It is finished entirely by hand and the fine workmanship put into the interior belies the seemingly simple cut of the exterior. The shoulders swoop over the wearer and turn into the sleeve. The sleeves lack any seaming definition except for where your arm pokes through the opening. The illusion created form this is of a blanket thrown over the shoulder. This then it ties below the waist in an exaggerated half bow. The skirt under this is cut straight and lean. The back has an unexpected simpleness about it, falling in a sleek column. Excellent, museum quality condition.

Fully lined in hand set pale green, fine silk. Closes with a back hand set zipper. There is a small smudge on the front and a second on the back. Both are faint. My specialty cleaners felt that these could both be eliminated with further cleaning however I declined since it is couture and because these marks do not detract because of placement, their faintness and the amount of fabric and draping.

Sleeves: approx 22"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: open
Waist: open
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 53.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD1749

Reference photo is taken from the book "Pierre Cardin; Fifty Years of Fashion"

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