Amazing 1970s Kay Cosserat Hand Knit / Handmade Grey Angora Silk Mohair Caftan Dress w Belt

The Shrimpton Couture Archives

• Kay Cosserat was a prominent British knitwear designer.
• The majority of her work is held in the permanent collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, leaving few of her pieces out in circulation.
• She launched her own label in 1974 and was well known for her beautiful colour choices, combinations and use of texture. At her height of popularity in the mid-late 1970s, people patiently waited for a piece of her work to become available and they were treasured for years after.
• She did not even have a showroom, making her pieces that much more exclusive. Each piece was hand knit and handmade.
• This is an exceptionally beautiful example of her work.
• It is made out of one of her signature mohair, wool and silk mixed knits, which was then worked to form its simple minimalist and organic feel. 
• The shoulders are soft and the sleeves start out wide where they are inserted into the body of the dress. They stay fuller all the way down to the cuff. For the cuff she has changed the direction of the line that runs through the dress from vertical to a horizontal line to create a smaller ribbing effect.
• That same ribbing effect circles around the collar. It buttons to close at the front above an open slit that runs part way down the front. There is a little snap hidden about halfway down the opening at the front so you can choose to open it deeper even then how it is photoed here.
• The body is extremely full and easy. There is a deep inverted pleat that runs down the front under the opening at the neck and that adds even more volume.
• It comes with its original matching belt and you can see how beautifully it cinches it in. I also shot it without the belt so you can see how full it is.
• These were entirely knit by hand, one piece at a time. It is just a phenomenal piece of hand work.
• The dress is fully lined through the body in black silky rayon and the sleeves are unlined. There are some small holes in the lining at the back near the neck, which of course don't affect it at all, but it is mentioned for accuracy. Please see the photo after the label shot. It slips over the head to wear and buttons at the neck. The belt is original to the dress. It's loose and easy fit should work on a range of sizes.
• Tagged a vintage UK 14, US12, EU 40
• Excellent condition.

Sleeves: 22.5" and are 16" around the upper arm
Slightly sloped shoulders: to 19"
Bust: to 27" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Total length: 50" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-XL

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