james galanos
Extraordinary 1970s James Galanos Couture Floral Print Silk Chiffon Dress w Beaded Butterfly Detailing
- The label on this dress date it to the 1970s period.
- It was made under the creative direction of James Galanos.
- In 1951 a 27 year old James Galanos launched his first label called Galanos Originals. By 1954 he had won a Coty award and the Neiman Marcus award.
- His ready-to-wear line was made close to couture standards and with a level of craftsmanship that was on par with the French couturiers. He was truly one of the great American designers and his work is held in all of the major museums around the world.
- This is a dress that is extremely well made with a very high level of construction techniques.
- The dress is made out of the most beautiful floral print silk chiffon in a mix of soft pastels. The print forms large flowers that cascade over the entire dress.
- There is a full inner bodice made of the same printed silk chiffon. This inner piece has straps that curve up and around the shoulders with a scoop at the front and back. Blousing over that is a fuller cut, single layer of the silk chiffon. It has long sleeves that narrow to the cuff and the most incredible beaded butterfly that is completely made by hand adorning the front. It is spectacularly beautiful.
- The waist nips in and the dress comes with a matching silk covered leather belt.
- The silk is gathered into the waist seam on one side so that it wraps around you. There is a high slit hidden underneath the wrap over on one side and another matching high slit on the other side so you get an unexpected flash of bare leg when you move or sit.
- The workmanship on the dress is absolutely stunning and the vast majority of it is all done by hand including the butterfly at the front.
- The inner bodice that sits under the top acts as the lining and then that is lined with another layer of nude silk chiffon. The skirt is made of two layers of chiffon. It zips to close at the back with a hand set zipper and the outer bodice hooks to close at the back of the neck. Each sleeve ends in a little zipper. I see a tiny pinhole just above the butterfly at the front and some very minor repairs - one near the neckline of the back and some near the hem. Please see the photos after the label shot.
- The dress has no size tag so please go by the listed measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the notes above.
Sleeves: 23" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Inner bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 62" from top of shoulder to the longest point of the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5574
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SIZE GUIDE
Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.

















