thea porter

Important 1968 Thea Porter Silk Chiffon Caftan Dress

A rare and stunning very early Thea Porter from 1968 that is quite beautiful! I love that it has the feel of her caftans and is indeed a forerunner of what was to become known as one of her signatures, but here the shape is more subtle and wearable, crossing that line between the caftan and a dress  Yards of almost weightless, flowing, bias cut black silk chiffon were used. it was deliberately left unlined so you get this transparency that is very sexy. It is cut with a slim upper bodice and then flows to the floor in a supermodel long cascade of chiffon. The line is unbroken but there are little pockets hidden along the sides. The neck is high but the way that the buttons are set allow for a hint of skin to peek through. The sleeves are a work of art! They are cut on an angle at their ends so they trail well past the hands and widen as they near the cuff. Most remarkably the entire caftan is edged in gold metallic thread and I believe that the thread is actually antique. Thea was known to hunt antique stores and markets in far off places around the globe and then incorporate use what she found in her designs, especially early on in her work. The edging is all high quality real metallic thread and certainly turn of the century if not earlier. The thread has a patina that is now a deep copper. It runs down each side and around the edges of those incredible sleeves and also acts as a dramatic decorative detailing on the front. A very special piece, very rare and very special. Excellent, museum quality condition

Unlined and slips on to wear. Closes at the neck with gold toned buttons. A teeny bit of break to the thread at the neckline but I do not feel this detracts at all from this special piece

Shoulders: 14"
Sleeves: 21" to shortest point 35" at longest
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 54" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS- SML

Item# DD1440

Photographed for creative purposes on Nini Nguyen of Nini's Style courtesy of Nini and her team. Click here to see the full lookbook >

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

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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.