hollys harp

Incredibly Rare 1970s Holly’s Harp Bias Cut Black Jersey Dress w Crossed over Plunging Front

On Layaway
  • This is a very rare dress from the 1970s created by Holly Harp.
  • Harp opened a shop LA in 1968 where she created custom clothing under the Holly's Harp label. When she started designing her clothing she tended to create her clothing out of a hodge-podge of new and old materials but once she opened her shop her designs became more slinky, and sexy. They began to reference the glamour of Old Hollywood and she preferred the bias cut feel of the 1930s.
  • She had a huge following of Hollywood and Music stars; Liza Minelli, Diana Ross, Ali McGraw, Sally Field, Janis Joplin and Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane were all fans.
  • This is a phenomenal dress from the early - mid 1970s and it is even better in person. The bias cut really needs a body in it to truly come to life.
  • Dresses like this from her are impossible to find anymore. Her work is magical.
  • The dress is made out of a bias cut black jersey that is light enough so that it drapes fantastically but also has enough weight so that it is opaque.
  • The combination of the fabric and cut make it very easy and comfortable to wear.
  • The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are set into the body of the dress starting off wide and then they narrow to a cuff at the wrist. This lets the fabric puff out slightly above each cuff.
  • The neckline crosses over itself at the front and has long attached ties which tie around the waist for shape and to hold that front V perfectly in place.
  • The dress skims over you all the way down the body to a low set seam under the waist. The dress ties at the waist and then that seam sits at the top of the hip.
  • The skirt is fantastic and it is made out of two layers of the black jersey. This gives it the weight to fall in a smooth column when you stand still but also explodes with movement when you move. When you move it all moves around you and the lightness of the fabric makes it all feel incredibly easy on.
  • The bodice has a second layer of the same fabric acting as the lining and the skirt is made of two layers of the jersey. It slips on to wear and crosses over itself at the front and ties. The fabric does have some stretch and I have put the comfortable range below.
  • There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements below
  • Excellent condition

Sleeves: 26.5" and are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: approx 14-15"
Bust: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hip: 14-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to ties at the waist, 19" to the seam at the top of the hip
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD5375

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