Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice
Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice

patrick kelly

Rare Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly Runway Stretch Velour Leopard Print Dress w Multi-Tie Bodice

  • The twin of this dress walk the runway for the Fall 1989 collection.
  • It was made under the creative direction of Patrick Kelly.
  • The Philadelphia Museum of Art hosted an exhibit of the work of Patrick Kelly in 2014. The show notes state: "“I want my clothes to make you smile”—that was the goal of late African American designer Patrick Kelly in creating his bold, bright, and joyful creations. Kelly achieved this on the streets, nightclubs, and runways of New York, Paris, and beyond in the heady, inventive, and often-subversive urban milieu of the 1980s....Kelly’s work pushed racial and cultural boundaries with golliwog logos, Aunt Jemima bandana dresses, and his ubiquitous black baby-doll brooches. His playful looks were inspired by his muse, Josephine Baker, and admiration for couturiers Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Yves Saint Laurent, among others."
  • Supermodel Iman wore the twin of this on the runway and I love how spectacular she was in it.
  • The dress is made out of a fantastic stretch velour fabric that will stretch to hug your curves and show off every bit of the body. That said the velvet keeps it flattering and easy to wear as it gives support at the same time it molds to the body.  This combined with that leopard print is just fabulous.
  • The cut through the body hugs your every curve and the dress is molded to your frame all the way down to the hem. The stretch the fabric and the way to lower hem flares out is what allows you to walk. 
  • The back is completely open and the front extends out too long extended ties from both side sides. These ties are what allow you to style the bodice in multiple ways. I shot a few here for you and you might find that once it is on you that you can think of more. It makes it an incredibly versatile dress.
  • Whether you wear it halter style, as a one shoulder dress, or strapless, as soon as you turn around you get that bare expanse of skin which is very sexy.
  • It curves over the hips, narrows back inwards slightly and then flares out beautifully for the lower skirts. The front hem of the skirt curves up a touch and then the back is cut a little longer than the front. The shape once this is on the body is fabulous and it is very easy to fit because of the stretch.
  • It is a showstopper and an amazing example of his work. I love everything about this dress and that it is a true piece of fashion history that is extremely well documented.
  • The dress is unlined and you just slip it on and tie the top part  as you wish to wear it. At some point the bottom hem was let down and I have left it for that extra length.
  • There is no size tag present and it does have stretch. I have put the comfortable range while laying flat below. You probably still have some extra room if needed because of the stretch of the fabric.
  • Excellent condition

Bust: variable because of the way it can be tied in multiple ways. It should fit just about any size chest.
Waist: 14-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: the full height of the bodice is 20" from its top to the waist. When you tie it, it will drain or fold and is meant to give you that versatility. For the length I folded the bodice in half so it's 10" from the top to waist.
Total length: 54" from top of the bodice, when folded as noted above, to front hem and the back extends another 8" past that.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD5153

Reference Photos/Videos: Fall 1989 Patrick Kelly.

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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.

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