George Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear and his signature looks often involved draping and the use of multiple layers of silk done on a bias cut. He focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. It was said that his gowns 'seemed to float on air'. He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. The majority of his gowns are almost entirely made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s one of his evening dresses started at a cost of around $8500USD and they went up in cost from there. To put that in modern terms, that would be about thirty thousand dollars now. It was an incredible amount of money at the time and yet women couldn't get enough of them.

The dress is made out of a single layer of a bias cut printed ribbon silk chiffon that sits over three more layers of ivory silk chiffon. All of the inner layers are also bias cut and the four layers float over each other perfectly to drape over the body. It is incredible. All four layers are as light as a feather so that the dress feels wonderful once on the body. It is incredible how light and airy it feels. The neckline is scooped across the front and then the back dips into a low V that leaves a bare expanse of skin showing. From there the dress falls in this extravagant swoosh of bias cut silk. It is cut very long and I love that the top layer has that ribbon finish to it so that there is a play on the transparency through the two parts of the silk chiffon. It has also been printed in a stunning and intricate pattern made of soft grays that have a subtle touch of a metallic feel to them. Only the body of the dress is lined so you get another play on transparency with the sleeves being left unlined. It falls over you loose and easy for an almost caftan feel to it. The bias cut lets it swirl around the body underneath but at the same time it feels insanely comfortable on because the fabric weighs ounces. The sleeves are incredible. Each is cut so that they get wider as they reach the ends and this gives them stunning movement as well. This one also comes with its original matching sash tie belt that you can use to cinch in the waist or you can tie it around the neck. I pictured both those options here. You could also use it as a headpiece for an ultra glamorous feel. The pattern that covers the dress is like that of a huge silk scarf and this gives it its fabulously glamorous bohemian feel. It is immensely flattering once on and should work an a wide variety of shapes. This is a dress you will want to wear over and over for every summer occasion from day to evening. It is truly a remarkable dress that is hands down one of my favorite pieces ever. Excellent condition

Made from four layers of silk chiffon as described above and the sleeves are online. It closes with a box set zipper. It comes with its original sash belt. The dress appears to have been worn very little if at all. The bias cut does have stretch so should fit a variety of sizes

Sleeves: 26"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem
Sash: 21" at its widest point x 92" long

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4359

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