In 1972 Zandra Rhodes was visiting New York on a regular basis and was good friends with a couple named Donna and Jo Lomardo. The three of them would often go antique hunting and on one such foray Zandra found a shell covered wicker basket and it is from this little object that her entire 1972-73 "Shell" collection was born. Here the shell design in hand painted onto a rose colored pink silk chiffon dress to great effect. It has her signature cut with an inner and outer dress layer over each other in a delicate swatch of silk. The sleeves on the exterior layer are cut wide and right from the waist in an almost caftan or kimono feel. The neckline dips and is edged in a pretty spray of pink pearls with a cluster of pearls adoring the end of the ties at the neck. More beads and pretty shell shaped paillettes adorn the front. The waist is caught up in an elastic and then the skirt sweeps to the floor in a cascade of feather light silk. It still has its original sail satin belt that you can use to cinch in the waist and add further shape. The particular pattern was immediately embraced by women worldwide and Princess Anne wore the finishing wedding dress piece from this runway show for her official engagement photos. Rare and very special. Excellent, museum quality condition and appears unworn.
Fully lined in a matching pink silk chiffon except for the shoulders and sleeves. The dress has an elastic waist and slips on to wear. The sash ties at the waist (and the dress looks equally well without it if you prefer it that way). The bodice is embellished with pearlised shell-like beads and other beads. Hand finished throughout and the fabric itself is entirely hand painted.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Inner dress bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 26.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 35" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD2142
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
