In 1952, Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris and quickly rose to fame as one of the grand couturiers. 16 years later for the 1968-69 season, he added a ready-to-wear line of clothing and accessories called 'Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique'. The line was initially sold in the United States exclusively through Bergdorf Goodman and was eventually made available at other retailers. The line was high end and extremely well made and it was made to appeal to his non-couture clients who wanted to be able to purchase a piece of the Givenchy dream. This label continued until 1992 when it was retired and rebranded as the Givenchy Couture label which this dress is from. This dress is also interesting as it is the obvious ready to wear version of two of the Haute Couture dresses presented that season. I have included the photos of those two runway shots here as it is always interesting to see the progression and translation of Couture to ready-to-wear.
The dress combines a gold toned silk skirt with a more fitted strapless bodice. The bodice on this one is so pretty. The base of it is a slightly off-white silk and then it has a machine embroidered applique that covers the entire bodice all the way around. Each flower of the pattern is an individual piece that has been applied by hand to cover the bust completely. They have been laid out flat beside each other and only the centers are sewn down onto the fabric so the petals sit off the fabric a bit to give it a touch of a 3D feel. The texture this adds is so pretty. The skirt is fabulous and full. The silk here has a woven texture to it and the colour is a gold wheat tone with a slight glowing feel to it. There is a lot of fabric in the skirt and it is set into the waist in soft folds so that it really has fullness and movement when you move. A big soft bow in the same silk as the skirt sits on an angle on one side of the waist. Very well made. Excellent condition with one note below
Fully interlined in a muted gold silk though the skirt and the bodice is lined in an ivory silk. Light boning in the bodice and an inner waist stay that hooks to close. It closes with a back hidden set zipper. There is a shadow of a mark in the silk under the flowers under each arm but the flowers cover it and they show no marks. Please see the two photos after the label shot
Bust: 17.5-8" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam and the inner waist stay hooks to fit a either a 26-27" waist, if you need the full 28" you can leave the stay undone or remove it
Hips: open
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to true inner waist
Skirt: 43.5" from true inner waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3973
Reference Photos: Spring 1994 Givenchy Haute Couture Runway Collection.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
