The Shrimpton Couture Archives

• The Valentino Roma label launched in 2000 to take the place of the Miss V line. It was sold at a price point that was a bit more accessible then their main line and was meant to be available in more shops then the main line would be. The pieces were still very well made. This one caught my eye simply because of how gorgeous and sexy it is. It is a stunning dress with beautiful lines.
• It is made out of a synthetic purple stretch fabric that almost has the finish and feel of a very light in weight swimsuit fabric. This lets it fall fantastically over the body while keeping shape and structure.
• The dress is strapless and the upper bodice has a soft rounded shape to it. The silk is draped over the bust to give the feel of a bandeau and it is gathered in along the centre. Inside there is a full built in boned corset that is shaped for support. 
• It is cut to skim over the body in a way that it drapes softly over you but still highlights your curves to past the hips to suggest an hourglass feel.
• The skirt falls from there and widens out slightly as it nears the hem. There is a slit up the front that is very high so that you get a flash of leg when you walk or sit. This also gives it incredible movement when you move.
• The final perfect detail is the long vertical panels that have been done in the same purple fabric as the rest of the dress. These begin as a twisted knot at the front bodice and then the two panels fall in a ruffle down the full length of the dress to the floor. Where the dress is slit at the bottom the ruffles continue on each side of it. This little extra and pretty detail adds that perfect finishing element of romance and femininity.
• The dress is unlined with a built-in black corset that is lightly boned that closes with its own side zipper and then a second zipper sits over that to close the exterior dress. Lightly boned through the inner bodice. An attached inner waist stay hooks to close. 
• Tagged a Valentino 42/6
• Excellent condition
  

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56.5" from top of bodice to to hem
Slit: 30" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

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