This is a beautiful and romantic bias cut silk chiffon dress with attached panels of silk chiffon that give the dress its caped effect. I am really in the fence as to whether this is Gianfranco Ferre's work or Galliano's, but have opted for the side of Galliano based on his signature buttons that run op the side of the dress to close it. The secondary print through the silk also has more of a Galliano feel to me. I feel it could be from one of those earlier transition collections but will keep hunting to try to verify this. Regardless, it is a stunning dress and is truly beautiful once on the body.

The dress is constructed from a beautiful lightweight silk chiffon that has been screened with the prettiest combination of pastels. These run across the body in horizontal rows that softly blend into each other as each color meets the next. Over this is a secondary print in white that depicts a graphic curved flower design. These are scattered over the entire dress. The bodice of the dress is gathered in a twisted knot under the center bust and then curves up and over the shoulders.  This leaves a low V at the front and and also emphasizes the bust. At the back, it dips into a low V there as well. The waist is set high to just under the bust and the skirt cascades to the floor in a soft flow of silk chiffon under that. The silk lies over an inner white silk lining and this helps soften the colors even more and also draw the eye to that secondary print. At the back there are two wide panels of silk chiffon attached along the upper shoulders and along the edges of  the V of the back. Each panel is a single layer of weightless silk chiffon that floats over and behind the body for a beautiful caped effect. The lightness of the silk there gives it a billowing effect when you move and walk that is stupendous. A really lovely and romantic dress that is even better on the body and in real life. Excellent condition with one small note below

The dress is fully lined in a white silk and the back floating panels are unlined. The dress closes up one side with a tightly spaced row of silk covered buttons. Hand finishes. I see a repair to the silk at the front of the dress near the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot. The volume of fabric once on and the placement of the repairs effectively hide it. I don't consider this to be a flaw that takes away from this amazing vintage piece

Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Underbust at seam: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from shoulder to seam under center bust
Skirt: 48" from seam under center bust to hem
Length of floating panels: approx 76" from shoulder to longest point on each one

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3229

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