Description
This mid 1960s 2-piece in butter yellow silk brocade is a dress with a story! Designed by Givenchy and produced by American designer Adele Simpson for the US market, this elegant 60s cocktail dress has high quality details at a fraction of the price of a vintage couture Givenchy!
From a New York Times article, Aug 17 1964:
“Hubert de Givenchy has designed a group of fall cocktail and evening dresses that are being manufactured on Seventh Avenue by Adele Simpson. They will be sold exclusively at Bloomingdale's starting in late September. This is the first time that the Paris couturier has worked directly with a Seventh Avenue manufacturer to translate his designs into ready‐made clothes. Mrs. Simpson consulted with Mr. Givenchy in Paris, brought back toiles (muslin patterns) of the designs last week and will manufacture them in French, fabrics of Mr. Givenchy's choosing. The dresses will sell for less than $200.” (Less than $2000 in today’s dollar). “The collection, which numbers about a dozen designs, is entirely separate from his couture collection shown earlier this month in Paris. Line‐for‐line copies of his couture designs, manufactured in Paris, will be sold by Lord & Taylor.”
You can see an image of model Veruschka here in a similar Givenchy for Adele Simpson 2-piece dress (with longer skirt), dated 1964.
The dress combines a slightly boxy, princess-seamed, hip-length sleeveless top and an underdress with a gold silk bodice (to match the lightweight silk lining of the top), attached at its fitted waist to an A-line skirt with inverted pleats at the front and back hem. The deep V-back top closes where it overlaps with silk-covered snaps. The dress fastens with a metal zipper. The top is shaped in front and back by small, soft pleats from the underarm to the bust, and seaming from bust to hem. The skirt section of the underdress is lined with silk organza. The lightweight silk brocade floral fabric has a lovely texture, with raised edges around each flower, surrounding smooth satin petals.
Intended for a somewhat loose fit, the dress has a sculptural shape that will stand a bit away from the body when worn—not unusual for mid-1960s dresses. In good, completely wearable condition, the dress has 2 issues to note. There is some yellowing at the underarms of both the blouse (more visible) and the lining of the underdress (less visible). There is also so minor seam stress to the vertical seams of the underdress bodice at the left-front and back-right waist, which is not seen, and easily repairable if needed. Otherwise, this Givenchy for Adele Simpson 1960s silk cocktail dress looks great, freshly cleaned with no odors or any other issues.
SIZE: XS. Smallest fit at dress waist, underneath over-blouse.
TOP.
- Bust: 37 inches flat to fit a bit loosely for 35 max.
- Width at hem (high hip): 33 inches flat.
- Shoulder to shoulder: 15 inches across back.
- Length: 18 inches in front and 19 inches in back, from shoulder to hem.
- Blouse underarm to hem length: 11.5 inches.
DRESS.
- Bust: 37 inches flat, to fit a bit loosely for 35 max.
- Waist: 24 inches flat, to fit max. 23.
- Hip: 39 inches flat, to fit loosely for 36 max.
- Length: 39.5 inches from shoulder to hem in front.
- Underarm to waist: 7.5 inches.
- Waist to hem: 25 inches.
- Width at skirt hem: 27.5 inches flat (55 inches total sweep).
LABEL: Designed by Givenchy, Adele Simpson. Also store label Julius Garfinckel and Co.
