70s Women's Dress Cocktail Party Painted Velvet Vintage Soutache Illusion Small to Medium VFG Richilene
An amazing vintage 1970s cocktail or party dress! The fitted bodice is lace, overlaid with soutache braid and lined in illusion netting. Sleeves are unlined to show your natural skin tones underneath. The lightly gathered velvet skirt is completely embellished with a painted-on floral motif in glowing tones. The skirt has a left side seam slit for ease in walking and dancing.
SIZE: No size label
|
Measurements |
Inches |
Cm |
|
Bust |
33.5" |
85 |
|
Shoulders |
14" |
35.5 |
|
Waist |
26" |
66 |
|
Bodice length from shoulder seam |
14.5" |
37 |
|
Skirt length |
27" |
68.5 |
|
Sleeve length |
20.5" |
52 |
|
Sweep |
40" |
101.5 |
FABRIC/COLORS: The bodice and sleeves are constructed from lace - Duchesse? Guipure? Renaissance? and the bodice is completely lined in a crisp and sturdy chiffon in caucasian skin tone. The skirt is velvet, feels like rayon. Lace and velvet are midnight blue. The painting is done with just five colors - primarily sky blue, turquoise, and spring green, with a little neon pink and white.
TAGS: Richilene, New York.
Richilene was the husband and wife team of Ilene and Richard Pacun. Their design house opened in New York in 1971, specializing in cocktail party and evening wear. A NY Times article commented in 1986 that “debs debut, playgirls party and maidens marry” in Richilene. Their clothing was sold in exclusive stores like Elizabeth Arden, Saks Fifth Avenue and Martha and retailed in the $525 to $2,000 range in the late 80s/early 90s.
CLOSURES: A long nylon zipper down the back.
CONDITION: There are belt loop threads but no belt. It is shown with a black leather belt in one of the photos for inspiration - that belt is not included with purchase. The dress itself is in excellent condition - I don't see any stains, holes, or tears.
I measure the outside of garments, unless stated otherwise.
For menswear, the chest is measured at armpit level.
For womenswear, the bust is measured a little below armpit level, including the room created by darts or gathers.
Waist will be measured if there is one, and hips are measured about 9" below waist level. Sleeves are measured from shoulder seam or an approximation in the absence of a shoulder seam. Garment length is measured from the back of the neck, unless otherwise stated.
The measurement numbers refer to the garment, not the body inside. For best fit, measure a similar type of garment which fits you well and compare.
If the garment is shown on Josephine, my mannequin, her measurements are 31/24.5/34". Sometimes she wears a padded bra. My live models measurements vary depending on the day and year, and I don't ask them to share that.