Ted Lapidus began selling his designs in the 1950s in Paris. By 1963 he was an official member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and he debuted his Haute Couture label in addition to his already high end ready to wear. Starting in the 1960s and through the 1970s he did ready to wear and a boutique line. This is an exceptional dress from that time period and it is very beautiful.
This is a dress that has maximum impact once on but it so easy to wear. It is basically made from yards and yards of a black silk chiffon that is all cut on the bias. This falls from the little straps that wrap up around the neck and then run down the back after crossing over themselves at the front. It is fitted around the bust and the waist nips in. Under that skirt flares out beautifully as it nears the hem. The waist is seamed for a little bit off added shape and the skirt has tremendous movement when you move. It is very full with many yards of silk but so light that it falls in a sleek column when you stand still. The inky black silk chiffon that it is made of is feather and has a touch of transparency over its more opaque inner lining. This was then covered in an amazing pattern that has been created by fusing silver glitter directly to the silk. This gives the dress its sparkle and glitz and allows it to catch the light from every angle. I love the curving swirls and flowers that the glitter creates. The design has been laid out over the entire dress in a beautiful and intricate pattern. The workmanship to attach the glitter to the silk chiffon cannot be underplayed as this would have taken hours of meticulous hand work to accomplish. I love the effect of this once on the body. It is just absolutely gorgeous and one of the best of his pieces I have seen. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a black silk crepe and closes at the side with a painted metal zipper. If you did not like the straps crossing at the front it would be easy to move then to a more standard strap that runs over the shoulder. I see no bare areas.
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3838
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
