Geoffrey Beene was one of the great American fashion designers and he was recognized for both his artistic and technical skills. He launched his label in 1963 and a piece from his very first collection landed the cover of Vogue. A Coty award followed a year later and in 1984 the Council of Fashion Designers created the annual Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award in honor of Beene's fashion legacy.
Geoffrey Beene's evening wear rarely misses the mark. It always has this combination of elegance and sexiness with great details and workmanship that makes you feel that you are really wearing something special. Here we have a beautiful chiffon dress with a fabulous square cut out back. The color of the dress is very unusual. The colour has been achieved by layering a chocolate brown semi-sheer chiffon over an inner layer of cape that has been done in a bright orange. Then under that is a nude coloured lining. This combination makes the final resulting colour a deep burnt pumpkin colour that is very striking. It also gives the fabric a depth and texture that seems to change in different lights. The degree of transparency and colour opaqueness also changes when the fabric moves over itself as you move. The bodice has a wide band at the waist with an attached tie that wraps and snaps into place and then ties at the front. The arms are cut to taper down as they reach each wrist. The skirt swings out from the waist and there is literally yards and yards of fabric in it. If you twirl it is a full circle. The neck is cut in a wide scoop across the front but the back is left completely bare. It is that starts open back that gives you an element of shock when you turn. I love it. . Excellent condition
Fully lined in a nude silk crepe, it closes with a low back, hand set zipper and the attached waist tie snaps into place around the waist and then ties and snaps at the front. Each sleeve has hidden snaps at the wrist. Hand finishes
Sleeves: 27" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 25.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from top of bodice to lower waist band, with the included band being approx 4.25"
Skirt: 42" from the bottom of the waist band to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD2146
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.