Late 1950s Early 1960s Couturier Laroche Chemise Dress - New!

Measurements

Size: Medium

Bodice

Bust: 40 inches + 102 cm  (Meant to be loose)

Length: 19 inches + 48 cm

Under Dress with Skirt

Bust 38 inches + 96 cm

Waist: 30 inches + 76 cm

Hips: 38 inches + 96 cm

Bodice Length from Outside Shoulder: 15 inches + 38 cm

Total Length from Outside Shoulder:  41 inches + 104 cm 

Hem Length: 5 inches + 13 cm

Zipper Length: Various (several zippers)

Seam Allowance:  2 inches per side + 5cm per side at least

Note: Measurements are taken from outside, flat and stretched from seam to seam. This is the maximum size allowable, so please consider individual fit and comfort.

Description

* Top quality late 1950s to early 1960s couturier dress

* Luxurious satin fabric with impressionist floral print in vibrant pinks and reds

* Classic chemise silhouette with straight front and blouson back

* Dress is two piece with short sleeved bodice that falls to hipline

* Back has draping with surplice overlap and giant self bow

* Skirt is attached to a silk upper slip

* Fully lined with professional couturier finish

* Closed-in metal zippers

* Label reads Guy Laroche

Guy Laroche

Laroche was born in La Rochelle and began his career in milinery. From 1949, Laroche worked for Jean Desses,  eventually becoming his assistant. In 1955, he visited the U.S. to investigate new ready to wear manufacturing methods and subsequently founded his high-fashion atelier at 37 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, Paris. In his first collection he reintroduced vibrant colours such as pink, orange, coral, topaz, and turquoise. His clothes also featured plunging neck and back lines. Known as being humble and gracious—as opposed to the haughty nature of most Parisian designers—he designed haute-couture, but practical clothing for women. For the American market, he was one of the first to create separates. Along with the excellent workmanship throughout his garments he also resured that it designed for practical use. In 1961, he moved to larger quarters, a townhouse at 29 Avenue Montaigne Pais  and opened a boutique there .Guy Laroche died in Paris on 17 February 1989, at the age of 67.

Chemise Dress

The Chemise was a more flattering derivation of The Sack dress. It similarly bypassed the waist, suggesting rather than defining the shape within.The fullness at the back was achieved by gathering loose pleats, inverted tucks or draped folds into fitted bands at either waist or hip level. The enthusiasm with which department stores and dress shops within Europe, US, Canada and Australasia embraced the chemise, saw the trend reach far beyond the main cities to smaller country centres. The one constant with the chemise dress was the full back. Other features differed according to the maker. Cole of California, of swimsuit fame, conceived the chemise as a sleeveless sunfrock in floral printed cotton. Short sleeves, cap sleeves, double cap sleeves and bell sleeves proved popular, as did button-through backs, drop-waisted tie belts (at the back) and contrasting front panels. Horrockses Cottons imagined the chemise as an elongated nautical-style middy with a  vertical collar and a V-neck culminating in a floppy bow. Necklines might be V, square, scooped, cowl or bateau, the latter running horizontally across the collar-bone, shoulder to shoulder. The bateau was used, to stunning effect, in the designs of the teen-dream American label Jonathon Logan. Here, Guy Laroche has  accentuated the back with  a gigantic floppy bow.In fact, it would be no exaggeration to say that designers of the chemise were bitten by the bow bug. The bow, was the decorative detail du jour. Strategically placed, back and front, on dropped waist-bands, shoulders and necklines, its flatness suited the chemise’s angular lines. The fabrics most favoured for chemise dresses and suits were mainly cotton, satin or silk as they were those soft enough to facilitate back blousing or draping . Woollen materials and French silk velvets were often selected for coats. Its heyday in fashion did not last long, it was quickly superseded by the next fad to hit the worldwide fashion market -  the Trapeze dress. The Sack, the Chemise and the Trapeze provoked comment and excited the imagination in equal measure. But their most significant contribution to fashion was that they were catalysts for change. (Courtesy of Cecilie Geary for the New Zealand Fashion Museum)

Condition 

Excellent condition too, in fact looks hardly worn. The only issue is that it has a tiny hole in the lining fabric of the underdress. Not seen at all when worn and can be easy darned.  Cleaned and ready to wear.

Please drop us a line if you require additional information about this listing.

Comment

An amazing and impeccably styled dress, the fabric and construction is of the highest quality, to be expected from this respected couturier.

Shop Policies

COVID-19

Unfortunately, the pandemic has resulted in a backlog of parcels worldwide. Our local Postal Service continues to operate at increased capacity and assures us that packages will arrive at their destination, albeit with a noticeably longer timeframe.

We now offer an alternate express delivery service via DHL for those of you who want your packages more expediently. This option is currently delivering packages within a seven-day timeframe from pick-up.

Availability
This item is within our selling stock. In the unlikely event that two buyers purchase this item concurrently, payment will be immediately refunded to the latter purchaser. We apologise in advance should this rare circumstance arise.

Postage
We make every effort to post your item within 1-3 days of payment. Should a circumstance arise where we are unable to post within this timeframe (eg we are away at a fair) we will contact you immediately. Please note that our postage charges are based on standard international and domestic air packages - all with tracking. If you want to upgrade to express postage or require insurance, please contact us prior to checkout and we will adjust the rates accordingly.

LayBys/Layaways
Yes we do offer flexible layby/layaway options and are open to negotiation as to the time period. Obviously, the more expensive the item the longer the time you will have to finalise payment. Contact us to see how accommodating we can be :)

Alterations
Obviously, as these are one-off pieces, the fit may not be quite what you need. To this end, we also offer an alteration service by professional seamstresses. Please shoot us an email outlining what you want and we will quickly respond with a quote and timeframe. Costs are kept to a minimum for this service.

Special Orders
If you are looking for something that you don't currently find in our shop - let us know we may be able to help you with a special listing!

Photography
Our photos are taken with a mix of studio and ambient lighting. Whilst we take care with the colour balance of our photos, individual computer monitors register colours differently depending on their calibration. If you want the exact colour shade drop us a line and we will give you the Universal Pantone colours that match the item.