Beautiful Vintage 1940s-50s Film Star Inspired Designer Nancy Johnson Fabulous Silk and Antique Lace Dress - 1980s does 40s Couture Chic

I just ADORE this gorgeous silk vintage 30s-40s style dress (in fact I have an identical one in my own collection!) Exquisite black silk lightly slubbed shantung/dupioni with an incredible large collar and cuffs of ecru linen trimmed in antique lace, it's so classically vintage-styled with modern ease of wear and can be dressed up with so many accessory options: black/ivory spectator platform shoes, cream gloves and a cream hat plus some black and cream bangles! Figure-hugging, with inset waistband, and marvelous crisp pleating that ends in "kick pleats" at the front and back of the slim skirt. Very beautifully sewn with fine couture details inside and out. Another breathtaking retro-inspired dress by the one and only Nancy Johnson, whose fabulous vintage-inspired designs graced the pages of famed Victoria magazine in the 1980s (Victoria magazine, August 1988, pgs. 76-87)---her beautiful fabrics and very vintage style designs are strongly reminiscent of 1930's to 1950's style. This one looks just like something a Hollywood star would have worn in the 1930s or 40's, with a big hat and platform shoes (reminds me of one of the dresses worn by Bette Davis in "Now Voyager" when she's onboard a cruise ship--see last photo!) SO elegant and so very wearable, would look great with whatever accessories you choose to accent it with. Double breasted with two sets of ivory buttons down the front, and wonderful pleating in the bodice and the skirt give this a truly 1930s-40s style. All of the fabrics Nancy used in her creations were extremely high quality and have such a wonderful, truly vintage look--she was ahead of her time in designing such wonderful 30s-to-50s inspired creations. Excellent unworn vintage condition; since it's silk and fine lace, I would suggest a professional cleaning however just to freshen it up. See all photos for all the views of this beautiful vintage dress. Timeless beauty and style that transcends decades---a perfect multi-season dress depending on how you choose to accessorize it. Please check my other listings for another fabulous 40s style dress also by Nancy Johnson, both dresses came from the same collection of a super stylish collector!

I love antique and vintage clothing and have collected it for years, as well as having a longtime design career including doing costume & restoration work for major movie studios and museums....I've translated that love to my own contemporary creations as well as now offering some choice pieces of my extremely large collection of vintage and antique beauties! I'm meticulous about clothing in general so I make quite sure that every piece of vintage clothing I sell is clean, pressed and in excellent wearable condition---I do not use any fragranced or heavily-chemical products in caring for/cleaning garments and they are carefully stored in climate-controlled closets at all times except for when I am photographing them for listings. This is a NON SMOKING environment and always has been--I do not sell anything that has any kind of odor, nor do I ship clothing stuffed into shipping bags; I use new USPS boxes ONLY and carefully fold/wrap everything in new tissue paper.

Measurements of this wonderful dress are as follows, marked a vintage 12 but please check measurements, this is slim fitting and has no stretch.
Bust: dress measures approx 40" with bodice pleating and dolman-type sleeves giving it some room; wearer should be at least 1-2 inches less than this in body measurement.
Waist measurement is 30"---should fit up to about 28-29". Shirred back waistband does stretch a little more but only by about 1" or so.
Hip measurement is 40" MAX, fits up to no more than 38"
Length is 46" from shoulder to hem. This fits well on my size 6/8 mannequin with a couple inches to spare (mannequin is 36-26-36)--so I think this would work fine for up to an 8, maybe a 10 depending on measurements.
Condition: Excellent unworn vintage, no stains, spots or rips/holes, I cannot find any issues whatsoever. Ready to wear; would suggest a dry cleaning though as it's been carefully stored in a closet since the 1980's.
"Nancy Johnson 100% Silk" designer's tag (collar and cuffs are cotton/linen with cotton lace trim)

Please make sure this will suit you as to measurements and style before you purchase; I don't do alterations or accept returns.....Also, please be sure to read my shop policies/shipping info in full before you purchase (click on "policies" on my main shop page).
NOTE: I DO NOT SELL OR SHIP TO CHINA, ASIA, RUSSIA, AFRICA, ITALY & several other areas. Do not attempt to circumvent this by using a freight forwarder as your order will be CANCELED.