This is a beautiful 1980s cream crocheted dress by British designer Jean Muir, for department store B. Altman's. The fabric looks almost like a lace and has a lovely sheen to it. It is sheer and meant to be worn over a slip. The sleeves are long, and the V-neck features a tie collar. The sleeves billow at the cuffs, which are finished with pearlescent oval buttons. It pulls on over the head.
Jean Muir's clothing is known for being refined, elegant and timeless. She was known by the French as "la nouvelle reine de la robe" which translates to "the new dress queen". Her designs were copied as often as Yves Saint Laurent's! She was often quoted saying "when you find something that suits you and never lets you down, why not stick with it?" which was her design philosophy. She never followed trends, and instead wanted her to designs to look and feel good on women, and to fit into a limited wardrobe, much like the "capsule wardrobe" revolution that is happening today. Some of her celebrity clients included Lauren Bacall, Maggie Smith, Dame Judy Dench, Charlotte Rampling and Dame Julie Walters!
This is a rare and collectible dress that will be a favourite for years to come.
COLOR: Cream
MATERIAL: Feels synthetic
LABEL: Jean Muir, for B. Altman's Department Store in NYC
CONDITION: Excellent
MEASUREMENTS:
✂--- Allow for some ease.
Bust: 36 in. (91.44 cm)
Waist: 40 in. (101.6 cm)
Hip: 56 in. (142.24 cm)
Sleeve Length: 24 in. (60.96 cm)
Shoulder to Shoulder: 16 in. (40.64 cm)
Length: 47 in. (119.38 cm)