The designer of this dress, Sully Bonnelly, had a bit of a hey day in the late 1990s. He worked as a designer for the houses of Bill Blass and Eli Tahari before launching his own collection in 1998. It retailed at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and other better stores around the world. He eventually went on to Oscar de la Renta. The pieces from his own brief label from this time period were of very good quality. This dress is from that time period.
Yards and yards of brilliant floral silk brocade with gold thread accents have been used to make up this gown. The silk he chose is just incredible. It has a coral red base with beautiful flowers woven through the silk. Layered over that base are gold accents that give the gown a subtle glow. The fabric choice allows it to hold the shape and silhouette without having to add any additional underpinnings. The bodice is strapless and fitted with curved front seams to follow and highlight the curves of your body to below the hip. The skirt flows from the bodice with no seam at the waist to break the line and is cut to sit sleek and simple at the front and then at the back it is wonderfully dramatic and very full. The back skirt is trained so that it flows out behind you in a dramatic swoop of fabric. The back dips into an almost impossible low V to leave a bare expanse of skin. Those details combined with that spectacular floral print make it one of the best gowns I have seen from this time period. The color, the print, the fabric and the cut all add up to a wonderful, beautiful gown. Excellent condition.
Fully interlined in a red silk satin through the bodice and torso, the skirt is interlined with a white silk organza. The bodice has an additional lining in the same fabric and is boned and. The dress closes with a hidden set back metal zipper. The inner bodice closes with a hook & eye and a flat hook at the attached waist stay.
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 56" to the front hem from the top of the bodice, 66" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD2827
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
