saks fifth avenue black dresses Rare 1950s Sophie Gimbel of Saks Fifth Avenue Black Silk Ribbed Textur – Shrimpton Couture

saks fifth avenue black dresses Rare 1950s Sophie Gimbel of Saks Fifth Avenue Black Silk Ribbed Textur – Shrimpton CoutureThis wonderful little black dress is from the time period that Sophie Gimbel was designing the Saks in house ready to wear line. Her pieces were very expensive and she was known as being one of the best designers in America. Most were as close to demi couture as one could get at this time and like this one, had extraordinary little details and were extremely well made. Sophie worked at Saks from 1931 through to 1969 and the label on this one dates it

This wonderful little black dress is from the time period that Sophie Gimbel was designing the Saks in-house ready-to-wear line. Her pieces were very expensive and she was known as being one of the best designers in America. Most were as close to demi-couture as one could get at this time and like this one, had extraordinary little details and were extremely well made. Sophie worked at Saks from 1931 through to 1969 and the label on this one dates it to her work of the 1950s.

Is a wonderful 1950s dress. It's made out of a black silk that has this really interesting raised detail on it that makes it look heavily pleated or ribbed and gives the dress texture. It is cut to fit and highlight the body. It has a little cap sleeves and the neck scoops at the front. The bodice is shaped with seaming and it nips in at the waist. The waist is seamed and you could add a belt for more definition if you wanted. It curves out and over the hips and then goes straight down to the hem. I love how she has taken a vertical panel of the same fabric and run it all the way down the front and then down the side of each hip and again down the back of a skirt. This helps to give extra detailing and to really defined the shape and curves of the skirt. It is beautifully made with lots of hand finishes and a fine silk interior lining. This is the epitome of that perfectly made little black dress that can go from day to cocktails. Excellent condition with a small note below.

Fully lined in a black silk and the lining is set by hand. It closes with a hidden set back zipper and I love the care that's been put into lining up the texture of the fabric along the zipper and seams. Hand finishes throughout. A tiny bit of stress to the top seam at one shoulder and it appears to have had a small repair done on the seam at some point

Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 24" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4435

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.