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If you've ever been floored by the way women looked in the movies of the 30s, you can thank only one person - Adrian Gilbert. The chief designer for Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Adrian's designs for Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Katherine Hepburn and so many other iconic names in film history made a fantasy world come to life during the Depression. While you may meet people who are unfamiliar with Pucci, Gernreich, Dior even, you'd have to be a total cave dweller to not know who were the biggest stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. And so Adrian made an undying name for himself as the man who made movie stars what they were but most of his creations were unsuitable for the real world, tey were designed for the big screen. In 1941, Adrian opened his own boutique and offered the same killer gowns and more modest (relatively speaking) ready-to-wear. Still one of the most elusive labels in vintage stores, the desire to own an original Adrian is stupendous and deservedly so. With a recent retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, we really think the best way to get to know hiw work is by watching "Letty Lyndon" or wearing a vintage dress of your own. Black silk taffeta bodice is punctuated by beaded sunbursts in jet, centered with a tiny black silken tassel. Erratically positioned and matte to echo the silk crepe skirt, this is one of the most sophisticated cocktail dresses ever. Pleated sweetheart neckline and a central inverted pleat cutting through the center of the skirt, the sleeves are cut to give an exaggerated shoulder line but are not padded. A signature Adrian line with slim hips and broad shoulders, we love this with black satin platform sandals from the same decade and a tiny black Moschino hangbag in the shape of an elongated tassel. Bust measures 40", waist 29", hips 38" and length 46.5". Excellent condition. $1800.00 |
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