In 1951, 27 year old James Galanos launched his first label called Galanos Originals. By 1954 he had won a Coty award and the Neiman Marcus award. By 1958 he was producing clothing that could range in price from $200 to $3000, an astronomical price for ready-to-wear for that time period. His ready-to-wear line was made close to couture standards and with a level of craftsmanship that was on par with the French couturiers. Galanos was a master cutter and draper and he used many couture techniques in his work. Grace Kelly was an early fan. He was truly one of the great American designers and his work is held in all of the major museums around the world. He is one of my personal favourites. This dress is absolutely gorgeous and has been in my archives for some time. It is just so striking.
This is one of my favourite Galanos pieces. The dress is cut to a supermodel length and it is beautiful. It is made of a light weight silk crepe that is the finest silk crepe that you could get. The dress is so very simple in cut. He favoured this particular cut and you often see it repeated in his work. The dress is cut in a long column that skims over the body to the floor. It is suspended from tow piper silk straps made from the same fabric as the dress. The bodice is scooped wide across the front and the back with the back dipping a little lower. On one side there is a high slit that shows almost the entire leg. The slit is 33 inches in height so when you walk your entire bare leg flashes. One thing I find exceptionally clever is that the edges of the dress are finished in a piping that matches the straps. The way the slit is made is that the piping on each side lays over each other. This allows you to open or close it to exactly where you need it with a few stitches. Leaving more open creates a sexy flash of skin when you walk to offset the more easy fit through the body. Finally is the pattern itself. The red is a bright true red that should work on host skins. Onto this is a huge oversize floral print in an off-white ivory color. The contrast between the two gives it this wildly tropical, fresh feel that is a joy to see. It is as simple a dress as can be but at the same time it's incredibly impactful when you see it and very beautiful. It also completely had finished and meticulously made. Excellent condition
Unlined and slips on to wear with a hook and eye above a keyhole on one side of the bust. A high slit runs up that same side. It looks to have it been worn or worn very little. The silk is cut on the has so has some give.
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 61" from top of shoulder to hem with 2" turned under
Slit: 33" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4225
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
