General background & information
Absolutely spectacular 1970s Nina Ricci haute boutique gown in a rare size! Scarlet is a founder favorite and a true collector's piece.
Made of French silk taffeta and true French lace, Scarlet has a ruched cummerbund waist accented with a silk taffeta bow at the under bust. The bodice has a red lace overlay with a kimono-style sleeve and bell cuffs. The cuffs are accented with oversized silk taffeta bows.
The skirt is heavily gathered at the waist to give it a full shape. At the hem, there is a peekaboo layer of red lace, which helps balance the statement details of the bodice. The skirt reaches to the ankle or the floor, depending on the height of the wearer.
It is impossible to overstate how rare and special this piece is. We are thrilled to be able to offer it to our brides.
Note: This color is difficult to photograph! In real life, the shade is redder than the shade in our full-body images, but lighter & less blue than the shade in the detail images.
Size & measurements
Measurements must be used to assess whether a gown will fit you or can be altered to fit you. A gown can usually be made 2-3 sizes smaller without compromising the design, but can rarely be made more than approximately 1/2-1” larger without making major modifications. The exterior flat measurements of this dress are as follows:
Bust - 42"
Waist - 36"
It is approximately a modern size 20.
Special request - We ask that you not purchase this dress if you intend to significantly alter it down in size. Vionnette's mission is to preserve historic garments and garment construction techniques, which includes preserving the widest size range possible. Plus size couture dresses from this era are extremely rare, and we want to ensure that the original, larger size of the dress is maintained for future wearers.
Condition notes
We are known for the excellent condition of our vintage bridal attire. However, vintage gowns will always contain some imperfections that result from being worn and/or stored for decades. We make every effort to review each dress thoroughly and disclose every issue we can find.
Scarlet has been freshly dry cleaned by a cleaner that specializes in historic and rare garments. We have not been able to locate breaks or tears in the lace, which is remarkable given the delicacy and age of the dress. However, the lace has darkened in isolated areas. The zipper is original, and most of the extensive hand stitching remains intact. Given the age and fragility of the fabrics, it is in exquisite condition and is a true treasure.
