Perfectly mod, beautifully made. Jet-black A-line shift in a weighty crepe, fully lined. Satin mandarin-style collar and belt loops, sparkly black-rhinestone decorative buttons, hidden pockets set into the princess seams. Metal Conmatic back zip with three hooks&eyes at the neck. Beautifully finished inside and out (check out the yummy Hong Kong seam finishing on the hem!). Outstanding quality. Union made in the U.S.A. in the 1960s.

Labels: Adele Simpson, Louise Franz, 1963-'74 ILGWU
background:

Adele Simpson began her design career at Ben Gershal in 1927. By 1942 she was designing under her own name at Mary Lee, which in 1944 she bought and renamed Adele Simpson.

According to a Sept. 4, 1962, New York Times article entitled "Country Air Still Evident In a Suburb; Small Shops Fill a 'Typical' Town. Louise Franz' dress shop was founded in 1936 in Englewood, NJ, an affluent suburb 20-minutes from Manhattan by train. What began as a childrenswear shop grew up with her customers, eventually offering upscale ladieswear such as this gorgeous dress.

Fiber/Care: unmarked, feels like a heavy rayon (possibly a wool-blend) crepe with rayon or silk-blend lining, dry-clean only (due to the impeccable finishing on this dress, there are no exposed seams to provide a sample for a fabric burn test!)

Condition: decorative buttons are high-quality, era-specific, authentic vintage replacements. original belt, which is missing, was likely fashioned from the dress fabric and closed with additional buttons. we will include 3 spare buttons (each has a few dropped rhinestones, which is not noticeable with all the sparkle). there is plenty of hem fabric for fashioning a replacement belt. a plain black belt or length of satin ribbon would also work well, or you could simply remove the loops and go without.

Garment Measurements:
(labeled a 1960s size 10, go by measurements below)
shoulders: 16"/40.5cm
sleeves: 7"/17.5cm
bust: 34"/86.25cm plus a bit of room from the seaming
waist: 32"/81.25" (adjust smaller with a belt)
hips (9" below loops, mid-pocket): 39"/99cm)
length (shoulder to hem on front): 39.5"/100.25cm)

Note: International customers, contact us for help with shipping rates.

☞ Our items are not newly manufactured "vintage style" pieces. They are true vintage, at least 30 years old. Please read condition report provided above. ☜

Notes: International customers are responsible for any taxes or import fees.

Adele Simpson - Louise Franz

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