Stavropoulos 70s Burgundy Silk Jersey Gown
View Similar Items
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Stavropoulos 70s Burgundy Silk Jersey Gown
About the Item
Approx. size 4-6
Throughout his career, George Peter Stavropoulos maintained a relatively low but highly respected profile in the fashion world. He was one of a small number of designers in America who exclusively produced ready-to-wear clothes of the quality and caliber of Parisian haute couture. Stavropoulos presented two ready-to-wear collections, produced in his own atelier each year for 30 years and never ventured into lower priced lines, licensed products, or perfumes, as did many of his contemporaries. Nor did he venture into the further reaches of avant-garde design. While many of his designs were innovative and strikingly beautiful, they were never shocking or arresting and his innovations were subtle to the degree that they were apparent only to the wearer or noticed either upon close inspection, or when the wearer moved about.
Stavropoulos established his business in New York in 1961, having left his native Greece, and chiffon evening dresses of every variety were central to his collections. Signature chiffon looks included single shoulder asymmetrically draped toga styles, inspired by models from classical antiquity, many layered body-skimming styles, and dresses with pleats originating at the neckline or shoulders that could be tied at the waist or left flowing freely away from the body. Recurring details included intricate pleats and tucks, wrap and capelet effects, free floating panels that could be thrown across the shoulders as a scarf or wrapped around the waist as a belt, and other multipurpose convertible details.
Evident in his chiffons and central to Stavropoulos' design philosophy were the ideas of comfort, softness, and ease of movement. In 1961 he remarked, "I don't want clothes to be tight, it's not high fashion. A woman must be able to move around in a dress." In the early to middle 1960s, contrary to the prevailing tendency toward stiffness and a boxy silhouette, Stavropoulos designed unconstrained kimono-sleeved jackets and daytime wool suits cut on the bias that subtly draped over the body. Throughout his career, rather than designing evening coats to go over his gowns he preferred the soft and simple cape to finish off his evening looks, often accessorized with a single long strand of black or white pearls.
By the mid-1970s, when the trends had caught up with Stavropoulos and fluid simplicity was the rage, the designer presented the ultimate innovation in soft and simple luxury—a gently flaring tank dress in five layers of bias-cut white chiffon with a single seam at the center back. Unlike his contemporary Halston, however, who presented similar looks around the same time, cerebral, minimal modernism was not the conceptual basis for his design. Instead Stavropoulos was most interested in exploring the ideas of softness and ease of movement (despite the apparent simplicity of Halston's designs and his pretensions to minimalism, many of his garments were a challenge to wear). Although Stavropoulos was most praised for his creations in chiffon, he was adept at working with other fabrics and had a particular liking for taffeta and satin, pleated, tucked, and manipulated on the bias with the same attention to fine detail he gave chiffon.
Stavropoulos' style remained unchanged in his three decades in business in New York. Demand for his signature body-skimming layered chiffon evening look was so consistent that he found it a challenge to "make the clothes look different," yet still reflect his point of view that "classical design is forever." His clients appreciated the classic and long-lasting investment quality of his garments and many still wear his clothes today.
—Alan E. Rosenberg
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 4-6 (US)
- Period:
- Material Notes:silk jersey
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU10100950590
About the Seller
4.7
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1994
1stDibs seller since 2009
802 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
More From This SellerView All
- 1980s Pauline Trigere Marbleized Silk Print GownBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Gresham, ORA wonderful design by Pauline Trigere in a marbleized silk charmeuse print with a low back and criss cross strap design. Features include quilted puff shoulders and tapered sleeves. ...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- 1980s Yves Saint Laurent - Rive Gauche Red Iridescent Pouf DressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Gresham, OR1980s Yves Saint Laurent - Rive Gauche red iridescent sharkskin silk and acetate bubble dress with voluminous skirt and large bow at front. Scoop Ballet-style neckline and fitted lon...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1950 Fred Perlberg Crimson Indian-Inspired Dancing Dress W/ Full SkirtBy Fred PerlbergLocated in Gresham, OR1950s Fred Perlberg Indian-Inspired dancing dress in crimson nylon organza and gold metallic paisley stamped pattern with 2 layers of lining. Fitted bodice...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960 Teal Traina Egg Shell Ribbon Lace Mini Dress W/ Wide Grosgrain Trim Size 4By Teal TrainaLocated in Gresham, ORStunning futuristic 1960s Teal Traina egg shell ribbon-embroidered lace mini dress with heavy wide grosgrain trim panel at waist and front bodice. Covered buttons up bodice front. Fu...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Galanos Silk Dress in a Hounds Tooth Plaid W/ Matching Wool Jacket & ScarfBy Galanos, James GalanosLocated in Gresham, ORA lovely 1980s Galanos wool houndstooth jacket and Galanos silk mini dress in a novelty hound's tooth window pane plaid pattern (black, tan and oxblood palette). Includes matching si...Category
1980s American Mini Dresses
- 1990s Michael Casey Silk Ombre Botanical-Patterned Strapless Gown W/ TrainBy Michael CaseyLocated in Gresham, ORA lovely 1990s Michael Casey silk ombre botanical-patterned silk chiffon strapless gown with ruching and gathering at bodice. Asymmetrical delicate bronze ...Category
1990s American Evening Gowns
You May Also Like
- Jean Muir Emerald Green Viscose Jersey Cocktail DressBy Jean MuirLocated in New York, NYJean Muir emerald green jersey cocktail dress with long wrap sash. Sash may also be worn as long scarf around neck, and tied at lower back. Front of dress has asymmetrical pleating. ...Category
Late 20th Century British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Badgley Mischka Beaded Black Silk Lace Evening Gown Size US 10By Badgley MischkaLocated in New York, NYBadgley Mischka glamorous black silk lace evening gown, size US 10. Gown features hand beaded and embroidered lace with glass jet beading, and neckline with glass jet beads along cu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Gowns
- Giambattista Valli Ivory Crepe Sleeveless Wedding Gown Dress EU 40By Giambattista ValliLocated in New York, NYElegant Giambattista Valli ivory crepe sleeveless wedding gown has a delicate fitted bust, darts to accentuate the length of waist, which is finished with a stitched ribbon at the wa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$2,000 Sale Price20% Off - WILLIAM PEARSON Designer Vintage Floral Green Dress Ribbon Ruffle Off Shoulder 8Located in Asheville, NCWilliam Pearson, Floral Pattern, Double Layered Lining, Could be off Shoulder or on Shoulder, Satin Ribbon Tie in Back, Satin Ribbon Along Bottom, Full Skirt, Ribbed Top Material, Zi...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
$360 Sale Price20% Off - Rare LARRY ALDRICH COUTURE 1950s Silk Taffeta Bow & Button Cocktail DressLocated in Asheville, NCLarry Aldrich, 1950's Era Vintage Couture, Silk Taffeta, V Neck Front Wrap Style with Bow, Two Front Pockets, Nine Fabric Back Buttons, Built-in Moderate Crinoline with Hook and Eye ...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
$909 Sale Price30% Off - Rare CEIL CHAPMAN 1950s Vintage Black Satin COUTURE Cocktail Dress XS/SBy Ceil ChapmanLocated in Asheville, NCCeil Chapman, 1950's Era, Pleated Front and Back Panels, Front Bow, Open Top Puff Sleeves with Bows on Ends, Round Neck, Bone In Front and Sides, Back Zipper, Hook and Eye Black Clos...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
$1,750 Sale Price30% Off
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
One Shoulder Jersey Gown
White Off The Shoulder Gown
White Silk Satin Gown
Tank Must Black
Taffeta Long Gown
Long Sleeve 70s Gowns
Vintage Halston Belt
Cape Jersey
1970s Dress With Scarf
Satin Wrap Gown
Halston Jersey
Off The Shoulder Long Sleeve Gown
Satin Jersey
Halston 4
70s Couture Gown
Vintage Kimono Silk Fabric
Halston Long Dresses
70s Chiffon Evening Dress