Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 19

StellaMcCartney 2003 SilkSatin Print OffShoulder Disco MiniDress or BomberJacket

About the Item

Arguable the most significant design in the Stella McCartney Spring/Summer 2003 collection since it debuted in several colors on the runway and was worn by the British designer to take her fashion-show bow, this pink-printed dark-grey silk-blend zip-front mini-dress with white satin stripes and pink piping was a favorite of the Vogue critic and her father Beatles co-founder Paul McCarthy. Vogue wrote: "Her hippest new idea came in the form of puffy satin bombers--she transformed one, a fusion of sport and chinoiserie print, into an off-the-shoulder bubble dress. McCartney is so into the glam-bomber idea, in fact, that she bounded onto the runway wearing a black version herself." The garment's voluminous batwing sleeves and stretch-cotton ribbed neckline and hem, plus custom golden-charm two-way zipper, enable it to have two different necklines and lengths to convert to a shorter puffier bomber jacket. Notably, the versatile piece that is subtly printed with mock-Beatles lyrics seems to have been the first tribute fashion-design that McCartney created to reference her father. Prior, she had credited her stylish mother Linda for instilling her with a love of fashion and inspiration for her initial namesake collections, which followed her first commercial collections with Phoebe Philo for Chloe. For background, when McCartney was a young girl in 1978, the mock-rock band The Rutles parodied a Beatles song, which was recorded by EMI as "Ging, Gang, Goolie". Given its lyrics, the chinoiserie-style dragon motifs were substituted by McCartney with bird skeletons and snakes that a child might have seen. The dress/jacket is in very good condition since the sole owner wore it twice. The optional front pockets were cut off so as not to interfere with the elongated-fabric drape when worn as a mini-dress, so their removable seams remain sewn. Although a U.K. brand, this garment was made in Italy. The IT38-size will fit a US4 as a mini-dress, or multiple larger sizes if worn only as a jacket.
  • Designer:
  • Brand:
  • Dimensions:
    Width: 16 in (40.64 cm)Length: 36 in (91.44 cm)Marked Size: 38IT (UK)
  • Style:
    disco glam (In the Style Of)
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3244219923202
More From This SellerView All
  • MartinMargiela S/S2008 PlungingVneck Bias Ruched Halter SlitDress Black Top
    By Maison Martin Margiela
    Located in Chicago, IL
    From one of the last fashion collections by legendary Belgian artist Martin Margiela, this asymmetrical plunging V-neck black jersey pullover that he designed for Spring/Summer 2008 ...
    Category

    Early 2000s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses

  • BillBlass 1970s TuxedoLike EcruSatinTrim BoldShoulder BlackWoolCrepe ShiftDress
    By Bill Blass
    Located in Chicago, IL
    Around 1970 when he introduced his eponymous brand after becoming a leading couture fashion designer among New York City society, American Bill Blass created this sleek tuxedo-like e...
    Category

    1970s American Evening Dresses and Gowns

  • 1980s BergdorfGoodman Costa Corseted Strapless Quintessential Little Black Dress
    By Bergdorf Goodman, Victor Costa
    Located in Chicago, IL
    This timeless quintessential corseted, shirred, ruched and topstitched "little black dress" produced by Victor Costa in the 1980s was made for the high standards of New York's trendsetting Bergdorf Goodman when it was the first U.S. luxury department store to order exclusive special-occasion dresses from this Texas designer and subsequently to give him a namesake in-store boutique. He soon became associated with the feminine glamorous gowns worn by "PYT" (Costa-speak for pretty young things) on the Dallas-based television-series "Dynasty", which idealized a status-conscious Texas woman mostly via fashion. With a strapless curvaceous sweetheart neckline (spared from '80s shoulder pads!), narrow sinuous folds of crepe silk-blend jersey cross diagonally below the decollete, while contrasting vertical ruching defines the seven bones of the invisible corset structure that is fully lined on the interior. Under the bust in front below the empire-like peaked high waist, the fitted tucked underlay of the cocktail dress wraps around the back to end as an overlay in front, where the opening on the left side extends to the bodice like a discreet slit. The freely hanging bias-cut overlay in front is gathered underneath each breast for a forgiving central drape that adds additional curves to make the wearer's torso underneath appear in sleek condition despite a potentially less than ideal figure. The dress closes with a concealed zipper in the center of the back, with exterior hook-and-eye fastening to narrow the waist. There is a second concealed hook-and-eye fastener at the top of the zipper. Although the only remaining tag is the Costa/Bergdorf label, it is a contemporary U.S.-size 8, which will also suit a large-busted size 6 or a svelte size 10. Now 88 years old, Victor Costa (b.1935) became widely known by the 1980s in The States for perfecting affordable luxurious gowns that could be mistaken for one-of-a-kind flamboyant designs by foreign couturiers Christian Lacroix, Arnold Scaasi, Oscar de la Renta or Valentino Garavani. Early on, the avid female sketcher...
    Category

    1980s American Cocktail Dresses

  • Balenciaga NicolasGhesquiere SilkFlowerPrint StructuredShortSleeve BiasCutDress
    By Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquière
    Located in Chicago, IL
    While at Balenciaga in late 2007, Nicolas Ghesquiere designed this 100%-silk bias-cut paneled dress that explodes with a grey and pale-yellow flower print and features unique technic...
    Category

    Early 2000s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses

  • 1990s JilSander BiasCut Black Sheer Linen DeepVneck LongSleeve Tunic MiniDress
    By Jil Sander
    Located in Chicago, IL
    With the finest fabric and tailoring--the base expectation for all progressive minimalist luxurious fashions designed for powerful women by German Jil Sander before the Prada-buyout ...
    Category

    1990s German Mini Dress

  • 1980s VictorCosta GatheredRuched RedSatin BlackVelvet LongSlit Formal Maxi Gown
    By Victor Costa
    Located in Chicago, IL
    For a formal special event, this 1980s maxi dress sleeveless gown by American designer Victor Costa features glamorous glossy red satin that is gathered, ruched and topstitched in bo...
    Category

    1980s American Maxi Dress

You May Also Like
  • Jean Muir Emerald Green Viscose Jersey Cocktail Dress
    By Jean Muir
    Located in New York, NY
    Jean 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 10
    By Badgley Mischka
    Located in New York, NY
    Badgley 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 40
    By Giambattista Valli
    Located in New York, NY
    Elegant 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

  • Rare LARRY ALDRICH COUTURE 1950s Silk Taffeta Bow & Button Cocktail Dress
    Located in Asheville, NC
    Larry 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

  • Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress, c. 1990s.
    By Calvin Klein
    Located in New York, NY
    Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress, c. 1990s. Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress featuring low cut V-ncekline and shoulder pads. Beautiful Lace hem extends past chiffon linin...
    Category

    1990s American Cocktail Dresses

  • Thierry Mugler S/S 1994 White Pleated Dress
    By Thierry Mugler
    Located in New York, NY
    Thierry Mugler S/S 1994 White Fan Pleated Dress; with pleated gathering to central metal ring at midriff, satin-covered lightly-boned corset to interior. Fits US size 4, EU 34; Miss...
    Category

    1990s French Evening Dresses

Recently Viewed

View All