Vintage Jean Muir Cashmere Jumper
By Jean Muir
Located in London, GB
A chic and cosy vintage cashmere jumper by Jean Muir. The jumper is in a pretty soft apricot colour , with elbow length sleaves. Measurements: ...
With simple, classic designs, Jean Muir became known as the doyenne of British fashion, counting such luminaries as Princess Alexandra, Glenda Jackson and Lauren Bacall as clients. Similar to Diane von Furstenberg and her signature wrap dresses, Muir was most famous for the matte jersey dresses she initially designed for herself. Born in London, she got her fashion start at the age of 11 when she began designing her own clothing. Muir’s popular vintage dresses and gowns boast small shoulders, a slightly raised waist and a sheath-like skirt, perfect for someone with a petite frame like her own. In fact, Muir tried on every dress before it went into production.
The Jean Muir look — pared down, elegant and timeless — earned the designer an over 40-year-long career, which started in the stockroom at London’s famous Liberty luxury department store. Shortly after her stint in sorting inventory, she became a sketcher in the store’s made-to-measure department. After working as a designer for Jaeger, she was hired by dress manufacturer David Barnes in 1962. There, her jersey designs were so popular she was given her own label: Jane & Jane. She soon caught the attention of a buyer who brought her to Henri Bendel, where her career soared. Just four years after joining Jane & Jane, she started Jean Muir Ltd. with her husband, Harry Leuckert, a German actor.
During her long career, Muir never strayed from her signature long, fluid lines and feminine silhouettes that were especially flattering when the wearer moved. The jersey gave the dresses an architectural appearance and a flexibility in the designs as, unlike silk, the material doesn’t have to be hand-sewn or lined, nor do the edges need to be lined up and bound together to appear neat. Muir was particularly drawn to the simplicity of navy and black fabric, with topstitching giving even the most minimal styles some flair. Although jersey dominated her looks, she also worked with her team of expert craftspeople to punch patterns in suede, create draped textures with leather, tailor wool crepe, paint patterns on cashmere and stitch dramatic layers of tiered silk.
After her death, Muir’s team continued creating her beloved day dresses and evening gowns for another 12 years, carrying on her legacy. In 2007, the label closed, although the vintage dresses are enduringly popular with those seeking refinement and elegance in modern designs.
Find a collection of Jean Muir evening dresses, suits, jackets and other garments on 1stDibs.
| Average Sold Price |
| $326 |
| Related Designers |
Vintage Jean Muir Cashmere Jumper
By Jean Muir
Located in London, GB
A chic and cosy vintage cashmere jumper by Jean Muir. The jumper is in a pretty soft apricot colour , with elbow length sleaves. Measurements: ...
Jean Muir 1970s Vintage Black Jersey Maxi Dress with Asymmetric Hem
By Jean Muir
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
An exceptional example of Jean Muir’s signature 1970s aesthetic, this vintage black jersey maxi dress embodies her celebrated mastery of fluid drape, movement, and understated sophis...
Divine 1970s Jean Muir Pleated Chiffon Ivory Black Dots Layered dress
By Jean Muir
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The self-taught Jean Muir made her name in the 1960s, creating a reputation for exquisitely tailored timeless, feminine clothing. Having previously worked as a designer for the famous textile house, Liberty of London, Muir’s designs are extremely fluid and often incorporate simple jersey or suede fabrics with small craft details throughout. Of her work, Muir has noted that she is more concerned with the process of engineering garments to make “beautiful shapes” rather than designing clothes. Her pieces are held in museums worldwide and she has been hailed as the greatest dressmaker in the world, in a league with Madame Grès, Chanel, and Vionnet. Done in an ivory chiffon featuring a print of large and small black polka dots, this divine Jean Muir dress is effortless and regal at once. The gathered bodice begins with a high square neckline and layered sheer angel sleeves. The knife-pleated chiffon creates a pleasing rhythm throughout, adding another dimension to the layered flounces of the skirt and fluttering elbow-length sleeves. The skirt falls from a high fitted waist to a maxi length just above the ankles, creating a classic, elegant silhouette, while decorative black stitching at the neckline and waist adds a note of refined elegance. Size estimate: SML/MED Measurements: Bust: 34 inches Waist: 28 inches Hips: up to 38 inches Length: 54 inches From the bust waistline, a layer of chiffon creates a long, knee-length flounce, bringing a fullness to the otherwise columnar structure of the dress. The hems of the sleeves and both layers of the skirt are edged in black silk, adding a nice contrast of texture along with striking pop of color. An excellent choice for a wedding or special occasion, this Jean Muir dress has stunning proportions and can easily be worn as a day-to-night look. This vintage Jean Muir dress...
Vintage Jean Muir for Fortnum and Mason Black Dress with Decorative Buttons
By Jean Muir
Located in London, GB
A chic and easy to wear vintage dress by Jean Muir for Fortnum and Mason . The dress has decorative buttons, and is in a moire effect fabric. Size 10 UK , measurements: Bust 36/37''...
1980s Jean Muir Floral Cotton Peplum Skirt Suit
By Jean Muir
Located in London, GB
Vintage Jean Muir skirt suit from the mid to late 1980s. Both the skirt and the jacket are made using a brightly printed and lightweight viscose material, featuring bold blue, red an...
Jean Muir Cut out Maxi Dress 1970s
By Jean Muir
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black jersey full length dress gown from legendary British designer Jean Muir. This dress has lots of detail- cut outs at the shoulders, upper and mid back with shoulder d...
Vintage Jean Muir Red and Orange Jacket
By Jean Muir
Located in London, GB
A great and colourful jacket by Jean Muir, main line. The jacket is red on the outside and lined in red . There is an 11' vent on either side and a top button fastening. Made in En...
Vintage Jean Muir Suede Skirt
By Jean Muir
Located in London, GB
A pretty vintage suede skirt by Jean Muir , Studio line. The skirt is unlined with a side zip opening.
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Period | |||||
|
| $326 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $294-$358 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |