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Bergdorf Goodman Corseted Strapless Victor Costa Little Black Dress 1980s

About the Item

Made for the luxury standards of New York's Bergdorf Goodman, this timeless quintessential corseted, shirred, ruched and topstitched "little black dress" was produced by Victor Costa in the 1980s. It was the first U.S. luxury department store to order exclusive special-occasion dresses from the Texan 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 status-conscious Texan women mostly via fashion and drama involving actress Joan Collins. With a strapless curvaceous sweetheart neckline, 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 Costa aspired to design couture so studied fashion at New York's Pratt Institute followed by the University of Houston, then spent a year studying in France at l'Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne, whereafter his initial focus in designing women's clothing was the American bridal business. As Costa was quoted as saying: "We do dresses that make a man curious about what's underneath."
  • Designer:
    Victor Costa
  • Brand:
    Bergdorf Goodman
  • Dimensions:
    Length: 30 in (76.2 cm)Marked Size: 8 (US)
  • Style:
    little black dress (In the Style Of)
  • Place of Origin:
    United States
  • Period:
    1980-1989
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3244221631042