1960s Mollie Parnis Vivid Mini Dress

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1960s Mollie Parnis Vivid Mini Dress

About the Item

This fun and fantastic 1960's dress is one of Parnis's greatest works. (Worth seeing in person as pictures do not do the dress justice) Mrs.Couture staff is fighting over which model/actress will purchase this dress. Is it you? Parnis blends beautiful materials, such as taffeta and chiffon, used informal gowns with an extremely vibrant pint of white, pinks and reds in a mini dress! She also uses ruffle, often seen as conservative during the early sixties but my adding loose length to the Ruffle detail, she gives us a hint of the seventies carefree ruffle to come in the following decade. She places the ruffle at the high neckline, sleeve hems and to the skirt for additional volume. Attached full slip underneath the sheer taffeta printed fabric. Detachable coordinating fabric sash that is able to be tied at the waist. Dress closes in back with both a button (on sheer layer) and a zipper, hook-n-eye (on slip). Modern US size 0-2 Skirt seam allowance can be let out 1/2 of inch Hem can be lengthened 2 1/2 inches *All garments and accessories have been professionally cleaned and thoroughly checked before shipping. They are ready to enjoy upon arrival! Mollie Parnis was born Sarah Rosen Parnis to Jewish Austrian parents who had immigrated to the United States at the turn of the century. Parnis discovered her eye for design when working for a blouse manufacturer while studying law at Hunter College, but she often credited her discovery of fashion to a single incident: in high school, Parnis was invited to a party after attending a football game. Times were tough, and Parnis, having already worn her sole dress to the rally, raced home to redesign the dress on her back. After cutting the neckline, adding lace, and stitching on an artificial flower, Parnis was ready to attend the party, wearing her first-ever creation.  In 1933, Parnis and her husband, Leon Livingston, opened “Parnis Livingston Inc.,” a women’s boutique on New York’s Seventh Avenue that sold suits and blouses. After some success with her business, in the 1940s, Parnis began designing under only her name. Her voluminous shirtwaist dresses and straight-skirted suits with cropped jackets became her signature look. Parnis’ works were characterized by their luxurious fabrics, elegant nipped-waist silhouettes, refined patterns, and excellent craftsmanship.  After the death of her husband in 1962, Parnis took a three month break from the business, and returned with new, fresh ideas that were better suited to the increasingly casual face of American fashion. Mollie Parnis teamed up with designer Morty Sussman, and together the two of them produced “Mollie Parnis Boutique Collection,” and “Mollie Parnis Studio,” two secondary lines that appealed to the modern American woman with increased buying power, who had entered the work force, and who had a varied social calendar, as well as a busy home life. In 1985, one year after closing down her business, Parnis, who was unable to fully leave the design world, developed “Mollie Parnis at Home,” a collection for Chevette Lingerie.   Throughout Parnis’ long career, she constantly reinvented herself without jeopardizing the quality of her works. Parnis understood that fashion was a reflection of the times, an embodiment of the zeitgeist; her designs were meant to exist and add to the current social climate, and in doing so, were an phenomenal success.

Designer:
Mollie Parnis
Dimensions:
Marked Size: 6 (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 39.5 in (100.33 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 35.25 in (89.54 cm)
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1960-1969
Material Notes:
Impeccable period dress
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Well Preserved.
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1032688432