Pierre Cardin Black Dress - Style Assistance

jauntyrooster

jauntyrooster

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Here is some GREAT fun for a Friday...:)

I am struggling a little with describing this Pierre Cardin dress. I had put a very bad shot of this up with my union label question and since then I have looked at this dress a lot and then walked away wondering. The main material feels kind of like a crepe (remember I am still learning materials), then there is the satin and the bow, and below that feels like same crepey material but is almost like to has been stuffed - it is kind of spongy. Style-wise, the design at the neck line that goes down the bust has a space age look to it (to me) but the bow kinda of kills that off then you return to the swirls and their weird fabric which is kind of space agey again. Color me confused. I guess I could just call it a cocktail dress but was hoping to be a little more specific.

I hope this is light enough for you to see details - I have been having an awful time getting photos of this one.

I appreciate any help and of course, if you care to inject some humor, I am up for that too! My husband has all kinds of crazy things he calls this dress - crazy swirl dress, etc.

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A little update - I just did some more hunting - there is actually foam in the bottom part!

I keep imaging that if you took off the sleeves and got rid of the bow this would be easily be mod or borderline space age. The sleeves and bow really throw me...
 
Your beautiful cocktail frock looks like the '20s flapper inspired frocks we saw in the mid '60s - the padded quilting is a bit like trapunto, but I would be careful if I were you and inspect it for devil dust. Those '60s synthetic foams can break down and once they do, the dust gets everywhere and you can't get rid of it. I've had to throw out some really cute '60s mod dresses as a result.

Nicole
 
flapper inspired - I like that

devil dust is a new one on me. yikes.

I am hopeful that this one is fine. The estate it came from was immaculate. The woman looked as though she bought nothing but high end and took care of it like it was her children. Her closet was huge walk in cedar and things were all in garment bags, etc. Hopefully, this dress isn't hiding a secret! :)

Thank you Nicole...I like your interpretation.
 
If it is degrading inside where the foam is, you can always try a dry cleaning. It's worked for me to rid the dust! Great dress, love the mod lines with the romantic detail.

Ang
 
gorgeous. so very mod mid 60s. are you sure that's foam? i'd have thought cardin would use something more substantial. like batting. it's a wonderful find!
 
Here is a pic of what I think is a thin piece of foam - batting would be more like cotton fill - is that correct?

BTW - you can also see the remains of my nieces attempt at fingernail painting - just so you don't all think I am nutso or trying to start/follow a bad fashion trend!

Thanks for your kind words - it is a great dress and I was lucky to find in such minty condition. Praise the women who take care of their clothes...:)
 
hm. yes, that's foam all right. how strange. unless he thought using the newer-fangled materials was a good idea.

since you can easily access it, you'll be able to tell if it's starting to disintegrate or not by scratching it a bit with your fingernail.

nice nails, btw :)
 
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