Please help with this 50s? 60s? dress! Made by Shannon's.

Vixen

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Please help with this 50s? 60s? dress! Made by Shannon\'s.

Morning!

Can someone please tell me what the treatment around the upper torse is called? And what fabric? Also, can anyone date this dress?
Thanks!
<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/674349/Img_3140.jpg' width=212 height=520 >
<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/674349/Img_3141.jpg' width=347 height=403 >
<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/674349/Img_3143.jpg' width=213 height=501 >
<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/674349/Img_3144.jpg' width=355 height=476 >
<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/674349/Img_3145.jpg' width=210 height=535 >
<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/674349/Img_3146.jpg' width=275 height=270 >
 
Very pretty, but I don't think that has a name!

The bust is draped and shirred in chiffon? or organdy? with an attractive applied crossover of black?

What is the texture of the black fabric like? Is it smooth or ribbed like grosgrain ribbon?

Hollis
 
Hmm.. I don't think it's smooth no. Would I have done better to take the pics outside? I feel like there's not enogh detail and that the dress doesn't look that great against a white background... maybe I should gone for red instead :(
 
It reads like silk taffeta and silk chiffon in the photos but it may be rayon. It also looks like it is a good dress. Shannon's rings a bell... it wouldn't be Jack Shannon would it? If so, then you have a desirable AMerican designer dress there. Although I don't think that is the label he used... sorry can't remember.
It looks late 50s to me. I would call it a strapless cocktail dress with chiffon gathering across the torso with a crossed bodice front.
 
Thank you SO much Jonathan!! Would it be worth retaking the pics outside and on a regular mani? I was so tired & crabby taking pics for 6 hours on Wed that I quickly lost interest. And the manni (just bought her!!) was SUCH A pain, taking the arms on and off, over and over, and over.. I thought I was going to throw a hissy fit!
 
I know, taking pics of clothes is a real drag. It is a LOT of work. Maybe take a photo of the bodice outside where you can get the true colour. I wouldn't worry about putting it on a mannequin. The far away shots are fine, but the close-ups are a bit bleached and the chiffon looks yellowy, so an outside shot of the bodice would help.
 
Oh wow! I thought I had!
Here it is:
<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-3/674349/Img_3147.jpg' width=248 height=153 >
 
Jonathan,

I think I also get a bit carried away with my brightning/contrast features, and DEF with my sharpening tools! Eek! Yeah, I think (to my UTTER disappointment), I think I'm going to end up doing a big reshoot outdoors over the weekend. *cries*
Also, there are 2 yellow stains, armpits, how can I get them out without sending the dress to the cleaners?
 
I see, Shannon's is the store in Brentwood (isn't that where the Brady's lived?)
I don't know about those underarm stains... its not good news. You might be able to lighten them, but I think only a dry cleaner will be able to help you, especially if it is silk. Don't wash it -- you will just make it worse.
 
Dry clean it is then. The only thing is I paid a good sum for the dress, and wanted to keep my investment at that, but I really don't want to lose out by it appearing "dingy". Is it worth dry cleaning it? I mean do you think I'll make a decent amount on it?
The dress is from Shannon's Brentwood Village CA.
I wish I could find out if it's the same Shannon you're talking about. I'd hate to sell it as a "Jack Shanon" and it isn't....... or sell it as Shannon's, with no mention of Jack and have a "connaisseur" get it at a bargain!
 
I was going to say that it looks like the bodice is silk chiffon - if the silk hasn't shattered at all, I'd say you have a serious winner on your hands! I'd definitely suggest having it dry cleaned if you have a reputable cleaner in your area.

Good luck!

-Melanie
 
Very interesting dress, I especially like the back with the sinple bow detail. I have to say this just SCREAMED Renee Zellweger to me the moment I saw it. I wonder if she has her Oscar dress yet? :D
 
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