Geoffrey Beene was one of the great American fashion designers and he was recognized for both his artistic and technical skills. He launched his label in 1963 and a piece from his very first collection landed the cover of Vogue. A Coty award followed a year later and in 1984 the Council of Fashion Designers created the annual Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award in honor of Beene's fashion legacy.

This dress is gorgeous. It is one of his signature looks to use lace  backed by a nude chiffon to create the illusion of bare skin underneath. We have all seen countless modern designs take their inspiration from his pieces like this and here we have a really exceptional original. It is really one of the best cocktail dresses from this period I have had. The workmanship is very fine. The dress itself is light in weight. It is made from a fine black netted lace that has black silk ribbon worked over the surface to make up the floral feel that the lace has. This also gives the dress a slight 3D texture that is very beautiful. Under all the parts of the dress that has the lace is a lining done in a nude silk that is very light and fine. The illusion lace is used for one sleeve, half of the bodice and the skirt. The other sleeve is a solid black silk. The solid silk then goes over the bodice as panels on both the front and back and then these extend out to ties that you wrap over to one side and tie just above the hip. I love how this is cut to curve slightly above the waist seam. Doing doing so creates this subtle secondary line between the curve and the seam that most designers would not have done or thought to do. The contrast that the play between the solid back and the lace creates is fantastic. Add to that the perfect fit where every seam is done to highlight and flatter the body. It is really an amazing dress and a testament to Beene's genius. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in a nude silk and closes with  back hidden set zipper. Each cuff zipper sot close. The exterior shows no wear. Inside the is a repair under in arm in the silk with very slight/minor change of colour there. Please see the photo after the label shot. It does not show at all on the exterior

Sleeves: 24
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 19.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3814

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.