For the Spring 1999 collection Oscar did a series of separates and dresses that featured these dramatic trained silk taffeta skirts. There were several variations shown on the runway and I have included some of those here. Ashley Judd wore a red sleeved version of the dress to the VH1 Divas Live event. She then changed and wore the skirt and jacket version to the after party at the Beacon Theatre in New York. The Met Museum holds a piece from this collection in their permanent archives too. This strapless dress version is spectacular and if it is a piece with drama that you are after - this is it.

This Oscar de la Renta piece is so striking and it has all the drama that I love to find when I look for vintage. The dress is made out of a silk taffeta and the colour of the silk changes slightly in different lights. In most it seems to be a deep midnight blue but in certain light it has a more purple tone. The bodice is strapless and is constructed from a series of silk covered boning placed vertically side by side all the way around you. Each boning is placed at exactly the same space away from the next one and this technique creates incredible texture. Inside the bodice it has built in cups and a small amount of padding for support. It nips in at the waist and then the skirt falls to the floor and beyond. The skirt is cut to skim over the hips and is shaped to exaggerate the curve of the hips. It them narrows in towards the floor. At the back it gathered in and up to the back of the mid thigh. The edge of the hem is detailed with a jagged edging. Where it is gathered up and into the back of the skirt these create their own fabulous design as they fall from the back of the skirt. The skirt then extends out into a sweeping curve of fabric to create a train behind you. It is extraordinary. My photos do not do it full justice and it really needs an actual body to bring it to life. Excellent condition

The bodice is fully lined in a black silk organza, The inner bodice is boned all the way around. The dress closes with two zippers, one that closes the interior and a second that closes the exterior. Slight padding in each cup. Tagged a vintage 12

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam, with B-small C cup
Inner waist stay: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam. You can go to 14" if the stay is not hooked
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to longest point of front hem, the back skirt extend to about 62" from waist to longest point

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2906

I also have another version form the runway in the shop at the moment and you can see that one here 

Reference Photos: (1-2) Spring 1999 Oscar de la Renta Runway Collection.  /  (3-5) Ashley Judd at the VH1 Divas Live Event & After Party, April 13, 1999 at Beacon Theater in New York.

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