From the Closet of: Roya Shanks

Label: Ann Hobbs for Cattiva

Era: 1980s

Size: Medium / Large

About the Item:

“This is probably the hardest thing for me to part with,” Roya admits. She found this pleated evening dress at the annual St. Barnabas church sale in Irvington, New York, one of her favorite sources for vintage treasures. For years, she believed it might be a Mary McFadden design—a testament to its finely accordion-pleated silhouette and effortless elegance. A recent label discovery revealed it to be an Ann Hobbs design for Cattiva, a New York eveningwear label known for sophisticated occasion dressing.

Roya loves the dress for its practicality as much as its glamour: lightweight, comfortable, and easy to travel with. The black pleated body is offset by dazzling puff sleeves embroidered with concentric circles of cobalt, emerald, silver, and gold sequins that catch the light from every angle. It's easy to see why this was the piece she hesitated most to let go.

About the Label: 

Designed by Ann Hobbs for Cattiva, this dress comes from a New York eveningwear label that catered to women seeking sophisticated special-occasion dressing. During its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s, Cattiva was carried by luxury department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, earning a reputation for beautifully made cocktail dresses and eveningwear. Ann Hobbs's designs were particularly known for fluid silhouettes and intricate pleating—qualities that explain why Roya initially mistook this piece for a Mary McFadden creation.

Measurements:

Bust: 19”
Waist: open/stretchy
Hip: open/stretchy
Length: 41”

Fabric:

Pleated synthetic body with sequined sleeves

Condition: 

Item is in great vintage condition.