Jean Louis is the designer who created that dress that Marilyn Monroe was sewn into when she sang Happy Birthday to  President John F Kennedy. Louis worked in the movies heading the costume department at Columbia Pictures before starting his own label in 1961. Once he began designing under his own label he concentrated on suits and evening wear and was known for his beautiful fabric choices.

You can always see the wonderful lines and attention to detail that those years of heading a costume department added to Jean Louis' already amazing talent. He truly knew how to cut a dress. This is a wonderful and early dress from his self-named label that is made out of a stunning silk brocade. The colour is amazing and in person you get more of a sense of the depth created from the way that the silk was woven. Several shades of pink are combined with soft greens for the base of the fabric. The design there has that soft water colour feeling and suggests a floral print. Then over that there is a more matte pink thread that has been woven on top of the underlying print. This gives it a very pretty and romantic feel. The silhouette of the dress still has that wonderful influence of the 1950s that you can see in its lines. It is beautifully made. The dress is cut to fall to a midi length with a more fitted bodice and full skirt. If you are shorter it will feel a bit longer on you. The neckline is scooped and cut wide across so you see a bit of collar bone. Slim sleeves fall to the elbow with a pretty gathered detail that curves around the arm. Below the bodice the waist nips in with a piped seam. The skirt flares out to be quite full under that. All of the volume of the skirt is created by the soft pleats set into the waist that then expand out as it reached the hem. A deep pleat sits at the middle of both the front and the back for even more fullness. The fabric is extraordinary. Excellent condition overall with a note to review below

Fully lined in a cream silk crepe and it closes with a hand set back painted metal zipper. Hand finishes throughout and very well made. The silk shows the beginning of some shattering along the edge of the hem of the skirt and on the edge of one sleeve. Turning up the hem a touch more would eliminate this if it bothered you. It is still strong and stable otherwise. Please see the photos after the label shot. It is completely wearable as is if you wanted to keep it at its present length. 

Sleeves: 16.5"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 36" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3845

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