This dress, along with the Patrick Kelly jumpsuit just put out, were listed in the shop before they were pulled and lent out for  the "Politics of Fashion" 2014 -2015 Exhibit at the Toronto Design Exchange. They have been in my archive since and I am now releasing both. Both are from 1989 and the museum dated this one for the exhibit.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art recently hosted an exhibit of the work of Patrick Kelly. The show notes state: "“I want my clothes to make you smile”—that was the goal of late African American designer Patrick Kelly in creating his bold, bright, and joyful creations. Kelly achieved this on the streets, nightclubs, and runways of New York, Paris, and beyond in the heady, inventive, and often-subversive urban milieu of the 1980s....Kelly’s work pushed racial and cultural boundaries with golliwog logos, Aunt Jemima bandana dresses, and his ubiquitous black baby-doll brooches. His playful looks were inspired by his muse, Josephine Baker, and admiration for couturiers Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Yves Saint Laurent, among others."

This super sexy little black knit Patrick Kelly dress is wonderful. For his runway collection that year Patrick did a series of these dresses with their vivid color blocking on a black base. That color blocking stripe is the star of the show here and the primary color is used in thick stripes that are worked on the diagonal. The  neckline is set so the shoulders stay bare and you are enveloped in a wide panel of fabric that wraps all the way around. The colors running across that are panel are a bright combination of blue, red and yellow. This makes for an eye popping contrast and endless styling possibilities. It's fitted through the body beneath and ends just above the knee for maximum leg exposure. I love the long skinny sleeves which are the perfect balance to to the short hem line, fitted silhouette and bare shoulders. Excellent condition.

The dress is knit jersey with some stretch. It slips on to wear with no closures. Elastic through the upper shoulder. Appears to have never been worn. The fabric does have stretch and the measurements provided are the comfortable range when laying flat

Sleeves: 21"
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 30" from the top of the bodice to bottom hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2959

Reference Photos: (1-2) Patrick Kelly A/W 1989-1990 Runway Show  /  (3-4) Photos from the "Politics of Fashion" 2014 Exhibit at the Toronto Design Exchange.

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