Arnold Scaasi was born Arnold Isaacs in Montreal and the name Scassi is simply his own name reversed. He studied in Montreal and in Paris, apprenticed at the house of Paquin and then worked with the legendary Charles James. In 1964, he opened own couture salon. He dressed Hollywood stars like Lauren Bacall, Diahann Carroll and Elizabeth Taylor. He dressed several first ladies including Mamie Eisenhower, Hillary Clinton and both Bush first ladies. He even once bragged that he refused to give Jackie clothes for free. He was the man behind the scandalous 1969 Barbra Streisand sheer trouser outfit that she collected her Oscar in, and he was presented with the Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. His mainline was made to couture standards and I am always happy to find his work. 

This skirt is from those early days of his couture salon and is both innovative and exquisite. The fabric is wonderful. It is a cotton patchwork with multiple floral designs making up the squares. The fabric has been cut so that it is set on an angle so that you get that diamond pattern. The flowers are all stitched along their edges so the skirt has a subtle bit of a quilted texture. White lace ribbon is hand set along the lines that separate each square. It has a high set, corset feeling waist that cinches in the waistline severely and then rises above that in a beautiful curved and sculpted line. The skirt widens out as it nears the hem with soft pleats set on either hip just below the waist to help give it the volume and shape you see. It's glorious. Excellent condition.

Fully self- lined in a cream silk and hand finished. It closes with a back, hand set painted metal zipper and a series of hook & eye at the waist. The waist banding has backing to give it additional shape and support.

Hips: to 21"" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from top of waist to hem, the front rises an additional 5"aboce the waist at the front

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# S818

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