• This came as part of a buy I did many years ago and is from the same source as the gold velvet labelled set sold previously on the site.
• It was made under the creative direction of Antonio del Castillo.
• When Jeanne Lanvin died in 1946 her daughter took over the business and ran it herself for a couple of years before hiring Antonio del Castillo in 1950. During his time as head designer for the house, the labels bear the name Lanvin-Castillo. He departed in 1962 which gives us a neat little window of time that he worked within. 
• This is a two piece set consisting of a sleeveless top and its matching skirt.
• Both pieces are made out of a waffle weave fabric that feels like a cotton or cotton silk mix done in a coral pink. The pink is a touch more pastel than how it photoed here.
• The top is sleeveless with wide straps that curve up and over each shoulder. They are set so that it sits towards the edges of the shoulders creating a wide scoop across the front neck line. A deeper scoop sits above the zipper at the back.
• The shape of the top is created through vertical darts that run from the base of the top up. I love that you can clearly see the workmanship on the inside. The bottom edge of the top is left raw with hand stitching all the way around to keep it from fraying and the back zipper extends past the bottom hem. This is all done in the traditional manner of a Couture piece from this time period.
• The top is meant to be tucked into the skirt to give the feel of a dress while still having the versatility of it being two pieces that you can mix and match with other things that you already own
• The skirt is fantastic. The band around the waist is elaborately finished with gold beads and metal thread embroidery. This crosses over itself at the front and extends down to give the illusion of a bow that is attached and stays perfectly in place. All of the work is completely  done by hand.
• The skirt under that has a large flat pleat at the front to give it extra volume and it swings out to be extremely wide around you. It is wide enough that if you wanted to get a full 1950s feel you could add a light crinoline underneath for extra added volume.
• This is an incredible example of 1950s Couture and pieces like this are extremely hard to find anymore. Especially in a colour like this.
• The top and skirt are both handmade throughout. An inner waist stay hooks to close. The top closes with a back zipper that extends past the hem. The skirt closes with a side painted metal zipper and hook and eye at the waist. It is  partially lined in a white muslin. I see some minor marks on the inside lining of the skirt, stress on one seam and two minor marks on the top. Both pieces have a slight patina to them just because of the nature of the fabric and natural aging. The hem of the skirt is extremely deep. The hand work throughout is extraordinary. Perhaps an occasional missing bead around the skirt band.
• There is no size tag present because it is Couture so please go by the measurements listed below.
• Excellent overall condition with minor notes above

Top
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 18.5" from top of shoulder to hem

Skirt:
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 26" from waist to hem with 4.5" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5340

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