Emanuel Ungaro launched his label in 1965 after stints at both Balenciaga and Courreges. He was a brilliant designer who was known for his extravagant fabrics and flamboyance. He often participated in the design and execution of new fabrics and for him the design process started there. His work always has a sense of exuberance and joy to it and he mixed fabric and prints with a master's eye. When hunting for the date of this dress we found its twin shot on none other than Linda Evangelista for US Vogue. I think that for the shot they just separated the skirt pleating so that it poufed up and around her and then styled it to hold the skirt that way by adding the flower underneath. If it is not the twin of this dress it is a very near version but I really think its is the same dress that has been styled for this specific shot. 

The fabric and colour of this dress are fantastic and no matter how great it looks in the photos you will love it even more in person. It is made out of a pale yellow silk that has that gorgeous pale turquoise floral design worked into the silk. The fabric is light in weight and despite the elaborate construction of the dress is not at all heavy once it is on the body. There is light boning the inside dress for structure to give you support so that despite the lightness of the fabric the intended shape is held perfectly in place. The strapless bodice is cut across the neckline and the bodice is meant to hug the body. It is elaborately gathered and fitted around the bust and body with a series of soft gathered folds that angle in towards the side that zippers. These folds that emphasized the curves of the body were a signature of his and really made his pieces flattering once on. The seam where the skirting starts is set on a slight angle and then the skirt itself is a double layer stacked on top of each other of soft gathers set all the way around you. Under both those laters is a more fitted layer that extends down from the bodice. The poured parts of the skirt have what feels like a layer of tulle inside them that help to create the shape that you see. It is gorgeous and appears to have been worn very little if at all. An amazing piece of fashion history. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a pale yellow silk and closes with a side set zipper. The interior of the bodice is boned for support. Tagged an Ungaro vintage 6. It appears to have never been worn, or worn very little.

Bust: 16" 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
Length: 30" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4502

Reference Photo: Linda Evangelista, in Spring 1988 Emanuel Ungaro, photographed by Peter Lindbergh. US Vogue, December 1987.

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