Made in Italy, this vibrant patterned party dress walked the runway for Valentino’s Spring 1985 collection. At the bust, a frothy chiffon overlay sits over a simple strapless dress silhouette. The black chiffon is patterned with painterly florals in white outlines splashed with the primary colours: red, blue and yellow. This memorable fabric is also seen in the couture collection from the same year. Stunningly crafted, the bodice is boned all the way around and is fully lined with thick black canvas. There are modesty straps to help cinch the waist further. The skirt falls straight in a pencil style and has a small pleat at the rear for ease of movement. In a flamboyant flourish typical to this collection, the dress is adorned with a large sash in coordinating patterned chiffon. This sweeps over the shoulder to form a one-shoulder silhouette and attaches at the lower back - it can be styled in different ways, straight over the shoulder or at an angle as seen on the runway. A wide train of chiffon falls from this point which flares out behind the wearer as they walk - or dance. It fastens under the arm with a hidden black tonal zip and hook-and-eye clasp.

This documented dress, from a famed designer, is in excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note and looks barely worn. The dress is a labelled a US 10 and the fabric has no stretch. This is a little smaller by today's standards of sizing so we estimate a good fit for sizes UK 10-12 or US 6-8.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 32 in. (81 cm)

WAIST - 31 in. (79 cm)

HIP - 40 in. (102 cm)

LENGTH - 36 in. (91 cm)