1987 Zandra Rhodes Grey Denim Ra Ra Dress

Zandra Rhodes is a British institution. Rising to fame as a fashion and textile designer in the 1970s, her audacious, highly feminine designs put her at the forefront of the London fashion scene. This denim mini-dress can be attributed to Rhodes’ Autumn/Winter 1987 collection, entitled “If You Wish Upon a Star”. The sketchy, star print was seen throughout the runway show across the clothes, on the runway backdrop and on the invitation drawn by Rhodes herself. This mini-dress shows Rhodes at her most casual and fun. Tailored from pale grey cotton denim, it is printed with painterly stars and splashes in pale blue and grey which make the dress look like it has been graffitied by the designer herself. The dress has a body-hugging, panelled construction. The top forms a bustier with satin straps trimmed with polished silver chains and rhinestones - playful, expected details from the flamboyant designer. The drop-waist is also trimmed with rhinestones and a chain and gives way to a layered, ruffled ra-ra skirt. Buttons fall the length of the body at the front. The original label reads “Zandra Rhodes London” and is accompanied by care labels attributed to “Zandra Rhodes Studio” which are printed with sketches by Zandra Rhodes and care instructions in her hand-writing.

The dress is in excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note. The label states this piece to be 100% Cotton and a UK size 10, American size 8, however this is better suited to a UK 6-8 or US 2-4 and was a good fit on our model of the same size. The fabric allows for 0.5cm flexibility on the measurements below. Our model is a UK 6-8 and 5ft 4in. (163cm) and this dress was a snug fit on her. 

MEASUREMENTS :

Bust - 29 in. (74 cm)

Waist - 25 in. (64 cm)

Hip - 36 in. (91 cm)

 Length- 34 in. (86 cm)