1950s Ceil Chapman Navy Silk Shift Dress with White Lace Top

Ceil Chapman was a female American fashion designer working and designing in NYC from the 1940s to the 1960s. She was revered as a creator of super glamorous cocktail and party dresses and celebrity clients flocked to her for her gowns including Marylin Monroe who declared Ceil Chapman her favourite designer.

This is a beautiful example of Ceil Chapman's early work from the late 1950s. Tailored from navy silk faille, the skirt is tailored to a pencil style with gentle pleating at the centre top of the back and atop the left hip, which cinches it to the wearer’s curves in a highly flattering manner. The top is cut from white silk, adorned with panels of white lace and finished with lace flowers. White lace forms wide, sheer sleeves. The dress fastens at rear with a hidden tonal white zip and hook-and-eye. The skirt is lined in smooth navy silk. It is labelled with the early Ceil Chapman label in black with white scroll.

In very good vintage condition and is robust enough to wear. If we are being picky, the lace has very mildly discoloured due to age in some places but it is not at all obvious when worn. The dress has no composition or size labels. Best fit for around a UK 8-10 or US 4-6 and sizes smaller.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 36 in. (91 cm)

WAIST - 29 in. (74 cm)

HIP - 38 in. (97 cm)

LENGTH - 44.5 in. (113 cm)