1970s Mollie Parnis for Elizabeth Arden Wool Maxi Dress and Cardigan

Famous today for her cosmetics empire, Elizabeth Arden introduced couture and ready to wear clothing lines alongside her cosmetics salon in 1945. She brought in many young designers to create the collection, amongst them Oscar de la Renta. The clothing boutique closed in the early 1980s.

This 1970s two-piece ensemble was created for Elizabeth Arden by the famous occasion wear designer Mollie Parnis under her boutique label, a ready to wear line founded in 1970. Composed of a maxi-dress and cardigan, both are woven from a stretch-wool to a nautical striped pattern in oatmeal, white and navy. The dress has an elegant, body-skimming cut and is sleeveless with a V-neckline. It fastens at the back of the neck with a hidden tonal zip. The cardigan is detailed with cream plastic buttons and also has a V-neckline. It has two patch pockets. This ensemble has two labels - one for the Mollie Parnis boutique and one for Elizabeth Arden.

In wonderful vintage condition with no flaws to the knit and it looks barely worn. There is no size or composition label and we think this work would for taller women who are around a UK 12 or US 8. The fabric has no stretch.

MEASUREMENTS DRESS

BUST - 40 in. (102 cm)

WAIST - 38 in. (97 cm)

HIP- 44 in. (112 cm)

LENGTH - 58 in. (147 cm)

MEASUREMENTS CARDIGAN

BUST - 40 in. (102 cm)

WAIST - 40 in. (102 cm)

HIP - 42 in. (107 cm)

LENGTH - 26.5 in. (67 cm)