2014 Julien Macdonald Runway Blue Sequin Beaded Dress

Julien Macdonald’s Fall 2014 collection was inspired by Notre Dame Cathedral of Reims and Chateau de Boursault, home of Madame Clicquot, the woman responsible for the Veuve Clicquot champagne dynasty. “Like Reims turned into Studio 54” Macdonald said of the collection, whilst Vogue wrote that “the models looked like they’d been stitched into gilded second skins”. The fabric was kept sheer, almost invisible, just enough to ensure the silhouette of the exquisite embroidery and beadwork that snaked its way across the models’ flesh like scales of an otherworldly reptile.

We believe this dress was one of the stand-out pieces from a show full of heavy-hitters, walking the runway as look 29/32. Tailored from a fine blue mesh with a tonal mesh insert on the front, it has a long-sleeved, body-con silhouette and falls to below the knee. The two cut-out details at the chest are surrounded by exquisite embellishment which forms bra-like shapes across the bust. The elaborate, vibrant blue beadwork is cleverly placed across the body; revealing, but only so much. The detail it contains is mesmerising up-close: flamboyant forms cut from iridescent blue perspex; large rhinestones and beads in cobalt, sapphire and purple; moody, glistening dark-grey bugle beads. In the sheerest places, panels are crafted from blue lace or mesh that has been beaded with rows of diamonds formed from glittering blue bugle beads and rhinestones. The dress is unlined. It fastens at the back with an exposed zip. There are also zips in the slim cuffs.

The dress, which was the show piece and is sample size, is in very good archival vintage condition. The beadwork has been expertly restored, as needed, by our in-house couture tailor. There are some areas which are missing embellishment, particularly at the rear of the skirt and we have evened out the design so it is not apparent when worn and does not detract from the overall effect. There are no composition or size labels so please check the measurements below closely. Our model's sizes are: Bust: 33" (84cm), Waist: 26" (66cm), Hips: 34" (86cm), Height: 5' 7" (170cm) and she's a size UK 6, US 2.

Note on the designer: Julien Macdonald OBE rose to prominence in the late 1990s. After graduating from the Royal College of Art, he was hired by Karl Lagerfeld to work at Chanel, and was later appointed chief designer at Givenchy. In 1997, Macdonald launched his eponymous label and it was here that he cemented his reputation for high-octane, couture-level craftsmanship. He was named “British Fashion Designer of the Year” at the 2001 British Fashion Awards and, in 2006, he was awarded an OBE for services to fashion. Macdonald is known for his meticulous handwork, opulent fabrics, and body-sculpting silhouettes that marry traditional techniques with unabashed sensuality.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 32 in. (81 cm)

WAIST - 26 in. (66 cm)

HIP - 36 in. (91 cm)

LENGTH - 48 in. (122 cm)