1997 Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Knitted Lilac and Blue Dress

This runway documented gown walked the runway for Christian Lacroix’s Fall 1997 haute couture collection, Look 39. The silhouette is classic and the fabric unusual - signature traits in the French designer’s highly collectible couture designs. The outside of this dress is crafted from a highly textured, super soft fantasy bouclé wool; fluffy looped tuffs form shell-like shapes or petals, swirling out of the boucle which is interwoven with silver metallic threads and anchored by a criss-crossing, tighter loop stitch. The dress is hand-dyed in ombré tones; fading from a multi-toned cobolt and cerulean blue at the top, it subtly and slowly shades into lilac grey tonals and reaches vibrant violet at the bottom hem.

The silhouette is cut to hug the body with a corseted bustier top and asymmetric wide sleeve and strap. The back is low, offering a sensuous flash of skin which contrasts the cosy fabric. This is gathered at the bottom of this low-back and falls in soft pleats to echo a Watteau style short train to the bottom hem. Under the cowl neckline, the detailing at the bust is exquisite; Lacroix’s signature fantastical embroidery showcases a psychedelic mix of iridescent sequins, hot pink rhinestones, thick metallic threads and tiny pearls set against pink and purple embroidered netting and plumes of sheer lilac chiffon.

Inside, Lacroix’s expert corsetry is unveiled. Lined with beautiful nude silk at the top, it is boned the whole way around the ribcage and a modesty strap cinches the waist. The rest of the gown is partially lined in slate blue silk. Under the wide straps, the nude and slate blue silks meet - making this dress a comfortable wear and soft against the skin. This dress comes with a coordinating shawl. Worn on the wrist or forearm as a single sleeve, the shawl wraps around the back and drapes across the other arm. The shawl is fringed at the end with tassels of violet loop-stitch and silver metallic thread.

This piece is in truly excellent archival vintage condition and appears to have had no customization from the runway design. Pristine externally, we have noted the following; there is a thin silicon band underneath the left strap which is starting to perish. We can remove this or the new owner could replace if desired; however, it is functional as is. There is very, very, faint yellowing to a small section of the underarm silk on the left hand side and two pin-prick dots on the silk lining. None of these effect the look or wear of the dress as they cannot be seen when worn.

Due to being couture made, it does not have a size or composition label so please check our measurements carefully; our estimate for best fit is up to a US 2 or UK 6 as the fabric has no stretch. The original yellow couture label inside reads “Christian Lacroix Paris”. A worthy contender for a couture collector or a red carpet event.

MEASUREMENTS DRESS

BUST - 32 in. (81 cm)

WAIST - 26 in. (66 cm)

HIP - 38 in. (97 cm)

LENGTH - 58 in. (147 cm)

MEASUREMENTS SHAWL

LENGTH (WITHOUT TASSELS) - 55 in. (138 cm)

TASSELS LENGTH - 5 in. (13 cm)

WIDTH - 15 in. (38 cm)

SLEEVE OPENING CIRCUMFERENCE - 8 in. (20 cm)