1970s Giorgio di Sant' Angelo White Crochet Maxi Dress with Ribbon

Designed in the early 1970s by the great American stylist and designer Giorgio di Sant' Angelo, he is best remembered for his fashion shoot in 1968 with the model Veruschka for Vogue. It was a revolutionary fashion spread at the time, ushering in the 1970’s boho-hippie-gypset look that has continued to inspire countless designers and editorial fashion shoots.

This dress is a good example of Sant' Angelo's signature look and a similar but more elaborate example was exhibited at the Phoenix Art Museum at a retrospective of his work; we have referenced the design here. It is tailored to an ankle-grazing maxi length from intricately woven white crochet with full-length sleeves and flared cuffs. At the wrists, framing the pretty angel-cuffs, there are three beautiful ribbons embroidered onto the crochet cloth; one fuchsia pink, one vibrant apple green and one embroidered with yellow roses and pink flowers. There is further ribbon work on the skirt, five stripes in pink and green hues embroidered onto the skirt at the knee, just before it flares. The sleeves are sheer and flashes of skin can be glimpsed through them. This dress is fully lined in white satin from the bust down.

There are two labels inside. One is made from paper and reveals the order number and style, the other is The International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) label for the dates, 1964 to 1973. The designer label is missing but we can be certain of attribution to Sant' Angelo. This piece is in excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note to the crochet or ribbon work. It has no composition or size labels, so please check the measurements below; we think it would suit sizes up to a larger UK 8 or US 4. Our model is (5 ft 4 in / 163 cm) and size UK 6 - 8 or US 2 - 4; this fit her well with a little room to spare.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 32 in (81 cm)

WAIST - 28 in (71 cm)

HIP - 37 in (94 cm)

LENGTH - 56 in (142 cm)