1990 Zandra Rhodes Navy Jacquard Bell Sleeved Skirt Suit

Zandra Rhodes is a British institution. Rising to fame as a fashion and textile designer in the early 1970s, her audacious, highly feminine designs put her at the forefront of the London fashion scene. Dating back to Zandra's Spring/Summer 1990 "Zandra Goes to Hollywood" collection, this suit jacket is tailored from a rich navy jacquard, patterned with tonal florals and polka-dots, and cut to a boxy, collarless style.

The jacket is trimmed with an elaborate tonal navy brocade that curves around the neckline, trims the front opening and the bottom hem. The buttons are also woven with this glossy navy braid, though the jacket closes with hidden snap closures. The jacket is lined and the sleeves are stunning. Tailored from sheer, pleated chiffon printed with swirling navy forms and detailed with white outlines, they form a theatrical bell-sleeve shape, cinched by braid-trimmed cuffs which fasten with a snap closure. The high-waist, pencil skirt is cut from coordinating navy jacquard. It is trimmed with navy braid around the waistband and bottom of the skirt and fastens at the back with a hidden tonal zip and hook-and-eye clasp. It has a small slit for ease of movement. The original label reads “Zandra Rhodes II” and is accompanied by care labels which are printed with sketches by Zandra Rhodes and care instructions in her hand-writing.

The suit is in very good vintage condition. Please note, the skirt waistband has been professionally enlarged at some point and you can see a small mark on the fabric where the hook-and-eye originally sat - this is fully covered by the jacket. The lining has also turned burgundy as is the case with almost all navy/indigo blue linings of this age due to the organic dyes used. This colour change of course can't be seen worn. Fabric composition is 67% Cotton, 15% Silk, 15% Acetate, 3% Viscose and the suit is marked a UK size 12. A good fit for around this size and US equivalent size 8.

MEASUREMENTS JACKET

BUST - 40 in. (102 cm)

WAIST - 36 in. (91 cm)

HIP - 38 in. (97 cm)

LENGTH - 21 in. (53 cm)

SHOULDERS - 18 in. (46 cm)

MEASUREMENTS SKIRT

WAIST - 32 in. (81 cm)

HIP - 40 in. (102 cm)

LENGTH - 23 in. (58 cm)