1990s Bellville Sasson Velvet Slip Dress with Sequinned Bodice

This 1990s Bellville Sassoon floor-length dress is crafted from an amalgamation of beautiful fabrics. The flattering, bias-cut body and skirt are tailored from devoré cloth, showcasing sheer aubergine crepe detailed with velvet patterned with autumnal-hued paisley. The bodice is made from a sheer mesh and is adorned with hundreds of beads in hues picked out from the paisley across the skirt. This beadwork forms a lattice and is finished with swirling paisley shapes that mirror the patterns further down the dress. The bodice has an asymmetric cut with one beaded shoulder and one sleeve tailored from aubergine chiffon and burgundy mesh. The bodice is boned the whole way around, which cinches the waist and flatters the bust; it is lined at the front but at the back remains sheer, meaning that the beads appear to adorn the skin.

This is hands down the best Bellville Sassoon design we have ever had in Circa's collection and this whimsical dress is lined with crimson satin to the floor. The label reads “Bellville Sassoon Lorcan Mullany”. Made in England and in excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note and looks barely worn. It is labelled a UK size 10 or US 6 but sizes vary hugely between vintage brands, so please check our measurements below. There is no composition label and the fabric has no stretch.

British couture house Bellville Sassoon was founded in 1953 by Belinda Bellville and provided Parisian style fashion in the heart of London for aristocrats and debutantes. Designer David Sassoon joined the company in 1958 and in 1970 the company was renamed Bellville Sassoon. Lorcan Mullany joined in 1987 having worked for Bill Gibb and Hardy Amies as an occasion wear designer. The roster of famous names wearing the House's designs is particularly illustrious: The Princess of Wales, Princess Margaret, Princess Michael of Kent, the Duchess of York, Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Hall, Ivana Trump, Shakira Caine, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Melanie Griffith, Helen Mirren and Madonna to name but a few.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 34 in. (86 cm)

WAIST - 32 in. (81 cm)

HIP - 38 in. (97 cm)

LENGTH - 61 in. (155 cm)