2005 Runway Gucci Red Silk Backless Dress with Chiffon Inserts

This extremely sexy silk dress walked the runway as part of Gucci’s Spring 2005 collection (look 31/41). The first collection after Tom Ford’s departure, the design does not veer too far from his high-octane, provocative formula. It was also seen on actor Marcia Cross in a promotional shoot for Desperate Housewives. Tailored from smooth silk in the juiciest dark raspberry hue, the front has a curve-skimming fit and is detailed with cut-out panels of sheer raspberry silk around the ribcage where the boning of a corset would sit. The bust is padded and underwired, adorned with a twisting, draped layer of silk. It is held up by two thick straps; both cut to a dramatic angular shape and detailed with panels of sheer silk. These straps are held together by a silk-covered elastic strap at the back of the neck. The dress is designed to look like a corset at the front with sheer silk panels taking the place of the boning.

The skirt has a drop waist and is adorned with a top layer of tonal matte silk, draped and sewn into place so that it twists around the hips. There is a slit in each side of the skirt and from each of these slits hangs dark burgundy tassels and a feather - a subtle Gucci nod to the bohemian trend that was swarming the runways in the mid 2000s. The back of the dress is very sensuous; it is cut very low and completely open, aside from four ruched silk-covered elastic straps across the back. This dress fastens across the back with hook-and-eye clasps and snap closures. It has a hidden tonal zip on the left hip with a logo-debossed zip pull. The dress is fully lined in matte raspberry silk.

This archival dress is in excellent vintage condition with no issues. It is labelled an Italian size 42, UK 10 or US 6. It is 85% Silk, 15% Elastane. The model in the photographs is 5' 7" and a size UK 6-8, US 2-4. Our house model has also tried this on; she is a UK size 8-10, US 4-6 and it fits her comfortably.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 32 in. (81 cm)

WAIST - 30 in. (76 cm)

HIP - 36 in. (91 cm)

LENGTH - 40 in. (102 cm)