Vintage 1950s Black Velvet Evening Coat w Mink Fur Trim Sz M

This is a very nice quality vintage 1950s black velvet evening coat with mink fur trim made by Montreal couturier Lillian Farrar.  Lillian Farrar dressed Montreal society during the 1950s and 60s and other examples that I’ve had of hers have always been of excellent quality and design - more on her further down.  This vintage 1950s black velvet evening coat is trimmed in mink fur along the opening of the coat as well as around the neck.  The raglan styled sleeves have cuffs that are also trimmed in mink - the mink cuffs measure 8 1/2” in length.  The coat has no closures and is meant to be worn open or folded over at the front.  There is a semi-circular slash pocket built into either side and the jacket is fully lined in black taffeta.  

Age: 1950s.

Fabric:  Black velvet, feels like silk velvet - excellent quality

Label: Lillian Farrar Montreal Creation.  This is an earlier Lillian Farrar label.  Farrar started off as a seamstress during the 1940s.  She started on St Lawrence St., moved to a suite in the Ritz Carlton and then, in 1946, she opened her first salon, located right downtown on fashionable Peel Street in Montreal, next to the Mount Royal Sheraton Hotel.  By 1957 she had grown her business to 400 regular clients and had a reputation for being ahead of the trends, even introducing styles before the Paris fashion houses.  She designed a coat for Princess Elizabeth, prior to her becoming Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of the Royal Visit to Canada in 1951.

Sizing: No size is indicated, as this vintage 1950s black velvet evening coat would have been custom made, and although it should fit a medium size, please rely on the following measurements for fit:

Shoulders:  17” across, estimated due to the raglan sleeve

Sleeves:  24” long from the estimated shoulder, 32 1/2” from the mid-neck 

Bust:  44” around - note that there is an inset at the armpit, and the measurement is taken with a slight overlap at the front

Waist:  44”

Hemline: 55 1/2” around, laid out straight

Length:  39 1/2”, measured flat

Condition: This vintage 1950s black velvet evening coat is in very good condition with the exception of some matted patches to the velvet - these are fairly minor and probably would disappear with a dry cleaning, but because of the mink, you would have to use a specialist dry cleaner.  Otherwise, no pronounced wear, tear, soiling, stains or odour.  This vintage 1950s black velvet evening coat presents itself very well - it looks like it saw little use and was well stored over the years.

This is a beautifully designed and constructed vintage 1950s black velvet evening coat - definitely made by someone with superior skills.  Lillian Farrar is not well known, but should be a part of any Canadian fashion collection - great coat!