Vintage 1970s 80s Anne Marie Beretta Dress

This is an Anne Marie Beretta dress made in a knee-length with a straight loose fitting silhouette.  It.features a distinctive triangular flap bib collar on the front that attaches with a hook to the shoulder.  It has padded shoulders, three-quarter length sleeves with a loose fit and has a wide boat neckline.  There is a pocket built into either side of the dress and the bottom back has an 11” slit.  This dress reflects Anne Marie Beretta's signature style, combining elegance with innovative tailoring. The checkered pattern and unique back flap detail are characteristic of her designs from the late 1970s to early 1980s.

Label:  AM Beretta   

Colour: Burgundy red with a green and black checkered pattern  

Content label: 100% wool with a CA identification number of 02283, which is the number assigned to Franck Imports of Montreal.  Franck, which was founded in 1977, imported AM Beretta and also manufactured their own designs. Jean Claude Poitras worked for them from 1983 until 1988.  They sold through Holt Renfrew, Simpsons and small upscale boutiques.  The label states Made in Canada, so possibly this was manufactured under license, however, the size of 42 seems to indicate French sizing.

Retail label:  Holt Renfrew.  Holt Renfrew is a Canadian boutique type department store that sells only designer fashion, high-end private label and luxury goods. 

Size label:  French size 42 is stated on the content label, and although this should be equivalent to a US size 10 or 12, given the oversized style of the dress, this might be more suitable for a size 10.  

Shoulders:  18” seam to seam

Sleeves:  18” from the shoulder seam

Sleeve inseam:  13”

Bust:  44”

Waist:  44”

Hips:  44”

Length:  49”, laid flat

Condition:  Recently dry cleaned, in very good condition with the exception of a few small fray-type holes, pinprick or pinhead sized on the back of the left sleeve (see last close-up photo).  In addition, there are two tiny thread pulls on the back of the dress that can be snipped off and the labels are very slightly soiled.  Otherwise, no stains, other soiling or odour.

This is a very nice example of Anne Marie Beretta design - future looking early 80s fashion!