Vintage Tapestry Evening Gown Marabou Feather Ulrique Paris Couture Dress - S

This is a vintage 70s era woven tapestry dress custom made in Paris by couture design house Ulrique.  The dress is made in a long, formal style with black marabou feather trim at the hemline and cuffs.  The bottom front center is cutaway so that the marabou forms an inverted V shape along the edge of the opening.  The dress does up with a zipper down the front and has a pointy collar, but no neckline to speak of - a neckline can be created by pulling down the zipper.  The fabric is woven in a wild pattern, somewhat geometric, in striking colors of pink, purple and black.  The dress is fully lined in black rayon fabric.    

Maker’s label: Ulrique 25 Place Vendome, Paris 1er.  Ulrique was a haute couture house, and although not well known, must have been fairly high end, given its address.  Previously occupants of that address include Charvet, a renowned Parisian tailor.  That address is now occupied by Bulgari and its neighbors include the highest end jewelers.

Retailer’s label:  Ensemble Shop Eaton’s of Canada.  During the 50s and 60s, Canadian department stores would have a boutique within the store that carried higher end fashion and catered to a wealthy clientele.  After WWII, European markets had dried up due to the devastation suffered from the war, so Paris design houses found export markets, such as Canada.  Canadian retailers would buy haute couture for their customers every season.  The Ensemble Shop was such a boutique within a store and its competitors in Montreal would have been the Salon Vendome at Simpsons, Le Petit Salon at Dupuis Freres and the Fur Salon at Ogilvy’s and Holt Renfrew.

Color: Pink, purple and black

Material: 35% Viscose, 59% Acetate and 6% Cotton.  Despite being primarily synthetic, the fabric has the appearance of a woven silk, or, from a distance, almost like a cut velvet.

Sizing: Size 10 is indicated, but this is a vintage French sizing, and it would seem to be a size small, definitely made for a tall, slender woman.  Please rely on the following measurements for fit:

Shoulders:  14 1/2” across from shoulder

Sleeves:  24” long from shoulder/sleeve seam and the Sleeve inseam is :  17 1/2”

Bust: 32”-33””     Waist:  28”     Hips:  35”

Overall length:  50” long, measured flat

Condition: It is in excellent condition with no wear, tear, pulls, stains or odors - this dress looks like it saw little use and was well cared for over the years.

This is a striking dress of obvious quality.....fabulous fabric, color and gorgeous style.