Paul-Louis Orrier Haute Couture Black and Red Avant-Garde Gown – XS, 1980s

Black on- or off-shoulder evening gown with sweetheart neckline, exaggerated leg-o-mutton sleeves and asymmetrical hemline that exposes the entire left leg. Close-fitting bodice features drop waist with horizontal ruching to hip, and full bias skirt from hip to hem; horizontal ruching is repeated on sleeve from elbow to zippered wrist. Asymmetrical skirt gathered at left hip and punctuated with 1 ½’ x 1’ red bow with trailing tails. Interior hanging loops. Rear zipper closure with top hook and eye; 4 heavyweight stays around bodice circumference so gown may be worn off-shoulder if desired. Bodice fully lined with black silk; skirt lined with free-flowing red slip.

fabric: silk taffeta, crêpe de Chine
noteworthy: dry clean only
alterations: none
condition: excellent

measurements:

neckline: 15” across; 8” drop
shoulders: 15”
sleeve: 23” from shoulder, 17” from underarm
sleeve circumference: free at upper arm, 10” at elbow, 8” at zippered wrist
bust: 34”
waist: 26”
hips: 36”
length: 55” from shoulder to hem at right leg, 25” from shoulder to bow at left leg
sweep: 150”

label: Paul Louis Orrier (Paris)
size: no size tag present; comparable to modern size extra small