I have had this tucked away in my archives for quite some time and decided it was time to let it go. This is it gorgeous little caftan dress that could potentially play double duty as a light evening coat with a bit of a tweak. It has all reminded me of the caftan that Joan Collins was photoed in 1975 and I suspect that it was made in the same time period. This one zips to open down the front  and on this one the zip is closed at the bottom but it could be opened and switched to one that fully opens. That would give it added versatility and allow you to wear it as a light coat as well as a dress. Of all of Thea's pieces her caftans have come to represent Thea's work like no other piece of her clothing that she designed. Elizabeth Taylor was a huge fan and collector and obviously so was Ms Collins. This one is just fabulous.

The caftan is very beautiful and is made from a stunning ultra soft silk velvet. This fabric is extra special because it looks to have been block printed in some manner. It's very unusual. The colour portion of the fabric is almost like an orange gold colour and it seems to glow from within. You get a bit of a sense of that in the photos but in person it's even better and it is quite beautiful. The print has flowers mixed with abstract patterns and dots that run over the entire dress. Thea was known to hunt antique stores and markets during her extensive travels and use what she found in her designs and this could certainly be a found antique textile. The dress closes down the front with a hidden combination of a zipper and snaps above that. This allows you to leave it open as low as you want in the front and then there is a slit that runs up to meet the base of the zipper from the hem. As mentioned above, the zipper does not fully undo but it could be changed to one that does, and then you would have a piece that you could wear as a dress or as a light coat to layer over other pieces. The cut of the dress is easy to wear. The neckline is a simple scoop and the sleeves are straight. It is cut to skim over the bust waist and hips and then flares out as it reaches the hem. The hem slightly dips longer on either side. You can easily add a soft or structured belt to add shape if you wished and add even more to its versatility. I love that you can wear this in so many ways and one its own or over so many things. This is very special and it is also very beautiful. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk and slips on to wear and then zips and snaps down the front to wear. It's easy and open shape should allow it to fit a range of sizes. Finished by hand throughout. It looks to have been worn very little if at all

Sleeves: 23" and upper arm is 13" around
Slightly dropped shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from neck to longest points of hem at the sides with 3.5" turned under
Front slit: 21.5"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4203

Reference Photo: Joan Collins in Thea Porter, 1975.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.