Donald Brooks pieces are extremely well made and his main label pieces, like this one, border on couture in their construction as they were all made to order. Brooks launched his main line label in 1963 with a collection for the Spring 1964 season. He quickly became one of the most sought after of the American designers and his client roster included Mrs. Kennedy, Claudette Colbert and Faye Dunaway. The New York Times said that he was one of 'the three B's of fashion' alongside Bill Blass and Geoffrey Beene. He helped to launch the American Council of Fashion Designers, won three Cody Awards and he designed the costumes for numerous Broadway plays. He launched a secondary boutique line 1971 but by 1973 both of his self-named labels shuttered as he chose to focus on his costume and stage work which was really his first love. This is an exceptional piece of his work

This is an absolute dream piece. This is the type of dress that you will only ever find in vintage. I really cannot gush about it enough. I have had this in my archives for several years now and it felt like the right time to let it go. It is a beautiful and glamorous dress that is red carpet worthy and would make an amazing wedding dress for the bride looking for a non-traditional shorter choice or as an alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration. And of course it could also be worn to any event. As good as it looks here it only really comes to life once on. The cost to produce this level of fabric now would be sky-high. It is an intricate combination of an ivory silk cording that has been hand stitched into place around several types of netted lace. This combination of lace and cording then lies over an inner matte silk satin. The cording and lace add incredible dimension and texture to the dress. The work that would have gone into the fabric alone is mind blowing. The lines of the dress are equally as beautiful. The bodice has a slight dip at the front neckline and is cut to skim over the bodice from there. There is an inner lining that goes down into a scooped curve so that you see the skin of the upper back and bodice through the lace. The waist is just above the natural waistline. A wide ivory colour silk satin ribbon is attached and wraps around you and then at the front it is finished with the stunning four sided rounded bow that sits up and off the dress. The skirt falls from there and widens out as it nears the hem to give the dress a slight babydoll feel. I love how the all of the edges are finished with a scalloping effect. At the back it zips to close and then has hidden silk covered snaps to secure the fabric over the zipper to hide it. The amount of detail in this dress is just fantastic. It is an absolute work of art. Excellent condition

The bodice is lined in a combination of a nude lingerie weight netting and silk taffeta. The skirt has a full matte silk satin underskirt under the net layer. The sleeves are unlined. It closes with a painted metal zipper at the back and the outer lace snaps over that. Inner waist stay hooks to close. The sleeves buttons to close with hand covered silk buttons and loops. The dress is a more traditional ivory colour in person and more creamy feeling. Perhaps a touch of grubbiness to the edges along the neck but I am being picky. Perhaps a broken thread here and there but remarkably no noticeable broken areas despite all the intricate thread work. Finished by hand throughout.

Sleeves: 24"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 25.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3959

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