This is a lovely dress by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel and it twin walked the runway for the Fall 1997 season. Kristen McMenamy looked gorgeous in it as she walked the catwalk in it and I am very pleased that we have found runway footage for you to reference so that you can see how lovely the dress moves once it is on an actual body. We also found a backstage shot that has Karl in the photo with Kristen wearing the twin of this one. That makes it that much more significant. It is also a Chanel size 44 which is always a pleasure to find when so many vintage Chanel pieces are so very, very tiny. 

The dress is so pretty and such a statement piece. The way that he has layered the fabric through the body of the dress is so unusual. Under the top layer of black silk chiffon there is a watercolour print that is done in a wide variety of colours. This is muted and blurred by the black chiffon on top of it. Depending on how strong the light is that hits you, you see less or more of that underlying colour. It is cut to skim over you with a seam under the bust and then another under the hips. Under that last seam near the bottom there is a skirt made from two layers of a black silk chiffon. This lets you get a glimpse of leg underneath without being fully transparent and also create a beautiful movement when you move. The final detail is that pretty beading that you see. It covers the straps that curve up and sound each shoulder and then wraps around the top of the bodice. More beadwork defines the seam under the bust and also covers the band that sits above the lower skirting. It is so pretty and unusual and a great and well documented example of Karls' earlier work for Chanel. Excellent condition 

Fully lined in a black silk chiffon and closes with a back hidden set zipper. Tagged a vintage Chanel 44 

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 57" from top of shoulder to front hem, 60" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML- MED 

Item# DD3895

Reference Photos/Video: Fall/Winter 1997 Chanel Runway. Model: Kristen McMenamy.

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