This dress is wonderful and shows the range of what Hanae Mori was capable of. The dress is simple and beautiful but still striking. It dates to the late 1970s, early 1980s and it is an absolute work of art. Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York Runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional and plays a strong part of my own personal archives.

This Hanae Mori dress effortlessly combines her love of fabric and print. It is full length, easy to wear and  constructed from two layers of silk twill topped by a feather light silk chiffon. The base is a deep blue and then the print itself is made up of several shades of blue to highlight the design even more. The inner silk twill layer is lined in a blue silk and then topped by the silk chiffon layer that floats over that. Both layers are printed and there is a depth created by the effect of the two patterns layered over each other that is fantastic. The print depicts a pond scene with swirling waters, reeds and tiny flowers. The sleeves are long and left unlined with slits running up the inner seams that add to the airy and light feel they have. The nod to a caftan in the cut make it easy to wear and flattering to a variety of figures. Hanae's sense of color and line are impeccable and you can see that in this wonderful example of her work. I love the ankle length cut of the dress - it is the perfect length to allow a pretty shoe to peek forward. Excellent condition.

The dress is  made of two layers, the printed top silk chiffon layer, and a second silk twill layer that is lined in a deep blue silk lining. The sleeves are left unlined. It closes with a painted metal and nylon zipper on the inner dress. The outer layer of silk closes with a row of her signature tiny, silk covered snaps. The neckline is finished with a padded piping that extends and ties at the back. There is one tiny faint spot near the neckline. Hand finished.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 54" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3515

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