1980s Carolina Herrera Red Silk Gown

Carolina Herrera's first collection made it's debut in 1980, and her designs quickly became a favorite with 'the ladies who lunched' - the elite of Manhattan society, including Jacqueline Onassis. But it wasn't until she designed the wedding dress for Caroline Kennedy in 1986 that her star really shot up - attracting the attention of other luminaries like Princess Diana and First Lady Nancy Reagan.  Her use of rich, luxuriant fabrics and exquisite tailoring, coupled with her understanding of how women want to dress, has garnered Herrera a following that continues to grow today. In a deep ruby red heavy matte silk crepe, this gown exhibits the fine attention to detail Herrera is known for. The bodice features horizontal tucks, with a smooth skirt flowing from the waist accented with an attached trapunto stitched knotted belt.  Long sleeves echo the pintucking, and terminate with a pair of self covered buttons at the sleeve cuff. The shoulder is lightly padded (Herrera once said that she felt padded shoulders made a woman's waist look smaller). Back zip closure, and fully lined in silk crepe de chine, the bust measures 36", waist 28", hip 38", shoulder is 15.5", sleeve is 23", and length 56".  Elegant to the Nth degree, its in excellent condition. $595