Vintage 1960s Luis Estevez Black Cocktail Dress, Small

This 60s cocktail dress is all business in the front and party in the back! Designed by Luis Estevez, a designer who was well known and loved among the Hollywood crowd in the 50s and 60s, it's a classic wiggle dress that features one of his signature details - a deep V back neckline. The front bodice has three tucks on each side of the bust, a high neckline, and is seamed to a wide satin waistband. The skirt mirrors those tucks and falls into a pencil silhouette. The sleeves are cut in one with the dress and are 3/4 length. The waist panel features a large buckle detail that closes over with hooks and eyes, and covers the metal zipper.

Luis Estevez had a glamorous career and life. He moved to New York City after studying architecture in his home country, and went on to study costume design at the Traphagan School of Fashion. After graduating, he travelled to Paris in 1951, where he interned for Jean Patou and befriended Hubert de Givenchy and Jacques Fath, as well as the French Vogue editor Francoise de Langlade. He returned to New York in 1952 and joined ready-to-wear company Pat Hartley. In 1955 he launched his own label Grenelle-Estevez, and one year later at the age of 26 he became the youngest designer to win the Coty Award. He designed a black dress based on the Portrait of Madame X which was featured in Life Magazine in 1960 and remains an iconic dress from his career.

He moved to Hollywood in 1965 and went on to design for high society socialites and actresses like Marlene Dietrich, Betty Ford, Grace Kelly, Natalie Wood, Nancy Reagan and Eva and Zsa Zsa Gabor. He was also designing costumes for Universal Studios, and in 1975 he met with Betty Ford and began designing a personal line of clothing for her which she wore throughout her time as First Lady.

His dresses are collectable and so beautifully crafted, to be treasured for many years to come as your own little slice of fashion history!

COLOR: Black

MATERIAL: Feels like wool, feels like silk satin for the belt, lined in acetate.

LABEL: Grenelle-Estevez

CONDITION: Excellent

MEASUREMENTS:
✂--- Allow for some ease.

Bust: 34 in. (87 cm)
Wasit: 28 in. (71 cm)
Hip: 36 in. (92 cm)
Sleeve Length: 19 in. (48 cm)
Top of Shoulder to Top of Waist Panel: 12 in. (30 cm)
Waist Panel: 4 in. (10 cm)
Bottom of Waist Panel to Hem: 28 in. (71 cm)
Total Length: 44 in. (112 cm)

Thank you for taking the time to check out this listing. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require additional photos or if you have any questions or concerns.

Check out the rest of our women's dresses in the collection below:
https://iandrummondvintage.com/collections/holiday-dresses