The print on this lovely silk caftan gown was inspired by Zandra's 1971 trip to Paris. In the book "The Art of Zandra Rhodes:" she says of the inspiration behind this print: "Yves Saint Laurent was the leading light of Haute Couture. His last collection had been short and graphic with vivid flower print colors....I wanted to design a flower print but not a traditional one...I thought I would draw the flowers like buttons stitched on the fabric....with modern bold Matisse shapes for the petals". This "Button flower" became the first floral print of that season and she then expanded the floral print idea with a more wiggly, frilly motif or "Frilly Flower" design that we see here.

This amazing caftan dress is on a light silk dyed a stunning shade of blue with the design hand painted onto the fabric in a pretty pinks and yellows anchored with blacks. Very easy to wear as it just slips on and there is elastic that runs through the waist. The front is very low and sexy with its plunging neckline right to the waist. The sleeves are cut very full and curved like an angle sleeves. I love the knife pleat ruffle that runs around the collar and neck. The skirt Flares out so you have a wonderful light fullness as it cascades to the floor. Once on it is like wearing nothing as the silk is very light in weight. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a matching blue tissue silk except for the top of the shoulders and sleeves. It slips on to wear with elastic through the waist. The tie at the waist is decorative only. The easy cut will allow it to fit a fuller range of sizes. The blue of the silk is a shade more of a pastel in tone than how it photoed

Sleeves: 19" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: variable
Waist: 11-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Interior lining at hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 42.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2316

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