Fuschia 1980s Glam Pauline Trigere Gown

Description

This gown exudes 1980s style from every seam! Even the color is pure early '80s. The entire dress is made of fuchsia taffeta. Big on style and big everywhere else, I'm not sure if the focus was supposed to be on the wearer or on the dress. The dress definitely claims attention!!1!1!

Fitted through the bodice, and nowhere else. The bodice has a deep V-neckline and a princess waist.
At the center of the V-waist, it is gathered and then goes out into six pleats (in three pairs) across the front with two more pleats at the back. Inside, there is a quarter-sized lead weight sewn into a tab of fabric at the point of the waist, presumably to keep the front of the dress flat. Also,inside the dress - at each hip - a four-layered fabric peplum is built in create fullness for the skirt. I presume this would have been worn with some crinolines. The skirt is fully lined in a matching sheer fabric.
The sleeves billow out from gathered shoulders to an elasticisized 'cuff'. The true way to wear this sleeve is with the elastic pushed up above the elbow and the sleeve poofed out in a bell shape.

Specifics:
This dress contains a number of labels: 1) Pauline Trigere, 2)Pauline Trigere for Bergdorf Goodman, 3) Bergdorf Goodman on the Plaza New York- handwritten on this label 'Jean Schieffer 9/14/84 no.169007', and 4) Three additional tags at the base of the zipper: size 12, professional dry clean only, 22401ILGWU Made in USA.

Fabric content: I did a 'burn' test on a small piece of fabric that I was able to cut from the hem where the lining had come undone. It burns and melts. It smells like silk and a man made fiber blend.

Measurements: Bust- 38”; Sleeves- 13”; Shoulders- 16”; Waist- 29 ¼”; Hem (from shoulder)- 56 ½”, Hem (from armpit)- 48”, Zipper length- 24"
Please note this is a 1984 size 12. Use the measurements above for today's sizing.

Condition: Excellent to mint condition

Pauline Trigere was born in France in 1913 and came to the United States in the '30s. She opened her first clothing shop in 1942 in New York City. Trigere was known for her well-fitted, glamorous clothing and was the costume designer for Patricia Neal's character in "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Her clientèle also included other famous women such as the Duchess of Windsor, 1940s movie actress Claudette Colbert and blues and jazz singer Lena Horne. She continued to design her signature clothing pieces and accessories until her death in 2002.

Added on Oct 26, 2009