1960s Lanvin Castillo Beaded Evening Gown

Antonio Canovas del Castillo del Rey created this divine gown towards the end of his 12 year career at Lanvin, in the late 1950s or early 1960s. It is a graceful, elegant, and drop dead gorgeous example of his classic style. It is a long, fitted sheath dress that just follows the natural curves of a woman's body. The cut is unique in that the side zipper starts at the edge of the left arm hole and travels down the body to the hip so when its open, the entire side is open from shouder to hip. It is a beautifully designed piece of haute couture, as you expect from the house of Lanvin.

The fabric is a true marvel. Ice blue silk was adorned with the most lovely embroidered floral vines, and then even further bejeweled with tiny fringes of glass beads. The adornments were most certainly excecuted at the House of Lesage. The embroiderey was done in silk, metallic silver and rich blue silk chenielle yarns. Tiny silver sequins complete the little creations, gilding the lily so to speak. The fringes of beads are more dense on the bodice, and are more scant on the skirting. Of course, everything was done completely by hand, in Paris, expressly for this gown.

The dress is fully lined in silk.