1970s Ben Compton Peasant Ensemble

Ben Compton brought the rich hippie look to the top of New York fashion in the late 1960s. He and his then partner Marion Holmes had a small company called Three Worlds and they produced handmade garments made from a hodgepodge of fabrics in historically based, but modernly original styles. It wasn't long until they were stocked in Henri Bendel and Lord and Taylor, and were getting full spreads in Harpers and Mademoiselle.
This adorable little outfit is classic Ben Compton. It is made from rich velvet (cotton, or perhaps cotton/silk) with appliques of raw silk and what seems to be antique embroidered silk on the jacket and half circles of suede on the skirt.
The top brings to mind YSL with the little puff at the shoulder, the black braided trim and the fitted bodice, but the addition of the applique makes it uniquely Compton. The jacket closes with 16 hidden hooks, corset style up the front. The jacket is unlined in the bodice and is lined with white taffeta in the sleeves. The skirt is full, each panel is adorned with the black braided trim. There is a short zipper up the front, or rather, I should say down as it was put in upside down so you zip it from the top to the bottom. Even fully closed there is a sexy 24" slit, and that can be raised due to the upside down zipper. You can wear the skirt with the slit up the back or on the side, where ever you want to show off some skin. There is a thick elastic band waist, the skirt is unlined.

condition: excellent

no size, fits like a 6-8
bust 36"
waist 26"
length 19"

skirt
waist 22" - 28"
hips are free
length 38"