1970s Julio Espada "Hippie Chic" Bird Print Dress

Julio Espada is a Puerto Rican-born artist and designer who designed at Perry Ellis, Esprit, and most notably was the Creative Director at Emilio Pucci starting the year 2000, but before all that he had a small New York fashion house called Julio.

I have only had my hands on a scant few Julio creations, but each has been remarkable in the choice of fabrics and the chic, yet playful styles.

This darling dress is hippie chic at its very best. At a glance you may think the fabric is the usual Indian printed stuff you see so much in the British designs of the time, but this silk chiffon is quite beyond that. This fabric was definitely artist designed! The main print echos the Indian stuff but has a definite art nouveau look as well. The wide border of birds at the bottom are more in line with Japanese prints, with those cranes and pelicans. The cut is romantic, simple and refined, with the graceful scooped neck, the slightly pouffed sleeves and the long, flowing lines. It can be worn belted or loose (the belt is not included). I just noticed that there are two sets of thin belt loops on the side so I have taken the last photo showing it with two thin ribbons (not included) which is probably what it came with. It is lined in black silk crepe.

condition: excellent

no size, fits a medium or large
bust 50"
hips 62"
length 53"