Vintage Party Dresses - 1966

The year? 1966. The look? Sparkle, shimmer and shine with sequins, beads, metallic fabrics or a combination of any or all. Or jazz it up with fur and feathers. The occasion? Party time!

John Bates dress in white devore silk velvet over pink taffeta lining with a white rabbit fur hem.

Anne Fogarty dress  with a flirty, flared hem and covered in silver paillette sequins.

Geoffrey Beene dress in white devore velvet trimmed in white ostrich feathers at cuff and hem.

Malcolm Starr dress in black lace covered in silver cording, beads and paillettes.

To wear over any or all of the dresses shown here, a pink and red metallic brocade evening coat trimmed in touches of mink.  This coat by Leslie Morris for Bergdorf Goodman was custom made to order only. 

Weekend Eye Candy - Geoffrey Beene Coat, 1965

Are you thinking about a coat for this winter yet?  If so, today's Eye Candy is sure to make you swoon.  This Mod era coat by Geoffrey Beene dates to about 1965.  The wool gabardine fabric is printed in a design that references the work of French artist Jean Dubuffet.  Simple black buttons down the front don't distract from the design.  This coat is part of the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection.

Geoffrey Beene for Harmay, 1956

Geoffrey Beene worked at Harmay from 1950-57. By the time this ad appeared in 1956, he was being credited with his name in small print under the "y" in Harmay. This navy and white silk taffeta dress has a chemise back to the bodice, but the belt keeps the waist tiny. I really like the way the blouson gives way to a flyaway panel at the back of the skirt. Interestingly, Harmay fired Beene in 1957, as they felt the loose chemise looks he was designing were not right for their customer.