Featured Ladies, if I could please ask your advice on this gorgeous dress...

I noticed while doing a search there are some very pricey Mr. Blackwell dresses on the site 1stdibs if you want to browse some.
I think Mr. Blackwell used to make appearances on Johnny Carson, but I could be wrong.

 

Blackwell only designed from late-1950s into the 1980s. Well known in LA but virtually unknown outside (except for worst-dressed list.) Without seeing the dress in its entirety, not possible to make an educated recommendation. You'd have to post more photographs. Given colorway, cut and damage, IMO a bit of a tough sell.

Debora

 

He did.
Carson’s birth date was Monday.

 

I really don't know what to say about that $75 auction start, Hemster. I haven't been in the market for a dress like that ever. It's not exactly the most attractive color IMHO and the damage is not easy to fix.

 

It's a lovely dove gray but a subtle color and hard to wear. (Brunettes only.) Suspect his black or brightly-colored dresses would have more market appeal.

Debora

 

Look over the dress (inside out) for any reference to a perhaps-famous previous owner (an actress or high-society lady).

The reason I say that is . . . many, many moons ago I was in a play put on by our local "community theater" company. Some of our "costumes" came from a theatrical "supply" company which rented out attire/costumes previously worn by actors/actresses in various movies, plays, etc.

I ended up in one of Donna Mill's old costumes. The play was Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water."

 

I’ve ‘heard’ this somewhere before...

 

Nice!

 

Odd that label would read "Custom" when dress has a retail tag.

Debora

 

I'm sorry, King of Things. I didn't mean to "copy/echo" what you had already said. Now I know to whom you were referring with the "heard this somewhere before" comment.

 

I understand why you would suggest looking for some theatrical or famous owner connection - but then why would all the original price tags still be attached? The dress was clearly never worn. See the original manufacturer's tag and the original shop tag at $240, marked down to $125?

And it may look dove grey on your screen but on the tag it says it's "Beige" (right next to the Size 16) and that's what it looks like to me. (They would have been better off calling it "Champagne" )

 

Probably not a custom order. Guessing here, but maybe tags with the word "custom" indicated a higher level of garment in the Mr. Blackwell line (?) There are several with that tag in a quick search. Here is a Ebay sold with the same custom label that apparently was also retail. (Gotta love that dress!)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mr...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

Despite the word "custom", I am sure this dress was not custom made. (There certainly would not be a size tag OR a retail tag like that if it were!)

As Lucille just said, this would have been a "higher end" line (tho not a true "designer" fashion) probably sold in the "better dresses" department of one of the higher end department stores (I. Magnin, L&T, Bloomies, or the like...)

I can't see how long the dress is, but to me, it screams "mother of the bride"!

 

I'll bet the dress is full length, check out the variety of these Blackwell dresses on Ebay. (Fascinating!) Just love looking at vintage pieces like this. SBSVC, with that sheer neck it might be a little less mother-of-the-bride when actually on. Also sizing was so different back then. I think a vintage size 16 translates to more of a 6-8 in modern.

Good point on hair color, Debora. Would be a dress for a brunette.

All said, this might be somewhat of a hard sell. The fact that some of the beading is coming off is going to worry a buyer that the rest is about to go, too. Also vintage clothing is a bit of a tough sell unless it is the exactly right thing. Not sure what I would start it at if selling. I do agree to just disclose the damage and let the buyer deal with it.

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Bakers -- Speaking of "beige"...this is completely off topic, but a 7 year old student of mine got a new kitten and I asked what color it was.

He said: "Beige". Too cute!

His mother is French and somewhat new to the U.S. He must have picked that up from his mom. "Beige". I just thought it was adorable.
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Back to the dress, it is very cool and best of luck with it!

 

Good point on the "size" difference versus current size designations, Lucille, although I think that much of a change (6-8 vs 16) seems a bit too extreme. If Hemster is going to try to sell in online (where there is no opportunity for the buyer to try it on) it will be important to list exact measurements. Length of skirt and sleeves can be adjusted, but shoulder width, bust and hips would be more of a problem.

Which reminds me of something I thought last night - you know who would love this? Dame Edna.

 

Haha, I read some of his critiques..gave me a giggle!

 

It's definitely not a size 16 by today's standards. I'd say size 10 at most, but I would provide measurements. It's not full length, maybe just below the knee. The tag says 'Made in California - 100% wool 'Exclusive to decoration' - what does that mean?

 

It means the beads aren't made of wool.

 

Oh , thank you!
I'll be putting it up today, I'll let you know how she does.