Oscar de la Renta 1969 Couture Dress

This 1969 Oscar de la Renta black silk taffeta and feather evening dress is an exceptionally rare, early example of the designer’s work. The twin of this dress is preserved in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, donated by Nina Abrams. Abrams was a prominent art patron who - alongside her publishing magnate husband - amassed an important collection of 20th-century art.

Trained by Cristóbal Balenciaga, de la Renta rose to international prominence in the 1960s as one of the couturiers who dressed Jacqueline Kennedy (Jackie O), and became designer of choice for New York’s Upper East Side elite. Founded in 1965, his fashion house was still in its infancy when this gown was created, likely selected from the runway and custom-made for a private client. Feathers became a defining motif throughout de la Renta’s career, seen on Audrey Hepburn’s gown at the 1988 CFDA Awards and Sarah Jessica Parker’s tutu-style dress at the 2000 Emmys.

Crafted in lustrous black silk taffeta, the gown features a candy-pink silk taffeta lining with a ruffle hem that flashes with movement. It has a V-neckline at the front and back, both decadently trimmed with black sequins, intricate beadwork and a voluminous plumage of black feathers. Inside, the gown is lined with black silk at above the bust before giving way to the pink petticoat below. The gown fastens at the back with a hidden tonal black zip and hook-and-eye clasp.

• Oscar de la Renta 1969 • Taffeta • Evening gown • Long-sleeves • Feather, bead and sequin trim • Candy-pink ruffle lining • Made in France

Fabric: Taffeta, Feathers, Sequin, Beads
Size on Label: No size on label
Stretch: No
Care: Specialist dry clean only
Condition: Excellent condition

Bust: 91.5 cm (36 inch)
Waist: 81.5 cm (32 inch)
Hips: 152.5 cm (60 inch)
Length: 152.5 cm (60 inch)