Vintage 1980's Floral Silk Dress Designed by Yolanda and Sold at I.Magnin

Vintage 1980's Floral Silk Dress Designed by Yolanda and Sold at I.Magnin

Presented here for sale is a breathtaking creation from Yolanda Lorente. Just in case you have never seen one of her beautiful hand painted silk designs, let me say right up front....you're in for a treat! Her clothing items are little works of art...each one is different! If you have time and are not familiar with Yolanda, go to her website and read the bio of this fantastic artist who this year is celebrating her 29th year in business. Briefly, here is her story. Yolanda was born in Communist Poland. She always exhibited a love for art and fashion, but in Poland at that time, there was very little encouragement for a young person interested in pursuing a career in the field of art.....a career which promotes individuality and freedom to be who you are would be a dead end future in such a repressive society. Perhaps wanting a better life for her three daughters, Yolanda's mother left Poland and headed for America....the land of opportunity for so many and, as it turned out, that would be the case for the 18 year old Yolanda! After three long years of working two jobs to help to support her family in America, Yolanda met and married Stefan Szefer, a European soccer star. She and Stefan had one son, Arthur, and at the age of 36 Yolanda finally decided to follow her dream, which had never faded.....she decided to enroll in textile design classes at the famed Art Institute of Chicago. Having been exposed to painting on silk in her native Poland, where it was a specialty, Yolanda was a natural! Combined with her love of fashion and sewing, she felt like she had finally found her rightful niche. She created her first collection from her home and continued to work from this base for several years. Creating her own fabric gave her a decided advantage over other designers who had to rely on textile manufacturers for their source of fabric and it wasn't long before Yolanda landed her first important account....Saks Fifth Avenue! She soon found it necessary to move her production to a 24,000 square foot factory in Chicago's Roscoe Village and from then on, her business really blossomed. Her fashions have appeared on such television shows as Dynasty and are sold across the country in many fine boutiques and stores. In 1997 she successfully opened her first boutique on Michigan Avenue in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile and today this is where she creates her collections....all proudly made in the USA by artists who are personally trained by Yolanda, herself. These fabulous garments are made from silk which first begins as white or a solid color and then is painted by hand with dyes which are specifically mixed for each painting. Yolanda's designs are often romantic and feminine and always unique!

This particular dress is typical of the 1980's with batwing sleeves and drop shoulder seams. The beautiful silk used for this garment is done in shades of warm cocoa brown with the most wonderful Orchid design...I'm not going to attempt to explain it, as I feel the photos will do a much better job than I could. This design puts me in mind of a fine watercolor splashed across a canvas of billowy silk. The stand up collar is gathered and fastened at the back with three fabric covered buttons. The is a nylon zipper closure at the back of the dress. All seams are beautifully finished as would be the case with any quality garment. The dress can be worn with or without the wide sash which is made from the same fine silk that the dress is made from. This is a dress that you will not see yourself in, coming and going, for sure! Yolanda's dresses retail in boutiques for thousands of dollars....here is your chance to own a splendid dress designed by Yolanda and sold at I. Magnin for a fraction of the original cost and still enjoy the beauty and quality of her work. I own several of Yolanda's dresses, but this by far, is the most exquisite!

Condition: Excellent

I can find no visible flaws. This dress appears to have been worn very gently.

Label: Yolanda Lorente, Hand Painted 100% Silk, Dry Clean Only, I. Magnin

Size: M (for Medium)

The cut of this dress is generous for a size Medium, but by using the sash, can be more fitted.

Measurements

Unsashed Dress

Bust: Approximately 50"

Waist: 44"

Hips: 44"

Drop Shoulder Seam to Seam: 29 ¼"

Inner Arm: 19"

Neck Opening Buttoned: 18"

Circumference of Wrist Opening: 9"

Shoulder to Bottom Hemline: 42"

Circumference of Bottom Hemline: 42"

Sash Measurements:

Width:8 ½"

Length: 82"

This seller is a proud member of The Costume Society of America (CSA) and The Vintage Fashion Guild (VFG).

Item ID: 301

Gender: Female, Age Group: Adult, Color: Brown/Magenta/Pink, Size: M

$245 USD SOLD