Vintage 70s Vera Maxwell Ultrasuede Maxi-Coat w/Fur Trim

Clothing : Womens : Coats & Jackets

 

Elegant vintage 70s maxi-length coat in golden tan Ultrasuede from design legend Vera Maxwell boasts a gorgeous mocha wool jersey hood trimmed in opossum. Displaying the versatility Maxwell’s designs were known for, the hood of the coat converts into a dramatic, face-framing collar when worn off the head, and the long, lean silhouette of the garment makes it equally suited to evening wear; tailored day clothes; or jeans, boots and turtleneck. Single fur-hook closure.

Originally a gift from the designer’s personal archive to the Brooklyn Museum, this coat was recently deaccessioned by the museum (which in December of last year finalized plans to transfer its entire costume collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art). A museum tag dates the garment to 1976, identifies the fur trim as “Australian dyed opossum”, and indicates that it was meant to be worn with a matching color cashmere-and-Ultrasuede “Speedsuit” (a maxidress with knit top, elasticized waist, and no closures).

Vera Maxwell launched her career in the 30s and with Claire McCardell and Bonnie Cashin helped create the signature tailored-yet-casual look of American sportswear. A 1964 New York Times article described her designs as “handsome, interesting, and eminently wearable”, and she was the recipient of fashion awards as well as prestigious retrospectives of her work. Among her multiple innovations in fashion design, she pioneered the use of Ultrasuede as a fabric, purchasing 30,000 yards of it in 1971 (from the Japanese company that invented it) and incorporating it into her designs throughout the decade.

Measurements are: Shoulders 16”, bust 42”, waist 48”, sleeves 24”, and length 57 ½” (please note that this is quite long!) Labelled “Vera Maxwell Original of Skinner UltraSuede”, it is in very good condition, with a pin-head sized abrasion above the left hip in back (see photo #8), and slight color unevenness in the collar lining, not visible while worn (photo #7).

Item ID: au1