{"product_id":"mr-blackwell-1960-original-couture-ivory-silk-ensemble","title":"One Of A Kind 1960 Mr. Blackwell Custom Original Ensemble","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA Living Piece of Fashion History\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the infamous \"Worst Dressed List\" made him a household name, \u003cstrong\u003eRichard Blackwell — known simply as Mr. Blackwell\u003c\/strong\u003e — was one of Hollywood's most sought-after couturiers. A self-taught designer who rose from poverty to dress the most glamorous women in the world, Blackwell opened his Beverly Hills atelier in the late 1950s and quickly became the go-to designer for actresses, socialites, and style icons who demanded something no department store could offer: \u003cem\u003ea garment made solely for them.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis extraordinary 2-piece ensemble — an ivory gown and matching jacket — is a \u003cstrong\u003esurviving example of his private couture work\u003c\/strong\u003e, handcrafted circa 1960 at the height of his design career. It is not a reproduction. It is not a licensed piece. It is an \u003cem\u003eoriginal, one-of-a-kind creation\u003c\/em\u003e that left his hands and has never been replicated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Craftsmanship\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery detail of this ensemble speaks to the lost art of true couture:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCut from \u003cstrong\u003eraw dupioni silk in ivory\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fabric prized for its natural slub texture and luminous sheen\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFully lined throughout for a refined, luxurious finish against the skin\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEvery bead, sequin, and embellishment is hand-placed and hand-sewn\u003c\/strong\u003e — no machine shortcuts, no shortcuts of any kind\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAurora borealis crystals are individually prong-set\u003c\/strong\u003e, catching light the way only genuine crystal can — a hallmark of the finest mid-century couture\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDress features a back zipper with hook-and-loop closures at the neck (interior and exterior); jacket closes with a single hook-and-loop at the neck\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a garment over 60 years old, this ensemble presents in \u003cstrong\u003every good vintage condition\u003c\/strong\u003e. Honest disclosures:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eA few faint spots on each piece\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMinor yellowing to the interior of the dress collar — not visible when worn\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOne sleeve cuff has a small dark mark (see photos)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are the gentle marks of a life well-lived — and they do nothing to diminish the breathtaking presence of this piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMeasurements — Size Small\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDress:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bust 36\" \/ Waist 28\" \/ Sleeve 6\" \/ Hip 38\" \/ Length 33.5\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJacket:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bust 36\" \/ Waist 34\" \/ Sleeve 22\" \/ Hip 42\" \/ Length 34\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Measurements taken flat and doubled where applicable.)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy This Matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthenticated Mr. Blackwell couture pieces rarely surface. He dressed \u003cstrong\u003eZsa Zsa Gabor, Jayne Mansfield, and Ann-Margret\u003c\/strong\u003e, among others — women who understood that true luxury is singular. This ensemble was never meant to exist in multiples. It was made once, for one woman, by one of the most colorful and talented figures in American fashion history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are the woman who understands that kind of exclusivity — \u003cstrong\u003ethis is yours.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr. Blackwell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43482734493809,"sku":null,"price":3900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0682\/7887\/8321\/files\/3A975C53-79DB-4EDD-9E24-AA619618F52B.jpg?v=1781810023","url":"https:\/\/timetoshinevintagecollection.com\/products\/mr-blackwell-1960-original-couture-ivory-silk-ensemble","provider":"Time To Shine Vintage Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}