Gina Fratini created some of the most sought after evening wear in the 1970s and into the 80s. Elizabeth Taylor chose to wear one of her dresses for her second marriage to Richard Burton in 1975 and Princess Diana made several appearances wearing her work. Fratini was a British fashion and costume designer whose label existed from 1964 into the eighties. She was also known for dressing Princess Anne, who wore a Fratini gown for her 21st birthday portrait. She did freelance work for Normal Norell and designed the Ossie Clark lingerie line. She won the Dress of the Year award in 1974. She as known for her use of natural fabrics and her dresses were complicated affairs that were not easy to reproduce, which gave her designs an edge in exclusivity.
More than anything I love the extreme sleeve detailing on this dress. The are truly spectacular. There are actually two parts to the sleeve. There is a long slim sleeve under the more caped sides that extends out from the dress and this inner sleeve ends in a little ruffled cuff that I love. Then over that is a full angel sleeve that extends out from the shoulder and falls all the way to the floor. Each is a long rectangle of fabric that drapes down spectacularly as they reach the floor. These are set into the body of the dress starting from the waist and this gives you that tremendous draping that you running down the sides of each bodice. The sleeve create a tremendous amount of movement when you move. The dress is made out of a light silver metallic lame in a deep silver grey. The front has a high neckline that is detailed around the collar with a little ruffle and a little decorative bow is set at the front. It skims over the bodice to a band that runs around the waist and then the skirt falls to the floor below that. The skirt is set around the waist in a series of soft gathers to pick up on how the sleeves are set into the bodice. It widens out gently as it nears the hem and there is a good amount of fabric in it so that the entire thing has movement when you move. It is gorgeous. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition.
The bodice and sleeves are unlined and the skirt is lined with a black silky rayon. It closes at the back with a painted metal zipper. Tagged a vintage UK 12
Inner sleeves: 27" and are 12-13" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true seam
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14" from the top of the shoulder to the top of the band at waist. The band is 3" wide
Total length: 59" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4538
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