Ferdinando Sarmi was an actual Italian Count and started his design career working for Elizabeth Arden couture salon during the 1950s. In 1959 he ventured off on his own and launched his label "Sarmi". He designed for just over a decade and then closed up shop. During those ten or so years he was known for his evening wear especially and the fabric he chose were often opulent or very difficult to work with. The results were often quite beautiful. The label on this one gives us a date from the early part of the 1960s
This is a really wonderful dress and my photos of it really do not fully convey the beauty and richness of the fabric and impact of the color. In person there is a real luminescent quality to it and the colors seem to glow from within. Sarmi was known for his dramatic pieces that had a real decadent feel to them and this is a wonderful example of his work. The body of the dress is made of a silk brocade whose design is a swirl of pastel hues - predominantly pink but with a soft mint green, lavender and pastel blues mixed in. Over that is a secondary floral design woven through the silk using a subtle gold and silver lame thread. This upper layer of the design catches the light and gives the fabric its beautiful metallic. The skirt flares out gently from that waist and widens as it falls gracefully to the floor. The neckline is a simple, high scoop and the sleeves are cut long and slim. The waist is highlighted with a wide cut silk ribbon and bow. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a white silk through the skirt and a green silk through the bodice and sleeves. It closes with a hand set, back painted metal zipper, Hidden set, fabric covered snaps sit at each cuff. The belt is tacked and attached at the front and wraps and hooks into place. Hand finishes throughout and finished to demi-couture standards
Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD2575
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
