Dimitri Kritsas Haute Couture New York from the 1960s-70s black bead & fringe evening gown.
This fabulous gown is completely hand made as you would expect, the construction is beautifully executed. The haute hippie design raises the love of fringe to another level! Black rayon crepe gown has a low V neckline, the dress bodice has an applique of beads & cording that give the look of a vest, the short sleeves, like the bodice is set with cording and faceted black beads that dangle above long long, black fringe. The dress has an A line shape falling to near knee length with cording & beads above the very long fringe hem.. The dress is lined & totally hand finished inside. It closes at the back with a zipper & hook & eye at the neck back.
Not a household name, Dimitri Kritsas however, had an exclusive society following. "For a 1981 Met Gala (before Anna Wintour made it The fashion event of the year), Duke chose to wear a relatively unknown designer. Dimitri Kritsas (born late 1930's), a designer from Greece with only a small New York boutique. We don't know how Doris Duke came upon the designer, but she made a big decision to wear his gown that evening and chose to be photographed wearing it." *
He was also photographed with models wearing his designs in 1961 by society photographer Slim Aarons. Photo caption, Dimitris Kritsas, a fashionable young couturier, poses among the gleaming Doric columns of the temple to Poseidon at Sounion, circa 1961. (Photo by Slim Aarons) See photo below.
Dimitri Kritsas, a graduate of the Ecole de Saint Rocque, Ecole du Louvre and Academie Internationale de Coupe de Paris, with work experience acquired at couturiers Balenciaga and Jacques Fath, designed for the elite, based in New York for 25 years beginning in the 1960s. His gilded roster of clients included Romy Schneider, Lana Turner, Hedy Lamarr, Francoise Hardy, Lillian Gish, the Princess of Kent, Princess Ala von Auersperg, Christine Ford (wife of Henry Ford II), Barbara Woolworth-Hutton, Anne Margaret to name a few.
In excellent wearable condition. All our clothing is dry cleaned and inspected for condition and is ready to wear. Any condition issues will be noted. For visual comparison our mannequin is a size 4.
Please check the measurements provided below and compare with your own measurements for the
best possible fit! Please contact us if you have any questions about this item or need more photos.
Measurements are in inches:
Bust 36
Waist 32
Hip 36
Shoulder back 14 1/2
Sleeve length 7 1/2
Fringe length of sleeves 23
Shoulder top to skirt hem 38 not inc. fringe
Shoulder top to hem back inc. fringe 60
Dress hem to fringe hem 22
*NRF Newport Restoration Foundation
