Circa 1945

France

Rare model of a little black dress by Madame Nina Ricci haute couture dating from the end of the Second World War. A straight dress with long sleeves, buttoned at the front in black silk crepe, in the style of the dresses that Nina Ricci created for the singer Edith Piaf at the same period. Judicious use of appliqué paded pipings in the shape of ears of wheat or ferns, highlighting the shoulders, chest and the reverse of the two crescent-shaped pockets. There is a small, pointed neckline at the front with turned-down panels and pleats at the waistband, which flares out into the skirt. No flaws apart from a very slight patina of the black crepe dating from 1945. Good overall condition in terms of colour and conservation.

Dimensions: French size 38-40. Shoulders 40 cm, waist 79 cm, chest 93 cm, sleeves 49 cm, hips 100 cm, height 107 cm.

Nina Ricci (1883-1970) founded her Paris fashion house in 1932 at 20 Rue des Capucines in the first arrondissement of Paris. For her, elegance obeyed a single principle: to be oneself before being seen. The perfume line was developed by her son Robert Ricci in 1941. When the Second World War ended in 1945, she took part in the Théâtre de la Mode, a travelling show based on dolls presenting French fashion know-how. Jules-François Crahay succeeded him in 1959 with his famous Crocus collection, then Gérard Pipart became artistic director of Maison Ricci in 1963. He relaxed the neck