Rare Early 1970s Vintage Designer - Paganne by Gene Berk - Art Deco Mod Print Caftan Maxi Dress w/ Side Slit
Made in the USA from Fabric Made in Italy
Fits Modern Size: Medium & Large - please see measurements for best individual fit
Tagged Size 18 (vintage 70s sizing runs much smaller)
Color: Black & White
Material: 100% Banlon Nylon Jersey
Bust: 20” flat
Waist: 19” flat
Hips: 21” flat
Length: 54”
Sleeve: 23”
Shoulders: 16”
- 20” Long Side Slit
- Back Zip Closure
- Mandarin Collar
- Side Slit
- Aztec Mayan Calendar Print Trim
- Hand sewn lace interior lining trim
- Silky soft material with plenty of stretch & give
- Slinky Drape - Thin & Lightweight
- Unlined
- Wearable Art
Excellent Preowned Condition. No rips, holes, tears or stains
MORE INFO:
In the late 1960’s, Gene Berk, a former law student working in the fashion industry creating sportswear for Oleg Cassini in both America and Italy, struck out on his own creating the Paganne label.
Berk would send hand sketched designs to artists in Como, Italy where they were translated into life sized paintings, then into screens, and finally into sample swatches of fabric. His sketches inspired the fabric, then the fabric inspired the clothes.
He was the American answer to the various French and Italian designers (Pucci, Lanvin, Leonard, and Bessi) who prized bold, graphic prints.
His prints were varied - botanical, geometric, modernist, figural - but all had the same 1960s/1970s bold flair, printed onto silk jersey, cotton knits, velvets, and Qiana nylon synthetics.
His mod, vibrantly colored and patterned tunics, minis, and maxis were popular with celebrities and frequently featured in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Now his vintage pieces are increasingly sought after by collectors.
