A two-piece dress & jacket cocktail ensemble, 1950's, by the famous Beverly Hills & film costume designer- Howard Greer. Renowned for being one of Rita Hayworth's favoured designers, and also his role as the cheif designer at Paramount studios during 1924-1927. His works also include the costume design for over 30 films! Plus, the gowns for select episodes of the "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show." 

 

These works involved working closely along side actresses such as Janet Leigh, Jane Russel, Ginger Rogers, Irene Dunne, Claudette Colbert, and Ingrid Berman. One of Greer's most renowned works is the costumes designed for Jane Russel in the film The French Line (1954), which included the famous off-shoulder, clevage-exposing dress, which arose dispute with the censors during it's release (see below image).

 

This ensemble is fashioned from black silk, and peachy floral lace, having extraordinary couture-quality fine detailing throughout, which is immediately noticed when worn/seen. There is a wide black silk taffeta waistband applied over the lace—this ingenous method of mixing the textures of the materials [matte silk with glossy silk taffeta] used in the dress which Greer chose to use, is an outright level of perfection!

 

With a sheer lace bodice area and interior slip lining, the illusion lace across bare skin gives is a romantic and provocative touch. The skirt is shaped in a pencil-line manner, with gathering at either side of the waist and a slitted back allowing comfortable movement when worn.

 

The jacket features the mixing of fabrics as seen in the dress, having used black silk, silk taffeta, and also peach ribbed silk (silk faille). It's collar is fashioned from the silk taffeta, and it's trimmed with the silk faille.

 

Decorated with prong-set glittering rhinestones across the lace, lined in silk and fastens at the back with a zipper and hook and eyes, labelled Howard Greer / Beverly Hills, the jacket fastens with silk-covered buttons. The interior construction is a fine array of skill—the silk lining across the bossom-area is even lined along the edge with gros-grain! It's the fine and minute details of an ensemble that bring it to a couture level, such as this fabulous set!

 

 

Measurements: Bust 36", Waist 28", Hips 39."

 

The condition is almost Excellent- there is the tiniest bit of discolouration to the lace at the underarms, this is reflected in the price with a deduction for a trip to the cleaners, otherwise it would have been priced for at least $750 had we had this taken care of prior to listing.