The famed couturier, Don Loper of California, during the height of his fame, made a guest appearnce during the fourth season of the I Love Lucy show [1954-1955]! The storyline was that Lucy, during her trip to California with family, wanted nothing more than an original Don Loper gown, and begged dearly to allow her husband to fund the purchase. During the episode, she is shown some of Loper's newest creations at his boutique in Hollywood—it's a fantastic & indepth opportunity to see the designer himself, and his fashion house!

 

This exquisite cocktail set is fashioned from feather-light, black silk chiffon, and bears a distinct beauty as though it were a Parisian couture example! Having a finely gathered waistline, which allows for the excessively full skirt, and tulle lace bodice with silvery threads woven throughout the motif.

 

Accompanied by it's original jacket, which is cut in an impeccable manner—delicately ruched sleeves, flowing shoulders, and cut to perfectly reach the waistline of the skirt. Chiffon, when this fine, is extremely difficult to heavily construct, as the threads used to sew must be very fine, and over piercing it can lead to shredding, yet it looks as though it were a breeze! The jacket is fashioned from the same chiffon used in the dress, and with satin at the waist.

 

Every detail, small or large, in the ensemble, bears superior quality attention, i.e. the shoulder straps of the dress are comprised of black satin (as seen in the jacket's waist), thus instead of a single strap, Loper has used three! And also along the center of the jacket, the series of fastenings comprise of a dozen satin covered small buttons with satin loops to fasten into—clearly a tiny marvel in itself!

 

A romantic set, through the rustling from the fullness of the skirt, provocatively loose sleeves, and delicacy of the chiffon itself! With couture-quality construction, the dress is lined in silk, boned for support, and also has a petersham waistband. It's labelled Don Loper / Originals.

 

 

Measurements: Bust 36", Waist 25".