Vintage Bill Gibb Wedding Ensemble, 1973

A very special and unique wedding ensemble created by Bill Gibb in 1973, one of the great iconic designers of the period, whose Renaissance-inspired clothes graced the likes of Twiggy and are in the permanent collection at the V&A.

The under dress is a white prairie-style dress made of fine broderie anglaise with lovely flower pattern.  It  has a high neck with narrow ruffle, and long puffed sleeves with scalloped lace cuffs and looped covered buttons. The fitted bodice has a waistband of broderie flowers, and the skirt is gathered to floor length, ending in tiers (no pun intended) of broderie flowers at the hem.

Over this is worn a bridal coat of heavy ivory satin with short sleeves and low neck, both edged in daisy braid.

The tight bodice fastens with four looped covered buttons to just below the bust and is encrusted front and back with leaf pattern embroidery, tiny seed pearls and dangling crystal beads.  An enormous train hangs from here, very long and wide and made of several panels of satin, all edged with daisy braid.

There is an exquisite ecru crochet skull cap which accompanies the ensemble, also covered in daisy braid, crystal and tiny flower shaped beads.

The dress is very small, size UK6-8.  The bride tells ushow she came to wear the dress: 

"I was working at Harrods at the time and they sold Bill Gibb clothing. They put me in touch with him and I went to see him at his design studios. He assigned me to his dressmaker Neave, who then measured, made and carried out the fittings (I cannot remember how many fittings I had …. I think 3?) She also crocheted the bonnet and amazingly came to Piddinghoe. Sussex, where we were married to dress me on the day! A very, very hot day! So, as you can imagine, the ensemble was very warm to wear! "

Material: No label - Cotton (dress) and Satin (coat)

Size: UK6-8

Measurements (laid flat):

Shoulder to shoulder (dress):  31cm

Shoulder to shoulder (coat): 33cm

Bust (dress):  76cm

Bust (coat): 78cm

Waist (dress): 66cm

Waist (coat): free

Hips (dress): free

Length (dress): 132cm

Length (coat): 134cm

Length of train (max): 220 approx.

Sleeve (dress): 63cm

Sleeve (coat): 26cm

Condition: Very good vintage condition overall.   There are a few small marks. 

Note:  All of our pieces have had a life of their own, and may show minor signs of wear as befits a vintage or pre worn item. They have all been professionally cleaned and inspected and any faults will be indicated in the listing.  

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If you have any further questions please email us at info@menagemodernvintage.com