1970s André Courrèges Haute Couture Polka Dot Cotton Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 56 in (142.24 cm)Bust: 31 in (78.74 cm)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 40 in (101.6 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU55022479552
André Courrèges
Revolutionary couturier André Courrèges made a name for himself on the buzzy Paris fashion scene of the 1960s with audacious Space Age designs that pointed to the future. The world of haute couture credits him with toppling the conservative standards assigned to feminine clothing back then and propelling a movement that celebrated a more revealing brand of women's attire — including chic miniskirts, his iconic white ankle boots and often whimsical dresses with necklines that turned heads.
While vintage André Courrèges suits, jackets and other apparel garnered the designer ample praise, he wasn’t confined to producing clothing. He is also widely revered for creating some of the era’s most stylish accessories, like his offbeat, goggles-esque sunglasses and distinctive scarves, which boasted lively patterns and an alluring range of Pop art colors and pastels.
Born in the French Pyrenees, Courrèges wanted to become an artist at an early age, but his father steered him into engineering. Though successful as an engineer, Courrèges pivoted to fashion. He moved to Paris and worked briefly for couturiere Jeanne Lafaurie. In 1948, he took a job with Cristóbal Balenciaga, and within a couple of years, he had ascended to the role of Balenciaga’s first assistant.
While working for Balenciaga, Courrèges met dressmaker Coqueline Barrière, whom he would later marry. In 1961, the couple established their own fashion house, where they collaborated as creative partners for the remainder of the designer’s life.
Courrèges was among the designers who ushered in the rise of ready-to-wear. He favored figure-hugging silhouettes and geometric shapes, and looked to the work of architect Le Corbusier — a like-minded proponent of simplicity and clean lines. Alongside innovators such as Mary Quant, Paco Rabanne and Pierre Cardin — the latter's futuristic looks were catnip for the free-spending consumers of the postwar years — Courrèges explored ways to outfit women with comfortable everyday wear, working with forward-looking materials such as plastic and polyvinyl chloride in his unadorned dresses of stark white. Mexican socialite and Harper’s Bazaar editor Gloria Guinness, pop star Françoise Hardy and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy were among some notable names to wear Courrèges originals.
By the mid-1960s, Courrèges had risen to the top of his industry, and there were many imitators. He took strict control of production at his namesake label, only allowing distribution through licensed sellers. He and Coqueline sold off part of the company in 1968 to L'Oreal, and by the early 1970s, Courrèges had more than 100 boutiques worldwide, also expanding into fragrances and menswear. In 1983, the couple restored themselves to full ownership of the company and in 2011 sold the company to French advertising executives Jacques Bungert and Frédéric Torloting. Artémis, which controls the global luxury group Kering, acquired a minority stake in the Courrèges brand in 2015 and took full control three years later.
Find vintage André Courrèges clothing, purses and other items on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 1960s Bramel Model Beaded Coral Red DressLocated in London, GB1970s Bramel Model kaftan style maxi dress in the most amazing coral red / orange. It has beautiful embellishment around the high scoop neckline and flared mid length sleeves; this i...Category
1960s British Formal Gowns
- Pierre Balmain 1950s Haute Couture Cream Jacquard Two Piece Bridal SetBy Pierre BalmainLocated in London, GBThis timeless 1950s New Look style Haute Couture two piece by Pierre Balmain is in impeccable condition with exceptional line and form. The soft cream jacquard fabric is embossed wit...Category
1950s French Vintage Bridal Gowns
- 1910s Edwardian White Eyelet Work Wrap DressLocated in London, GBThis antique dress was created in the 1910s and is in superb condition without fault. The cotton remains brilliant white and completely unmarked, detailed with hand cut eyelet work a...Category
1910s British Tea Gowns
- 1960s Parikene Cotton Novelty Frame Print Shirtwaister DressLocated in London, GBThis lively cotton dress as designed in the 1960s by Parikene and probably made in France. It showcases a playful novelty print of folk art in elaborate frames and English country ga...Category
1960s French Casual Dresses
- 1940s Paisley Rayon Maxi Hostess DressLocated in London, GBDating back to the 1940s, this is an excellent example of a hostess dress from the era. With 80 years of age behind it, the wonderful cold rayon fabric is as vibrant as the day it wa...Category
1940s American Maxi Dresses
- 1950s Abstract Purple and Blue Cotton Shirt DressLocated in London, GBThis good size 1950s shirtwaister dress is labelled Penney's Brentwood and showcases many hallmarks of mid-century dress design. A simple cotton day-dress, it is printed with a vibrant abstract print in amethyst, cobalt blue and white on a pale grey background. Black bullrush-like forms are scattered across the pattern. Bold aubergine-purple plastic buttons are embossed with geometric shapes. The full, swirling skirt is detailed with piping in purple and finished with black arrow heads. The short sleeves have a dolman...Category
1950s American Casual Dresses
- AZZEDINE ALAÏA black dress and green polka dots FR 36By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Rubiera, REAZZEDINE ALAÏA PARIS black dress with green polka dots - sleeveless very snug zip on the back size FR 36 Made in Italy 50% wool 25% viscose 15% polyamide 10% polyester Flat measures:...Category
2010s Italian Mini Dresses
- VERSACE velvet barocco dress and biker jacket pre fall 2011By VersaceLocated in Rubiera, REVersace pre fall 2011 Collection Coordinated biker jacket and dress, velvet barocco Size IT 42 Excellent conditionCategory
2010s Italian Jackets
- VERSACE coat and dress black and white F/W 2011By VersaceLocated in Rubiera, REVERSACE FALL 2011 COLLECTION Black and white coordinated coat and dress Size IT 40 Made in Italy 1st fabric (black): 100% wool 2nd fabric (white): 68% polyester 22% polyurethane and...Category
2010s Italian Coats
- Miu Miu 1996 white dressBy Miu MiuLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZH90's Miu Miu white button down dress. Very similar to look 36 of the 1996 runway collection. Which shows an open jacket. But this seems to be from a previous collection that Drew Bar...Category
1990s Day Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Postcard Post Letter Stamp Mesh JPG Tattoo Maxi Dress 1998By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier Jean's Yellow Postcard Post Letter Mesh JPG T-shirt Tattoo Vintage Calligraphy Stamp Dress 1998. Wonderful vintage dress from Jean Paul Gaultier! Postcard print with stamps and callygraphic wiriting on it, a Gaultier staple, from the 1998 collection! Blue greys on a light YELLOW background. NOTE: The background is light YELLOW (it was difficult to take photos about the shade). Very fine knit, typical JPG, form hugging and very flattering. EXCELLENT condition! Size: XS-L (Marked 38). Extremely stetchy fabric. Model’s size in the photos: XS. Bust: 32 cm Waist: 29 cm Lenth: 128 ABOUT JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Catapulting to fame in the 1990 s with a naughty, sexy, anti establishment attitude to fashion and a strong punk esthetic, Gaultier excels at bright, tongue in cheek prints and sculptural couture pieces. Reknown for elevating classic French sailor stripes to couture level and of course Madonna's cone shaped corsets on her Blonde Ambition tour in 1990, Gaultier remains very successful today, recently designing several Met Gala dresses.Category
1990s French Maxi Dresses
- 1990's Moschino Cheap & Chic "Not Just A Pretty Dress" Velvet Studded DressBy Moschino Cheap and ChicLocated in Concord, NCMoschino Cheap and Chic 1990's black velvet form fitting dress with a whimsical quote studded on the front stating "Not Just A Pretty Dre...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses