Vintage 1970s Diseno Josefa Caftan Dress Multicolor Cotton

This is a fabulous vintage Josefa caftan designed by the mother of Mexican fashion design, Josefa Ibarra. Josefa started making her own clothes during the late 1950s and was noticed by a couple who ran the Mexican concession at Disneyland.  She began producing for them and for her small shop in Puerto Vallarta - her designs were never mass produced and only made by local women.  In 1963, while shooting The Night of the Iguana, Elizabeth Taylor discovered her shop, and became a regular customer over the next decade.  Josefa went on to open a chain of retail stores in Mexico and exported her garments to Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth avenue, Lord & Taylor and Macy’s as well as overseas.  Her clientele included Sophia Loren, Diana Ross, Princess Grace, Nancy Reagan and other celebrities.  She became the first Mexican dress designer to have work featured on the cover of Vogue Paris.  

This Josefa caftan is made of 100% cotton sourced in Mexico, and dyed in stripes in tones of magenta pink, gold toned yellow, green, purplish blue and orange.  It has applied gold toned yellow ribbon that hangs like fringe down the front and back of the gown.  It has a V shaped neckline that closes at the neck with a pair of ties.  This Josefa caftan has arm openings at the upper sides and has a 24” open slit at either bottom side.

Labels:  Diseño Josefa 100% Cotton Made in Mexico. Dry Clean Only

Sizing: No size is indicated on this Josefa caftan, and although a loose fitting garment, this Josefa caftan should still fit a range of sizes - please rely on the following measurements for fit:

Top, including the sides that would drape the arms:  51” across 

Bust:  49” across, 98” around, taken under the arm openings

Length:  53”, measured flat

Condition:  This Josefa caftan is in very clean condition with no pronounced wear, tear, soiling, staining or odour - there may be a few loose thread ends, really nothing.

This is a wonderful vintage Josefa caftan by a noted Mexican designer - striking example of a Josefa design!