Vintage 60s Federico Forquet Dress w Jacket Italian Couture

This is a vintage dress with matching jacket made by Rome couturier Federico Forquet - please read more about Federico Forquet further below.  This ensemble is made of a silk and cotton blend that is embossed with a squared pattern.  It is printed with a four-prong square motif in brown, tan and black with the off-white background forming dropped out motifs in the more densely printed areas.  The dress is made in a sleeveless halter style with cutaway shoulders, notched collar and lapel and a three snap closure behind a six button front - the dress otherwise is open at the front and wraps to the left.  There is a diagonal pocket at either side and the dress has a completely open back, very dramatic.   The jacket is made with a rounded “jewel” neckline, raglan style sleeves with turned cuffs that have a double button closure and closes with five hidden snaps.  The jacket is lined in a white rayon fabric while the dress is lined in the same exterior fabric.

Age: late 1960s / early 1970s

Label: Forquet Roma. Federico Forquet is a man of many talents.  On a path to become a concert pianist, he met Cristobal Balenciaga in 1954 and his career path was changed.  Federico Forquet apprenticed with Balenciaga alongside André Courreges.  He created a line for Irene Galitzine in 1956 - the partnership resulted in the creation of “Pyjama Palazzo” in 1959.  He opened his Rome atelier in 1962 and his loyal clients included Diana Vreeland, C. Z. Guest, Babe Paley and Annette Reed and he also dressed Sophia Loren, Jane Fonda, Anita Ekberg and Faye Dunaway.  Federico Forquet closed his atelier in 1972 due to the expanding market for pret-a-porter, in which he had little interest, as his focus had been on haute couture.  Federico Forquet then turned his attention to gardening and interior design and remains active at the age of 90.

Retailer’s Label: Made in Italy For Ogilvy’s Montreal.  

Sizing: Size 12 is indicated on this Federico Forquet dress, but please rely on the following measurements for fit:

Dress:

Bust: 16” across, but due to the open back, would accommodate a larger dimension

Waist: 33”

Hips:  36”

Overall length: 41", measured lying flat

Jacket:

Shoulders: 17” across, estimated

Sleeves: 30” long from the mid-neck, 21 1/2” long from the estimated 

shoulder

Sleeve Inseam: 15” long

Bust: 37”, taken under the arms

Bottom: 38”

Overall length: 21", measuring lying flat at the back from the neck to the hemline

Condition: Both pieces of this Federico Forquet outfit are in very good condition with no wear, tear, staining or odours except for a small seam tear to the lining at either armpit of the jacket, very minor.

This Federico Forquet dress and jacket set is beautifully designed and made - definitely couture quality even though pret-a-porter.  Examples of Federico Forquet are not common due to his short-lived career, this is a wonderful acquisition for the collector!