Vintage Pierre Cardin Les Jerseys Black Wool Jersey Space Age Dress c. 1970

This is a vintage late 1960s to early 1970s black wool jersey knit dress by Les Jerseys de Pierre Cardin, featuring the geometric detailing and architectural tailoring associated with Cardin's Space Age designs.

The dress has a fitted upper body with a large, sharply pointed collar extending across the shoulders, long fitted sleeves and distinctive curved seam detailing across the upper chest. The bodice is shaped through the waist, with a horizontal seam separating it from the straight-cut skirt.

A particularly distinctive feature is the elongated front placket, which extends below the waist and terminates in a pointed geometric tab. Four small, square black buttons with metallic surrounds are purely decorative, while the dress actually fastens with a zipper concealed beneath the placket. There is also a hook fastening at the neckline.

The skirt falls below the knee, depending on the wearer's height, and features a centre-front seam and centre-back vent.

The dress is made from black pure new wool jersey knit, as indicated by the original Woolmark fabric label. The original Les Jerseys de Pierre Cardin designer label remains intact.

The combination of the exaggerated collar, curved bodice seaming, geometric buttons and unusual extended front closure reflects the futuristic approach to fashion associated with Pierre Cardin during this period.

Designer: Les Jerseys de Pierre Cardin
Age: Circa 1968–1972
Colour: Black
Material: Pure new wool jersey knit, Woolmark labelled
Style: Space Age / Mod / Architectural

Measurements

• Shoulders: 15 1/2" across from shoulder seam to shoulder seam
• Sleeves: 22 1/2" long from shoulder seam
• Sleeve inseam: 17 1/2"
• Bust: 35"
• Waist: 32"
• Hips: 36"
• Overall length: 42 1/2", measured at centre back from neck to hemline

Condition

Very good condition overall. The small metal loop that receives the hook at the neckline is missing, as is the pull tab on the concealed front zipper. In addition, the seam of the hem is partially undone and presently held with a safety pin. There is also age-related yellow staining to the interior Woolmark pure wool label. All issues are relatively minor and appear repairable.

A distinctive example of Pierre Cardin's futuristic design aesthetic from around 1970, great addition to a vintage designer clothing collection.