During the 1960s and beyond, English fashion designer John Bates designed visionary modernist dresses under the name Jean Varon. This flamboyant 1970s maxi dress, with its floor-sweeping construction, is an attention-grabbing choice for any event. It was featured in Vogue, April 1974, modelled by Jane Goddard and photographed by David Bailey. It has a dramatic empire-line silhouette, under which plumes of fabric billow towards the floor. The bust is formed from two triangles of the same fabric. The straps and piping around the waist are painted in an ombré rainbow pattern. The fabric is incredible; a semi-sheer polyamide light-weight jersey printed with a psychedelic ombré rainbow pattern. The dress is cut with a low-V neckline at the front, a sensuous detail that counterbalances the swirling full-length skirt. The dress is lined throughout with nude acetate. The dress fastens at the back with a hidden nude zip.

This collectable piece is in excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note. It has no size or composition labels so please check our measurements below. It would best fit around a size UK 8 or US 4; however, the empire line and the generous swaths of fabric could be adapted for sizes bigger by a very competent seamstress. Our model is around a UK 10-12 or US 6-8 and it didn't do all the way up at the back.

MEASUREMENTS

UNDERBUST - 30 in. (76 cm)

HIP - 46 in. (117 cm)

LENGTH - 59 in. (150 cm)