Ball Gown
This beautiful Givenchy gown is worn by Sabrina as she attends the Larrabee’s party.
The gown appears to be in two parts. A strapless sheath dress, with a long overskirt (almost like a peacock’s tail) that appears to fasten over it with a belt. Sabrina makes an entrance:
The back of the bodice is at its lowest at the centre back. The sheath dress appears to fasten up the centre back with a zip and hook and eye:
Masterful gathering into the belt!
The overskirt is longer at the back and shorter at the front sides so that it trails along behind Sabrina as she walks:
Either the lowest layer of the overskirt or its hem is a black ruffle (a bit like a dust ruffle). In this shot we can also see that the column dress has a layer or petticoat of what looks like a satin which is what gives it body:
Sabrina arranges her overskirt. Notice how the embroidery is even on the underside of the overskirt. The overskirt looks very thick- is this layers of tulle over a taffeta-like silk? There don’t appear to be any seams at the opening edges of the underskirt- perhaps the edges actually meet in one seam at the centre underneath the skirt?
Close up of the bodice embroidery. It’s interesting that bits of the embroidery are obviously lighter than the ground colour of the dress- what colour is the dress- a pale pink?
This blog is where I ramble on about fashion history, costume, sewing, knitting and anything else that takes my fancy.
Oh! I am so excited to have found your blog!
And you comments on the Sabrina evening gown!
My teenage daughters are incredible seamstresses and sew beautiful costumes and gowns each year for their 4-H projects. My daughter who is a high school senior this year has always wanted to sew this dress and I am hoping she and I can figure out how to do it this year.
Patterns anymore are so plain, skimpy, and too simple to have style.
Now this dress has style! We have studied the movie over and over, and it is great to have your ’still’ photos to study some more to figure out the details. I sure wish Vogue would put all of these patterns into some great compendium for us vintage fashion lovers. If they would just make all the pattern pieces for us and give us some directions…! No, we’ll have to figure it out for ourselves and have a one-of-a-kind creation. If you know anyone else who has ever attempted to sew this dress, let me know – I would love to get their helpful hints before we start to cut into some expensive fabric!
Blessings,
Shari McMinn
Fort Morgan, CO
Hi Shari- thanks for your kind words on the blog. I’m so glad my reference images have come in handy! I do remember coming across someone who had made a dress inspired by this ballgown on the internet. (googles frantically) Oh yes, here it is on A Dress a Day: http://dressaday.com/2008/04/faith-in-youth-of-today.html
Good luck with your daughter’s dress- if she makes it, perhaps she’d like to send me a picture? I’d love to see what she cooks up…
Best wishes,
Fiona