Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Fine and Rare 1986 Antony Price Purple Bird Dress

About the Item

Fine and rare 1986 'bird dress' by legendary British designer Antony Price who created some of the most exclusive and glamourous evening wear of the 1970s and 1980s. The fabric is a glowing plum hued floral jacquard silk which catches the light and has the most wonderful texture. The shape is in an exaggerated asymmetrical style, created from an abundant array of pleats. The combination of the playful floral jacquard and the sophistication of the pleats create a truly unique and sensual look to the dress. It is is fully lined in acetate and does up on the right hand side with a full set of hidden buttons that fasten from the top to the hem of the dress. This is in superb archival vintage condition with no apparent alterations, very minimal wear and no flaws to note. Labelled a UK 12, US 8, this is a best fit for a modern UK 8 or US 4. Antony Price is best known for his work for performers like the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Duran Duran but especially Roxy Music where he contributed to all eight Roxy Music album covers. To quote AnOther’s Editor, Alexander Fury aptly noted, “an unparalleled master of modern made-to-measure occasion wear and the most criminally overlooked designer in British fashion.” The V&A Museum has displayed an identical cream taffeta dress for not one but two fashion exhibitions - The Cutting Edge: Fifty Years of British Fashion, 1947–1997 and the 2014 exhibition Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980s. We include the original fashion drawing and also examples of the dress owned by Jerry Hall and worn by her daughter Elizabeth Jagger, and Kylie Minogue. MEASUREMENTS Bust - 33 in. (84 cm) Waist - 26 in. (66 cm) Hip - 35.6 in. (90.4 cm) Length - 41.5 in. (105.4 cm)
  • Designer:
  • Brand:
  • Dimensions:
    Length: 41.5 in (105.41 cm)Marked Size: 4 (US)Bust: 33 in (83.82 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 35 in (88.9 cm)
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU55018564312
More From This SellerView All
  • Y2K Expensive! Leopard Print Ruffled Bias Cut Dress
    Located in London, GB
    This attention-grabbing gown was designed by Expensive! in the noughties. Expensive! was a successful shop in London’s famous Oxford Circus shopping mecca during the early to mid 200...
    Category

    Early 2000s Cocktail Dresses

  • 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Black Asymetric Dress With Flaminco Style Trim
    By Yves Saint Laurent
    Located in London, GB
    This sensational 1980s black silk blend Flamenco-style evening dress is unlabelled, although we are able to confirm that it is by extolled French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent. Th...
    Category

    1980s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses

  • 1950s Bramel Model Lace and Beaded Black Sheath Dress
    Located in London, GB
    British high-end label Bramel designed this dress in the 1950s or very early 1960s. A graceful V-neckline and wide shoulders at the front and back is highly flattering. Black lace s...
    Category

    1960s British Cocktail Dresses

  • 1920s House of Adair Floral Black Crepe Beaded Flapper Dress
    By House of Adair
    Located in London, GB
    The House of Adair was a Parisian atelier that created beaded silk gowns for the export market during the 1920s. They were retailed in the best department stores of the day, especially in the US and UK. The designs were inspired by haute couture fashions and popular themes including orientalism and the geometric forms of the Art Deco movement. The workers has all been trained in haute couture methods and rare surviving pieces are often acquired by museums and fashion institutions including Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This dress has a sleeveless, blouson top style v-neck and is fashioned with a lightly gathered drop-waist. This fluid, tubular tailoring was typical of the must-have dresses of this era and the silk crepe is adorned with brightly beaded flowers, among them sunflowers, thistles and gerberas. The original label sits inside the waistband and reads “Adair 4. Cité Paradis Paris...
    Category

    1920s French Evening Dresses

  • 1950s Black Textured Jacquard Dress with Peplum
    Located in London, GB
    A timeless 1950s shape, this short-sleeve little black dress has a pencil skirt and a cinched waist and tie belt to accentuate the female figure. The voluminous peplum overskirt is c...
    Category

    1950s American Cocktail Dresses

  • 2000s Herve Leger Black Bandage Dress
    By Herve Leger by Max Azria
    Located in London, GB
    This classic black bandage dress by Herve Leger was purchased in early 2010 and was part of the permanent collection of signature pieces which has defined the brand since the 1980s, ...
    Category

    Early 2000s American Evening Dresses

You May Also Like
  • Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993
    By Gianni Versace
    Located in London, GB
    ▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...
    Category

    1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

  • Vivienne Westwood bronze stretch-velvet and gold foil printed dress, fw 1990
    By Vivienne Westwood
    Located in London, GB
    ▪ Vivienne Westwood bronze stretch-velvet evening dress ▪ Gold foil neoclassical print inspired by Andre-Charles Boulle ▪ Concealed zipper at center-back ▪ Size Medium ▪ Fall-Winter...
    Category

    1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns

  • Lilac & Multicolor Patbo One-Shoulder Floral Print Dress Size US 0
    Located in New York, NY
    Lilac and multicolor floral print one-shoulder tiered ruffle dress by Patbo. Belt at waist. Zip closure at side. 26" bust, 24" waist, 51" length.
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary South American Evening Dresses and Gowns

  • Matthew Williamson Navy Blue Smocked Waist Detail Embellished Neck Sleeveless Dr
    By Matthew Williamson
    Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
    When you feel like looking fantastic, pick this dress from Matthew Williamson. This sleeveless outfit exudes modernity and elegance with its beautifully embellished neck and interest...
    Category

    2010s Italian Evening Dresses

  • Emilio Pucci Blue Silk Dress
    By Emilio Pucci
    Located in Paris, FR
    Emilio Pucci blue silk jersey printed dress featuring an iconic geometric print, a front gathered detail. Composition: 100% silk Estimated size IT42/38fr/US6 /UK10 Made in Italy. In...
    Category

    1990s French Cocktail Dresses

  • 1980s A J Bari Vintage Silver Evening Dress w Puffed Gathered Sleeves & Pockets
    By A.J. Bari
    Located in Portland, OR
    We love this vintage A. J. Bari vintage dress from the 1980's. The dress is in a silver abstract pattern fabric and it has a gently pleated skirt, gather...
    Category

    1980s American Evening Dresses

Recently Viewed

View All