Thursday, February 05, 2009

Chester Weinberg Dress 1967

chester weinberg dress, 1967Iconic Mod era design for the grown-up set - that's Chester Weinberg. Not as well known as Oscar de la Renta or Geoffrey Beene, Weinberg was an influential American designer in the late 1960's and early 70's whose clothing has become highly collectible today. He built his reputation on simple elegance, and his designs were always worked in beautiful fabrics. "Fabrics set the whole mood of my collection. I cannot design a dress until I know what the fabric will be."

May 1967, in an ad for Bergdorf Goodman - What else but the costume-in-the-round, beeping out the summer dress/jacket news this way: short, bouncy top, short, bouncy skirt, belted waist between. Medium for the message is honeycomb cotton, and Chester Weinberg is the sender of same. Are you listening world? In butter with black or nutmeg with white trim. $185 ($1210.00 in today's dollar).