I died when I saw this maxi dress! I love early Oscar - there is such a strong sense of design, superb use of pattern and his early pieces really reflect the high end hippie chic, well travelled woman of that time. This particular piece is gorgeous. It's a heavy cotton or cotton mix in a deep blue with a white screened design. This would have been specialty screened and please take a moment to dwell over how each element of the printed design is worked perfectly into the construction of the dress - it's just masterful! The skirt is top stitched so it has a quilted/padded appearance and machine cotton lace edging is applied to the bottom hem and the tiered seam just below the knee. The bodice is fitted to a T and the scalloped edges stunning - again note how it is done to follow the print! Each sleeve ends in another edging of that pretty white lacework. The belt with its big bold white plastic heart is just the cream on the top of deliciousness! A superb and early Oscar De la Renta gown and in excellent condition.
Reference Photo: Charly Stember in in Oscar De La Renta, Shot by Richard Avedon, Vogue US, January 1971.