Arnold Scaasi was born Arnold Isaacs in Montreal and the name Scassi is simply his own name reversed. He studied in Montreal and in Paris, apprenticed at the house of Paquin and then worked with the legendary Charles James. In 1964, he opened own couture salon. He dressed Hollywood stars like Lauren Bacall, Diahann Carroll and Elizabeth Taylor. He dressed several first ladies including Mamie Eisenhower, Hillary Clinton and both Bush first ladies. He even once bragged that he refused to give Jackie clothes for free. He was the man behind the scandalous 1969 Barbra Streisand sheer trouser outfit that she collected her Oscar in, and he was presented with the Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. His mainline was made to couture standards and I am always happy to find his work.
Yards and yards of a peach silk organza have been used in this Arnold Scassi gown. The silk used is just incredible. It is a light weight, fine organza and then onto this are hundreds of little cotton pique shapes that have been individually applied. The fabric he has chosen give the dress both lightness and fullness. That combined with the inner structure through the sleeves and built in skirting allow it to hold that stunning shape and silhouette that you see without having to add any additional underpinnings of your own. The bodice is fitted and cut to follow and highlight the curves of you body to just above the hip where the skirt then explodes out in all of that volume. I actually love how he has extended the bodice down and to the top of the hips while still defining the waist with that pretty grosgrain and silk belt. It cinches in the waist while still exaggerates the curves of the female form and giving you shape despite all the volume in the sleeves and the skirt. The skirt is wonderfully dramatic and full with inner built in layers of silk and tulle to hold the volume. The inner construction of the skirt is amazing. The very inner skirt is made from a fine peach silk with a broad band of horsehair taping inside the bottom hem. Between that and the outer layer of silk are four full layers of silk net tulle. The sleeves are equally incredible and are shaped to have that gorgeous fullness to them and also have an inner finished of tulle netting to hold the shape. The inside is exquisitely constructed and it is all hand finished. This would make a stunning wedding dress for someone who is not looking for a white dress. Excellent overall condition with a couple of minor notes to review below
The bodice is fully interlined in a fine peach silk. The skirt is finished in silk and tulle as per the description above. The sleeves are finished with tulle. It closes with a hand set back metal zipper. The belt is a silk grosgrain backed with a silk ribbon. It hooks and snaps into place. Finished to couture standard by hand. I see one small spot on one of the appliques to the side of the front waist. There is some slight grubbiness to some of the applique pieces near the hem. At some point a repair was done to the skirt at the back that is extremely well done and I only initially spotted it when steaming the skirt from the inside. There is a small repair and stress to the fabric at the top of one of the white piece near the sleeve on the top. Please review the photos after the label shot. I took two of the one on the top to show the areas up close and then where it is. The colour of the dress in person is a touch more vibrant then how it photoed.
Sleeves: 12"
Shoulders: approx 15"
Bust: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD3329
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
