Von Fürstenberg Munich 1950s Bow Embellished Red Silk Couture Cocktail Dress

The Von Fürstenberg label was founded by Baron Benedikt von Fürstenberg out of Munich, Germany, in 1946. He started with a small undergarment manufactory and moved on soon with 120 seamstresses tailoring beautiful and incredibly well-made couture for young women with varying Munich couturiers designing for him. In the late 1940s von Fürstenberg founded the “Fürstenberg” lingerie and swimwear fashion label that still exists today.

I am pleased to have found a photo of a striped Von Fürstenberg day dress with the same cut from 1956. Please see the last picture.

The dress is made out of a lipstick red heavy grade silk satin that holds the shape of it wonderfully. It is very well made! The bodice is fitted and defined by vertical seaming and features a square cut neckline and wide straps. The skirt is dropped and starts low on the hip and is very full. It falls to just below the knee. The volume that you see in the photos has been created by the way that the skirt is cut and set into the drop waistline with beautiful wide pleats of fabric. A lovely silk fringe tipped bow sits just above the left hip and gives the dress a romantic feel to it.

Fully lined in a matching rayon with a built in layer of stiffened cream muslin-like material in the skirt that give structure to it. You could add an extra crinoline if you wanted an even fuller look. The dress closes with a center back metal zipper. Hand finishes.

Excellent vintage condition. The slightest perspiration staining where the straps are attached to the bodice. Only visible under close inspection. Gets lost in the shimmery silk satin fabric.

Bust: 87 cm – 34.3″ (bust darts)
Natural Waist: 67 cm – 26.4″
Hips: 76 cm – 29.9″ – open below
Bodice Length: 43,5 cm – 17.13″ (from shoulder to dropped waist)
Skirt Length: 58 cm – 22.83″ (from dropped waist to hem)
Full Length: 101 cm – 39.76″ (measured from shoulder to hem)

Measurements are taken flat from side seam to side seam and then DOUBLED for bust, waist and hips.

Approximate Modern Size: XS-S

Reference Photo: Model wearing a striped dress with the same cut, textil-report, 1956.