50s Vintage Blue Silk Formal Gown by Helga :: approximate US size 6 :: $205

Couture construction, finest fabric and timeless design

Helga Kallman Oppenheimer designed better suits, dresses and evening wear, and this luxurious example dates from the 1950s to early 60s. Besides the Helga label, the dress has Spokane’s Crescent department store label. The construction of the dress has couture elements, with quite a bit of beautiful hand sewing in evidence.

The dress has a fitted bodice with beautiful front draping. There are two side back bones for structure, and a long back covered metal zipper. The spaghetti straps intertwine at the tops of the shoulders. There is a flat bow at the waist. and inside is a petersham ribbon. The skirt is in two layers, with a straight and narrow under skirt with a long back slit, and a full over skirt which is open down the center front. The over skirt’s fullness is created by wide box pleats all around, along with the a slightly crisp interfacing and the taffeta lining. The regal blue fabric is silk with a muted satin finish and horizontal slubbing.

Size: Bust = 36"; waist = 27"; hip = 38"; top of strap to waist = 15"; waist to hem = 36"

Condition: Just dry cleaned, the dress is in excellent condition. I see a small faint mark on the under skirt, where it is not likely to show. I believe there was a little expert alteration done on the dress, seeing faint former stitching lines along the side back seams. It looks like the bust was made a little bigger.