1950s SHAHEEN sarong gold sari cotton dress xs small | new spring summer
m i n t : pristine with no signs of wear- possibly deadstock
e x c e l l e n t : signs of normal wear and age- no obvious flaws
v e r y g o o d : noted minor flaws that may have been already repaired - very wearable
g o o d : many noted minor flaws and/or mends -wearable
f a i r : numerous noted flaws and mends, some significant - still wearable
Stunning Shaheen dress that is basically like new! Done in a crisp polished coral cotton and hand screened with gold and white paisley print. Pleated bust cups with center pointed panel with attached straps that can tie behind neck or button in the back. Side smocking is STRONG and the fabric feels unworn. Full sarong skirt has a ties that goes through a big buckle. Back metal zipper. Bust is fully lined and boned in the same fabric. Skirt is unlined.
*Shaheen was an aeronautical engineer who built one of the biggest textile printing garment manufacturing and retail companies Hawaii would ever see. Shaheen hired a chemist, Edmund Lutz, who developed 100 metallic dyes that became a Shaheen signature. We take metallic inks for granted today, but they started from scratch to make them saltwater and chlorine resistant and also be able to wash and wear. To maintain quality and cost controls, he eliminated the middleman by pioneering his own machines, prints and silk screening method. Because the typical screen is about 8 or 10 inches, he had to reverse engineer his printing process, coming up with machinery to fit the screens. By 1959 Shaheen employed 400 works and grossed more than 4 million annually, dominating the local garment industry.
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Brand: Attributed to Alfred Shaheen Honolulu (label is missing but see last picture for one we had last year)
Size on tag: none
Fits like: xs/small
Color: coral/white/gold
Material: polished cotton chintz
Condition: Mint -Excellent Vintage
✂-----Measurements:
Bust: 30"-36"
Waist: 25"-29"
Hips: 40
Length: 37.5" (top of bustier to hem)