1950s MARUSIA COUTURE silk satin GOWN dress small | new fall
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
An unforgettable Marusia gown from Mrs. Steinberg's Collection! Done in a rich blush pink silk. Floral motif sequins and beading on the bodice. Some are uniquely 3-D and stand out from the bodice. Wide angled straps. HUGE and heavy gathered double fan bow at the back. Small train with weight on the interior. Interior is what you would expect of couture with bodice fully boned, a wide grosgrain interior belt and elastic on the cleavage to hold the neckline in place. Unlined. Back metal zipper. Simply breathtaking!
♥We acquired several high end couture gowns from the Estate of Mrs. Steinberg of St. Louis. Mrs. Steinberg was a notable philanthropist and loved art. She came from an established St. Louis family involved in the Rice-Stix company. After her husband died, she gave funds to create an ice rink in his name based on the rink in Central Park, NYC. She had much art in her collection including Renoir, Van Gogh and Monet. She also gave to local hospitals, libraries and universities.
Princess Marusia (married to Prince Nicholas Toumanoff) was born in Poland but lived in California. She usually modeled her own clothing. From No Accounting for Taste blog: "In 1956, she began a collaboration with designer Travis Banton, for both Rosalind Russell’s Broadway costumes for Auntie Mame, and their own collection. She was included among the heavy hitters of California couture, mentioned by LA Times Fashion Editor Fay Hammond in the same breath as designers like Irene, William Travilla, Don Loper, Helen Rose and Howard Greer, described by Ms. Hammond in 1951 as “the dramatist of California couturieres.”
One article says "the skyrocketing of the beautiful Beverly Hills couturier, Marusia, to the top in the field of high fashion in an incredibly short time just didn't happen. It took the skillful artistry of this young designer combined with her dynamic spirit to attain this position. She designs to enhance the feminine figure. Marusia has never sketched a design. Each new garment is created through draping the material on her own body. She believes that materials, like the human body, have muscles and she want to get the "feel" before cutting.
♥♥♥
Brand: Marusia Original /Montaldo's
Size on tag: None
Fits like: small
Color: blush
Material: silk
Condition: Excellent Vintage: a couple of really tiny pulls on the front of skirt, but this also could be the fabric type. The hem has a very faint discoloration at the back and one by the hip. These are super minor.
✂-----Measurements:
Bust (underarm seam) : 36"
Waist: 27"
Hips: 37"
Total length: 57"-65"
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