Mollie Parnis is one of my favorite American designers who dressed numerous first ladies and was very well known for her structured designs. She started a label with her husband in 1933 and by the 1940s was designing solely under her own label. The boutique label launched in 1970 and the fabrics used for this label were targeted to a younger audience and the fabric tend to be brighter and bolder like in this dress. The dress is as bright and pretty as it appears in the photos and is one of those pieces that you can't help but to be drawn to to with that gorgeous and huge floral print. The exterior layer of the dress is made from a silk organza that has the print screened over the surface from top to bottom. The blooms in the print are large and done in a brilliant red & white with pops of green & purple worked in and around the design. A green silk satin is used for the trim on the sleeves and hem. The interior layer of fabric is a solid red silk voile that anchors the color and adds depth and texture to the design. The bodice has a V cut and a slight empire waist from which the skirt fall to the ground. Those huge bell sleeves are the perfect dramatic finish. Excellent condition with a tiny note to review below.

Fully lined in a red silk voile and closes with a back painted metal zipper. It comes with a green bow belt as seen in the photos of Cherie wearing the dress. There is one tiny spot on one sleeve with a slight thinning of the fabric and one near the inner seam at the shoulder, both seem strong and stable and does not detract - mentioned for accuracy only. Note that a smaller girl can wear it and it will be looser through the waist and more caftan like.

Shoulders: 15" from seam to seam
Sleeves: 22" long
Bust: 19" flat across the back from seam to seam
Waist: 15.5" across
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 46" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD929

Reference photos: (1-3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon