Spring 2019 Esteban Cortazar Runway Strapless Intricately Beaded & Woven Dress w Fringe Skirt

A shorter version of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2019 show for Look 25 and then the twin of this longer version walked the runway later that same year at the ARISE fashion week. It was made under the creative direction of Esteban Cortazar. Esteban first caught the eye of Bloomingdale's in 1999 and they subsequently picked up his first collection. By 2006 his work was at other retailers and he became a member of the American Council of fashion designers. In 2007, he joined Ungaro as the Creative Director and his own label shuttered shortly after in 2008. In 2012 Net-a-Porter had him do a series of capsule collections and that allowed him to relaunch his label in 2014. The short version of this dress was first seen in the Spring 2019 show spring season as look 25. Later that same year he did a long version that was shown during the ARISE fashion week in Lagos. Vogue said that "Esteban's collection this evening was his impression of Summer – an I'll-go-where-you're-going evocation of breezy days and sultry nights." They noted that "radiant sunset hues were a re-occurring motif. The looks were desirable because of the woman they evoked: someone who is successful, sexy and self-possessed." The dress is made out of a combination of woven 'thatched' silk chiffon in a variety of soft pastel colours and then that same fabric is fringed and set in rows to form the skirt. The bodice is strapless and the way the fabric was woven to create the pattern that you see is outstanding. It was all meticulously criss-crossed over the entire bodice and then small bands of beads are set with in the pattern at regular intervals. I have taken close-up so you can see how incredible the work is. Ont he bodice the colour begins as a deep coral and gradual lightens to a soft pink around the waist area. There are twelve distinct rows of the fringe that have been stacked one after another with a slight overlap as they fall down the full length of the skirt from waste to hem. The fringes create incredible movement as you move and walk. The fringes are set in a different pastel colours as they work their way down the skirt. This perfectly picks up on the colours used on the bodice. The colour combination is just phenomenal. I see that deep coral, a soft, dusty pink, a lighter pink and a pale pastel yellow in the mix. The edges of the fringe are all raw cut. Mixed in with the fringes of each row are strands of beads that match the beads used in the weaving of the bodice. I took some close-up so you can see how they combine different colours to make each row. The workmanship in this dress is incredible. This dress could be considered Demi Couture. Inside the dress has a full built-in bodice that is wired and cupped. The dress is fully lined in a soft pink silk. It closes with a hidden set back zipper and the inner corset has a row of snaps that closes under that. The dress appears to have been worn very little if at all. There is no label present. Tagged a modern Cortazar 42 Excellent condition Bust: 17.5-19" flat across from side seam to side seamWaist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seamHips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seamBodice: 9" from top of bodice to the top of the 2.5" band around the waistTotal length: 55" from top of bodice to hem Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG Item# DD5677 All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.