Not For Sale - 'CHATEAU' VINTAGE MIHITABEL DRESS

This dress worn by Carolyn Lee herself in the 1960's (see in slides), which leads me to believe it was one of her favorite pieces she made — She hand-dyed and handmade this dress at her legendary Sunset Boulevard custom shop, Mihitabel. Known as “LA’s Queen of Tie-Dye,”

This particular piece features a placement dye that creates a lace like pattern around the neckline and armholes, a circle motif at the chest, then runs small circular patterns down the center front to the hem that is truly rare and flattering to the wearer. This detail paired with her alphabet V's, another distinctive and playful motif she incorporated into many of her designs, is what makes this piece so special. I can understand why it was her favorite to wear. 

Carolyn was a coveted tailor for artists such as The Eagles, Jim Croce, America, Bread, The Beach Boys, John Denver, Three Dog Night, and Sweetwater’s Nancy Nevins and Alex Del Zoppo — who later became Carolyn’s husband.

The shop opened in the 1960's and closed in the early 1970s due to a family illness. These rare garments have been carefully stored away ever since by Zoppo. There are only a few of these dresses. A true piece of fashion history. 

Measurements
Taken flat and doubled, so these are the measurements all the way around.

Bust 33" (measured 1" below the armhole)
Waist 35"
Hip 46"
Sweep 73" (moves easily)
Length 52" (shoulder to hem — ankle length)

Fit
Woven, no stretch. Best fit is a 28.5–31" bust. Cut as a trapeze, so it hangs from the bust and skims everything below — the waist and hip numbers are room, not fit.

No size tag — these were made by hand and sized by measurement only. The numbers above are the whole story.

Buying this without trying it on
Lay a dress you already love flat, measure straight across the bust, double it, and compare to the number above. That comparison beats any size chart, mine included. Ask me for any measurement I haven't listed and I'll take it.

Fabric is 100% Cotton (No Stretch)

Model- Size 4-6 Height 5'6