NFS MUSEUM ARCHIVES VINTAGE MIHITABEL DRESS

This is a truly one-of-a-kind dress — hand-dyed and handmade in the 1960s by Carolyn Lee at her legendary Sunset Boulevard custom shop, Mihitabel. Known as “LA’s Queen of Tie-Dye,” Carolyn created wearable art that captivated the era’s most iconic musicians. This particular piece features her signature alphabet tie-dye lettering, a distinctive and playful motif she incorporated into many of her designs.

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. Now, for the first time in decades, you have the opportunity to own an original one of a kind- hand dyed and hand sewn Mihitabel piece. 

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

Bust 32" (measured 1" below the armhole)
Waist 34"
Hip 46"
Sweep — "
Length 55" (shoulder to hem — ankle length)

Fit
Woven, no stretch. Best fit is a 27.5–30" 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.

Model 1- Dress Size 4 Height 5'0

Model 2- Dress Size 4/6 Height 5'6