1950s Strapless Floral Silk Chiffon Helen Barbieri Dress designer-adele-simpson The sleeves are wide and

The sleeves are wide and very full and the body of the caftan is cut loose and easy

The skirt literally has yards and yards of bias cut silk - the photos do not come close to showing you just how much fabric there is

The base is a fine and light

Waist: 12-15" flat across the back from side seam to side seam

Really remarkable in person

1950s Strapless Floral Silk Chiffon Helen Barbieri Dress designer-adele-simpson The sleeves are wide andHelena Barbieri pieces are magic. She designed evening and formal wear through the 1940s and into the late 1950s. Her work was always very feminine, with simple lines and using only the best fabrics. She then often added elaborate embellishments and detailings that took her dresses to a higher level and really gave them a touch of a Hollywood feel. I love finding her dresses because they feel rather timeless and stand up well to modern pieces even