Gina Fratini Butterfly Dress

Gina Fratini is one of the influential designers of the British Boutique Movement. She started her business in 1964 and was known for her velvet pinafores and dresses in the late 60's. She designed the dress worn by Princess Anne for her 21st birthday portrait. By the 70's, her designs had evolved into more romantic and fairytale style evening gowns. Fratini closed her business in the 80's, but continued to design for Norman Hartnell as well as private client Princess Dianna. A Fratini dress worn by Princess Dianna brought $85,000 at a Christie's auction in 1997.

If you take a closer look at the print in the skirt of this 1960's Fratini dress, you'll see giant Monarch butterfly wings. A co-ordinating geometric print forms a wide border at the hem.

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .

Mr. Blackwell Does Fashion

Richard Selzer, AKA Mr. Blackwell, is known for more than his annual Worst Dressed List. He was a fashion designer who had his own line of women's clothing from 1958 to the 80's. His designs tended toward the dramatic and theatrical. This dress certainly attests to that! Fashioned from black wool jersey, it has the most incredible rhinestone choker neckline!

Strands of rhinestones connect the choker to the front neckline of the dress. And if that's not sexy enough, take a look at the back!

See this dress and more at Couture Allure Vintage Fashion .