This silk dress is 100% pure silk & not a silk and rayon combination velvet (starting in the 1920's rayon began being used in fabric production, including velvet, to offset the high costs of silk). On top of the rarity of the fabric being pure silk, it is also a PRINTED silk velvet -even rarer! The fabric is not only super supple & soft, but you can see in the photographs, it has the most luxurious iridescent sheen which switches the color from pink, to grey. This is a hand-made or homemade piece, which means it has some funny little quirks; the neckline, as well as some of the seams, are slightly off-center. The silhouette is classic straight-ish drop waist. The neckline is wide v-neck. The bodice has short sleeves finished w/ruffles that also feature a shoulder gusset section. Front features a waist panel section, & the skirt has panels of bias-cut fabric, which fall into folds at the hem. There are 2 side hip panels, & the skirt has a rolled hem. The condition is excellent to very good, & wearable w/some care. No major flaws to note, however there is some light color fade at the top shoulders, as well as many repairs throughout, & unnoticeable 'streaks' of 2 mm areas where the velvet pile/tuft has fallen out in the bodice area, w/the larger ones at back waist area. Measurements:

- 15.5" across from shoulder to shoulder

- 5.5" sleeve length

- 34" chest

- 34" waist

- 46" hips

- 45.4" total length from shoulder to hem

- 29" from natural waist to hem

This item is sold from an excellent, highly rated vintage boutique in New York, New York.