This is not really a scarf, so much as it is a piece of fashion history. It was made by Patrick Kelly for his Spring 1989 collection; the same print was seen on Naomi Campbell on that runway, and it was a highlight of the iconic designer's final collection. Considering how influential he was, Patrick Kelly is not given nearly the credit he is due today. A boy after my own heart, he was a vintage dealer before becoming a designer. He grew up in poverty in the Jim Crow south, and eventually made his way to Paris after feeling shut out by the New York fashion world. In 1987 he showed his first couture collection, and in 1988, he was the first American and first Black person to become a member of France’s prestigious Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter. In his whimsical designs, everything had a story. Patrick Kelly was famous for his use of scarves, making this piece even more special, and iconic. He is credited with bringing a sense of play into fashion, an achievement embodied by this piece, with its polka-dot print, overlaid with whimsical roses. It is made of a really fine silk chiffon, in a large square shape, so there are so many ways you can wear it: as a top, as a headscarf, a sarong, around the neck, etc. This chiffon has a natural stretch, and measures 43 x 44" including stretch. A leopard print scarf from the same Patrick Kelly collection is also available. It is signed Patrick Kelly at the bottom corner.IMAGES: Patrick Kelly Spring 1989 Runway Show and Promotional images.

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