Think Pink: Roberto Capucci

Think pink! when you shop for summer clothes.
Think pink! if you want that quelque chose.
Red is dead, blue is through,
Greens obscene, brown's taboo.
And there is not the slightest excuse for plum or puce
or chartreuse.
Think pink! forget that Dior said black and rust.
Think pink! who cares if the New Look has no bust.
Now, I wouldn't presume to tell a woman
what a woman oughta think,
But tell her if she's gotta think, think pink!
- Maggie Prescott (Kay Thompson) in Funny Face

I love pink for summer whether it is on my favorite nail polish, Morning Rose by Chanel

which is the softest, prettiest shade of pink with flecks of gold (this color is super flattering and everyone always comments on how nice it is) or on a 1970s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche dress which is The Ultimate Summer Dress by the way (very Rolling Stones model wife Patti Hansen as shot by Helmut Newton don't you think?!)  But it is also a model sized 34 alas - calling all lucky French sized 34 girls!

Or think Roberto Capucci pink from the 1960s.  Roberto Capucci was recently celebrated at the Philadelphia Museum of art's exhibit, Roberto Capucci: Art Into Fashion.  From 1962 to 1968, Capucci worked from Paris and this dress is from that period.  Known for his architectural shapes, this dress stands out for its sculpted, pleated silhouette at the front.  Rare, collectible, wearable: the RARE vintage way.

1960s Roberto Capucci pink gown.

PURCHASE

INQUIRY

Roberto Capucci: Art into Fashion at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and RARE vintage

Opening next week is the highly anticipated Roberto Capucci: Art into Fashion exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  It will be wonderful to see the work of a designer who took risks, thought outside the expected dress form and transformed the body into something fresh and beautiful.

I am very excited to be able offer this extremely rare, museum quality collection of 1970s Roberto Capucci.

A Roman candle.  "Blazing with spectacular ideas.  He borrowed from no one.  Not Paris, not the jazz age, not even his own collection of last year." Nan Robertson 1956

Extraordinary 1970s yellow to green ombre silk ribbon and chiffon gown.

"A study in form" is how Capucci describes his work.  He creates a dress once and never looks back.  He is inspired by art, architecture, the Roman Baroque and nature. 

Silver silk and black velvet Capucci ensemble.  

"The act of creation is an assault- of art, beauty, color, emotion, music, nature and poetry."

1970s cream, beige and black Roberto Capucci gabardine dress.  Roma label.

"Dressing is a ritual, a piece of magic."

1970s silk Roberto Capucci Dress.  Roma Paris Label.   Size 4.

A "Cappuccine" is a devoted client of Capucci.  Silvana Magnano a "Cappuccine" in Capucci.  1970

Smokin'!  Princess Maria Pia di Savoia and Capucci in his atelier.

Roberto Capucci Art Into Fashion at the Philadelphia Museum of Art March 16, 2011 - June 5, 2011

The Hot Boss Blouse

We have had some sexy secretary blouses at RARE vintage but today we are thinking about the hot boss blouse - something that Faye Dunaway would have worn in Network. Unleash your inner tiger in this minty fresh pussy cat bow tied blouse from Roberto Capucci.

Early 1970s Roberto Capucci pussy cat bow tied blouse. Size 6.

Labeled Roberto Capucci Roma Paris

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

A Fine and Important Roberto Capucci Ballgown

Roberto Capucci opened his Paris atelier on 4, Rue Cambon in the Sixties. He worked with an incredible team: La premiere was Mme. Germaine who had been with Christian Dior, Mme. Marguerite who had worked on the New Look collection with Dior and the press office was run by Mme. Josette, who had been secretary to the writer Colette. His collections were enthusiastically received by the notoriously exclusive and closed world of haute couture in Paris.

Here is an inky midnight blue silk satin ballgown. Strapless and cut close to the body it defines the waist before falling into an extremely full skirt, brilliantly constructed. The simplicity of the dress combined with geometrical form - a trademark of Capucci's work - makes it like a soft sculpture.

It is also a completely unique gown that on the body makes you feel completely serene, darkly romantic and beautiful.

Mid 1960s midnight blue silk satin Roberto Capucci ballgown.

Labeled Roberto Capucci Paris Rome.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

Holiday Chic

RARE vintage wishes everyone a Happy New Year! Enjoy our last post of 2007 - it is a stunning greenish gold Capucci silk gown from 1979. The dress has a deep decollete, empire waist and a slight train in the back. Flows beautifully. And looks very dramatic with a late 1950s silver fox stole from Jean Patou. See you in 2008 with new pieces from Herve Leger, Thierry Mugler and Jean Louis Scherrer!

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

The Givenchy of Rome

This dress comes with a money back guarantee: if you wear this dress to an event and someone else shows up wearing the same dress we will refund your money and eat our suede Sonia Rykiel hat!

Roberto Capucci is a master of skillful conceptual design and this 1960s dress is no exception. The top of the dress is quite simple and fitted, the waist is belted with an adorable bakelite flower and then comes the full bottom. The fullness comes from an ingenious collection of tubes. Now, what does that mean? It is a bit hard to describe but there is a silk underskirt and over this in slightly different lengths are tubes that start out narrow near the waist and gradually become slight wider towards the bottom. It all sounds very complicated and maybe even a little scary but the actual effect when it is on is very pretty. Size 4/6.

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273