Spectacular c.1972 La Mendola Brilliant Pink, Orange, Tangerine & Black Silk Chiffon Caftan w Floor Length Cape Sleeves Sleeves designer-gina-frattini From that defined neck it

From that defined neck it falls to the floor in a wide expanse of jersey - opening quite full and yet still falling wonderfully

Item# DD3534

At the time she was "the only black person designing and marketing her own line" according to that Ebony article

What is remarkable it that the entire upper portion of the dress has been formed into vertical

The dress closes with a side painted metal zipper and the back of the halter neck closes with hidden hook & eye

Spectacular c.1972 La Mendola Brilliant Pink, Orange, Tangerine & Black Silk Chiffon Caftan w Floor Length Cape Sleeves Sleeves designer-gina-frattini From that defined neck itThe Shrimpton Couture Archives The pair behind the La Mendola label met in Rome in 1960 and started their business making dresses and selling them one by one, piece by piece. In 1967 they opened a shop. They soon had a Hollywood following and stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth become regular clients who were buying and even wait listing for pieces as they were produced. They made all of the pieces in their ateliers and designed their own