This dress plays two instincts against each other on purpose: a heavy exposed zipper running straight down the front, then cascades of soft, voluminous ruffles doing everything they can to undercut it. It's Alber Elbaz-era Lanvin, from his early-to-mid-2000s runways, and building it in utilitarian cotton instead of standard evening silk was very much the point, not an oversight. This is designer archive material for anyone who wants their evening wear to have an argument built into it.
Condition: Excellent used condition
Condition details: faint color fading from wash and wear. Raw edges by design
Era/Decade: Mid-2000s (circa 2004)
Fabric/Materials: 100% cotton
Design characteristics: Front zipper hardware detail, cascading ruffles, high-low hemline
