RARE Vintage 1950s Sundress Set - Designer Carolyn Schnurer ca. 1950 "Flight to India" Cotton Plaid Dress + Shawl Size S to M

♛Details

It's our delight and privilege to receive back and to offer once again this exceptionally rare and collectible set. Dating to about ca. 1950 - 1951, these matching pieces are by designer Carolyn Schnurer for her "Flight to India" collection. The light, airy apple green + wine plaid cotton is shot through with sparkling silver and gold metallic thread. Sundress is structured, boned, and sculpted through bodice and flared through the pleated skirt. There are side skirt pockets, proving useful in addition to being pretty. Rear bodice features a sleek over-panel that allows you to thread the large, long scarf through as a shoulder wrap. Scarf can be employed in multiple stylistic ways. 

Several "Flight to India" examples in similar styles were deemed important enough to be held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art for their vast Carolyn Schnurer collection. To offer additional context, they state: 

"Schnurer conveys the cultural theme through textile and drape. She makes reference to the sari in the convertible shoulder-strap sashes, and the textile print and color combination, which are inherently Indian in character, are based upon a cotton voile sari that Schnurer purchased in the northern city of Ahmedabad, the largest textile-producing center in India."

A museum-worthy, sturdy, and wearable set for the collector or the vintage fashion lover.

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•Closures: rear metal zipper

•Designer/Labels: Designed by Carolyn Schnurer for You; see additional examples held by the Met

All accessories (belts, jewelry, crinolines, pins, etc.) are for style inspiration only unless indicated.

♛Measurements

About a modern size S to M; please allow room for ease and the kind of fit you prefer. Interior darts + fabric allowances allow tailoring larger or smaller. Slight give to fabric wherever indicated.

Bust (underarm area measured flat across front, then doubled) to about 34" with curve of bust darting

Waist (measured across front seam and doubled) to about 28" 

Hips full

Center shoulder to waist seam about 17" but quite adjustable by moving straps

Shoulder to hem about 48" + 2 1/2" hem allowance

Wrap is almost 70" long and about 16" wide

♛Condition

Great vintage shape with only normal light signs of its age and previous use. Dress sold as-is but has been hand-washed and pressed. 75+ years old.

(No fading of note; this is natural light streaming in within our studio setting.)

Couple nitpicky things: there's a small line of green thread popping loose at side waist along zipper placket edge. The shoulder straps feature buttonholes but are sewn to bodice interior; this may have once had hidden buttons inside the bodice to allow different ways to style the straps. Both these things can be easily remedied or ignored.

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Our pieces are true vintage with a history and a past life, not newly made reproductions. Minor signs of previous use and age are normal and expected for all true vintage pieces. Flaws and issues are carefully noted/photographed, and our detailed photos give you a good idea of the look of each garment. We're happy to answer any questions you might have to help you with online purchasing.