Incredible 1950s Maria Antonelli Roma Rare Alta Moda Couture Velvet Beaded Strapless Dress designer-geoffrey-beene It is a work of

It is a work of art

but also from a photo from the atelier

I see a repair to the jersey near the base of the zipper and there  are two small repairs to the fabric under the front side waist line

which would have been in the forefront of cutting edge textiles at the time

A piped tie of the same silk gives the waist a touch of added definition and below that the skirt falls to the floor in a cascade of ruffles

Incredible 1950s Maria Antonelli Roma Rare Alta Moda Couture Velvet Beaded Strapless Dress designer-geoffrey-beene It is a work ofThe Antonelli Roma label was the Alta Moda couture line launched by Maria Antonelli. She founded the label in 1930. She loved a long minimalist line in her work and she was one of the founding members of the group who pushed to establish Italian couture, or Alta Moda, as recognized couture in its own right. Her work was a a part of the V&A's 2014 exhibition titled 'The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945 2014'. She was also one of the select group of