FRANK USHER Pink Satin/Silk Dress, Medium c.1970s

Dreamy vintage '70s dress in soft, peachy-pink by British design house Frank Usher (read designer notes below). I love the nod to glamorous Hollywood style, with the wide, structured shoulders and full, billowy sleeves. The dress has been professionally dry cleaned for your convenience.

Vintage Frank Usher is often featured in the press. A recent article on Liberty's vintage department cited Frank Usher as being one of the most coveted collector's labels. 

Elegant dress with round neckline, opening to the waist. The loose bodice fastens with five enclosed buttons and one faceted button and press-stud at the top.  Elastic waist with soft, bias-cut skirt.  There are enclosed pockets on each side seam. Fabulous, wide padded shoulders with floral cut-outs and embroidery detail. Silk-satin fabric trim across the shoulders, neckline and cuffs. The cuffs have one faceted button on each and the skirt only is lined. Complete with interior fabric hoops.

Labelled: Frank Usher London. UK size 38. Hips 97cm. 100% polyester. 100% silk satin trim. Dry clean. Made in Hong Kong. The dry clean symbol 'F' was used in clothing pre-1980s. The measurements provided are of the actual garment so if you measure smaller, this dress should fit you. It is designed to fit very loosely. If you are unsure, simply measure yourself following the steps set out in our Clothing Size Guide.  Alternatively, measure one of your own dresses that fits you well and compare to those noted below. Approximate modern day UK size 12 (US 8).

Dress measures:

• Back width 16½" (42cm)
• Chest 36" (91½ cm)
• Waist 24 - 34" (61 - 86½ cm)
• Hips free
• Upper sleeve length 23½" (59½ cm)
• Centre back length 47" (119½ cm)

Condition: Very good/excellent. There are two very tiny, faint marks on the skirt (near left seam, front and back). Please refer to the last two photographs. We assure you these cannot be seen when the dress is on. We have also replaced the elastic in the waistband which had lost its stretch. Therefore the elastic is brand-new and should last you for many more years to come.

Includes FREE UK delivery!

International buyers: please email for the shipping price. Thank you.

In 1944 Frank Usher was started up during wartime austerity and rationing. It was at a time that all manufacturers needed textile trading coupons to operate. So armed with both coupons and a ready made name of Frank Usher the company was formed.  A first collection of tailor made dresses was produced and sold to a London department store. Success followed quickly as women loved the idea of buying a couture look at realistic prices.

Frank Usher opened their first West End showroom in the mid fifties and started to create a solid UK and international business. The media got the Frank Usher bug too, with Vogue featuring many dresses modelled by such luminaries of the day such as actress Kay Kendall and top model Barbara Goalen.

During the sixties and seventies when swinging London was at its peak, the label was going from success to success. There was a film, made in the late sixties, called Blazes Away, featuring Dame Maggie Smith. The film is set in a couture boutique and Frank Usher designed the wardrobe for the entire film.

The eighties and nineties saw the steady growth of the export market, to over fifty countries, with two prestigious UK export awards presented by her Royal Highness the Princess Royal at award ceremonies held at the Mansion house.

The company's specialty was bringing high end details and fresh off the runway inspirations at a more moderate price range, emulating such designers as Ossie Clark, and often incorporating high end details such as elaborate embroidery. More recently, the company went into receivership in 2001, was sold to management, and was then purchased by the Simma Corporation. The Usher warehouse and distribution plant was subsequently moved from London to Stoke to streamline operations.