The grand Italian Alta Moda fashion house Fontana was founded by the three Fontana sisters in 1943 and better known as Sorelle Fontana. The sisters dressed many celebrities, Royal Princesses and members of the Italian nobility including Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Barbara Stanwyck, Anita Ekberg, Joan Collins, Queen Soraya, Infanta Beatriz of Spain, Frederica of Hanover; and American First Ladies: Bess Truman, Mamie Eisenhower and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

This blouse was designed in the late 1960s to early 1970s and the fabric is stunning. Crafted from sheer chocolate brown silk with vivacious mint green and peach florals. The silk is also detailed with strips of chocolate brown grosgrain that run from the shoulder to bottom hem and are outlined in metallic gold lurex running stitch. The collar is crafted from satin and the laid-back, open neckline is detailed with a silk tie - adding a bohemian feel that is very of this period. Cut to a relaxed, floaty style and has voluminous bell-sleeves and satin cuffs each finished with a brown button. This blouse is unlined.

Sorelle Fontana were founding members of the Camera Nazionale della Moda and the garments they created were Alta Moda, which is Italian for haute couture clothing. Very few Italian couturiers were well known outside of Italy during this time period and Circa treasures garments such as these in our collection as they represent an important part of Italian fashion heritage. This piece is in excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note. Made in Italy, it is labelled a size 40 which translates to a UK 8 or UK 4 but please check the measurements below as the fabric is cut very generously and this should fit a wide variety of sizes up to a UK 14 or US 10.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 50 in. (127 cm)

WAIST - 50 in. (127 cm)

HIP - 52 in. (132 cm)

LENGTH - 32 in. (81 cm)