A spectacular runway-documented Blumarine gown from the Spring/Summer 2016 Ready-to-Wear collection, designed under Anna Molinari and presented on the Milan runway as Look 21. Romantic, ethereal and unmistakably Blumarine, this extraordinary dress remains never worn with its original retail tags attached.
Constructed from an exceptionally lightweight, sheer silk-like fabrication in alternating pink and ivory stripes, the gown combines graphic linear pattern with exuberant hand-crafted floral embroidery. The fitted bodice features vertical striping before transitioning at the waist into sweeping diagonal and chevron-like stripes that emphasize the movement and volume of the floor-length skirt.
Multicolored embroidered flowers and foliage appear to grow organically across the garment. Shades of lavender, violet, yellow, blush pink, green, cream and deep blue punctuate the translucent pink ground, with dimensional embroidery concentrated around the neckline, sleeves and lower portion of the skirt. The contrast between the airy transparent ground and substantial embroidery creates the floating floral effect that defined Blumarine's Spring 2016 runway. Contemporary coverage of the collection specifically highlighted its combination of sheer fabrics, stripes and floral embellishment.
The upper bodice is finished with an ethereal sheer ruffled cape-style collar/yoke, extending over the shoulders and continuing around the back. Long sheer sleeves are decorated with additional floral embroidery, while the back features a delicate keyhole neckline with narrow tie closure and cascading ruffle detailing.
The dramatically full skirt falls from the defined natural waist into an elongated, fluid silhouette. The placement embroidery becomes increasingly abundant toward the hem, producing a garden-like effect around the wearer as the lightweight fabric moves.
An accompanying pale blush/nude Blumarine slip dress provides coverage beneath the sheer outer gown while preserving the translucent quality intended by the design.
The original Blumarine retail hangtags remain attached and identify the piece as:
Art.: 69473
Col.: 1721
Size: IT 40
Made in Italy
Ricamo Artigianale / Hand-Crafted Embroidery
A separate original Blumarine tag explains the inherent irregularity associated with the natural silk thread used in the hand-worked embroidery—an important detail underscoring the artisanal nature of the embellishment.
Most importantly for collectors, this is not merely a collection-era piece: the exact design is documented on the Spring/Summer 2016 Blumarine runway as Look 21, making it a particularly desirable example of Anna Molinari-era Blumarine.
Designer
Blumarine
Designer / Creative Direction
Anna Molinari
Collection
Spring/Summer 2016 Ready-to-Wear
Runway
Runway Documented — Look 21
Country of Manufacture
Made in Italy
Tagged Size
Italian 40
Approximately equivalent to a modern US 4 / UK 8 / FR 36, although fit should always be determined using measurements.
Approximate Measurements
Displayed on a US size 4/6 mannequin.
Bust: approximately 34–35"
Waist: approximately 27–28"
Hip: approximately 38"+ / relatively free through full skirt
Shoulder: approximately 15"
Sleeve length: approximately 23–24"
Overall length from shoulder: approximately 59–61"
Sweep: very full
Measurements are approximate estimates based on the garment's fit on the mannequin and tagged size rather than precise flat measurements.
Composition
Sheer lightweight silk/silk-like outer fabrication with extensive hand-crafted embroidery.
Original tag specifically references the use of natural silk thread in the hand-worked embroidery.
Includes coordinating pale blush/nude Blumarine under-slip.
Color
Pink / Ivory / Multicolor
Condition
Never worn with original Blumarine retail tags still attached.
Excellent unworn condition consistent with careful storage since the Spring/Summer 2016 collection. Original retail and specialty hand-embroidery tags remain attached.
Due to the extremely delicate sheer fabrication and extensive handcrafted embroidery, minor irregularities in the weave, silk threads or embroidery are inherent to the artisanal construction and should not necessarily be considered flaws. Blumarine's original attached tag specifically notes that unevenness in the fabric is an inevitable characteristic resulting from the particular way the natural silk thread is worked.
Please review all photographs closely as they form part of the condition description.
Style Notes
An exceptional choice for a collector of archival Italian fashion, runway pieces or statement eveningwear. The sweeping silhouette lends itself beautifully to spring and summer events, destination weddings, garden galas, editorial dressing and formal resort occasions.
For contemporary styling, allow the gown to remain the focal point: barely-there sandals and minimal jewelry preserve its ethereal runway character.
Provenance / Runway Documentation
Blumarine Spring/Summer 2016 Ready-to-Wear — Look 21.
The collection was presented in Milan in September 2015 and centered heavily on Blumarine's signature romantic floral vocabulary interpreted through sheer fabrics, embroidery, stripes and embellishment.
