Vintage Sapphire Blue Dress Harvey Berin/ Karen Stark 1960s Big Brass Buttons + Belt
Fab vintage linen dress in rich sapphire blue with 1 pc elbow sleeves, fitted waist with a pencil skirt, and back zip. Pussy Bow at the neckline. I especially like the large brass ball buttons, which have the lower half of black snakeskin.
Unique horizontal piping on the bodice and hidden kangaroo pockets. Lined in silk.
There is a matching black snakeskin belt that was the original and matches the black snakeskin on the buttons. We found it later!
The label is Harvey Berin, a top-quality designer of the era. Designed by Karen Stark.
Marked Size: none
Bust: 34”
Waist: 25”
Hips: 34"
Shoulder: 15.5”
Sleeve from shoulder: 15”
Sleeve from underarm: 9.5”
Length: 44”
Length (shoulder to waist): 16”
Length (waist to hem): 28”
CONDITION: Excellent- though the belt isn't shown, it was found later- it is black snakeskin, like the lower half of the giant brass ball buttons.
Here is some info on the designer: Harvey Berin opened his business in 1921, and by the 1940s his was an important name in lady’s clothing. His designer was Karen Stark, who was the sister of Berin’s wife, Augusta. Stark adapted the latest styles from Paris each season. And even though Stark did the designing, Berin approved or rejected each design. They were best known for their feminine dresses and ensembles. Berin was a favorite of several First Ladies, including Pat Nixon and Ladybird Johnson. Harvey Berin closed in 1970. “I like dramatic clothes for evening and uncluttered clothes for daytime. I like to use beautiful fabrics and unusual trimmings. I design for everyone – short women, tall women – but always very feminine women.” Karen Stark, 1966 Written by Lizzie Bramlett, fuzzylizzie.com