Gucci Blue Ombré Silk Embroidered Cherry Blossom Mini Dress by Tom Ford (SS 2003)

Curator’s Note

This blue silk mini dress is from Gucci's Spring/Summer 2003 ready-to-wear collection by Tom Ford. It was worn on the runway by Ai Tominaga and subsequently appeared on Carmen Kass in the collection's advertising campaign, photographed by Mario Testino and styled by Carine Roitfeld.

The collection took inspiration from Japanese dress, with Ford adapting elements of the kimono into short, fitted silhouettes. This example is made from narrow, layered strips of ombré blue silk, embroidered with flowering branches, cherry blossoms and birds in coloured silk threads. The intricate workmanship was noted in contemporary reviews of the collection, particularly the hand-painted silk used for the dresses. A related embroidered kimono jacket from the same season, formerly owned by Nan Kempner, is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (accession 2006.420.78).

Description

• Blue ombré silk mini dress
• Constructed from narrow, overlapping horizontal strips of silk
• Colour graduates from deep blue at the shoulders to pale blue and ivory towards the hem
• High stand collar with short cap sleeves
• Embroidered flowering branches, cherry blossoms and birds across the front and back
• Silk embroidery in shades of ivory, pink, burgundy and green
• Concealed centre-back zip fastening
• Made in Italy
• Presented on the Spring/Summer 2003 runway by Ai Tominaga (look 35)
• Featured in the Spring/Summer 2003 Gucci advertising campaign on Carmen Kass, photographed by Mario Testino and styled by Carine Roitfeld

Size and Measurements

• Labelled size IT 42 (Please refer to measurements for accurate fit)
• Measurements are taken with the garment laid flat:
  • Shoulder width: 40cm
  • Chest: 42cm
  • Waist: 37cm
  • Hips: 45cm
  • Length: 87cm