70's 1970's Charles Deméry "Tissu hotsell Souleiado" Maxi Skirt Red Large Size

I'll admit, I didn't know anything about Charles Deméry before I googled him, but I knewknewknew this skirt was something cool when I spotted it amongst the contemporary ones.

Yes, vintage colors and prints stand out on their own, but also, as I've recently discovered, Souleiado has a very distinct brand. Aesthetic. Artistic voice.

His patterns originate from cotton woodblock prints that are the epitome of French Provincial. He's kind of like the Laura Ashley of France. (I'm now going into witness protection because the French just offered a reward for my head for saying that.) No, but you know what I mean. Cottage core pretty prints but with those red, yellow's, greens and blues hotsell of the French countryside.

His clothing is coveted. His fabric is collected. And the previous wearer of this skirt LOVED Charles Deméry.
It's handmade. So let's consider why.

This sweet girl— who maybe couldn't afford the store's dresses, COULD afford the fabric, so she made one herself.
OR...

It's a larger size so maybe they didn't have her size (the 1970's fashion industry was not as body positive as they are now) which probably made her feel all sorts of body shaming as she left empty-handed.

SO maybe her mother snuck back out, bought the 2 contrasting/complimentary fabrics (that's a Souleiado brand "thing") and sewed her this dress as a surprise.
Or her father. Or her sister. Or brother. Or grandmother!
Or maybe her best friend.
Pick your Hallmark hero.

To make sure the world knew this was CD Souleiado, the sewer cut out his name from where it was printed on the side of the fabric and stitched it to the front of the skirt BIG and BOLD. Not the back—the front. So every time our girl put the skirt on, she'd feel a sense of excitement and belonging and fitting in and being cool.

I like both stories because they involve someone wanting something they couldn't have the traditional way so they got creative and made it happen another way. And there was a pride in finishing this skirt. In holding it up after the last stitch was sewn and imagining what our CD fangirl would look like wearing it. And how happy she would be as she walked around town in this Souleiado skirt that was as amazing (if not MORE amazing) than any in any store.

I am now a Charles D fan. Are you?

Waist is elastic in back, pleated in front and has an interior and exterior button (like some wrap skirts). Bottom hem is 2" wide and contrasting fabric is sewn ONTO original background fabric. This is about 1 1/2 yards if someone was interested in reusing the fabric.

Lovely, deep pocket on the left side.


Measurements (in inches, taken flat, doubled when necessary)


Waist:
Relaxed 34
Stretched: 40
Hips: free
Length: 34

For reference, mannequins measures: 34, 25, 35.5
My measurements: 34, 27, 37
It's pinned on both of us.

Condition: Excellent Vintage Condition

*Oopsie Daisies (other than age appropriate wear) include: None

All clothes are carefully hand-washed and air-dried unless otherwise noted.

The fine print:

All sales are final (sorry, no returns or exchanges) so please read everything in the description, examine the photos, and measure yourself carefully.

Need help with the measuring bit? No problem, The Vintage Fashion Guild website has some handy-dandy tips: http://vintagefashionguild.org/tips-tricks/clothing-measurement-chart/

Or take an item of your own that's similar to the one you're interested in, lay it flat and measure it, then compare.

If all else fails, convo me and we'll chat, or Skype, or smoke signal each other to figure it out. We got this.

International buyers: Hola, Güten Tag, Bonjour, Ciao, Hej, Kon'nichiwa, Olá. Just a heads up, you are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply.

*Just between you and me and the cyber lamppost:

Vintage clothes have stories. Stories from decades past of: a girl laughing so hard, she spills her punch; or dancing so furiously, she rips a seam; or pulling her friend out of the way of a fist fight and dropping cake on her skirt in the process. We love vintage because of the tales of times gone by, what we don't love are the stains, scars, and casualties of such events.
Yet they are inevitable.
I try my hardest to spiffy up the clothes I've rescued, but sometimes I can't. Or won't because it's not worth the risk of losing or ruining the item all together.


So let's make a deal: I'll be as honest as possible in divulging all the oopsie-daisies and you be as understanding as possible in realizing that oopsie-daisies are part of the vintage life. Take a close look at the photos. If you see a flaw I haven't mentioned—ask. Maybe it's a shadow, maybe it's a stain I missed. It happens. Let's talk before the sale because I can't reimburse for repairs, alterations, cleanings, etc.

Now put on your new garment, go dancing, singing, and trading flirty eyes with the cutie who's been making your heart jump all evening. Stop worrying about the little mark and go make a mark (and a matching story) of your own.

Please check out my FAQ under MORE INFORMATION on the home page for details about shipping, sizing, reserves, complaints, etc. It's good stuff, promise.