………………………CRYSTAL ICE refers to the tiny crystal HAND SEWN beads that completely covered the short sleeve dress, the kimono and spaghetti strap dress with the straight across neckline…..The short sleeve dress was made in a silk knit, and the dress with matching kimono were in silk georgette…both of these pieces were lined in self fabric……I have always loved simple silhouettes covered in beading. That comes from my days working at Norman Norell…He would design the most glamorous simple long and short dresses completely covered in hand sewn sequins on silk jersey……His simple turtleneck long columns were his most famous. They were known as his “Mermaid” dresses…..To this day they are still copied….Michael Kors just ended his latest fashion show with a series of these sequin dresses worn under long matching trench coats…..Very Norell and very Anne Klein…….These types of simple beaded dresses appealed to my sportswear sensibility……The items above may have been done for a resort collection which is basically warm weather clothes…….however…….these pieces would have been just as appropriate at any Christmas gala since they were delivered into the stores for early November selling………That’s not to say that I haven’t done my share of complicated draped beaded dresses, because over the years I’ve done many…..In the look book we gave suggested retail prices so the stores would be consistent in their pricing, and they wouldn’t try to undercut each other, which was frowned upon. The short sleeve dress had a suggested retail price of $3395, the kimono was listed at $5595 and the slip dress was $3735……Remember these were prices listed 30 years ago. Due to the price the stores bought very few, but many were sold at trunk shows for special ordering. We made all of the production in my sample rooms to make sure they were perfect….so each piece was exactly like the sample…….These pieces were the finale of the Resort portion of the 1991 collection.
The left dress, minimal but extravagant at the same time. I don’t think we’ll ever have a fashion era like
This again . Reminds me of Calvin Klein.
I was thinking the same thing @sallie — which museum gets Louis’ Anne Klein and Linea pieces? Design at its best!
I was the “anonymous” above. Don’t know if it was part of the lucite jewelry of this group, but I do own an AK “ice cube” necklace with the cubes on a long, fine gold chain.
Sallie….I do remember the Ice Cube necklace but it was from a different collection……Unfortunately, when I left Anne Klein the next designer had no interest in the extensive library that Donna and I curated for 20 years which also had many original Anne Klein samples. It was all cataloged and kept in pristine condition. The owners of AK sold it all off for nothing to a discount store! When Donna and I found out we were heart broken. She called them because they were still partners with her in her Donna Karan business, and gave them HELL!!!!! but it was too late.
Beyond Gorgeous! Oh to be around 30 years ago and be super rich and beautiful!! These belong in a museum devoted to fashion today if no longer being worn, Louis.