This dress is a variation of several of the looks shown on the runway for the Spring 2007 Prada collection. I have included three of those for your reference. You can see the progression from those to this version of the dress that would have been produced for their retail shops. The review for the Prada show for Spring 2007 on Vogue.com noted the sharp change in direction from earlier seasons. In that review Miuccia noted of her reasoning for the change and talked about her inspirations: "Because Prada felt like it..... I just wanted it to be about fashion," she shrugged backstage. "The importance of fashion." The review continued saying "Still, this collection held an image of a powerful woman at its center, filtered through unmistakable references to Yves Saint Laurent (his "forties" collection from the seventies; a touch Loulou de la Falaise, to be precise). These were not random choices; in fact, they are two of the underlying constants in Prada's work. One thing she despises, though, is the over-interpretation of her motives; instinct and spontaneity guide her just as much as intellectual reasoning. She laughed at one journalist's anxious questioning about the short pieces, saying, "I just didn't like anything I did below the waist." Meaning, "Don't panic, these are tops." And, like everything else in this richly provocative show, they're going to look totally wearable in a store come spring."

This stems from one of those short pieces referenced above and it was indeed made slightly longer for the shops. The dress is made out of a burnished gold silk that has a satin like finish to it. The fabric has been treated so that it has a bit off stiffness to it. This allows it to hold the shape and fullness that Miuccia was after in these looks. The sleeves are capped and slim. They jut out from rounded shoulders at their tops and then curve out from the waist at their bottoms. The neckline has no collar and swoops down into a low plunge that is squared off at its base with that gorgeous knotted detailing (this same knotted detail was found on some of the silk satin turbans produced for this collection as well). The waist seam is raised and set a little higher up to give it an empire feel. I love the fullness of the skirt. It is cut into a babydoll silhouette that sits up and away from the body. It is the same effect that the runway pieces have but with a longer skirt to make it easier to wear on its own. It is gorgeous and I have its twin in another colour in my personal closet and it is still one of my favourite dresses ever. Excellent condition 

Unlined with ribbon finished edges and closes with a hidden set zipper at the side and two little snaps over the zipper. Tagged a Prada 42 and appears to have been worn very little if at all. 

Shoulders: no defined seams 
Bust: approx 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to centre seam at waist
Skirt: 23.5" from centre seam at waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3640

Reference Photos: S/S 2007 Prada Runway (Look 1, 2 & 47).

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.