Salvatore Ferragamo Patchwork Silk Scarf Dress

Easiest print-mixing for a statement-making look

My obsession with vintage Salvatore Ferragamo pieces stemmed from this gorgeous look on Drew Barrymore back in 1998, during the “Ever After” gala at Palazzo Corsini, in Rome:

This custom gown by Salvatore Ferragamo became a cult-favourite among the online fashion community, widely-known as the “Fifty Scarves Dress”. It was created using multiple silk scarves from the house to form the corseted bodice and skirt, layered on top an embellished tulle skirt to finish off the magical dress. The designer also created the “glass slippers” featured in the fairytale movie (as worn above), which explains why they were tapped to dress the actress for this event. If you’ve never seen “Ever After”, I highly-recommend it because it is a really nice retelling of a Cinderella story, and the costumes are to-die-for!

I was obsessively-scouring the internet for anything from their Spring/Summer 1998 show because I love the prints and how vibrant they are. Not long later, I came across this dress, although it was a little larger than my usual size:

Although it looks like mixed prints, the dress does actually consists of different silk twill scarves sewn together!!! I appreciate the little flounced hem and higher neckline, which I find a little more interesting than the slip versions. Also love that the back of the dress featured completely different printed scarves in more vibrant hues, providing an interesting contrast. It isn’t obvious when worn, but there are silk-covered buttons at the back with a more exposed top to show off more skin!

Here is a similarly-shaped dress modelled on the runway:

It is supposed to be a midi dress as seen on the model, but it is almost a maxi on me because I’m petite. Therefore, this is one of the MANY instances that I wish I was taller!

Overall, I am actually quite pleased to learn that my dress and the one on the runway features completely different patterns; I wonder how many versions were made for retail that is out there in the wild ?

And because this happens to be one of my favourite shows, here are a few more similar looks walking down the runway:

Just for fun, I did find other dresses HERE and HERE during my research, which sold for eye-watering sum.

Would I buy another version of this dress if I see in for sale at a reasonable price? HELL YES!!!