Karl Lagerfeld for Chloé "Shower Dress", Fall 1983

This famous dress is known as the “Shower Dress” and was designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the French fashion house of Chloé, where Lagerfeld was first a designer from 1966–83, and later artistic director from 1992–97. At Chloé, Lagerfeld was a prolific creator, producing some of his most playful and irreverent work. Such whimsy is prominent in Chloé’s 1983 autumn/winter collection, where a parade of models strutted down the runway in garments inspired by shower heads dripping with dazzling crystals. The various iterations of the shower dress became signature pieces of this collection.

Below are examples of the various versions of the Shower Dress:

- The runway version of this dress can be seen in various Getty images.

- A Getty image of this dress appeared in a March 2023 Vogue.com article titled Karl Lagerfeld-Era Chloé Should Be Your Next Vintage Investment

- A version of this dress appeared in the 1983 Ebony Fashion Fair runway presentation Fashion Extravaganza. This same dress was showcased in the Chicago History Museum’s 2013 travelling exhibit Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair. This dress was then acquired by the Chicago History Museum (2018.1.14a).- British actress, Vanessa Kirby, wore another version of this dress to the 2023 MET Gala, which honored the work of Karl Lagerfeld with the exhibit, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty- Vanity Fair wrote a May 2023 article on this dress and Vanessa Kirby’s connection to it in A Proper Museum Piece: Vanessa Kirby Honored Lagerfeld’s Legacy in the Iconic Chloé Shower Dress at the 2023 Met Gala- Variations of the Shower Dress can be found in the Kyoto Costume Institute (AC5309 1986-60-13AB) and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2020.53)

Evening dress of purple acetate/rayon blend, trimmed with rhinestones, glass beads, and sequins. The dress is cut with a halter neckline, fitted body, and long flared hem. The dress closes with a hook and eye at the base of the right back shoulder strap and side zipper.

Label: Chloé

Retail Label: Giorgio's of Beverly Hills

Size Label: Not sized

Style/Serial No.: N/A

Approximate Measurements:

Chest: 28"

Waist: 29"
Hips: 35"
Length (side waist band to hem): 55.5"

This lot is located in Chicago.

Condition: The overall condition is good with discoloration/fading throughout the purple fabric, including under each arm, and with some loose and missing beading. There is minor wear to the backing of the sequin covered straps and a four inch line of missing beads near the bottom of the dress. One of the hanging beads is missing and one is detached, but kept with the dress. There is a ribbon band sewn to the inside hem that has come loose. Although there are the above condition issues, the overall structure of the dress is sound.  Everything is sold 'As Is’. The stated overall condition of the lot is based on the assumption that the wear is consistent with age and use. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. All other condition issues are stated above. To request additional working condition photos, please email couturecr@hindmanauctions.com with the lot number. Condition is a matter of opinion of the evaluator and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Clients must review and agree to the Conditions of Sale before participating in an auction.