

Natalia Vodianova stepped out in vintage Fortuny this week at the
British Fashion Awards. In the close-up you can see just how amazingly fine the pleats are and how flattering the icy blue colour is against Natalia's beautiful blue eyes. I doubt whether this dress - which I fancy is from the 1920's - was meant to be worn off the shoulder, but it does look lovely. Natalia, if you remember, is no stranger to Fortuny. She wore a gorgeous crimson creation to the Costume Institute Ball earlier this year, but apparently on that evening her dress - horror of horrors - was destroyed at the after party! She is a brave lady to have worn one of these delicate tea gowns again.

These unique pieces of fashion history are hard to come by and certainly aren't cheap. This divine blue 1920's number below is available from
Vintage Textile and will set you back a cool US$12,000. It includes elements found in both of Natalia's lovely gowns and truly is a breathtaking construction. I've included a couple of close up images so you can marvel at the super fine pleats, which are virtually impossible to replicate.