Circa Late 1960s–Early 1970s Ian Thomas Optical Print Silk Dress

From Ian Thomas—couturier to Queen Elizabeth II—comes this razor-sharp silhouette in a kinetic marine blue and ivory optical print. A masterclass in late ’60s modernism, the pattern evokes the Bauhaus-meets-Op-Art sensibility of the time, yet rendered with the soft fluidity only silk can provide.

The bodice is sculpted with clean lines and subtle darting, giving way to a fitted waist and softly pleated hips that add movement without volume. The textile is the true star here: a geometric patchwork illusion that appears almost three-dimensional, accentuated by the play of light on the lustrous weave.

Lined in sheer ivory silk and finished with a concealed back zip and hook-and-eye closure, this piece showcases the pared-back elegance of British couture at the dawn of the 1970s—a time when clarity, confidence, and clever construction defined the best wardrobes.

Museum-grade British couture. A rare fusion of royal atelier tailoring and avant-garde textile.

Bust: 44cm

Waist: 36cm

Length: 108cm