1960s Donald Brooks Black Wool Evening Dress MRS Couture

Beautiful empire waist evening dress by Donald Brooks. The dress is composed of soft wool, is floor length, has a scoop neck with thin shoulder straps, and a scallop – like underbust with princess seams. There are four buttons in back, bringing together the empire waist, as well as zipper for closure. The dress has a simple yet striking silhouette with clean lines and fine detail.

Donald Brooks had an extensive career in commercial fashion and costume design, his commercial work was dramatic and sensational, taking cues from his costume designs. He first worked for Townley Frocks in 1959, replacing the late, great Claire McCardell, before opening his own company in 1964. He later created a boutique line in 1971, and then closed his business entirely in 1973. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Brooks designed under different manufacturing firms, in 1986 he created an evening wear line, and in 1990 he became a consultant at Ann Taylor.

Brooks also designed for stage and screen, and received Oscar nominations for best costume design in “The Cardinal” (1963), “Star!” (1968), and “Darling Lili” (1970).