This is a 1970s two piece dress consisting of a top / blouse and skirt, made by Canadian fashion designer Pat McDonagh.  Pat McDonagh was an important figure in the Canadian fashion industry starting during the mid-60s, when she moved to Canada from London, importing the “mod” look.  She designed clothes for the Beatles for what McDonagh called a dreadful first film called “Beat in the Border” (I can’t find any reference to this film anywhere).  She also designed for Diana Rigg for her role as Emma Peel in The Avengers.  Twiggy, before she became known, worked for Pat McDonagh as a model and in the stockroom when Pat McDonagh was still in London. The Canadian Textile identification number of CA 03310 on the label of this dress belonged to Jozsef Lenart, who became Pat McDonagh’s personal and business partner in 1974.  The top has padded shoulders, a V shaped neckline, a ruffled collar and ruffled cuffs.  It does up with both internal ties and external ties and is unlined.  The skirt is constructed with layers of chiffon fabric over a black rayon slip and has a handkerchief hem.

Fabric:  No content label, so aside from being an interesting printed chiffon, I’m unsure of its base, although it might be rayon

Colour: Grey and white pattern on a black background

Sizing: No size is indicated, and although this should fit a a medium size, please rely on the following measurements for fit:

Top:

Shoulders:  16” across seams

Sleeves:  24”

Sleeve inseam:19 1/2'

Bust:  40” around

Waist:  32” around

Overall length:  23", measured flat

Skirt:

Waist:  31”

Hips:  42”, meant to fall loosely

Length:  38”, measured flat

Condition:  This Pat McDonagh two piece ensemble is in very good, clean condition with no wear, tear, holes, stains or odors.  It has been very well cared for and stored over the years.  

Pat McDonagh had a career as a model during the 1950s, working for the Paris fashion houses of Maggy Rouff and Jacques Heim, opening fashion boutiques in England in 1960 and began designing starting during the early 1960s.  Her career spanned decades almost up to her passing in 2014.  Pat McDonagh was the recipient of many fashion awards.  This is an easy to wear example of her design work from the 1970s - great addition to a Canadian fashion collection!