• 1980s Geoffrey Beene Couture Opera Coat & Jumpsuit, from the Ebony Fashion Fair
  • vintage opera coat
  • 1980s Geoffrey Beene Couture Opera Coat & Jumpsuit, from the Ebony Fashion Fair
  • 1980s GeoffreyBeene label
  • 1980s Geoffrey Beene Couture Opera Coat & Jumpsuit, from the Ebony Fashion Fair
  • vintage opera coat
  • 1980s Geoffrey Beene Couture Opera Coat & Jumpsuit, from the Ebony Fashion Fair
  • 1980s GeoffreyBeene label
SOLD OUT

1980s Geoffrey Beene Couture Opera Coat & Jumpsuit

$1,195.00

Sensational reversible satin opera coat.

Sensational reversible satin opera coat. Matching jumpsuit from famed designer Geoffrey Beene. From the Ebony Fashion Fair circa 1980s.
Approx. Size: – Label size 10; fits Small-Medium.  Please see the measurements below.
Condition: Very good.
Mark/Label: Geoffrey Beene.
One of a kind – Get it before it’s gone.

SOLD OUT

Museum-quality Geoffrey Beene set from a 1980s Ebony Fashion Fair show.

Geoffrey Beene Opera Set Details

  • Sensational reversible satin opera coat with matching black knit and satin jumpsuit from famed designer Geoffrey Beene.
  • Open opera coat is absolutely stunning.
  • One side is plain black Reverses to chartreuse and blue color block.
  • Sleeves can be cuffed to show the alternate color.
  • The coat has a double-sided medallion in blue and green that are top stitched in a coiled effect.
  • Jumpsuits are back in style and this one is a 1980s classic.
  • Scoop neck bodice and sleeves are in black knit jersey.
  • The bottom is a balloon pant style in black satin with chartreuse and teal polka dots that match the coat.
  • Front zipper with hook and eye at neck. Rolled hem.
  • The jumpsuit is so 80s, the coat is timeless.

Approximate Measurements Taken Flat (cm):
Opera Coat: One Size fits most
Shoulders: 19″  (48).
Length – Center Back: 60”  (152).
Sleeve Length: 24”  (63.5).

Jumpsuit: Size Small.
Shoulders: 17″  (43).
Bust: 15″  (38).
Waist: 14″  (35.5).
Hip: 22″  (56).
Length – Center Back: 56″  (142).
Inseam:  31″(78.5).
Sleeve Length: 23″  (58).
Width of Pant at hem: 9″  (23).
Front Zipper Length: 23″  (58).

Who was Geoffrey Beene

Geoffrey Beene was born in Louisiana in 1927. After dropping out of medical school, he moved to Los Angles and studied fashion design. He later studied in New York City and Paris. He founded his firm, Geoffrey Beene, Inc., in New York City in 1963. A year later, he was awarded the Coty American Fashion Critics Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the field of fashion. His first collection was featured on the cover of Vogue Magazine. Beene’s clients included Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Nancy Reagan, Faye Dunaway, and Glenn Close. In 1968, he designed Lynda Bird Johnson’s wedding dress. Beene was known as both an innovator and a teacher.  Several of his former apprentices such as Kay Unger and Alber Elbaz are now successful fashion designers.

The History of the Ebony Fashion Fair

Eunice Johnson founded the Ebony Fashion Fair (EFF) in 1958. Johnson was co-owner, with her husband, of Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Company, the publisher of Ebony Magazine. The annual fashion show featured male and female models, mostly of African-American descent, modeling fashions from top European designers such as Yves St Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Pierre Cardin, Paco Rabanne, Givenchy, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Valentino, and Emanuel Ungaro. Johnson’s aim was to bring high fashion couture to the African-American woman who didn’t have access to the best shops.  

Many African-American fashion designers and supermodels got their start with the show including Stephen Burrows, Patrick Kelly, and Willi Smith. The EFF ended in 2009 after the death of Eunice Johnson. Since her passing, Johnson Publishing has been gradually deaccessioning the fashion archive. This collection from Madge includes some of the last pieces available.

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