Helen Bond Carruthers lived in Versailles, Kentucky and in the 1950s she began decorating cashmere sweaters for her friends. She would purchase high quality cashmere sweaters, ordered from Bergdorf Goodman's, and she then embellished them with embroidery taken from antique shawls, linens, wedding dresses and other heirlooms finds. She added her own silk linings and her label. She would change the buttons and shorten the sleeves. According to the Headley-Whitney Museum in Lexington, Ky, where they have a Helen Bond Carruthers exhibit, Elizabeth Taylor supposedly purchased ten sweaters in one afternoon and she was only one of many other celebrities who wore and loved them. This one is gorgeous. The cashmere is in perfect condition and I love that it is done in grey as it will go with anything. The applique work on this one features a hand applied, antique cording applique, in a floral design. This covers the front, the back and adorns each sleeve. The buttons are done in a cording as well and are little hand made knots. The inside of this one has been lined in a soft grey silk and the inner hem is finished with an extra wide silk grosgrain ribbon. Her signature label is hand-stitched predominately in place on that ribbon. Excellent condition.

Hand set silk lining on the back and front panels of the sweater with the sleeves left unlined. Buttons to close. Hand appliqued and hand finished. The shoulders and bust are cut to fall loose and easy

Sleeves: 21" from dropped shoulder seam
Shoulders: 16.5" across to each dropped shoulder seam
Bust: approx 21 " flat across from dropped side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 18" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# S825

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.