This ensemble dates from 1961 and is worn by model Sondra Peterson, a top model of that era.
The dress is a long column made of Matelassé,  a weaving or stitching technique yielding a pattern that appears quilted or padded. Matelassé may be achieved by hand, on a jacquard loom, or a quilting machine. It is meant to mimic the style of hand-stitched quilts made in Marseilles, France. It is a heavy, thick textile that appears to be padded, but actually has no padding within the fabric.