From 1963- A Ben Zuckerman dress and coat ensemble.


The coat is a very interesting 'cocoon' shape, without sleeves, almost like a cape. The model's arms appear as if from pockets. The coat appears to be lined with fur of some sort- perhaps mink- and the lining is carried through to the lapels.

It is difficult to see the detail of the dress- it may well be a shell and skirt-but it matches perfectly with the coat.

A suit jacket by Ben Zuckerman in thick black wool. This jacket, based on the label, is from the mid to late 1960's.

The jacket is double breasted and has shaping darts near the shoulder. This lovely jacket retailed at Julius Garfinkel, the high end Washington DC boutique.

Photos courtesy of Hondaslaya.

A gorgeous beige plaid Ben Zuckerman suit, dating from the early to mid 1960's. The suit jacket has 3 large buttons and 2 patch pockets placed just below the bustline. It also has 3/4 length sleeves.

The skirt is quite fitted.

The outfit as a whole is quite a small size- probably a US size 2 or 4. Many Ben Zuckermans I have come across are small sizes, and I have yet to find a Zuckerman in anything larger than a US size 12.
Photos courtesy of Vintage by E.

An undated short Ben Zuckerman coat, made of black and white tweed and featuring sleeves that are formed into a cape. It also has an a-line skirt in matching material. The hem and collar of the cape is trimmed in fur.

The fabric is made by Anglo Fabrics, and was probably the highest of quality and quite substantial.

From 1956- 'The Empire Coat-a very strongly established fashion now. Here it's newly sleeked, tied just under the bosom. It's life? Cocktails, weddings and little dinners. By Ben Zuckerman of Ducharne black wool and silk alpacha. $225 at Bonwit Teller, Julius Garfinkel and Sakowicz. A softer, bigger hat in white horsehair and a rose, Irene of New York.'

This coat is super feminine and seems to echo the style of coat worn by Princess of Grace on her arrival to Monaco to be married.

A wonderful Ben Zuckerman, dating from the mid 1960's. It is comprised of a long coat and dress in a jewel toned floral pattern.

The fabric has a slight sheen to it, and as seen in the close up of the buttons, is textured as well. The fabric is very heavy.

The buttons are also heavy and are jewelled, and add a lot to the overall appearance of the outfit.

You can see just how high quality this suit is by noting that the pattern is matched over seams. This ads a lot to the overall cost of a garment as there is often wasted material, which is not used because the patterns don't match.

This suit retailed at Bonwit Teller, for $1085. In 1965 in America the average cost of a new house was $14,000 and the average yearly wage was $6500. This outfit would have been out of reach for all but a very few Americans

Photos courtesy of Monica's Vintage Fashions.

A very interesting undated Ben Zuckerman, likely from the mid 1950's. It features a swing coat made in either cashmere for $300 or vicuna for $500.

Cashmere is made from cashmere goats, and is well known for its high quality and softness. Vicuna is a type of wool made from the Vicuna, which is a llama-like animal found in South America. Vicuna is very costly, as the animal itself is on the threatened list, and each animal only produces 1lb of wool a year. Current prices for Vicuna range from $1800-3000 a yard. It is the finest diametre wool in the world.

The model is also wearing a Lynx hat. There are several types of Lynx, including the Canadian Lynx, Iberian Lynx and Eurasian Lynx. The Iberian Lynx is critically endangered and the Eurasian Lynx is threatened, as is the Canadian Lynx. Many of these gorgeous animals were overhunted during the period this hat was made.