There’s little I find more appealing than a hostess gown or caftan. In fact, it has me wondering: Why isn’t everyone wearing hostess gowns and caftans all the time? I literally can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t look good in one — and they feel so good! One of my favorite images? The German model Veruschka in a diaphanous yellow caftan in the February 1966 issue of Vogue. See “the most beautiful woman in the world” + how to get the look in this latest installment of the Style Icon Project!

HOSTESS GOWN: Society Social c/o | SHOES: Loeffler Randall penny slot slides | HEART SUNGLASSES: Amazon or Matches Fashion | EARRINGS: Cult Gaia

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BOOM! Isn’t Veruschka a knockout? Photographer Richard Avedon called her “the most beautiful woman in the world” and one quick Pinterest search will show you why. She’s definitely the most agile and interesting model I’ve ever seen, inspiring me to up my posing game.

Strike a pose!

When I spotted this gorgeous yellow hostess gown/caftan on Society Social, it instantly made me think of Veruschka.

The above reads:

“Doubled chiffon poncho in lengths of orange and yellow– like a sheet of flame thrown overa narrow slashed underskirt of gold brocade. Dress by Stavropoulos.”

Here’s the history of George Stavropoulos, according to Wikipedia:

George Peter Stavropoulos (1920–1990) was a New York fashion designer best known for his innovatively draped silk chiffon dresses and evening gowns that seemed to float in air. Many of his designs were influenced by the grace of classic Greek sculpture.

He was couturier to celebrities such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Barbra Streisand, Maria Callas, and Lady Bird Johnson, and also to a loyal coterie of New York society women some of whom bought his clothes from his first collection in 1960 to his last thirty years later. This gave Stavropoulos a discreet social cachet.

In Palm Beach, Florida, people said that the yearly November arrival of Stavropoulos with his new collection was a signal that the social season had started. And if Stavropoulos showed up at a party, his attendance might be chronicled by such gossip columnists as Cindy Adams.

You can read The Story of George Stavropoulos’ Couture Designs on Culture Trip + The New York Times.

You can find this yellow caftan/hostess gown by clicking on the Society Social website here. Then click on the “Entertaining + Gifts” tab at the top. Then click “Hostess Gifts” and then “Hostess Gowns.”

In addition to yellow, it also comes in navy, pink, and black, red, and green.

The price is so good for the quality too — $165!

If you want to feel  like a chic goddess, then you will love this billowy hostess gown.

Random aside: Do you know my real last name?

If you guessed Golightly, no…

If you guessed Lee, no….

Well yes, but not exactly. Originally our family name was Leakopoulos. My Dad’s grandfather shortened it when he moved from Greece to America.

Stavropoulos made me think of that.

Perhaps they knew each other Perhaps not…

Although, when I took a 23andme test, my results came back saying I was 0% Greek, but 7% Italian, so now I have been left wondering:  Am I Greek, as I’ve been told my whole life? Or is 23andme wrong? The mystery remains…

Until we solve that, you can shop the post below if you’d like to feel like a Greek — or Italian…or German…or whatever —  goddess yourself.

PHOTOS by FRED MOSER

SHOP THE POST

HOSTESS GOWN: Society Social (then click on the “Entertaining + Gifts” tab at the top, then click “Hostess Gifts” + then Hostess Gowns) c/o | SHOES: Loeffler Randall penny slot slides | HEART SUNGLASSES: Amazon or Matches Fashion | EARRINGS: Cult Gaia

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