A Dreamy Afternoon with Winnie: A Tribute to a Gunne Sax Classic

There are moments in a photoshoot when the light, the model, the styling, and the setting converge so perfectly that it feels like stepping into a storybook—and this dreamy session with the ever-graceful Winnie, a gentle and soulful horse, was exactly that. Draped in a flowing Gunne Sax dress, framed by whispering trees and earthy tones, this shoot was pure magic.

Let’s talk about the dress.

This piece—a rich navy blue velvet Gunne Sax gown from the 1970s—is a true testament to the romantic vision of Jessica McClintock, the legendary designer behind the Gunne Sax label. With its corset-style lace-up bodice and cream bell sleeves, the dress speaks to a time when fashion was whimsical, bohemian, and drenched in soft Victorian and Renaissance inspiration.

The bodice hugs the torso with a structured yet feminine shape, leading into a cascading ivory panel that elongates the figure and flows effortlessly into the skirt. The velvet, a signature textile for Gunne Sax, has a weight and depth that catches the light beautifully, adding to the fairytale feel of this ensemble. The ivory sleeves are gently puffed at the shoulders and cuffed with delicate lace, adding to the vintage charm that Gunne Sax was so beloved for.

Jessica McClintock’s designs from the 70s channeled romantic nostalgia like few others. She often pulled from historical silhouettes—Edwardian gowns, medieval frocks, Victorian corsets—and softened them for the free-spirited girls of the flower child generation. Her Gunne Sax line, which began in San Francisco, quickly became iconic for its feminine, ethereal style. Young women wore these dresses to proms, weddings, and Sunday picnics, often barefoot in meadows or paired with floppy hats—just like in this shoot.

Although this dress has already found a new home (yes, it's sold), it was simply too beautiful not to document and share. These pieces are wearable history—little time capsules of craftsmanship and romanticism that deserve to be celebrated.

Here's to the magic of vintage, to moments that feel like pages from a forgotten fairytale, and to the timeless beauty of Gunne Sax.

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