VTG 1950s Hirshleifers Italy Cashmere Beaded and similar items

Vintage 1950s Hirshleifer?s Italian cashmere sweater in a rare elephant print design. Hand-beaded and sequined on both front and back, creating a true statement piece of midcentury fashion. Soft, luxurious cashmere knit with ribbed cuffs and hem. Condition Excellent vintage condition. Clean, no stains, holes, or odors. Provenance Note Hirshleifer?s, the luxury department store on Long Island, imported fine European knitwear and couture in the 1950s?60s. Italian-made cashmere sweaters of this period were considered status garments, often hand-finished with embroidery, beading, or sequins. This extraordinary elephant-print example is part of the wearable art movement in midcentury fashion, blending luxury textiles with novelty motifs. Collectible today both as a designer label import and as a rare thematic piece. Style Aesthetics ? 1950s novelty couture ? Italian cashmere luxury ? Wearable art beaded knit ? Collectible Hirshleifer?s import Styling Tips Pair with a pencil skirt or cigarette pants for true 50s chic. Wear with modern denim to highlight the novelty beading. Perfect for collectors of midcentury couture and statement knits. Measurements (laid flat) Chest (pit to pit): 18" (36" total) Shoulders: 15" Sleeves (shoulder to cuff): 23" Waist: 13?18" (26?36" total, stretch ribbed) Length (shoulder to hem): 20.5" Marked Size: Not marked (fits Womens S/M) Approx. Modern Size Womens Small?Medium (Bust 36 / Waist 26?36 stretch) Fit Guide Best for approx. 5?3?5?6, 110?130 lbs. Fabric / Materials 100% cashmere (by feel and fiber expertise), Italian knit, hand-beaded and sequined, ribbed waist and cuffs, Hirshleifer?s label Sustainability Note Sustainably vintage ? midcentury couture knitwear, not fast fashion. Costuming CTA Costuming a film, theater, or creative project? Contact Miss Kitty ? we have extensive vintage inventory not yet listed and can offer excellent bulk/volume discounts for productions. Thanks for Shopping at The Cats Pajamas! PLEASE ASK Miss Kitty any QUESTIONS BEFORE PURCHASING! Seriously, fire away! We love to chat and want to make sure you're doing a happy dance when your goodies arrive! RETURN POLICY: Our treasures are sold as final sale (no take-backsies!), but your satisfaction is our jam! We get it ? photos can only tell half the story, so don't be shy about those questions! CONDITION: All our finds are sold as-is, straight from a clean, smoke-free zone. Unless we've called out a specific "quirk," these beauties are flawless and ready to shine! SHIPPING: We're on it! Standard 2-day handling, or if you're in a hurry, zip, zap, zoom with 1-day express via UPS or FedEx! INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: Hey globetrotters! Just a friendly heads-up: you're on the hook for any import taxes or customs fees. We play by the rules and give customs the full scoop, so no surprises there!