The exterior of the dress is fashioned out of black silk that has a slightly raised gold dot. I believe that each dot has been hand painted! The fabric is amazing - it feels so unusual and wonderful - you will be constantly touching it! The cut of this dress is really astounding and as good as it looks off the hanger it is more amazing on a body! It has a high neckline with a† huge exaggerated and point collar. The top skims over he bust and has little gathers just under to emphasize. The sleeves are really amazng - they are huge and actually cut to points at the top so you can wear them high and crazy or just have them pouf. The waist starts high under the bust line and skim over the waist and swings out over the hips in a delicious swoop. It has a belt that is original to the dress and it can be worn with or without the belt. The belt is completely covered in the same fabric. The back is really unexpected and the detail that makes this dress really fabulous - a simple hook and eye close it at the top of the neck and then it is completely open to the waist in one sexy slit. Truly a piece of history and a work of art. A superb example of this time period and in excellent condition.