In 1963, with financial assistant from fellow designer Bill Blass, he opened a millinery house under his own name, Adolfo Inc. His flair for small hats with character, jersey visor caps, huge fur berets and Panama planter's hats was highly praised. As the millinery industry waned in the 1960s, he began designing clothes that would compliment his hats, thus building a new made-to-order clientele. One of his notable customers was First Lady Nancy Reagan.

This dress was worn to the 1976 Democratic Convention in New York City and to a United States Bicentennial reception at the British Embassy in Washington, DC. It is a red/orange wool rayon knit long sheath gown with long sleeves. A ribbed turned down collar and eleven rhinestone buttons align the center front placket opening.

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