christian dior
Important Fall 2006 Christian Dior by John Galliano Pale Silver Grey Version of Runway Look 41 Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress in red was Look 41 on the Fall 2006 Dior runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- He began his own label in 1984 and he was instantly a bit of a 'boy wonder' in fashion. He was British Fashion Council Designer of the Year in 1987, 1994 and 1995. In 1991 he made his Paris catwalk debut. In 1995 he was asked to head Givenchy and then went to Dior in October of 1996.
- His bias cut pieces have a feeling of the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and they are beautifully cut. They marry Old Hollywood with the minimalist spirit of the nineties and early 2000s and the results are stunning.
- The red version was used for the ad campaign that year and was worn by Kate Moss. It has become one of his most iconic dresses.
- We have had this dress in red in the past and it flew. I love having another in this soft pale grey colour. It is just dreamy.
- The dress takes inspiration from the bias cut couture pieces of the 1920s and 1930s. The seam work and simplicity of this dress is stunning to see and it is even better on an actual body.
- It is made from a beautiful silk velvet in a pale silver grey. A design that includes the Christian Dior name has been pressed into the velvet over the entire dress. This gives it this incredible added texture that you see in the photos.
- The dress is completely cut on the bias so that it flows over the body and skims its way over the bust, waist and hips as it falls to the floor.
- The neckline drapes down and there is a panel of silk chiffon tucked just inside the neckline at both the back and the front. This creates a bit of a swooping plunge that is slightly set to the side. Thin bands of a silver grey grosgrain ribbon run up the sides of the dress and around the waist. The velvet is gathered into the ribbon in various spots to create the asymmetrical draping.
- The skirt flows down to the floor from there, skimming over the hips and then flaring out as it reaches the hem. This gives you a ton of movement around the lower skirt when you walk or move. It also adds to the hourglass shape that the dress has.
- This is an amazing example of his work from Dior and it is gorgeous.
- The bodice is lined in a pale grey silk chiffon and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a hidden set zipper down one side. The bias cut fabric does have some stretch. There is a small mark on the inner silk chiffon and a couple tiny marks on the velvet near the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot. The measurements below give you the comfortable range the fabric has when lying flat. It is in its original unaltered length. The bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes
- Tagged a Galliano FR38, GB10, US6
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 16.5" from neck to dropped seam
Total length: 62" from neck to front hem, 64" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5549
Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 2006 Christian Dior, Look 41. Model Caroline Trentini. / (3) Kate Moss for the Fall 2006 Dior Ad Campaign by Nick Knight. / (4) Olivia Cooke at the 'House Of The Dragon' London Premiere, 2022.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
valentino
Fall 1995 Valentino by the Original Mr Valentino Runway Black Velvet Dress w Sequin Detailing
I Have a Question
- The twin of this incredible dress walked the runway for the Fall 1995 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of the original Mr. Valentino.
- I love that we have runway reference photos so that you can see how phenomenal this is once on the body.
- This is a fantastically rare dress by the original Mr. Valentino and it is extraordinarily beautiful.
- The dress combines an inky black velvet with portions covered in glossy black sequins that are densely applied. Little bits of lace give it that touch of Valentino femininity.
- Black piping outlines the neckline and the neckline scoops in a soft V down the front. The piping continues up and over the shoulders and then crosses over the bare and exposed back. Lace has been added along the length of the entire piping for the prettiest finishing detail.
- The bodice is shaped and comes in at the waist to a low seam that sits just below the natural waist. The entire bodice has been finished with tiny little black sequins that are densely applied so that they slightly overlap.
- I love how the rows that they are set in are slightly angled. This is all a clever way to give illusion of more shape through the body. The sequins sit inside four vertical panels across the front and the direction of the sequins changes so you get this incredible hitting of the light on the sequins from every angle.
- The skirt is made out of rich black velvet and I love the combination of the velvet and sequins together. The richness of each textile perfectly compliments the other.
- As the skirt falls to the floor it flares out dramatically and is extremely wide. When I lay it out flat the bottom is a full circle around. This has been achieved by long triangles of sequins set in around the entire hem of the skirt.
- The triangles have a black net backing so if the light hits them in the right way they have a sense of transparency contrasting further to the velvet and adding to the beauty of the dress once it is on the body.
- The sequin triangles have been laid out with the same technique as the rows on the bodice. They are set on angles that meet at a middle point. This allows them to catch the maximum amount of light from every angle.
- Each triangle is finished with the same lace edging that you see on the bodice. Inside the inner edge of the hem there is a band of stiffened netting that helps to hold the shape and volume around you. When you move the skirt moves around you and it is absolutely incredible.
- It is really an outstanding example of his work during this time period.
- The dress is fully lined in a silky black silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The bias cut should allow it to work on a range of sizes and frames.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under natural waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17.5" from top of shoulder to seam under natural waist
Total length: 61.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5546
Reference Photos: Fall 1995 Valentino. Model: Stella Tennant.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
valentino
Incredible Fall 1986 Valentino by the Original Mr. Valentino Black Velvet Dress w Rhinestone Insets
I Have a Question
- The twin of this gorgeous dress walked the Fall 1986 runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of the original Mr Valentino.
- This is an exceptional example of Valentino's work that he was doing during the 1980s. Finding pieces from this time period in such immaculate condition is a rarity and I am very pleased to have this beautiful dress in the shop.
- In 2022 Sara Sampaio wore one backwards on the red carpet.
- I love having the red carpet and runway photo so that you can see how the dress can be worn either way around. We also photoed it both ways so that you can see how it lies.
- The dress is made out of an inky black velvet and then the back inset and end of each sleeve are made out of a stiffened silk chiffon fine net that has the rows of glittering rhinestones set onto it
- The dress has all of the red carpet feel that you look for in the best of his work. The shoulders are shaped with inner padding, and then they extend down into the sleeves, which are wider at the tops near the shoulder and narrow to those amazing cuffs.
- Each cuff is a band of the silk that has hand applied horizontal rows of rhinestones wrapped around them for a glamorous finish. I love this extra detail that lets you have that bit of glitz no matter which way around you decide to wear the dress.
- The bodice is meant to skim out from the shoulders. The same shape is repeated at the back.
- The waist is brought in with subtle darting and then it curves out and over the hips to fall to the floor, widening out slightly as it near the hem.
- The inset of net and rhinestones has been set on a sharp angle that extends to the lower back. When this is turned around to be worn at the front, it goes down to the low waist. There is transparency here so if you do decide to wear it to the front you can also decide how daring you want to be as far as what you wear underneath.
- This is an exceptional and early example of his work.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk organza with the areas covered in rhinestones having transparency between the rows. It closes with a hidden set zipper placed at what was traditionally the front. Padding in each shoulder. Each cuff closes with a hidden set zipper. The back skirt extends slightly longer and has a bit of fullness. If you wear the rhinestone side to the front, you will have that little bit of extra fabric there.
- Tagged a vintage Valentino 8
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 23" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true seams and the padding let them extend slightly off the edges of the shoulder
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56" from top of shoulder to front hem and the back extends another 3" past that at the centre longest point with approximately 2" turned under the ham.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5547
Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1986 Valentino. / (2-5) Sara Sampaio at the Red Sea Film Festival, December 2022.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
chanel
Phenomenal Fall 2002 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Black Silk Dress w Velvet Detail & Back Panel
I Have a Question
- A shorter version of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 2002 Chanel collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
- Karl chose to show primarily short pieces for the entire presentation of the collection but many of the pieces that went to the shops were done in longer lengths.
- In the book Catwalk: Chanel they noted that the runway had a "sexy rock 'n' roll vibe translated into a collection that reinvented Chanel signatures, placing them into a rock context." There were several dresses on the runway presented using this beautifully weighted silk. We included a reference to one of the dresses that has the same feel as this.
- As good as this dress looks in the photos when you see this one in real life it will take your breath away. It is supremely well-made and absolutely stunning.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful combination of a rich black silk and an inky black velvet. I love the way that he has used the two fabrics to highlight and complement the lines of the dress.
- The dress curves over the shoulders and it is set so that it sits a bit wider across the front. The neckline comes down into a V and the velvet has been used to line the inside of the collar which flips over on both sides for that lovely bit of contrast there.
- There is an inner built-in bodice under that to hold the dress in place and that inner bodice is made out of Chanel logo and camellia flower embossed silk. It is a little extra bit of hidden luxury.
- The straps curve from the top of the collar and down the back, leaving the upper back exposed. The straps are very interesting because they actually have a button where they attach on both sides. The buttons are functional, even though you could not wear the dress without the straps. It is just one of those extra details that you see in a Chanel piece of this high of quality.
- The bodice is made out of the black silk and wraps around to the back where it closes with three more Chanel buttons set above a hidden zipper.
- The waist is defined by a band of black velvet that has an almost slight peplum feel to it. This sits over a wider band of black velvet that curves over the hips to add shape and definition.
- The skirt falls to the floor in a beautiful column of black silk and flares out dramatically as it nears the hem. A high slit runs up the front for a flash of bare leg.
- The back is as good as the front. That black velvet wide panel that wraps around the hips continues around to the back and is gathered in heavily at the centre and then flares out into a panel of black velvet that sweeps down to the floor and slightly past the hem of the silk skirt.
- The silk skirt that sits under the panel at the back of the dress is cut longer then the front so that you have the two layers of velvet and silk creating a beautiful bit of a sweep behind you as you walk.
- This is an exceptional Chanel dress. I cannot rave enough about it.
- The dress is lined through the bodice in a black Chanel embossed silk and the skirt and attached black velvet panel are unlined. It closes at the back with a series of Chanel embossed buttons that sit above a hidden set zipper. Each strap is attached and buttons onto the dress at the front and back with workable functioning buttons. Hand finishes. It comes with its original Chanel packet that has an extra piece of velvet in it. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Chanel 36
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from top of shoulder to the seam under the bust and 15" to the waist
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to the front hem. The slit is 22" from the front hem up. The back extends another 12" past that
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5548
Reference Photo/Video: Fall 2002 Chanel.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
tiziani
Documented 1960s Tiziani Couture by Karl Lagerfeld Peach Silk Plunge Dress w Matching Feather Cape
I Have a Question
- Note that due to new customs regulations this piece can only ship to a Canadian address. If you need assistance with this please touch base.
- This is a fantastically well documented piece Tiziani couture set that dates to the 1960s.
- It would have been made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld and is a very rare example of his work there especially with the amount of documentation on it.
- We have included the digital copy of the original sketch done by Karl along with photos of the dress on a model with Tiziani when it was originally produced. I do have modern photos of the dress on someone and will share those upon request.
- The inner tag on the dress is numbered and handwritten and then it has its Tiziana tag on the cape. I was told that this is the actual original sample dress and came from the archives.
- I posted a video of the dress on my Instagram back in 2023 when it was still in my personal archives. You can see that here and it speaks more about its history and you can see the dress on video.
- The dress is made out of a peach silk chiffon that is heavily embellished around the V neckline. The coat is made out of a slightly deeper coral peach silk that is completely covered in hand dyed soft peach feathers.
- The dress has a V at the front and the neckline has a band of embellishment that mixes silver tube beads, peach embroidery, sequins and seed beads, with prong set rhinestones. This follows the neckline at the front and then runs across the top of each shoulder. At the back it creates a wide band across the upper shoulders.
- It skims over the bust to a higher set waist seam. From there it skims over the hips and the skirt falls to the floor widening out slightly as it goes.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching peach silk and it is entirely made by hand with all of the inner stitches finished by hand. This would be considered Alta Moda couture with its level of finishes
- The cape sits over that and comes down to just past the waist at the front and then falls around you on the sides and back in this incredible sweep of hand dyed soft peach feathers.
- The feathers are all set onto a silk organza backdrop by hand and they overlap each other all the way down the length of the cape. The collar of the cape is finished with the same hand beading you see on the dress.
- Both the dress and cape are a touch paler in colour than how they shot. They are more like the colour shots added here.
- The dress is fully lined in a peach hand-finished silk and zips to close at the side. The outer layer of the bodice snaps to close over that. The cape is a single layer of silk organza with the feathers attached directly to it. The cape is also completely finished by hand. It hooks to close at the collar. There is perhaps the tiniest bit of grubbiness to the hem of the dress. Some small areas of missing embroidery / beads. Some of the organza has shattered near the top of the cape on the interior side. I have included photos here after the label shot. It can be worn as is but if you want me to have some reinforcement added you can touch base with me before I ship it and I will have my seamstress add that for you. Please see the photos after the label shot.
- There are no size tags so please go by the listed measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the note on the cape lining above.
Dress
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 59.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Cape
Neck: 15.5" around
Total length: it falls to approximately 17" at the shortest point of the front and the back falls to approximately 61"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5544
Reference Photos: (1) Sketch by Karl Lagerfeld for Tiziani, 1960s. / (2-4) Model in Tiziani, 1960s. Credit unknown. / (5-7) Photos from the client of this set.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
valentino
Spectacular Spring 2017 Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli Runway Look 52 Zandra Rhodes Print White Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2017 collection for Look 52.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli and the print was done in collaboration with Zandra Rhodes.
- Historically, this was an important collection as it was Pierpaolo's first solo show at Valentino. It was also his first collaboration with Zandra Rhodes.
- On the runway the dress was shown without a lining so had a higher level of transparency that you can see in the photos and the video.
- The dress and collection were very well received and was one of the most documented dresses of the season.
- Meryl Streep famously wore its twin to the 2017 SAG awards. Laetitia Casta and Lee Young Ae appeared in one for Elle France and Elle US, and it was shot for other editorials. This really lets you see how spectacular it is on and in a variety of circumstances.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful lightweight white silk chiffon that has a custom Zandra Rhodes print covering the entire dress. Written in between the print are the words "In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas corpora" which is the opening line of Ovid's epic poem, Metamorphoses, and translates to "My mind is bent to tell of bodies changed into new forms" or "My soul inclines to speak of forms changed into new bodies". This powerful opening sets the poem's central theme of transformation, with Ovid's narrative beginning from the creation of the world and continuing to his own time, weaving together many myths about how beings and objects were transformed into new forms."
- The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are long. They are a single layer of the silk chiffon so they have a beautiful delicacy to them.
- The dress skims over the bust from a scooped neck and drapes easily over the body to a more generously cut waist.
- Built-in and under the top layer of silk on the bodice is a second layer of the same silk that creates a covered curving deep plunge at the front. The same effect has been created at the back as well and there the V has been set wider across. I love the play on transparency that this gives the dress. You are completely covered but at the same time the plunge is there on both sides. It is an unexpected sexiness that still feels elegant and refined.
- The waist is cut more generously so that you have a beautiful flow from head to toe. You can see this in all of the various reference photos and how it sits on the body. This cut was to become one of Pierpaolo signatures.
- The skirt flows to the floor from there and it is extremely full. It has a second ivory silk chiffon layer underneath so that it is opaque enough to wear. The excessive amount of fabric used through the skirt gives it a ton of movement when you walk and move. The back is cut slightly longer than the front for a beautiful sweeping feel behind you.
- The lightness of the silk and the way that it lays over the body allows it to move spectacularly over you and it will pick up the slightest bit of air.
- The dress is partially lined through the bodice to create the plunge as seen and described above. The skirt is fully lined in a solid silk chiffon layer. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. This is a dress that is easy to fit and wear because of the easy cut through the body. It appears to have been worn very little if at all
- Tagged a vintage Valentino 44
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 24" and they are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approximately 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to front hem in the back extends another 7" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5541
Reference Photos/Videos: (1-3) Spring 2017 Valentino, Look 52. Model Jessie Bloemendaal. / (4-6) Meryl Streep at the 2017 Sag Awards. / (7) Laetitia Casta for Elle France, June 2017. / (8) Photograph by Ken Browar & Deborah Ory. / (9-10) Lee Young Ae in Valentino for Elle. / (11) Harper's Bazaar, 2017.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
yves saint laurent
Fall 2023 Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello Mens Runway Look 13 Long Super Soft Knit Coat
I Have a Question
- The twin of this coat was shown on the Fall 2023 menswear runway for Look 13.
- It was made under the creative direction of Anthony Vaccarello.
- The Vogue review opened with four words "Long, tall, lean, chic." And that aptly describes the coats for this collection. They were so wanted by everyone that when they were released to the shops they were sent out as a unisex piece available to women as well as men.
- This one is in pristine condition and is new with its original tags.
- The cut is simple and classic and yet the length and sleek cut makes it feel very avante garde and unique.
- It is made from an extra soft black knit that borders on a deep charcoal. The knit combines mohair and wool and this keeps it light in weight but with enough structure to hold the shape.
- The light weight makes it a lot easier to wear then you would initially think given all of the fabric.
- The collar is very full and borders on being able to be used as a hood. I think that most would be able to bring it up and on their head if they wished. Because the fabric is so light in weight it sits very well around the neckline without being bulky.
- The sleeves are long. They start out wider near the shoulder and narrow to a very lightly ribbed cuffs. Rounded padding, sits in each shoulder to help hold the shape.
- It is cut to skim and flow down past the bust, waist and hips. The lower part of the coat continues from there to fall to the floor, gently widening out as it nears the hem.
- There are no front closures. You simply use the matching knit belt to wrap around the waist to add shape. It has a touch of a men's bathrobe/robe feel that is fantastic.
- The coat is unlined and slips on to wear. It comes with its original matching belt and is in its original supermodel length. Its original hang tag is still attached. It's easy and open shape. Should allow it to fit a full range sizes. It will just drape more and feel more oversized on smaller frames.
- Tagged a YSL XL
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: approximately 27.5" and they are 16" around the upper arm
Shoulders: approximately 19" including the shoulder pads and meant to slightly sit off the edge of the shoulder.
Bust-hips: to 28" flat across from side seam to side seam. The knit will stretch beyond that but this is the measurement flat across when laying flat and not stretching the knit.
Total length: 65.5" from neck to hem and the collar is 20" wide at its widest point at the back.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-XL
Item# DD5538
Reference Photos/Video: (1-2) Fall 2023 Saint Laurent Menswear, Look 13. / (3) Unknown
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
jacques fath
Incredible 1953 Jacques Fath Haute Couture Leopard Printed Silk Strapless Dress w Full Skirt
I Have a Question
- This is an incredible and rare true Haute Couture dress whose pattern remarkably resembles a sketch we found from his 1953 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of couturier Jaques Fath.
- Jacques Fath showed his first collection of just twenty garments in the spring of 1937. It was well received and he steadily built a strong clientele to become of of the busiest ateliers in Paris.
- Fath is considered to be part of the 'big three' post-war Parisian designers, along with Dior and Balmain. The Fath label was shuttered in 1957 after Fath's death three years earlier. One of his signature looks was a strapless hourglass silhouette. The dress is gorgeous and a beautiful and rare example of his work during this time period.
- It would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The fabric is a stunning silk that has a pattern suggested of an animal print running over its entire surface. This has been done in an ivory with shades of charcoal grey. Worked into the pattern is a subtle muted gold metallic thread.
- The dress is strapless and curves up on the bodice. There is a black silk inner panel that is set behind the front panels that you see here. This let those front panels sit slightly off of the body and create the illusion of more bust.
- The fabric is gathered in along an angled seam under that to a wide band that defines the waist. I love how there is a bit of the same black silk that peeks out along one edge to tie all of the elements of the bodice together.
- The waist is cinched in and to achieve that beautiful hour glass silhouette there is a full built-in boned couture corset attached to the inside of the bodice. I have taken photos so you can see how beautifully and intricately this is constructed.
- From there the skirt expands outward over the hips and curves beautifully down to the floor. The front has a slightly more sleek feel to it and then the back has added fabric built into it down the centre so that you get a beautiful soft fullness there. It is cut slightly longer at the back to help to add to that feel of more fullness there. If you really wanted the skirt to be very full you could add an underskirt. There is more than enough room.
- It is an absolute extraordinarily beautiful early Couture peace from the most magical era of Couture.
- The skirt is backed with a netting and there is a built-in boned corset. It closes with a back zipper and an inner waist stay hooks to close. There is light discolouration to the inner corset. At some point, someone added fabric tape over some small holes in the netting of the interior skirt and I see some tiny ones without tape. None of this shows on the exterior. There is light fraying on part of the front hem. Please see the photos after the label shot. All of the interior work is done completely by hand to Couture standards.
- No size tag is present so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent overall condition
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10.5" from top of bodice to bottom seam of the 3.25" waist band
Total length: 51" from top of bodice to front hem and the back hand extends another 6" past that
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5531
Reference Photo: Spring 1953 Jacques Fath Haute Couture. Illustration by Pierre Simon.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
nina ricci
Exceptional Spring 1997 Nina Ricci by Gerard Pipart Haute Couture Runway Black & White Strapless w Beaded Details
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Spring 1997 Haute Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gerard Pipart.
- The Nina Ricci brand was founded in 1932 at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris. In 1964 Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant, as head of the brand. Pipart, who had previously worked for Balmain, Fath, and Patou, brought a wide range of experience in all aspects of fashion to the brand.
- Over the following three decades, Pipart's couture vision 'celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day.' He headed the Couture division until 1998.
- This is an incredible and very beautiful piece of Haute Couture and would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The upper portion of the dress is a strapless and structured ivory that is made out of a beautiful silk that has a slight texture.
- At the waist it changes to a black silk to create that gorgeous skirt. The silk there also has a slight texture and enough weight to hold the intended draping but without being heavy.
- Deep silver beads are placed by hand to run up from the waist over the bodice and then more beading runs down from the waist with some parts ending just past the hips. It adds the perfect amount of glitz to the dress.
- The skirt curves outward over the hips and then widens out as it nears the hem. On one side of the skirt an added panel drapes down past the hem and appears to be caught up with the handset bow that sits there. This adds a beautiful little bit of extra movement and curving line to the dress. It is a design detail that is just brilliantly executed.
- It is fully lined in a white silk through the bodice with light boning for support. Through the skirt it is lined in a black silk. It closes with a side set zipper and has an inner waist stay that hooks to close. I see the very slightest bit of grubbiness around the upper edge of the bodice that is mentioned for accuracy.
- The proper Haute Couture label is present.
- There is no size tag so please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9.25" from the top of the bodice to the waist
Total length: 52.5" from the top of the bodice to the shortest point of the hem, 57" to the longest
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5532
Reference Photo: Spring 1997 Nina Ricci Haute Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
john galliano
Phenomenal Fall 2000 John Galliano Version of Finale Runway Look 54 Silk Corset Dress w Sweeping Skirts
I Have a Question
- This dress is the silk version of the Fall 2000 final Look 54 shown in leather.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano
- This version was made in this silk for the shops. It is very rare and wonderful piece of his history.
- Where?This dress has the added modern provenance of being the actual dress worn by poet Rupi Kaur to the Vanity Fair and Elton John after parties for the 2024 Oscars.
- Amal Clooney recently wore a longer black version on the Cannes red carpet.
- The dress is made from an iridescent silk in a deep oxblood red. The iridescent quality of the fabric make it catch the light in the most incredible way.
- Inside the dress there is a full built-in corset that has wired cups and extensive boning to hold you in place.
- The dress came to me with a thick, almost shoe lace like cord that was used to lace it up at the back and I love the contrast this gives. This is a detail however that is hidden from sight. The corset and its lace is all hidden inside the dress and then the dress zips to close over it.
- The dress is seamed vertically to create its beautiful lines.
- The shoulders are cut so they sit off the shoulder. The inner corset holds the dress tightly in place around the bodice and the breasts are pushed up from the internal cupping.
- It skims over the hips and then the skirt narrows inwards slightly before flaring back out.
- The lower skirt is set on an angled seam and has extra fabric to create that little fabulous flare that it has.
- The seaming at the back is incredible. On one side he has run a slightly curving seam sett on an angle from the top of one hip to the centre seam of the back. Attached along this seam is an extensive long curved panel that picks up the flare and curve of the skirt. This panel drapes lower down to past the hem.
- This is a rare opportunity for a beautiful piece of his early work that shows his love and devotion to corsetry and that Galliano flare we know and love.
- The inner corset is lined in the same silk and it is bone and cupped. It laces at the back. The rest of the dress is lined in a deep burgundy red silk. It closes with a hidden set zipper at the back. I see a couple of very tiny areas of darkening on the fabric but they are extremely minor. Please see the photos after the label shot.
- Tagged a vintage Galliano X
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam with an A-B cup at the front
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 57" from top of the natural shoulder to hem and the panel extends another 7" past the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4693
Reference Photos/Videos: (1-10) Fall 2000 John Galliano, Look 54 (Final Look). / (11-12) Rupi Kaur in this dress for the Elton John Oscars Party, March 2024.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
thierry mugler
Prettiest Spring 1999 Thierry Mugler Curving Pale Pink Dress w Front Iridescent Embellishments
I Have a Question
- This is the ready-to-wear version of the dres referenced here from the Spring 1999 Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Thierry Mugler
- The dress is cut with Mugler's masterful eye and attention to detail.
- The openings for the arms are cut inwards towards the neck and the neck line is set on a beautiful curve. All the seaming on the dress is set either vertically or on a curving angle so that it enhances and highlights the curves of the body.
- The bust and waist are created by the shaping of those beautifully curving vertical seams. I took a shot of the seams that curve over the hips as it is is really a part of what shapes the dress. Once on this emphasizes the curves of the body.
- It skims over the hips and then falls to the floor where the skirt widens out as it near the hem. The back hem of the skirt is cut on a slight downward curve so that it falls a little bit longer and gives a fantastic sweep at the back of the dress.
- The upper portion of the neck line is detailed with a double layered panel of nude mesh. Onto this is a fantastic design that combines iridescent clear tube beads with iridescent mother-of-pearl finished plastic pieces that vary in size. These are all set to curve outward slightly and are in different sizes. It is a really pretty effect.
- It is an extraordinary dress that is rare and beautiful.
- The dress is fully lined in the same fabric and closes with a hidden set back zipper. I see one tiny very faint mark on the fabric near the seam of the neck line. Please see the photo after the label shot. There is very minor grubbiness and a tiny bit of fading around the hem. I see a stitch at the very base of the mesh at the front where there may have been one more additional plastic piece. All of these are very minor but mentioned for accuracy. The colour is a bit more of a baby pink than how it photoed. It is in its original uncut length.
- Tagged a vintage Mugler 42
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 61" from neck to the front hem, 63" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5525
Reference Photo: Spring 1999 Thierry Mugler Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Chic Cruise 2020 Christian Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri Runway Look 107 Metallic Print Dress w Full Sleeves
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Cruise 2020 Dior show for Look 107.
- It was made under the creative direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri.
- This collection was shown in Marrakech and Vogue review said the collection was "about luxury, globalism, and culture".
- I love the pieces from this collection that were made out of these metallic knit fabrics. They have the feel of some of fabrics from the seventies and are just magical.
- The fabric has more copper toned metallic thread running through a deep dusky blueish grey base with tones of deep, blues, and greens that form a print that is worked over the skirt.
- The metallic thread runs over the entire dress in a vertical pattern. Where it turns into a print, the metallic is used to highlight and edge the print. This gives the dress a subtle shimmer from every angle.
- The bodice of the dress is loose and easy with a keyhole slit that runs down the centre. The more generous cut allows for a more easy fit.
- The shoulders are soft and extend out into wonderfully full sleeves that pouf out over their cuffs.The sleeves are meant to sit between the elbow and wrist as you can see in the reference photos and each cup closes with little hidden set buttons.
- The waist it seamed but has a more generous feel. If you wanted to add more shape you could easily add a belt.
- The skirt is cut to be very full and wide. It is gathered in around the waist and this is what gives it the incredible fullness that it has. And it has pockets.
- It is a really an outstanding piece and beautifully constructed.
- The dress is unlined but comes with its original nude coloured silk chiffon slip that is worn underneath the dress. The inner slip closes with a hidden set side, zipper, and the outer dress closes with a hidden set box zipper, and a hidden set button at the front neck above the keyhole. Each cuff closes with two hidden set buttons. The label is on the slip. The metallic of the fabric has loose threads here and there over the dress. This is a natural occurrence with this type of fabric.
- The slip is tagged a modern Dior FR 42, GB 14, IT 46, US 10
- Excellent condition
Dress
Sleeves: approximately 23" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 18" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 61" from top of shoulder hem
Slip
Bust: 16-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MeD-LRG
Item# DD5523
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Cruise 2020 Christian Dior, Look 107. Model Evelyn Nagy. / (4) Bae Suzy at the SBS Drama Awards, 2019.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
alessandra rich
Fall 2019 Alessandra Rich Black Version of Runway Look 46 Bias Cut Silk & Sequin Lace Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of the dress in white walked the runway for Look 46 for the Fall 2019 presentation.
- It was made under the creative direction of Alessandra Rich.
- Leonie Hanne wore the twin of this dress to the fashion show in 2019.
- The silk that it is made out of is feather light and cut on the bias. It skims over the body to follow your curves all the way down in a beautiful and flattering way.
- The sleeves are cut with a high peak on the shoulder and there is a little bit of stiffening along their inner edges to help hold the shape that you see. They narrow down as they reach the cuffs and there is a lace and net inset at their ends that forms the cuffs.
- The front dips low and has a touch of transparency. It is a combination of lace and netting with a second cut out layer that sits over each breast to make it a bit more opaque. The lace plunged down to the waist so it has a very sexy feel.
- All of that front detailing is edged in sequins that pick up the light fantastically.
- The netting continues down the sides and the back is covered with a layer of the black netting and lace for a gorgeous exposure of skin through the lace netting.
- The skirt is cut longer at the back than the front for a bit of a sweeping feel behind you.
- Unlined and closes with a back hidden set zipper. Each cuff has a hidden set zipper. The fabric has stretch and the comfortable range of measurements are listed below when laying flat. The dress is new with its original tags and in its original uncut length. I see one tiny missed stitch in the netting at the back. Please see the photo after the label shot.
- Tagged a modern 42
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: approx 29" and are 17" around the upper arm
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20-24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to front hem and the back hem extends another 9"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5518
Reference Photos: (1) Fall 2019 Alessandra Rich, Look 46. / (2) Leonie Hanne outside the Alessandra Rich Spring 2020 Fashion Show in Paris, September 2019. / (3) Josephine De La Baume 'Waiting for Anya' film premiere, Feb 2020.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
Heirloom Level Exquisite 1950s Handmade Couture White Lace Wedding Dress w a Matching Veil
I Have a Question
- This dress was sourced from France and it was noted as being from the from the 1950s or earlier and into the 1930s or 1940s.
- The entire dress and its huge matching veil have been entirely made by hand and the lace itself is also handmade.
- Both of the veil and dress have been meticulously pieced together from larger sections of lace to create the shape of both pieces. That means all of the lace would have had to have been made and planned out ahead of time.
- The dress has higher neck and I love the soft scalloping around the edge.
- The shoulders are sloped and soft and extended into long sleeves that narrow at the cuff. Five little lace covered buttons and loops sit at the end of each sleeve.
- It is meant to to be more fitted over the bust and then comes in at the waist.
- From there it expands outward over the hips and is very full and open over the hips.
- The skirt is lovely and very full. It falls in beautiful soft rounded folds around you. There is enough room underneath that if you wanted it to feel very full, you could add a crinoline and/or additional under-skirting.
- The dress is made from a single layer of the lace so it does have transparency through the lace. This allows you to wear as little or as much of an undergarment underneath to be either daring or more conservative.
- The matching lace veil is two long continuous pieces of lace pieced perfectly together. It is narrow at one end and then opens up to be very wide by the other. A bride would have draped this over her head and then she could pin it into place or add flowers or some other decorations around the head to frame the face and hold the veil.
- This is an absolutely beautiful piece of history and an extremely rare thing of beauty.
- The amount of hours and work to have made this is staggering to think about.
- Both pieces are an excellent condition with perhaps a touch of very minor age related patina here and there on the lace. The colour in person is slightly more ivory.
- The dress is unlined and closes with a back zipper. Buttons and loops are at the end of each sleeve. I see a slight darkening to the fabric here and there but it is very minor. It makes it feel authentically vintage and does not detract in any way.
- There is no size tag present because it is a one off.
- Excellent condition
Dress
Sleeves: approx 22"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 58" from neck to hem
Veil
14" at the narrowest point at one end and 55" at its widest width at the other
It is 9 feet from end to end
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD5514
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
emanuel ungaro
Fabulous Spring 1985 Emanuel Ungaro Haute Couture Runway Black Stripe Jacket & Skirt Set
I Have a Question
- This is original Haute Couture who's twin walk the runway for Spring 1985.
- The suit was made under the creative direction of Emanuel Ungaro.
- This would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier.
- This is a stunning two piece set done in a black on black stripe woven directly into on a fine wool / silk mix feeling fabric.
- The jacket is a classic cut of his from this time period. It features wider set strong shoulders and is meant to feel more oversized through the upper bodies.
- The entire lower portion of the jacket wraps around and over to one size creating this phenomenal dropped waist detailing that adds incredible detail all around the lower portion of the jacket.
- The front wraps over itself and hooks and snaps into place on one side at the top of the hip. There is no collar so you have a very clean feel to the upper bodice. The draping that happens around the hips is what adds all of the drama to the jacket.
- The shape at the lower front portion of the jacket is achieved by the gathering of the fabric along the side of the sea, and then into a ruffle at the front that hides where it snaps into place. This is what gives you that brilliant shape and that fantastic flare at the side. It is the kind of detail you look for in a couture piece.
- The sleeves are full through the upper arm and they come down to a more narrow cuff. The entire lower portion of the sleeve is detailed with six round gold toned, filigree buttons that have black rhinestone set into them for a little added glitz. Hidden under the buttons are a row of silk covered snapped that you can use to bring the wrist in further.
- The skirt has a band at the waist and then it is cut in a slim pencil shape to just past the knee depending on your height. A panel wraps over the front of the skirt to give the illusion of a wrapped finish that picks up on the wrap of the jacket.
- Both pieces are fully lined in a handset black silk. The jacket hooks and snaps. to close. There is an inner attached waist stay that hooks to close. The button on the sleeves are decorative with head and snaps underneath of them as photoed. The skirt closes at the side with a zipper and hooks at the waist. The shoulders have padding. All of the hand work is to Haute Couture standards throughout.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Jacket
Sleeves: 24" and are full and open through the upper arm.
Exaggerated shoulders: 17"
Bust: to 29" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 29" from neck to hem
Skirt
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 25" from the waist to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5512
Reference Photos: Spring 1985 Emanuel Ungaro Haute Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
dolce and gabbana
Extraordinary Rare Fall 2016 Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Couture Gold Tweed & Lace Covered Jacket & Skirt Suit Set
I Have a Question
- This is a private custom order suit from the Fall 2016 Alta Moda "Naples" collection and was acquired directly from the Couture client. Alta Moda runway footage and Look Books are only available for those invited to the spectacular 3-day events held in different locations each season.
- It was made under the creative direction of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana
- This suit was a special order custom piece by my client and the original price was just over 45,000 euros.
- This collection was inspired by Sophia Loren who was also the guest of honour at the show.
- Both pieces are made out of a hand woven tweed that has gold metallic thread woven through it in a thatched weave. The goal is more apparent when you see this in person. As you get closer, you realize that over top of the tweed there is a layer of a floral lace that floats over and creates a beautiful pattern on pattern effect.
- The lace pieces were all hand made individually to fit the part of the pattern that they were to be applied over top of. Inside the inner edges of the jacket there is a another panel of handmade lace that is done with a more dense weave so that it has a darker feel to it. It is all just extraordinary.
- The jacket has soft shoulders that have a slight peak at their tops. The sleeves are long and the lace covering them is their only detail. The body of the jacket is shaped around you with the waist nipped in for shape. A double row of handmade buttons runs down the front with hidden hand covered silk snaps set underneath to close the jacket. Each hip has a double flap to suggest pockets but these are decorative only and their purpose is to help shape the hip and add detail. The collar is soft with an extra band of the handmade lace applied around it to give it a touch of definition.
- The skirt has a wide grosgrain ribbon to cinch it in and it skims over the top of the hips. The lower skirt is added with and exposed top set seam attaching it to the upper part of the skirt. This lower piece is pleated so it opens up into a beautiful shape and a bit of a swing feel while still maintaining its structure.
- It is truly a work of art and showcases the very best of Dolce's craftsmanship.
- Both pieces are unlined and are entirely made by hand to Haute Couture standards. The jacket closes at the front as described above and the skirt has a back zipper. They have their appropriate Couture tags in place with a hand written tag behind. Both pieces appear to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present since it is a couture piece so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Jacket
Sleeves: 25.5" and are 12" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 24" from neck to hem
Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 24.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5510
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
john galliano
Outstanding Fall 2001 John Galliano Runway Look 41 Bias Cut Silk Chiffon Dress w Romantic Floral Print
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Fall 2001 runway for a Look 41 and was worn by supermodel Stella Tenant in the show.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- This is the actual dress worn by Caitlin Thompson to the 2024 Emmys
- Madison Headrick privately acquired the first example of this dress that we had in our archives and wore it as part of her wedding celebrations.
- Besides the runway photos, we have included photos of both Madison and Caitlin so you can see how spectacular this is on the body.
- The dress is made out of a floral printed ivory silk chiffon that is feather light in weight.
- Soft pastel flowers done in shades of pale, pink and soft greens run over the entire dress and add to the ultra romantic feel that it has.
- Ruffled cap sleeves curve over the shoulders and they are set wide so that they sit at the very edge of your shoulder. This allows the chiffon to cascade over the top of each arm.
- The bodice is extensively gathered around the bust to the sides and into a seam that curves down just above the waist. All of the seam work on the dress is a heavy nod to the Couture pieces of the 1920s and 1930s. John Galliano often use those dresses as inspiration and you can clearly see that in this piece.
- Gathered ties extend out from the sides of the bodice to wrap and tie around you. They are very long so you can get creative in how they are tied. They add a touch of whimsy to the dress and are also a clever way to add shape through the waist.
- The dress curves back out and over the hips and then narrow down slightly to about the knee.
- The lower skirt is set into a curved seam and the volume below that is amazing. There is a tremendous amount of silk in the lower skirting so that it moves and floats fabulously around you when you move.
- Little added tiered ruffles of silk have been added along parts of the patterned seams for yet another extra romantic touch.
- The dress is completely cut on the bias so moves beautifully over the body. It makes it easy to fit and comfortable to wear.
- This is a spectacular example of his work and one of the most romantic prints from him that I have ever seen. This is an important early piece that is highly collectible.
- The dress is fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon and slips on with no closures. The easy cut and movement in the fabric should allow it to fit a range of sizes. The dress is in its original uncut length. It appears to have been worn very little if at all
- There is no size tag present so please go buy the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 65" from shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5509
Reference Photos/Video: (1-2) Fall 2001 Galliano Runway, Look 41. Model: Stella Tennant. / (3-6) Caitlin Thompson wearing this dress at the Emmys, 2024. / (7-11) Madison Headrick in in its twin from us on two different occasions.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
john anthony
Minimalist Fall 1981 John Anthony Couture Hand Beaded Silk Chiffon Two Piece Top & Skirt Set
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Fall 1981 Jpohn Anthony collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Anthony.
- Each piece that John Anthony made was on a made-to-order basis, which means that each piece is the only one that exists, or in the very occasional circumstance that there are similar pieces made, only a very limited amount of pieces were done.
- All of the pieces I have (and have had in the last couple of years) in the shop come directly from John's archive.
- John is one of the great American couturiers and he was known for his sharp tailoring and striking evening wear. He launched his atelier in 1971 and he quickly rose to fame, winning a Coty award in 1972 and then again in 1976.
- This is the original sample of this piece from his archives. We found a series of photos of pieces with the same bead work so you can get an idea of how beautiful they are on the body.
- The dress is made out of a feather light deep brown silk chiffon. Glass tube beads are set in vertical rows over both pieces and all of the beads have been applied by hand in perfect little rows onto the silk. I love how they catch the light from every angle.
- Both pieces have a simple and easy cut so that they are easy to wear and are very flattering on the body. The neckline is scooped and closes with a hook and eye at the back of the neck above a keyhole. The sleeves have the same bead detailing and then they fall in a straight cut to the wrist for a touch of fullness.
- The bodice is cut to skim loosely over you to the waist. The waist is finished with elastic which lets the silk pouf under a touch.
- The skirt has a banded waist and falls to the floor under that. It flares out a touch as it nears the hem. It has a high slit on one side for a flash of leg to show.
- They are gorgeous when worn together but have the versatility of being able to be mixed and matched with things you already have.
- The work has all been done by hand and the workmanship is fantastic. They fall like a dream once on the body.
- Fully lined in a second layer of nude silk chiffon. The top closes with a hook and eye above a keyhole at the back of the neck and has elastic at the bottom seam. The skirt closes with hook and eye at the waist and a zipper under that. A tiny area of missing beads here and there but nothing major. Please see the photo after the label shot. The sample tag is stitched inside the cuff of one sleeve.
- There is no size tag present because it is a sample piece so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition with the minor note above.
Top
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom seam: 14-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27" from neck to hem
Skirt
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 45" from waist to hem
Slit: 27" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5503
Reference Photos: Fall 1981 John Anthony Ready to Wear Advance Preview.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
sybil connolly
Elegant Late 1950s Sybil Connolly Couture Pale Lavender Pleated Linen Strapless Dress w Shawl
I Have a Question
- Irish designer Sybil Connolly had her first major US fashion show in 1953. The American press dubbed her the 'Dublin's Dior'. Jacqueline Kennedy wore Connolly for her official White House portrait and Connolly was a particular favorite of Carmen Snow, the editor of Harper's Bazaar.
- It was made under the creative direction of Sybil Connolly
- The dress would've been made entirely by hand in her atelier in Ireland.
- In 1957 she launched her couture label. She created Haute Couture pieces made from Irish textiles and in particular she became famous for her distinctive use of pleated handkerchief linen.
- This excerpt from the FDIM Museum explains Sybil Connolly's techniques: "Sybil Connolly's trademark gowns required a tremendous amount of fabric. To construct one pleated evening dress required between 72 and 90 yards of Irish handkerchief linen. After undergoing a secret pleating process, this initial yardage became 7 to 10 yards of slightly irregular, narrow linen pleats. Like the early 20th century designer Mario Fortuny, Sybil Connolly was very protective of her pleating process, swearing that it was a secret she would "carry to the grave." In her designs, Connolly usually oriented the pleats horizontally, covering the seams with self-fabric cording. The cords also lengthen the overall line of the garment, providing a counterbalance to the horizontal pleats. As Connolly tended towards solid colors, the stiff cording also provides a necessary visual contrast to the soft linen pleats."
- She worked directly with the cloth on a model and rarely sketched beforehand.
- I found a quote that referred to the Irish linen she used to be 'of a quality so fine it was almost chiffon-like in weight' and that description is very accurate.
- The dress has a fairly simple line so that the pleating technique takes centre stage. The bodice is strapless and fitted and the pleated linen runs horizontally across the dress.
- The waist cinches in under that for shape and has a wide attached band done in a matching pale purple silk for added detailing.
- The skirt billows out from there and is very full. To help create the volume that you see the skirt has been set in and around the waist in soft cleats that open up into the fullness that you see as it falls to the floor. An incredible amount of fabric would have been used to create the skirt.
- The dress comes with its original matching shawl. This is cut into a simple triangle with loops set just inside the outer edges to slip your arms through and hold it in place.
- This is a wonderful and very rare example of her work. Most pieces are held in museums.
- The dress is fully lined in an ivory silk and boned through the bodice. It closes with a back zipper on the inner corset and then a second zipper closes over that on the outer layer of the dress. There are areas throughout where the fabric has faded. There are also areas where the it has slightly discoloured. Please see the photos after the label shot. The dress is sold as found and is not sold as perfect. A video can be sent upon request if needed.
- There is no size tag present because it is Couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Overall great condition with the note aboce.
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 8.5" from top of bodice to the bottom of the 2" band at the waist
Total length: 53" from top of bodice to hem with 2" turned under
Shawl: 41" across the widest point and 25" from the point to the top of the shawl.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD5499
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
givenchy
Beautiful Resort 2014 Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci Backless & Caped Panel Ivory Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The dress is from the Resort collection from 2014.
- It was made under the creative direction of Riccardo Tisci.
- I have had the dotted one version in the shop before and this all white version is one of the most beautiful pieces to have come out of his time at Givenchy. We have added a reference photo of the dotted one so you can see the fit.
- In Vogue's review of the show it was noted that just the week before the Resort collection was debuted Tisci had won the CFDA's International Award and he was quoted as saying at the time that "This year has been beautiful and amazing for me".
- The dress is magnificent. It is made out of a silk chiffon that is a very fine scarf weight silk that is very difficult to work with especially given the elaborate draping that has been done on this dress.
- The fabric has the slightest bit of texture worked into it. This helps to give the dress a little bit of lift and volume so that it seems to float around you when you move. It would have taken many hours and a high degree of technical skill to drape that silk so perfectly into place.
- The dress is cut to flow beautifully around the body. The neckline is set high with a band that curves around your neck. The bodice is gathered into that and then drapes down over your front in a series of soft gathers. These are then set into the the waist so that the top and skirt gather in a pretty way into the seam.
- The skirt flows to the floor from there widening out slightly as it near the hem. It is cut slightly longer at the back for a pretty sweep behind you as you move.
- The halter front leaves your entire back completely bare and the waist line at the back is curved downwards slightly and above that is nothing but a bare expanse of skin.
- Two long panels of silk are attached at each shoulder so that they drape dramatically over and down towards the floor. You can wear them over the shoulder more so that you get a more caped effect or wear them more towards the back so that they act like long panelled trains that billow out behind you.
- All of the silk and layers are cut on the bias so the dress really has the most spectacular movement when you move.
- It is simple and classic but has a high impact feel at the same time.
- The bodice and skirt are lined in an ivory silk chiffon and the dress closes with a low set back zipper and hooks to close at the back of the neck. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little.
- Tagged a Givenchy 34.
- Excellent condition
Bust: should fit a variety of sizes because of the open back
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 13.5" from neck to waist
Total length: 58" from the neck to the front hem in the back extends another 4" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5493
Reference Photo: Credit Unknown.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
lanvin
Gorgeous 2013 Lanvin Blanche by Alber Elbaz Strapless Ivory Silk Wedding Dress w Back Bow & Ruffle
I Have a Question
- This is an absolutely beautiful dress by Lanvin from the 2013 wedding collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Alber Elbaz
- He did several variations of this dress and I've included a few of them because I think that it gives you an idea of how the dress will look like on the body. I have had some of these in the shop before and each is stunning.
- I love that it doesn't necessarily feel like a typical wedding gown. A client, who bought the last I had, wore it for an event that was nothing to do with a wedding.
- The dress is made from a fine silk detailed with ivory coloured silk ribbon.
- The bodice is strapless and the dress skims over the body from there to the hem.
- At the back it is gathered up in that elaborate ruffle and bow detailing. This gathering brings the dress in slightly under the hips and gives it a pretty interesting shape as it falls around you.
- The ruffles are tremendously beautiful. A large bow tops them at the back and then they fall and are set all the way down to trail down past the hips, down the skirt and trail past the hem. They are elaborate and caught up with hand placed stitching to hold them in place.
- One of his signature, larger exposed zippers is the perfect finishing Alber touch.
- The fabric has a slight texture running over it and is just thick enough to hold the shape that you see. It is gorgeous.
- The dress is fully lined in an ivory silk with inner structure though the bodice that is lightly boned. An inner waist stay hooks to close. It closes with the signature exposed Lanvin zipper between the ruffles at the back. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The colour is slightly richer and creamier in person.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 13.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: to 64" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5492
Reference Photo: 2013 Lanvin Blanche Collection.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Outstanding Fall 2009 Christian Dior by John Galliano Bias Cut Metallic Silver Floral Print Dress
I Have a Question
- The dress is from the Fall 2009 collection and the same fabric was seen on the runway in other pieces.
- It was created under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- The show was inspired by 1920s and the 1920s Orientalism of couturier Paul Poiret and you can see that in the fabric of this dress and its nod to the metallic silk lames that were seen so prominently during that era.
- The dress is made from the most striking metallic silver & black fabric that has a subtle silver shimmer from head to toe. The photos capture the colour well, but it has a slightly more metallic feel in person that is really outstandingly beautiful.
- It is completely cut on the bias so that it falls and drapes beautifully over the body.
- The neck line is cut wide across and the shoulders extend slightly over the top of the arm. The bodice has angled darts that come out from the centre of the waist and it is cut to skim over you down to the waist area.
- The waist is shaped by a combination of the seam work there and the gathering at the front. After curving in around the waist it curves back out and over the hips.
- The skirt falls from there to the floor and I love how the bias cut narrows it in around the legs slightly and then the lower portion of skirt flares out dramatically. The back of the skirt is cut slightly longer than the front so you get this phenomenal sweeping feel behind you along with added movement as you walk and move.
- The way it is gathered in around the hips is a strong nod to pieces from the 1930s and 1940s. These are eras that John touched on quite often and that is showcased beautifully in this particular piece. There is a centre seam where all of the fabric has been gathered in towards to create shape and interest around the waist and the of the top of hips.
- The dress is in its original uncut length and just an incredible example of his work from time period.
- It is fully lined in black silk and closes with a back hidden set zipper. I see some faded marks to the interior lining around the hem. I think this is from storage. The exterior is pristine. When the dress is off the body, the inner lining hangs a bit past the hem but once it was on the dress form, it falls right. This is because of the bias cut of the inner lining - it doesn't shorten to match the exterior hem until there is a body in it.
- There is no size tag present so please go buy the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition.
Bust: 16-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 64" from shoulder to front hem in the back extends another 2" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5491
Reference Photo: Fall 2009 Christian Dior Runway, Look 35.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
adolfo
Incredible 1960s Adolfo Black Silk Chiffon One Shoulder Dress w Extensive Hand Bead & Sequin Detailing
I Have a Question
- This incredibally detailed dress dates to the 1960s.
- It was made under the creative direction of Adolfo Faustino Sardiña, who professionally known as Adolfo.
- Adolfo started his career under Balenciaga and, like Halston, he was a successful milliner before opening his own fashion house. He became know for his Chanel inspired suiting and beaded pieces.
- Adolfo often did custom work for his clients who ranged from the Duchess of Windsor to Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Gloria Vanderbilt and Nancy Reagan. He even won a Coty Award in 1969.
- The base fabric is a fine black silk chiffon over a black silk and then it is lined in a silk and then onto that are thousands of beads and sequins.
- The extensive bead and sequin work is set onto the silk in a gorgeous design that runs over the dress from top to bottom. The designs are clustered and the work sits up and off the silk for a slight 3D effect. All of the work is done by hand.
- It drapes and sits on the body in a very balanced way despite the elaborate work on it.
- The cut of this dress is a very flattering one shoulder silhouette. The one side curves up and over the shoulder and then from there it curves gracefully across the back. The shoulder strap is an extension of all of the design, so there is no break to the eye.
- The edges of the neck, down and around the one arm opening, and all the way around the hem are all finished with tightly, spaced bead work that is incredible.
- It skims over the bust and there is no seam at the waist. Instead, it is shaped to curve in slightly for shape and then it curves back out and over the hips.
- The dress falls to the floor from there and the skirt widens out a touch as it nears the floor. The hem is on a slight angle and as it curves up to the one side, there is a slit runs up one side for a flash of leg to show as you move or sit.
- I love the contrast of the silver white beads against the black. They catch the light with your slightest movement and from every angle. It is just a spectacular dress.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes with a side zipper. Hand finishes throughout. There is a tiny bare area between the beading on the shoulder and two small areas around the arm. Please see the photos after the label shot. Otherwise it looks as if it was worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition.
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 60" from top of the shoulder to hem and the slit is 22" from the hem up.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5489
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
yves saint laurent
Well Documented Spring 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway Look 53 Silk Floral Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway as Look 53 for the Spring 1983 Haute Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- The dress would've been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- On the runway it was shown under a jacket when the model first came out and then she removed the jacket. I love that this shows you how versatile these little dresses can be.
- We also found the fabric noted in a WWD editorial and then I looked into my folio collection book and found the model number and original sketch for you to see. I have included all these reference photos for you here and it gives you a beautiful idea of how fabulous this is once on the body.
- The dress is gorgeous and Yves always cut his couture pieces so perfectly to flatter a woman's body.
- It is made out of a fine silk that has the tiniest ribbed texture running through it.
- The top is cut to skim over you and blouse over the waist. The shoulders have light padding just at their outer edges to slightly extend them outward. They are set into the bodice with gathers so that they slightly pouf above the shoulder line. The sleeves are slim and pouf out just slightly as they slim down to the zippered cuffs.
- The neckline is set wide across the collarbones and edged in a black silk band.
- The waist is seamed and we have added a black grosgrain ribbon there for shape. You can add a belt instead if you wanted a really cinched in look.
- The skirt falls under that in a simple pencil to just about the knee or above depending on your height.
- There are hidden set pockets along each hip.
- The colour of the silk is the best thing about the dress. It is a mix of a bright pink, green, blue and a deep purple set in a large floral design that runs over the entire dress.
- Truly a brilliant dress and when you see it in person you will fall in love with how good it is in person. And it is just so good on the body. A masterpiece.
- Unlined through the bodice and lined in a black silk through the skirt. All the work is done by hand to Haute Couture standards. It closes with a back zipper and two buttons at the back of the neck. An inner waist stay hooks to close. Each cuff has a hand set hidden set zipper to close. Light padding in each shoulder as described above. Completely made by hand. Proper Haute Couture numbered label present. The grosgrain ribbon is not original to the dress but will be sent with it.
- There is no size tag present because it is true Couture so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition.
Sleeves: 22" and 13.75" around the upper arm
Slightly wide set shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of shoulder to waist but mean to blouse a bit
Total length: 38" from top of shoulder to hem with 2" turned under
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5486
Reference Photos: (1-4) Spring 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway. / (5-7) Spring 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Advance Preview. / (8) Womens Wear Daily, February 1983.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
yves saint laurent
Fantastic Fall 1986 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Strapless Deep Purple-Blue Hand Gathered Velvet Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of the dress walk the runway for the Fall 1986 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
- On the runway it was shown in both this colour and also in a red.
- The dress is constructed in a way that creates its unusual gathered velvet technique. It is also what gives it an amazing tactile feel when its touched.
- The colour of the velvet is a beautiful deep purple that in certain lights has a touch of a blue undertone. I love that.
- The dress is strapless with inner built in structure to help hold it in place once one the body. The back part of the bodice has a built-in elastic so the dress is easy to fit. It curves down and past the waist with no seam to break the eye. From there it curves back out and over the hips in a sleek pencil silhouette.
- The dress closes with a zipper that is set off to the side to follow a seam at the back. The inner bodice area is lined in a blue silk and the rest of the dress is unlined. An inner waist stay that hooks to close. You can clearly see the hand stitching on the back of the fabric done to create the pattern on the velvet.
- Tagged a vintage YSL 40
- Excellent condition
Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 32" from top of bodice to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5487
Reference Photos: Fall 1986 Yves Saint Laurent.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Outstanding Spring 2000 Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Silk Bias Cut Dress w Low Back
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2000 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- This John Galliano dress is incredibly beautiful and it is a stunning example of his work. No matter how good you think that this dress looks like in photos it is even better in person and moving.
- The dress is made out of a hammered black silk that has a beautiful texture woven through the silk. I love how that the added texture it has catches the light as you move and adds an extra layer of visual interest to the dress.
- The dress is cut completely on the bias so it just glides over the body. It is made to perfectly fall over you in a sweep of bias cut fabric.
- It skims over the bust with a draped front that falls in a soft fold. Wide straps sweep up and over the shoulders and then extend down into the back.
- The back is truly incredible. It is scooped down into a very low open soft V that leaves most of your back bare.
- At the base of the scoop, it crosses over itself and has a bit of the same drape that you see at the front. It is so well-made that I think there is the possibility that you could wear it turned around back to front with the V at the front, depending on how it worked on your body and how daring you wish to be.
- The dress skims over the waist with a bit of a more generous feel. It continues past the hips and the bias cut of the silk lets it follows your curves and highlights the body underneath without it being too tight and fitted. Galliano was, and is, a genius when it came to this cut.
- Once past the hips the dress flares out as it nears the bottom hem so that it has beautiful movement when you move. One perfect angled seam runs down the front of a skirt for subtle detail and the very bottom of the lower skirt flares out slightly.
- A row of tightly spaced black silk covered buttons and loops run down one side to finish it with his signature detail.
- The dress is fully lined in a fine black silk and closes at the side with the buttons. It is all cut on the bias so the measurements given below are the comfortable range when the dress is laying flat. Being bias cut the length may come up a bit once on the body.
- Tagged a vintage Dior FR42, GB14, US10
- Excellent condition
Bust: 17-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5485
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
givenchy
Fall 1982 Hubert de Givenchy Unlabeled Haute Couture Runway Dress w Feathers w Feather Collar
I Have a Question
- Due to new customs regulations this dress can only ship to a Canadian address. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this.
- This dress is from the Fall 1982 Givenchy collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Hubert de Givenchy.
- I believe this is the actual runway sample that walked the runway. The only photo that we have been able to find to verify its presence on the runway is one from the back but it is still a photo that shows that it is a runway piece.
- It would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
-
The dress is unlabelled and it is made by hand in the same level other of his runway samples that we have had in the shop.
- The bodice and sleeves are made from a black velvet with a flat pile finish. I love how it is cut to sit off shoulder and leave a bare expanse of skin across the top of your shoulders. Two little straps curve over the top of the shoulder to hold it perfectly in place and then the sleeves drop so your upper arm is bare.
- The neck line and the very top of each sleeve have a finish of black feathers that add an amazing feel to the dress.
- The sleeves have been tacked into place along the edge of the bodice and they have an elastic running around the top edge for an easy fit.
- The bodice comes in for shape around the waist and then curves back down to the top of the hip.
- The skirt is spectacular. It comes out from the bottom seam of the top and explodes outward around you with incredible volume
- The skirt is made out of a fine black and silver-grey striped silk that has a pretty red metallic dot woven through its surface. It is the perfect subtle touch of colour and contrast.
- The way the feathers fall around the sleeves and upper bodice is just incredible. They also create slight movements when you move. This is a superb example of his Couture abilities.
- The bodice of the dress is fully lined in a black silk and the skirt is lined with a black silk organza. It closes with a back zipper and each sleeve zippers to close at the wrist. It is finished a level appropriate to a runway sample and all of the work is by hand. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
- There is no size tag present given that it is Couture so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 17" from their open top to the end and the elastic stretches from 8-10" around
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of bodice to seam at the top of the hips
Total length: 59" from the top of the shoulder to the front hem and the back extends another 4 " past that. There is an additional. 5" of silk turned under the hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5484
Reference Photo: Fall 1982 Givenchy Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
roberto cavalli
Sexiest 2003 Roberto Cavalli Laced Back Corset Leopard Print Silk Chiffon Dress w Stitched Panels
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Fall 2003 Cavalli collection and is a variation of Look 30
- It was made under the creative direction of Roberto Cavalli
- Leopard prints were predominant through the runway presentation and the backdrop of the catwalk was a giant wall of video screens. The runway equivalent to this dress was deeply plunged at the front but this production piece with its corset front is far more wearable and easy to fit in my opinion. We have included runway video and stills to show you the similar fit through the body and how it will move
- The dress is made of a leopard print bias cut silk chiffon that is phenomenal. Within the leopard print there are printed gold chains that run over the dress and accentuate the curves of the body underneath. They also build on the cut of the dress itself.
- The dress is suspended from two tiny straps in the same silk that curved up and over the shoulders. The straps have a touch of elastic inside to help it fit perfectly once on. At the back they curve slightly inwards and attach. The entire upper back is left bare and exposed.
- There is a built-in inner underwired bra that holds everything in place. This gives you the structure you need while still keeping the feel of a bias cut dress over that.
- The dress curves in at the waist with a combination of long curving vertical seams and ones set in peaked angles that curved downwards. It curves back out over the hips from there. Everything is cut on the bias and there are no horizontal seams to break the print or lines of the dress.
- The lower skirt flares out with quite a bit of fabric used for its construction. The back has extra fabric and is cut a little longer than the front so that you have a beautiful bit of fabric behind you as you move. The extra fabric also gives you wonderful movement as you walk.
- I love how all of the seams around the bodice are pieced together with an obvious brown thread stitching them together. The way this is done allows for a little bit of bare skin to show between the stitches. It is a subtle detail but a fantastic one.
- The final perfect finishing touch is the laced back. This allows you to adjust the fit perfectly to you and it gives the dress the perfect signature Cavalli sexiness.
- The dress is unlined and closes with the laces at the back. The straps have slight elastic in them and there is a built-in underwire bra to create a corset effect. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a modern Cavalli Small
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam when it is tightly laced up. Loosening the laces would give you whatever extra room you needed around.
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: the very front centre is 60" from top of shoulder and then it starts to curve around to end up being 67" at the back.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5479
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2003 Roberto Cavalli, Look 30.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
jean louis scherrer
Gorgeous Spring 2007 Jean Louis Scherrer by Stephane Rolland Leopard Print Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Spring 2007 runway and it is an absolute stunner.
- It was made under the creative direction of Stephane Rolland.
- The dress is made of a beautifully printed feather light silk chiffon and the bow details are a brown silk.
- Wide straps extend up from the two front triangles and wrap and button at the back of the neck. This leaves a plunge right to the wide band that circles around the waist. The result is a low plunge, but because of the way the halter is cut and the width of each side, everything is held perfectly in place once on.
- The waist is defined by a wide band of the same fabric. It starts high up above the waist and is gathered horizontally around you ending at the top of the hip.
- All of the gathering through that area has all been hand tacked into place. I love the shape that it adds to the dress.
- The back is equally spectacular. It is completely bare and exposed from the strap that curves around the neck down to the top edge of the band that details and add shape to the waist.
- The skirt is spectacular. At the front there is a draped panel that falls down the centre and then is caught up with a deep brown bow underneath where is flounces. The lower tier of the skirt widens and flows out from there with extra fabric gathered in.
- The back of the skirt is cut so that it falls a little longer than the front. This creates a really pretty sweeping movement behind you as you walk.
- I love that the print is soft. All of the browns are more on the tawny feeling side to create this pretty softness over the dress. I think in person it feels even less of a contrast in the print than how it photos. It is very pretty.
- The dress has its original tag with its price of €4250 or just under €6500 in modern dollars.
- The dress is lined in a nude colour silk chiffon and closes with a hidden set back zipper. There are three buttons at the neck. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Scherrer 42
- Excellent condition
Bust: each triangle covers approximately 7" flat across from side to side
Band under the bust: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 13" from neck to top of the 8.5" band at the waist
Total length: approx 68" from neck to front hem and the back ham extends another 5" beyond that
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5477
Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2007 Jean Louis Scherrer.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
roberto cavalli
Spring 2016 Roberto Cavalli by Peter Dundas Beaded & Rhinestone Snake Detail White Jersey Dress
I Have a Question
- The dress is from the Spring 2016 Roberto Cavalli Collection and it is a piece that was produced for the shops.
- It was made under the creative direction of Peter Dundas.
- The dress is made out of a white jersey that has some stretch to it which makes it very easy to wear and comfortable once it is on the body.
- The neckline is scooped with a slightly wider cut. The shoulders are soft and the single sleeve that the dress has is long and slightly tapered into the wrist.
- It skims over the bust and is gathered in along one side to add some shape to the waist. From there it curves back out and over the hips to fall to the floor in one long sweep of jersey. The dress is in its original uncut length.
- The detailing on the dress is phenomenal. A heavily detailed snake that combines gold tube beading with rectangular and round prong set rhinestones and tiny silver tube beads is set on top of a three dimensional padding. This gives the snake a rounded out shape so that it slightly sits up and off of the fabric.
- The tail of the snake starts on one side of the neckline, wraps around the back collar, and then runs down the front to follow the low cut opening that your arm slips through. It curves around and into the waist, back around the side of the hip, and then the head of the snake sits just above an extremely high slit at the side.
- The snake detail is incredible. I love how he dropped the depth of the arm hole on one side and then balanced that with the high slit on that same side. It feels very sexy but the placement of the snake and the structure that is added by the under padding holds everything perfectly in place once it is on. It is quite ingenious.
- The dress is fully lined through the body with a second layer of the same white jersey and the sleeve has no lining. It zips to close at the back with a hidden set zipper and there is a zipper at the cuff of the single sleeve. I see perhaps the tiniest bit of grubbiness along the inside collar and around the edge of the hem. There are a couple of teeny tiny pulls in the fabric. I have photoed one for you that is at the back near the zipper. Please see the photo after the label shot. These are all extremely minor and noted for accuracy. The fabric does have some stretch so I have put the comfortable range of measurements below.
- Tagged a modern Cavalli 44
- Excellent condition
Sleeve: 24.5" and are 12" around the upper arm
Bust: covers to 15-17" flat across from side to side with no true seam on the side without the sleeve.
Waist: 13-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 67" from top of shoulder to hem, the slit is 33" from the hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5473
Reference Photo: credit unknown.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
nina ricci
Ethereal Spring 1984 Nina Ricci by Gerard Pipart Haute Couture Runway Silk Chiffon Dress w Detailing
I Have a Question
- This dress is a beautiful example from Nina Ricci Haute Couture.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gerard Pipart.
- The Nina Ricci brand was founded in 1932 at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris and quickly became one of the top couture ateliers in the world.
- In 1964 Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant, as head of the brand. Pipart, who had previously worked for Balmain, Fath, and Patou, brought a wide range of experience in all aspects of fashion to the brand.
- Over the following three decades, Pipart's couture vision 'celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day.' He headed the Couture division until 1998 which makes this a dress from one of his final few seasons.
- This is an incredible and very beautiful piece of Haute Couture.
- It would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris ateliers.
- The dress is made out of layers of a deep blue bias cut silk chiffon that is feather light in weight.
- The bodice is strapless and it has an inner shaped corset that is lightly boned and shaped for light support. The top is slightly rounded above each breast and then dips down and into the centre.
- The silk chiffon has been gathered and softly draped by hand over the body from the bust to the top of the hips. The draping goes all the way around you and adds to the hourglass feel the dress has.
- The waist cinches in and the dress comes with its original matching silk sash that you can tie and style around your shoulders or neck.
- The skirt flows out from under there and it is made up of yards and yards of weightless silk chiffon that is all cut on the bias. The layers of chiffon create the most phenomenal movement as they float over each other.
- I love that added bit of glamour from the beautiful band of glass crystals, silver tube beads and silver sequins that run from the centre of the bust and then curve down and over one hip. It is like an added bit of jewellery to the dress and just beautiful.
- The bodice of the dress is fully lined in a hand set blue silk. The skirt has an inner layer of silk under the top layers of bias cut silk chiffon. The bodice is shaped and lightly boned inside with softly shaped cups. It closes with a hand set back zipper. The dress is entirely made by hand with its proper Haute Couture tag present. There are a couple of tiny repairs and tiny areas of thinning/pinholes here and there in the skirt. There is so much fabric you do not see them but this is mentioned for accuracy. Please see the photos after the label shot.
- There is no size tag present as it is true Haute Couture so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition with the minor note above.
Bust: 14.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from top of bodice to the seam at the top of the hips
Total length: 44" from top of bodice to shortest point of the front hem and 56" to the back hem
Scarf: approx 20" x 80"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD5468
Reference Photo: Spring 1984 Nina Ricci Haute Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
givenchy
Incredible 1980s Hubert de Givenchy Haute Couture Strapless Blue Matte Silk Dress w Velvet Bow Detailing
I Have a Question
- This is an original Givenchy Haute Couture gown whose number tag dates it to approximatelywho's number tag dates it to approximately 1985 to 1987.
- It was made under the creative direction of Hubert de Givenchy
- The dress would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier.
- If not for the tag inside and the number that seems to best place it in that time period we have assigned it to based on other Givenchy Couture pieces we've had in the shop, we would have absolutely thought this was a piece from the 1950s at first glance. It has all the beautiful lines you see in that golden era of Old Hollywood.
- It is made out of a deep blue matte silk that has a bit of a moire design running over its surface. It is a very unique fabric and because the dress is a couture piece it could very well have been specifically produced for this dress.
- The dress is strapless with a handmade built-in interior boned corset to hold it in place around you. It has a stay just under the bust and around the waist to hold it in place and it is lightly boned. I love the extensive hand work that you see inside that shows the high amount of detail that goes into a couture piece.
- The top of the bodice has a slate fullness to it with an added panel of fabric that wraps around the bodice that is gathered and stitched in place by hand to form soft curves and puffs.
- At the front of the bodice there is a large blue velvet bow that has been hand placed. Slightly smaller bows have been attached all the way around the skirt. The bows add a pretty and feminine detail and the contrast of the deeper blue of the velvet is the perfect highlight against the silk backdrop.
- The dress curves in at the waist and then flares out to be very full through the skirt as it falls to the floor.
- The shape through the upper portion of the dress has all been made from the immaculate piecing together of vertical panels. There are eight of them in total and each is shaped to create the curving feel over the bust and waist that you see.
- From there, the skirt curves back out over the hips to meet the first of two wide panels that make up the lower portion of the skirt and give it the volume that you see.
- Each of those panels is set into a seam attached to the panel above, and they are slightly gathered all the way around you. This ties in the feel that the very top of the bodice has and also adds to the volume of the skirt.
- Underneath that gorgeous top layer is a built-in silk underskirt. It has multiple layers of panels built-in around the hem area and more built-in just past the knee. These fall softly under the exterior skirt to help to hold its shape. The inner construction of this underscored is quite extensive and again is a nod to the meticulous detailing that you find in a true Couture piece.
- It is incredibly well made as one would expect for a piece of Couture.
- The dress has weight to it because of all the internal layers but it is balanced perfectly once on the body.
- A full built in bodice closes with its own zipper and the inner stays hook to close. Handmade light padding cups are built in at the bust. The rest of the dress is lined in layers of silk. The dress closes with a hidden set side zipper. All the work is by hand and to Haute Couture standards. The dress has its proper couture label and handwritten tape underneath in place. It looks to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 50.5" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5470
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Outstanding Spring 2003 Christian Dior by John Galliano Bias Cut Black Silk Chiffon Dress w Lace Details & Sequin Halter
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2003 Dior collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- The twin of this dress was worn by Jennifer Aniston to accept her award at the 2003 Golden Globes.
- This is a dress that was made for the shops on a limited basis. A version with no sequins or lace, was also made that season, but this one with the extra detailing was only produced for a very limited amount of shops or special order.
- The dress is made from a bias cut black silk that has a slight texture to it. This is mixed with a black lace and then the dress has additional sequin and bead detailing.
- The front curves over you and then dips low at the back. You can see in the try on photos that when this is on an actual body it dips lower down the back and on more of a curve. This leaves your entire upper back bare and exposed.
- Two straps extended out from the centre of the bodice and hook into place behind the neck. There is a heavy detailing of beads and sequins that follow the neckline of the dress and then scatter over and down the bodice. Both the straps are finished with a heavy detailing of beads and little black prong set black glass rhinestones. Where the straps attached at the front there is a panel of silk shaped to feel like the ends of a tie. This is made from one piece of silk that has been folded over onto itself and then cut into angles at its ends. It is heavily detailed with a beautiful scalloped pattern created by shiny black sequins and tiny little glass beads.
- The top blouses over the waist and then there is a wide 11" panel of gathered black lace that starts at the waist seam and curves over the top of the hips. The fabric has some stretch so that you can adjust where it sits on you.
- The skirt falls to the floor in a beautiful line. It is cut to curve over your hips and then flares out dramatically for the lower portion of the skirt. A slit runs up the front centre for some leg to show and this combined with the flaring cut creates incredible movement as you move.
- It is a really exceptional dress and is extremely sexy once on the body.
- The bodice is fully lined in a black silk chiffon and the skirt is unlined. It slips on to wear with no closures. In its original length. The bias cut and slight stretch of the fabric gives it some movement. I have given the comfortable range of the measurements while laying flat below. It appears to have worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Dior US4, GB8, FR36.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam. The smaller you are through the bust the more the back will drape since the halter holds it in place at the front.
Waist: 12.5-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 15.5-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 25" from neck to waist but once on the top drapes over the waist seam and it is approximately 15 to 16" from the neck
Total length: 73.5" from neck to hem but once on and the top drapes over it is approximately 63.5" long. There is some play with the length depending on how high you hike the area around the hips.
Slit: 27"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5467
Reference photos: Jennifer Aniston in Dior at the Golden Globes, 2003.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
Alexandre Vauthier
Phenomenal Fall 2011 Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture Runway Look Hand Beaded Red Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this extraordinary dress walked the Fall 2011 Vauthier Haute Couture runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of Alexandre Vauthier
- Alexandre Vauthier launched his label in 2009. He started his fashion career in 1993 working for Thierry Mugler as an intern and working his way up to assistant designer to Mugler himself. In 1997 he joined Jean Paul Gaultier where he in charge of the Couture collections for the following eight years.
- He left in 2008 to open his own couture atelier showing his first collection in 2009. From 2011 to 2014 the label was a designated guest member of the Chambre Syndicale de haute couture and since December 2014 he has been a full Couture member. Vauthier departed the label in 2025 it was acquired by Revolve marking the end of the Couture division.
- This is the actual piece that was shown on the runway and may very well be the only one in existence. I love that we have both the runway reference photos and video. You can see how fantastically it moves and looks once on the body.
- The dress is made from a red silk chiffon that has an extensive and very dense application of red bead work hand applied onto it.
- Every line of the dress has been precisely cut and patterned so that it falls perfectly in the lines that he intended it to be shaped in.
- The shoulders are soft and extend into long cut sleeves that are also completely and densely beaded to match the body of the dress. In the runway photo the shoulders look slightly more shaped than the dress in person to me and I think that they may have added temporary padding to style it for the show. Adding your own is a decision that could be made once you have it in hand and try it on.
- The dress is cut to skim over the body and highlight it everywhere. The sleeves are cut a little extra long so that once on the arm they bunch up a touch. There is a cut out. opening that is left under each arm. I have photoed that so that you can see. This was probably done not only as a design choice but to allow movement and not have to worry about the bead work being constricted.
- The neckline is scooped and the dress is shaped to come in at the waist and then curves back out and around the hips so that it skims perfectly over the body.
- The beadwork that sits over the sleeves and body of the dress has been done and a little sections that curve around each other and catch the light differently as you move. You can see in the video how this creates an almost flame like feel over you.
- The skirt is absolutely amazing. As the beads run down over the hips to join into the skirt they become these long flame like ribbons of bead work that extend into varying lengths down and into the skirt. The effect is absolutely beautiful and perfectly picks up on the way the beads were executed through the body of the dress.
- Under the beadwork, the skirt is made out of a red silk chiffon that is very light and weight. It curves slightly up at the front and then extends out into two angled points at the back which again feels like an extension of the flame motif that the dress has.
- You can see on the runway that once very bright lights hit the skirt, it has a sense of transparency to it. That is quite extraordinary and done to highlight the bead work and add a bit of sexiness to the dress despite it full coverage. At the back it trails out past the hem to float around you as you walk.
- The dress is amazing on the body and it is just a beautiful and very sexy dress and an extraordinary little piece of true Haute Couture fashion history.
- The upper portion of the dress is lined in a silk chiffon through the body and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a hidden set back zipper and each cuff closes with a hidden set zipper. This is the actual dress that was worn on the runway and is completely made by hand. It is the original runway sample dress. The beads have been hand sewn so closely to the edges of the zipper that you do have to take care when zipping and unzipping the dress as they can catch and you can see a little bit of catching of thread and perhaps the very occasional missing bead here and there along that edge. I am being pretty picky. This was done to give the illusion that the dress has no opening. Inside the silk chiffon that was used to line the dress is very delicate and there have been some repairs made. This was probably done after the runway show to strengthen parts of the inner lining and can be typical of runway samples. I also see a touch of a mark on one arm on the inner lining, a small tear and some repairs to the silk of the lining. None of this shows through but is mentioned for accuracy and is photoed after the label shot. Some of the seam work is handed basted and this adds to the feel that this is the original sample because that is often how you see runway samples finished.
- There is no size tag present because it is Haute couture sample so please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 28" and they are 9.5" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-16.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 90" from neck to the very longest point at the back hem and the shortest point at the front fall to 49"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5463
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2011 Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
fabrice
Rare Fall 1981 Fabrice Simon Couture Hand Painted Red & Gold Skirt & Top Dress Set
I Have a Question
- This stunning and rare dress set is from the Fall 1981 Fabrice collection.
- It was made by Haitian born designer Fabrice Simon.
- Simons launched his label in 1976 making this an extremely early example of his work and showcases how his early work especially was centred around hand, painted fabrics. He trained as a textile designer originally and pieces like this showcase his love of textiles beautifully.
- Fabrice was a Coty award recipient and one of the preeminent black designers during this time period and pieces by him are extremely difficult to find. Especially at the level that this one is at. It is a very important and collectible piece of Black fashion history.
- The dress is especially iconic because it has two remarkable tie-ins. One with supermodel Pat Cleveland, who wore the twin of the top, and the second with Cicely Tyson who was photographed wearing a version of this set.
- His clothes were worn by some of entertainments most famous names - Kathleen Turner, Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston, who wore one of his dresses to the 1988 Grammy's. The top supermodels of the time like Iman, Beverly Johnson, Christy Brinkley and Jerry Hall were all fans.
- When worn together it does look like a dress but it is a set of two pieces.
- Both pieces are made out of a beautiful light in weight red silk that has a metallic gold design covering its surface. The the gold portion of the fabric have all been painted on by hand and this is where we see Fabrice background as a trained textile designer.
- The top is a remarkable piece of fashion that transcends into art
- Both the front and the back dipped into a V and it buttons down the front with a series of round gold metal ball buttons that slip through red silk loops. There was a little gap left between each button with how it's laid out so you would get a tiny glimpse of skin between each button.
- The top is edged in a metallic gold cord that has a black band twisted around it. This little pop of black and gold contrasts beautifully with the painted fabric and adds a little extra bit of detail.
- The front dips down into a point, and while it has seamed to follow the curve of the body it is soft without boning so very comfortable to wear
- Curving up and around the the shoulders are three rows of silk that has been gathered to form the phenomenal volume and detail that you see. These are stacked beside each other with silk between each row, so they cover the full sides of the top on both the back in front. They are finished in hand edged jagged points and the way they have been set onto the top creates the incredible volume and density that you see in the photos. They add an exuberance to the outfit that is hard to describe until you see it in person. It is just extraordinary.
- The skirt is as fabulous as the top. It is banded around the waist so that you have shape and then it falls very full around you to the hem.
- There is an incredible amount of fabric in the skirt and it's sheer amount of fabric allows that gorgeous hand painted print to be shown off to the maximum. To achieve the fullness that it has all of the silk has been tightly gathered in and around the waist and then expands outward.
- I love that the skirt has pockets. It is the perfect bit of unexpected ease on such a dramatic piece.
- Having two pieces makes it extremely versatile because you can mix a match either piece with things you already have in your wardrobe. It is beautifully dramatic one worn together and then you also have endless styling possibilities when paired with other things.
- Both pieces have an additional handwritten museum tag from being deaccessioned. One has to wonder if that is a regretted decision.
- The top is fully lined in a black silk and buttons down the front as described above. The skirt is unlined and closes at the waist with hook and eye and then a zipper below that. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- The top is tagged a size Small and the skirt has no size tag.
- Excellent condition
Top
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom edge: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 17" from top of shoulder to bottom edge, not including the added 2.5" extended angle at the front
Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 47" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5462
Reference Photos: (1-2) Fabrice and Pat Cleveland for Essence magazine, November 1981. / (3) Cicely Tyson, in hand-painted Fabrice, at the Alvin Theatre in New York City, 1982.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
Ady Couture
1982 Ady for Givenchy Haute Couture Deep Copper Gold Silk Dress w Hand Done Sequin Detailing
I Have a Question
- The dress was made by hand in the atelier of Ady Couture who was based in Lausanne Switzerland
- Ady was a couture trained seamstress and headed a team who had full permission of the Haute Couture houses she worked with to make the designs they showed in Paris for clients based in Switzerland and the surrounding areas.
- She would purchase couture fabrics from the couture houses along with the patterns. This arrangement with the couture houses was a way to work around customs during this time period and do fittings for clients unable to travel to Paris. So far we have verified that she had this arrangement with Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Ungaro. There may have been others but those are the four labels we have documentation on from the runway.
- This incredible Haute Couture dress came to me from the niece of the original couture client.
- The dress is an authorized copy of the 1982 Givenchy Haute Couture fdress that we have included reference photos of here. I love having the runway photos so that you can see just how amazing it is in the body.
- The dress is made from a deep copper gold silk. It is very light in weight but has enough structure to hold the stunning lines and volume of the dress. The colour of the silk is even better in person.
- The neckline is a simple scoop and the bodice skims over your curves. The sleeves are incredible. Each one is set on a curve to follow the shape of the arm in the traditional manner of dressmaking. They are set into the shoulders with a beautiful series of soft pleats so that you get a bit of volume at the shoulder. They puff out slightly around the upper arm and then narrow down at their ends.
- The waist is seamed but with a more generous feel. You can use the ribbon belt to cinch it in and add shape.
- The skirt is one of the best skirts I have seen both from a design point of view and by its level of construction. It is gathered all the way around the waist in a series of soft pleats. These puff out slightly and this little couture trick gives the illusion that the waist is smaller then it is. A seam brings the top part of the skirt inwards and then the lower part of the skirt falls to the floor from there.
- The lower portion of the skirt is made from several yards of silk so that it flares out beautifully as it falls.
- Between the two sections is a wide velvet ribbon that wraps around the seam and ties into a bow at the side. Which beautifully picks up on the bow around the waist. The silk of the skirts are lined in a silk organza to help give support but it is really the genius of the cut itself that creates the shape.
- An elaborate and intricate floral design runs across the front and back of the bodice and down each sleeve. Hand done embroidery work is combined with tiny black sequins and hand applied beads. It is some of the finest hand work I have seen.
- The skirt is gathered all the way around the waist in a series of soft pleats. These puff out slightly and this little couture trick gives the illusion that the waist is smaller then it is.
- Inside the dress is completely finished to couture standards with every seam finished by hand. I have taken some detail shots for you to see the fine workmanship inside. It is an incredible piece and absolutely beautifully made.
- The bodice is fully lined in a matching gold toned silk and the skirt is fully lined with a soft gold toned silk organza. It closes with a hand set back zipper and the skirt snaps into place with silk covered snaps over that. Hidden set zippers at each wrist. Hand finished throughout. The velvet ribbon belt is not original to the piece but is included. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Made to Haute Couture standards with a tremendous amount of detail put into its construction. It is a slightly softer gold copper in person then how it photoed. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 26" and they are 16" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of the shoulder to waist
Length: 58" from top of the shoulder to front hem, 61" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5461
Reference Photos: Fall 1982 Givenchy Couture Runway.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Spring 1980 Christian Dior by Marc Bohan Haute Couture One Shoulder Coral Red Silk Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of the dress in white walked the runway for the Spring 1980 Haute Couture presentation
- It was made under the creative direction of Marc Bohan.
- The Spring 1980 collection was called "Return to Classism". The book Dior:Catwalk noted that the collection "focused on paired back silhouettes with defined shoulders, subtle and belted waists... "My look is one of softness and neatness." Bohan told Vogue. Vogue also noted the one shoulder necklines that were integral to the collection and that is shown so beautifully in this dress.
- This dress would have been made entirely in the Paris atelier.
- During this time period dresses with this black with white text Couture label usually denoted a custom order that was different from the presented piece on the runway. Being that the dress was shown in white on the runway this makes perfect sense.
- The dress is made out of a red silk crepe that is a colour that is flattering on most skin tones, especially with its touch of a coral undertone.
- I love the nod to classic minimalism that the dress displays.
- A single wide shoulder curves up and over your shoulder and the opening that your arm slips through begins and is set slightly off the top of the shoulder so you have just the suggestion of a sleeve. It angles down across you on both the front and the back. The opening dips slightly low on the other side leaving that entire opposite side and shoulder bare and exposed.
- It skims over the bust and blouses slightly over the seam at the waist. The silk is gathered in slightly at the waist and done so that it falls perfectly around you. If you wanted to add more shape you could easily add a belt.
- The skirt falls from there and is constructed so that it wraps over itself to one side at the front and secured in place around the waist. A deliberate gap is left open near the hem and when you walk, move or sit, you get a flash of leg. You can see how this sits so beautifully on the body from the runway reference photos.
- It is a dress that appears to be so simple in shape but every seam and line of the dress was purposefully and masterfully executed and planned.
- The dress comes with a huge rectangle of finished silk in a matching colour that can be used as a shawl or partial cape piece. It is not photoed but will be sent with the dress.
- This is an extraordinary example of his work during this time period and it is an absolutely stunning dress.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching red silk chiffon and closes at the side with a hand set zipper. An inner waist stay hooks to close. All of the work is done by hand to Couture standards. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
- There is no size tag present because it is Couture so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Dress
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17.5" from top of shoulder to waist but does blouse over a bit once on
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem with 2.5" turned under the ham
Shawl (not pictured)
6.8 feet wide x 9.75 feet wide
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5454
Reference Photos: Spring 1980 Christian Dior Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Beautiful Cruise 2011 Christian Dior by John Galliano Red Silk Chiffon Dress w Gathered Front
I Have a Question
- This gorgeous dress is from the Cruise 2011 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- On the runway there was a dress that used a similar pleat pattern on the front bodice for Look 26.
- The runway show took place in Shanghai and Galliano said at the time that he was trying to "capture the feeling of Paris in its heyday".
- The dress is made from a red silk chiffon that has a bit of a coral undertone and a touch of texture to it.
- Wide straps curve up and around the neck and the back scoops down to leave your upper back bare and exposed. At the front the neckline plunges into a V.
- The silk is gathered vertically on both sides at the front. All of the gathered pleats are held in place by a series of horizontal ruffles in a matching silk that run down the front. I love how the pleat work narrows down to a point at the waist. This helps to add the illusion of both length and a tinier waistline.
- The skirt is gathered up and into the sides of the point at the front. It skims and curves over the hips and then it widens out as it nears the floor.
- By the time it reaches the hem there is a lot of fabric there and this gives you fantastic movement as you move. This was a silhouette that Galliano loved.
- A high slit runs up from the hem on the top layer of the skirt only. This lets that top chiffon layer catch the air and add even more movement as you walk.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching red silk. One of his signature rows of matching silk covered buttons and loops run down one side and this hides a hidden set zipper underneath to close the dress. It appears to have good morning very little if little effort at all.
- Tagged a Dior FR36, GB8, IT40, US4
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 16" from neck to waist
Total length: approx 62" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5453
Reference Photo: Resort 2011 Christian Dior, Look 26. Model Sigrid Agren.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
valentino
Spring 2004 Valentino by the Original Mr. Valentino Black Pleated Bodice & Ruffle Skirt Dress
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2004 Valentino collection
- It was made under the creative direction of the original, Mr. Valentino
- We have included some photos from the Spring 2004 Valentino collection of dresses with similar elements to this one. This is a dress that was produced for the shops and it is absolutely gorgeous.
- The dress is made out of a feather light black silk chiffon and the lightness of this fabric choice creates a soft and romantic feel as it floats over your body.
- The entire dress is cut to allow it to drape beautifully over the body and highlight your curves.
- The bodice is finished with tiny and precise pleats that wrap all the way around to the back. The top of the bodice is gathered into a sweetheart and the back sits on a slight curve to leave the upper back bare and exposed.
- A ruffled panel of black silk chiffon is set along straps that are meant to sit off the shoulder. Once this is on a body, it will sit around the upper arm. I think, depending on the space between the shoulder and bodice you might also be able to wear this on the top of the shoulder.
- The waist is cinched and seamed to follow the curve of the body.
- From there it curves out and over the hips and the panels of chiffon that make up the skirt float around you as the skirt falls to the floor.
- The skirt is a little masterpiece in its own right. It is actually made of a series of panels that are all set in around the waist. They are attached together to just under the hip and sat in a way so that they overlap each other as they fall to the floor.
- Each panel is a long rectangle that widen out to their curved ends. Each of the individual panels are finished with a ruffle of a matching black silk chiffon that runs all the way around the entire panel. I love how the ruffle is smaller near the top of the hip and then also widen out as it circles around the bottom of each panel.
- The panels overlap each other as they curve around you but there is no inner lining. It is the overlapping and the multiple layers of the panels that make it opaque enough to wear. Besides making it wearable, the separation of the panels once they get past the hip area is what allows the extraordinary amount of movement that the skirt has when you move.
- The silk chiffon that was used is feather light and the dress is a dream in person.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk chiffon through the bodice and the skirt is constructed as described above. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. It is in its original uncut length. I see a tiny repair near the hem and along the hem. Both extremely minor. It otherwise.appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Valentino 6
- Excellent condition.
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to "20 flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 16" from the top of the shoulder to the waist and the bodice on its own is about 9.5" from the top edge to the waist
Length: 64" from top of the shoulder to the hem,
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5442
Reference Photos: Spring 2004 Valentino.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
emilio pucci
Fabulous Fall 2011 Emilio Pucci by Peter Dundas Runway Look 3 Green Print Corset Front Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was presented for Look 3 for the Fall 2011 Pucci collection
- It was made under the creative direction of Peter Dundas.
- Besides being shown on the runway it also made an appearance on the amfAR red carpet that season.
- I love that all the various reference photos and video give you an amazing idea of how gorgeous this is on the body.
- The dress is made out of the classic modern Pucci jersey that makes it extremely comfortable to wear but also perfectly defined your curves. The fabric has some stretch and it is lined in a black stretch silk so that it sits very flattering on top of the body.
- The front neck is scooped and is edged in a bit of ruffled raw edged silk for a pretty detail. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are long.
- Each sleeve zips to close around the wrist and are finished with that same pretty little ruffle detail.
- The front bodice is phenomenal. It has an inner boned corset piece that starts near the top of the shoulders and then comes down in on angle to the waist. This helps to flatten out the front and push the breasts up. It is a nod to a historical front corset and is very flattering once on the body.
- It skims over the bust and waist around this front corset piece and is brought in slightly to add shape around the waist area. From there it curves back out over the hips and falls to the floor.
- The bottom flares out quite a bit so you have some movement around you when you move. You can see that on the runway video. The back is cut longer than the front so you get a pretty sweeping feel behind you.
- This is a gorgeous example of Peter's time at the label.
- The dress is fully lined in a black stretch silk layer. The back of the corset part is lined in a black cotton mix. It closes with a back hidden set zipper and has hidden set zippers at each wrist. The jersey has some stretch and I have put the comfortable range of measurements below. Its easy fit and stretch should allow it to fit a range of sizes. It is in its original uncut length. It appears to have been worn very little, if at all.
- Tagged a more modern Pucci IT40, FR36, US6, UK8
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 26.5" and they are 9-11" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15-16" and are meant to sit a little wider across the shoulder
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 64.5" from top of shoulder to hem and the back extends 11" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5432
Reference Photo/Video: (1-4) Fall 2011 Emilio Pucci, Look 3. Model Daphne Groeneveld. / (5) Toni Garrn at the amfAR Gala in Milan, 2011.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
madame gres
Exceptional Spring 1974 Madame Gres Haute Couture Unlabeled Documented Blue Silk Jersey Skirt & Top
I Have a Question
- This is a very rare Haute Couture Gres skirt and top hat from Spring 1974.
- It was made under the creative direction of Madame Gres.
- The documented to Spring 1974 was done through the sketch of it that we have added here.
- This is the exact set that was worn by Annabelle Wallis. I love that the photos of her show how beautiful this is once it is on. The movement even through the static photographs is phenomenal.
- Madame Gres' work has had profound effects on Haute Couture and her influence still resonates to this day. Her attention to detail, master draping techniques, and respect for the female form is unparalleled. She was known for designing and creating garments directly on her models and this became a signature of her work.
- She opened her first atelier, La Maison Alix in 1932. A partnership briefly changed the house's name to Alix Barton and then the label went to simply Alix. In 1942 she married, and the label made its last change to became Madame Gres, which was a partial anagram of Serge, her husband's first name. Her work spans over five full decades with the vast majority of it, with the exception of a short-lived RTW line begun in 1980, dedicated solely to creating Haute Couture. She is one of the greatest couturiers of our time and her pieces are very rare and hard to find.
- This Haute Couture set is exceptional. Both pieces are made from a bias cut silk jersey done in a perfect tropical sea blue that has a touch of turquoise to it. Silk jersey was one of her signature fabrics. The pleating detailing on the bodice of this set is one of her signature techniques.
- As with many of her pieces the cut and design of both pieces are simple and minimalist but with maximum impact.
- Tiny straps made from the same jersey curve over the shoulders. Under that is the incredible hand-pleated bandeau bodice. Two panels of pleated silk jersey curve around each and wrap behind you creating a curving pattern with openings between the curves all the way around.
- The silk jersey on the bands has been pleated entirely by hand with tiny little hand stitches hidden in the folds.
- It is lightly boned inside and completely made by hand. You can see all the hand work in the photos where I have shown the back. It wraps and curves over itself at the back and closes with two hidden sets of hook and eye.
- An expanse of bare skin sits between the top and the skirt. Depending on your height, the amount of skin shown between the skirt and top will vary.
- The skirt falls from the waist in a swoop of bias cut silk jersey that widens out as it nears the hem. There are yards and yards of jersey in the skirt. You really get an idea of that in the photos of Annabelle. It is quite exceptional.
- Every seam on the dress has been finished by hand. Working with a bias cut silk jersey in this manner is an incredible achievement that would have taken countless hours of handwork to complete.
- It is a work of art and very rare. It very well may be the only one that exists.
- The top is lined in a matching silk with all of the hand were clearly seen. It is lightly boned and hooks to close. The skirt hooks to close at the waist and then snaps under that. I see a bit of grubbiness on the inner lining of the top and on some of the edges of the top and the waistband of the skirt. There is the occasional tiny pull in the jersey. The straps have been reinforced. The hem of the skirt is deliberately raw. I see a couple tiny pinhead holes in the jersey of the skirt near the hem. There is so much fabric in the skirt that you would never see them but it is mentioned for accuracy. The dress is unlabelled. Both pieces are finished to Haute Couture standards and entirely made by hand.
- There is no size tag is present because it is true Haute Couture so please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Bandeau top
Bust: best fits a 32A or 32smallB or smaller
Bottom hem: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 13" from top of shoulder to bottom
Skirt
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 43" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD5425
Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1974 Madame Gres sketch from the Palais Galliera Collection. / (2-5) Annabelle Wallis in this set, 2024.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
bill blass
Fall 1987 Bill Blass Runway Strapless Black Velvet Detailed Blue Silk Dress w Elaborate Back Bow
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Fall 1987 Bill Blass runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of Bill Blass.
- I love that we found a reference photo from the runway so you can see just how fantastic this is once on.
- This is the actual dress worn Mikey Madison to the Oscars Nominees Dinner in February and she landed on several best dressed lists as a result.
- Bill Blass launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with unexpected materials in way that was very flattering to the wearer.
- It is one of those dresses that looks amazing on the dress form but is even better on an actual person.
- The fabric feels like art. The base is a rich blue silk and then onto this is a fantastic design made of out a black velvet. The velvet is very soft to the touch with a chenille like finish that gives the design a beautiful texture and softness.
- The dress has the feel of an antique 18th century gown and I love this reference back to the past.
- The top is a fitted and strapless with a band of black silk wrapping around the breasts. It falls from there to skim outward over the waist and hips, and then narrows back down to the floor as it reaches the hem. This gives the front of the dress a more long and lean feel but with a hint that something special might happen as you turn.
- The back is the star of the show. Sitting over the top of the closure at the back is a large black velvet bow. This tops an added panel underneath that is very extravagant. The panel curves outwards and then loops back in to attach just under the hips. A second black velvet bow sits at the base of where it is attached back into the dress. A slit is hidden under the panel to give you room to walk while keeping the narrow silhouette of the hem.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk. It closes with a back painted metal zipper hidden under a seam and there is an inner hooked waist stay. There is light boning through the bodice. Hand work throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present, so please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5411
Reference Photos/Video: (1) Fall 1987 Bill Blass Runway. / (2-6) Mikey Madison wearing this dress to the Oscars Nominees Dinner, February 2025, styled by Jamie Mizrahi.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
giorgio armani
Fantastic Fall 1998 Giorgio Armani Runway, Ad Campaign & Exhibit Silk Skirt w Fall 2001 Sequin Top Set
I Have a Question
- The skirt from this set is from the Fall 1998 runway and then sequin top was shown on the runway for Fall 2001.
- It was made under the creative direction of Giorgio Armani.
- The twin of the skirt walk the runway with a fitted long sleeved matching top. That version of the set was used in the ad campaign. It is also featured in their new Archivo online section, worn on the red carpet and featured in an Armani exhibit.
- My client wore it with this sequin top instead that is also from the Armani main line and its twin was in the runway collection.
- The base of the top is a blue chiffon that is a slightly different shade than the skirt. Because of the heavy application of sequins it works well together.
- The top is a simple tank with a scooped front and back and a more generous cut through the body that makes it very easy to wear.
- It is fully covered in blue iridescent sequins that are laid flat outside by side horizontally. Mixed into that are little tiny, silver, sequins and beads rose of tiny seed, beads and little shots of white sequins and red bead work. It's very pretty and the entire top has the sequence coverage on both the front and the back.
- I love how at the back of the top it's left with no closures for the little bit of the bottom. This is a very Armani signature where he lets part of the closure stay open, so you have that little peak of the skirt underneath it and that little bit of extra movement.
- The skirt is stunning. It's made out of a deep blue silk mix, and it is all cut on the bias. It has a flat front with an inner band that helps to hold it and give structure around the waist.
- From there, it curves out over the hips and expands outward to the floor. The front is cut shorter, and then the back herbs around to become a sweeping train of silk behind you. There is a slit that runs up one side so that when you walk, you get a flash of leg.
- I love that because it is two separate pieces. You can wear these together or mix a match either piece with existing things in your wardrobe.
- The top is fully lined in a blue chiffon and closes with hidden set snaps at the back. The skirt is online and closes with a hidden set side zipper.
- The skirt is tagged a vintage Armani 42 and the top has no size tag present.
- Excellent condition
Top
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom hem: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 21.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Skirt
Waist: 13 to 13.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 40.5" from top of waist to the shortest part of the front hem. The back extends another 26.5" and the slit is just under 22" from the front hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5412
Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1998 Giorgio Armani. / (2) Giorgio Armani Ad Campaign, 1998. / (3) From ARMANI Archivio. / (4) Juliette Binoche at the Cannes Film Festival, 2016. / (5) From the "Giorgio Armani - Milano, per amore" exhibit at the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, 2025. / (6) Spring 2001 Giorgio Armani.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
george halley
Outstanding 1967 George Halley Couture Heavily Embroidered, Rhinestone & Applique Soft Pink Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress in a different colour resides in the permanent collection of the Met Museum.
- It was made under the creative direction of George Halley.
- Halley was one of the great American Couturiers.
- George Halley started his career working for Charles James who said of the young designer that he 'was a genius at draping'. By the time Halley opened his own atelier in 1966 he was well on his way to fame. He won the Coty Award in 1968 and his work is on par with true couture. He is one of my personal favourite designers.
- Women's Wear Daily called him 'a designer in a lovely world of his own' and that is how I feel about his work.
- This is an absolutely outstanding dress that shows the extreme level of detail that was being done with Couture pieces in this era. This would have been made entirely by hand in his Salon.
- A pale pink silk net tops a pink silk and then this has an elaborate detailing added over its surface with 3D velvet flowers, prong set rhinestones, hand beading and faux pearls
- Over that is a application of hand done metallic embroidery that covers the top layer of netting.
- The front has a high empire cut with an attached velvet band around the waist. This ends in a pretty and romantic bow at the back.
- The workmanship on the stress is spectacular and I've included a lot of close-ups for you to see. No matter how amazing you think it looks in the photos. It is better in person.
- The dress has been completely made by hand to a Couture level.
- It closes with a back zipper and snaps over the bow. The dress is hand lined in a pale pink silk. I see a little bit of grubbiness on the velvet sash and bow. I feel like this could be removed and replaced with the original just cap to side so that you have all of the pieces, but it would be easy to add a sash of your choice and maybe even extend it down the back. There is some very slight change in colour along some of the edges of the inner pink silk lining, some minor grubbiness along the hem and some splitting of the silk on the inner hem along the very edge at the bottom. These are all minor but mentioned for accuracy
- There was no size tag present, so please go buy the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 7.5" and the opening is 10" around
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 54" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5410
Reference Photo: 1967 George Halley dress from the Met collection.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
yves saint laurent
Spring 1986 Yves Saint Laurent Numbered Haute Couture Strapless Black Handmade Lace Dress
I Have a Question
- This amazing dress is from the Spring 1986 Haute Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- The dress would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The dress is made from a hand made black French corded lace and this choice in fabric gives the dress its structure and shape. This is mixed with silk satin details across the top of the bottom, around the hip, and finishing the hem.
- The bodice is strapless and is cut to curve across the front. Inside there is a full separate couture level corset that is boned and shaped to hold the dress perfectly in place around you.
- It curves in to skim over the waist and then it curves back out and over the hips. Just under the hips is an attached black silk ribbon that wraps around you and ties in a bow at the front.
- The skirt falls underneath the ribbon detailing and down to the floor. It widens out quite a bit around you for lovely movement when you move. The skirt is cut slightly longer at the back and has extra fabric for a bit of a sweeping feel behind you.
- I love how there is a matching dip at the back of the bodice that picks up on the shape of the extended back skirt. This is all done to add the illusion of length.
- As with all couture pieces, and Yves' especially, they only truly come to life once on the body. This dress looks so simple and easy but it is really a bit of an understated masterpiece in person.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes with a side set zipper. The inner corset closes with its own zipper. The corset is lightly boned through the bodice and shaped. An inner waist stay hooks to close.
- There is no size tag present since it is Haute Couture so please go by the measurements list listed below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 15-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 12.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 50" from top of bodice to front hem, 54" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5405
Reference Photos: (1-3) Spring 1986 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture. / (4-6) Spring 1986 Haute Couture Sketches. / (7) Credit Unknown. / (8) Ahn Duong for Harpers and Queen, June 1986. Photographed by David Seidner. / (9) Iman in YSL, 1986.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
gucci
Fall 2003 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Look 10 Stretch Silk Dress + Black Corset Waist Cincher Belt
I Have a Question
- The twin of this set was Look 10 on the Fall 2003 runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of Tom Ford.
- We have included runway photos and video for you to see how beautifully this moves once on the body. In Vogue's review of the show they said that "This season every major designer is talking about creating a "beauty" strong enough to defy our anxious times. Backstage that was the word Tom Ford used to characterize his Fall collection for Gucci—a collection in which beauty was personified as a power vixen extravagantly armoured to face down a troubled world" The evening pieces were mentioned specifically "For evening, there were gowns constructed with cutout zones of sparkling mesh and frilled bra tops; others snaked to the floor, held in place with complex asymmetric straps crossing the torso and shoulders. If Ford is treading the territory mapped out by Thierry Mugler and Azzedine Alaïa in the ’80s, it’s no surprise. Much of fashion is heading in that direction >anyway, and Ford, after all, bases Gucci’s entire brand proposition on finding new ways of upping the ante on sex season after season."
- This is a dress from one of the most incredible eras of Gucci.
- I love that this dress is the twin of the colour chosen to walk the runway and that it has it's corset belt. The belts were sold separately but this listing is for both pieces together.
- My client who is the original owner, verified that this colour of dress was only sold in a limited amount of Gucci shops and that they were produced in lower quantities, making it a more rare find. These usually do not have the matching corset belt since it was sold separately or they are in the all black colour that was sold and produced in greater quantities for retail.
- The dress is made out of a silk blend that allows the silk to stretch and give.
- The fabric is as light as air and that incredible stretch allows it to conform to your every curve and helps to create curves.
- The neckline is meant to sit lower on the chest and it sits wide across the front. You can see that on the runway.
- The sleeves are long and simple so that the seaming detail on the dress can stand out. The silk is gathered up and over the edge of the neckline in soft folds and then below that is the incredible seaming that shapes the dress around the body.
- The seam work that he did for his time at Gucci was an integral part of his design philosophy. The seaming acted like embellishments, shaping the pieces and giving them added detailing.
- The waist is seamed and it curves down and over the hips with insets there to hold and emphasize the shape.
- The skirt falls under that, following the curve of the body with just a slight flare out at the back hem. At the back the seaming curves around from that waist area and curves underneath your bottom. The silk is gathered in along those curved seams to create ruching and there is a panel built inside where they meet just above the hem to give added structure and support.
- The corset goes over top of that and it is made out of a thick stretch fabric that has an almost neoprene feel to it. It velcros into place at the front and then straps wrap around you and buckle into place to cinch you in.
- This is a true stand out piece from Tom Ford's reign at Gucci and it is also incredibly sexy.
- Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The belt has Velcro at the front and then buckles to close over that. Both pieces appear to have been worn very little if at all. The dress has its inner fabric tag with the Gucci name on it only. The fabric does have stretch and the measurements below are the comfortable range laying flat.
- The belt is tagged a size 40.
- Excellent condition.
Dress
Sleeves: approx 28" and they are 12-15" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 15-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 40" from top of shoulder to front hem, 43" to the back hem
Corset Belt
6" high at its skinniest point and 9" at its widest. It is approx 26-30" end to end
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5399
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Fall 2003 Gucci, Look 10. Model Mariacarla Boscono. / (4) Yasmine Warsame in Gucci for Amica Magazine, October 2003.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
gucci
Incredible Fall 2010 Gucci by Frida Giannini Runway Look 45 Strapless Dress Covered w Pailettes & Matching Capelet
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walk the runway for the Fall 2010 collection for Look 45.
- It was made under the creative direction of Frida Giannini.
- This was one of a series of evening pieces done for the finale of the show and was one of the best of those final looks. I am very glad that we have the runway photos so that you can see how this will properly fit on the body once on.
- The dress is strapless and there is a band made out of a chocolate suede that runs around the top of the bodice. Inside there is light boning to and structure and help to hold the dress properly in place.
- It skims over the bust and is shaped slightly inwards at the waist and then curves back out over the hips. It falls to just above the knee depending on your height.
- The dress can be worn on its own or you can wear the matching little shoulder capelet feeling piece that comes with the dress. My dress form is cut slightly shorter through the body so the bottom edge of the shoulder piece is coming to the top of the dress. Depending on your height and build it will either sit the same or sit above the top to leave a strip of bare skin showing like you see in the runway photos.
- The base is a deeper brown and then that has thousands of iridescent sequin pailettes attached in little clusters over the entire dress. These are in different sizes and the smaller ones are attached top bottom to the dress and then the longer pieces are attached at their tops only so they have this incredible movement and slight sound when you move.
- The shoulder piece is made out of two layers of black silk net. It has more of the same iridescent pailettes attached to it. The ones on this piece have a more clear undertone, whereas the ones on the dress have a slightly brown undertone. The slightly different colour and transparency of the base fabric gives the capelet a touch of a contrasting colour to the dress.
- The shoulder piece snaps to close at the back and has little built in openings for your arms to fit through so that it stays perfectly in place once on. I also love that you could where these as a set as shown on the runway or mix and match with other things in your wardrobe.
- The dress is fully lined in light brown silk. The inner corset piece that is lightly boned has its own zipper and then a second zipper sits over that to close the dress. Part of the back goes over the zipper and snaps into place. It sat down slightly from the top edge of the dress, so you see a bit of the under part of the dress. This is a detail that was done purposefully. The shoulder piece snaps to close at the back with hidden set snaps. Perhaps the occasional sequin missing but no overly bare spots and the pattern does have open spots purposely built into it. The original tags are attached and it was never worn.
- Tagged a Gucci 40
- Excellent condition
Dress
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 31.5" from top of bodice to hem
Capelet
20-23" it's widest point across and each opening for the arm is between 10.5-11" around
Total width: approx 9.5"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5400
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2010 Gucci, Look 45. Model Yulia Kharlapanova.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.















































