The Valentina Ltd label was a high end knit wear company that flourished through the 1950s to the 1970s and were known for the elaborate bead and sequin work on soft knits and knit jerseys. They had the bead and sequin work done in Hong Kong, where the best sequin and bead work in the world outside of the specialty ateliers in Paris was being done. This skirt only has its Saks label present but I instantly recognized the patter as I have had a full dress that from the waist down was the exact twin of this skirt.

This skirt is gorgeous and has an elaborate pattern set on a felted jersey knit. This gives the fabric a touch of added texture and it is also soft to the touch. The print covers every inch of the skirt including the 'ribbons' at the bottom hem. To construct this skirt so that the pattern perfectly lines up like this means that the pattern would have had to be all pre-thought out and laid out onto the fabric before cutting. The bead and sequin work is all done by hand and it is added to the fabric to follow and highlight the design underneath. I especially love the elaborate work around the waist band where large turquoise colored discs and rhinestones create a stunning jeweled effect all the way around the waist. Excellent condition with one small note below

Fully lined in a black silk and closes at the back with a painted metal zipper and hook & eye at the waist band.

Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# S910

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

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 the models and the results were spectacular. She first opened her 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, a partial anagram of her husband's first name, Serge. In 1980 she started a ready to wear line in partnership with designer Peggy Huynh Kinh but by 1983 she took it over in-house so that she had sole control over the entire process. This skirt bears the label produced between 1983 and 1987 and is a rare example of her work during these last few years of her career.

This skirt is utterly fantastic in its own right beyond its historical importance. I am in absolute love with it - the color, the design, the workmanship - everything about it is perfection. Pieces with this label are rare and the beauty of this particular piece really makes it a once in a lifetime find. The fabric is unusual and is a soft woven textile that feels like a mix of silk and maybe a fine wool thread mixed with a silver lame thread. The color is a cinnamon brown with a pattern of black and silver flowers that are woven into the fabric. This lifts them just slightly off the base fabric and adds an extra dimension to the fabric. The main portion of the skirt is cut on in a long and lean line with a band around the waist for added shape and a deep ruffle that circles the lower hem. It comes with its original long suede tie belt that has a large glossy black carved plastic bead to finish each end. The beauty of the color combination is equaled by the fine workmanship that has gone into constructing it. It is really a work of art and in important piece of fashion history. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a painted metal zipper at the waist. Original suede tie belt and an inner hooked waist stay. Pockets along the seam of each hip.

Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 43.5" from top to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S908

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This incredible ball gown skirt from Oscar de la Renta has never been worn. In fact, it still has its original tags on it and feels like it just stepped out of a time capsule. The condition is pristine. The skirt is made of a deep fuchsia silk brocade that is a touch deeper in tone than how it photoed. The color is even better in person and has a richer feel to it. It somehow seems to land somewhere between a purple and a deep pink though slightly more towards the purple tone. The skirt is incredibly versatile as an evening piece - you could potentially pair it with anything from a simple white tee to an extravagant couture piece. it is cut supermodel length and has a built in silk taffeta underskirt that gives it that amazing fullness that you see. The waist nips in and the skirts flounce around the wearer in the most dramatic way. The construction is immaculate and while the skirt does have some weight to it due to all of that fabric once on, it feels shockingly easy to wear. Unworn and has all original tags attached. Excellent condition

Fully lined with a layer of silk taffeta, dyed a shade deeper then the exterior, that helps it to retain its fullness. Stiffening through the hem to also help keep the shape. It closes at the waist with a flat hook & eye and snaps under that. Pockets on each hip. Has all its original tags that give us its original price of $3100 which would roughly be $8500 (or more) in modern day dollars. Tagged a vintage OLDR 10

Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Skirt: 46" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S900

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This vintage Lanvin skirt would have been designed by Belgian-born Jules-Francois Crahay, who headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984. He has been "noted as one of fashion’s great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugel​y ​desirable and influential." His realm is one of my favorites for the house and the period through the late sixties and into the 70s in particular. He was a genius at print and color and he pushed the envelope in terms of using the "new" jerseys available during this time period. This skirt has a boutique label present

This skirt has such a bright mix of color and print. The jersey fabric it is made of was considered one of the new "miracle fabrics" of the day as they gave women the option to wash and wear and travel with pieces that needed little or no ironing once you arrived at your destination. Lanvin began producing pieces from these jerseys in the early 1970s to appeal to their younger, jet set clients and I love when I find great examples of these and this time period in the label's history. The skirt falls to the floor and slightly widens as it nears the hem. There is a band of a more fitted part that wraps around the low waist with a seam under that the the lower part of the skirt is set into. I love the print pop art floral print and that color combo of purple and green with pop so a vivid pink. The skirt feels fuller in person. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a painted metal zipper. The waist is set and has no give

Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 42" from waist to hem with 4" turned up under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# S899

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I think one of my favorite vintage pieces is the full length maxi skirts by Pucci. His velvet are amazing and the print and colors that they were done in can't be beat. You can throw them on with just about anything topping them and it works. The prints are so vibrant and bright that they act like a neutral and they work as well with flats as they do with a heel so are infinitely versatile. This one is done in a brilliant and bright green velvet that has a spectacular grape vine print running over its surface. The skirt also has borders worked into the print that separate out the top from the bottom and give it visual interest. I love the deep purple and blues used to make up that design. They pop off the green beautifully. The cut is classic Pucci and shaped into a simple A-line silhouette that falls to the floor in a graceful sweep of fabric. The velvet gives it enough weight to hold the shape so it falls perfectly once on. These can really be worn year round as the velvet is a cotton version so breathes well. It is just fantastic and I love it. Excellent condition

Lined in a bright green silk and closes with a side painted metal zipper and fabric covered snap at the waist. Hand finished and the velvet is signed throughout. Tagged a vintage Pucci 12, but vintage Pucci is cut small compared to modern pieces

Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S883

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is a knee length cotton velvet skirt by Emilio Pucci that has been done in a beautiful mix of happy and bright colors. Shade of a pink, purples and lavender are mixed with pops of cherry, blacks and ivories. All the colors are set in a swirling, curving design that covers the entire surface. The edge of the hem is printed with a contrasting design, a signature Pucci flourish and one that makes it instantly recognizable as being his work. That wonderful mix of colors make you happy to just look at it. It is an instant pop of color and an easy way top add a little vintage to your wardrobe. Excellent overall condition with a small note to review below

The skirt is fully lined in an ivory silk and closes with a side painted metal zipper and a flat hook and eye at the waist. The inner lining shows some minor discoloration and there are some areas where the fabric has worn through but nothing that effects the exterior. Perhaps a touch of grubbiness to the lighter parts of the velvet on the exterior. All minor.

Waist: 14" flat across from seam to seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across the back form side seam to side seam
Length: 23.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S880

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is a gorgeous cotton velvet skirt by Emilio Pucci that has been done in a beautiful mix of pinks and taupe. The main parts of the skirt are covered in a classic Pucci pattern that combines two shades of pink, taupe, a deep purple, and a soft off white. The edge of the hem and the waist are defined with one of his signature borders. On this skirt there is also border that has been worked into the print and runs down the length of one side . These borders always make his pieces instantly recognizable. I love how feminine the design is and the mix of colors make it easy to work into your wardrobe. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a pink silk and closes with a side painted metal zipper that sits under a panel of velvet so is hidden. A hidden fabric covered snap sits at the waist to hold the velvet panel in place. Tagged a vintage Pucci 12 but please go by actual measurements as vintage Pucci runs small

Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 25" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S580

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is a wonderful skirt that has a Saks Fifth Avenue label but no other. The quality is very high so I suspect that it is a designer piece but if there ever was another label it is now lost to history. This is a wonderful example of early American cocktail wear that has a bit of a novelty flair to it. The exterior is a gorgeous, heavy silk brocade that has an amazing print worked into the fabric. The print is done in rows, and each row is made of costumed woman in various stages of a dance. Pops of pink, green and a gold made from a metallic thread make up the design that runs over the entire skirt. Inside it is fully lined in a dressmakers paper fabric that helps to hold the shape s that it has a full feel with or without a crinoline. Big flat pleats run all the way around the nipped in waist to give the skirt its volume. It is a dramatic statement piece and even more vibrant and bold in real life. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a soft beige, stiffening fabric. It closes with a back zipper that looks to be slightly more recent and has flat metal hook & eye at the waist. I chose not to photo it with a crinoline but you could add a light crinoline and get an even fuller, more rounded shape. There is a very wide hem turned up underneath as noted in the measurements below

Waist: 12" from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 26" from waist to hem, with another 5" turned under

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML

Item# S864

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

From the Spring 2015 collection comes this fabulous little mini from Balmain. On the runway it was shown in a longer length but was also produced as this micro mini for retail. With the craze for micro short pieces still going strong it almost feels more relevant now then it did when it came out. The skirt is made from a denim feeling thick cotton canvas fabric that both holds its shape and shapes the wearer. The design is a graphic white on black and the white is placed to highlight the lines of the skirt and the cures of the girl wearing it. It is cut to sit higher up on the waist to really give you a curved feel. It cinches in at the waist and flares out slightly as it nears the hem. I love the stark lines and the two pockets that sit on either hip. Unworn and with original tags. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black ribbed silk and closes with their signature chunky back zipper. Tagged a 40. New and unworn with original hang tag still attached

Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 18" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S836

Reference photo: Balmain Spring 2015, Look 18, model: Andreea Diaconu

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

From the Fall 2014 collection comes this fabulous little mini from designer Fausto Puglisi. With the craze for micro short pieces still going string it almost feels more relevant now then it did when it came out. The main portion of the skirt is made from a beautiful silk twill that has Lady Liberty printed on it in a repeating pattern of squares. They are printed in shades of a graduated grey on an ivory backdrop. The waist and edges are finished in a a border of black that has a little more weight to it so the shape of the skirt is held when on. It cinches in at the waist and flares out as it nears the hem. The front is made to look like a wrap and comes up slightly shorter for even more leg to show. Unworn and with original tags. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a hidden set back zipper. Tagged a 42. New and unworn with original hang tag still attached

Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 16.5" from waist to the shortest point of the front hem, 18" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S834

Reference Photo: (1) F/W 2014 Fausto Puglisi, Look 26, Model: Tami Williams. / (2) Chanel Iman, April 29th 2014

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Stephen Burrows was a truly amazing American Designer. He was the first African American fashion designer to really achieve international recognition for his work. His clientele included celebrities like Diana Ross, Cher and Barbra Streisand. Burrows won three Coty awards in 1973, 1974 and 1977. He was also one of the five American designers to show at Versailles in 1973 when America was pitted against the French couturiers. As his career progressed he became more well known for his use of jerseys but earlier pieces often incorporated the use of prints. This is one of those printed pieces and I love the beautiful flowers that cover the surface of the cotton. The skirt falls from the waist in a long, dramatic swoop that gets wider as it nears the floor. It skims over the hips and then there are just yards and yards of that beautifully printed fabric by the time you reach the hem. The waist band extends into long ties that wrap around you and cinch it in. I love the ruffle finish along the edges. He became know for his lettuce hem finishes as his career progressed and this feels like an early predecessor to that. It is fabulous. Excellent condition

Unlined and wraps and ties at the waist. Pockets sit along the seam at both hips. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The wrap waist will allow it to foit a variety of sizes

Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam, but is adjustable with the ties
Hips: open
Length: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# S816

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is a very pretty full length skirt made out of a feather light Thai silk. Silk from this period from Thailand was some of the finest in the world. The print is fresh and pretty with a pink print that covers the entire surface. I love how it changes from a white with pink to a pink with white as it goes around the body. The waist band is fitted and the cut widens out as it nears the hem with a touch of fullness to it. There are yards of silk in that skirt. It also has a huge silk scarf in a matching print that you can use in various ways. It is really pretty and a great piece to mix with modern items from your wardrobe. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with hook & eye at the waist. No pockets and the fabric is very light. The scarf has hand rolled edges. You could adjust where the hooks sit to go up or down around the waist an inch or two in either direction if needed

Skirt
Waist: 14.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 40.5" from waist to hem

Scarf: 42" x 72"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S817

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Arnold Scaasi did exquisite work and as time passes I feel his designs are coming to be appreciated by a new audience. He apprenticed for Paquin before moving ot New York and working for Charles James. He launched a ready to wear label in 1956 but 1964 launched a couture salon and scaled back everything else to concentrate  on made-to-order. He cut and created his designs to extremely high standards and the workmanship is fabulous. This skirt is from those early days of his couture salon and is both innovative and exquisite. The fabric is wonderful. It is a cotton patchwork with multiple floral designs making up the squares. The fabric has been cut so that it is set on an angle so that you get that diamond pattern. The flowers are all stitched along their edges so the skirt has a subtle bit of a quilted texture. White lace ribbon is hand set along the lines that separate each square. It has a high set, corset feeling waist that cinches in the waistline severely and then rises above that in a beautiful curved and sculpted line. The skirt widens out as it nears the hem with soft pleats set on either hip just below the waist to help give it the volume and shape you see. It's glorious. Excellent condition.

Fully self- lined in a cream silk and hand finished. It closes with a back, hand set painted metal zipper and a series of hook & eye at the waist. The waist banding has backing to give it additional shape and support.

Hips: to 21"" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from top of waist to hem, the front rises an additional 5"aboce the waist at the front

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# S818

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This really spectacular piece by Pauline Trigere that is one of her best documented pieces. It was photoed for Vogue in 1966 by Henry Clark while on location in Turkey. The fashion details in that issue described this piece: "High waisted drift of sun printed chiffon with a toga-scarf, and its own little body stocking to wear underneath. By Trigere of Staron silk". This editorial is instantly recognizable and it is a pleasure to have this piece in the shop. 

When you look at the photos from Vogue at first glance, especially the published one, you think this is a dress. However it is actually an extremely wide cut legged jumpsuit. It is also surprising in how it is constructed - it seems to lie half way between a dress and a half jumpsuit. Looking at the photos again the model appears to be wearing a nude halter underneath in the shots. There is a built in body suit inside and you can see that on the mannequin it is sitting too low. If you are short through the body it might come up just to, or over your bust line, otherwise you would wear it as a high waisted full pant. A long panel of fabric is attached at the front. This can be swooped up and over one shoulder. Again, referring to the shoot photos you can see that this is what they did. It  is constructed from layers of a printed silk chiffon that combine pink, pale mint and tangerine The silk used is almost weightless. It flows to the floor and when on you can barely tell that it is indeed pants as they are so wide and full. The front panel extends down past the hem and I have just scooped it up and over one shoulder. It is a very unusual design and will take some styling but it is a rare and historically documented piece. I purchased this years ago I and was told it came from a models closet so suspect that it might just be the actual piece used in this shoot. It is very beautiful. Excellent condition with one small note below.

Has an attached crepe bodysuit in a nude color. This zips up the back with a painted metal zipper. The silk over this snaps in place to close. Hand finished. Has a hand numbered tag inside #159. Slight wear to the fabric on the inside band of the waist where it hooks to close. 

Top band of waist/Underbust: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips of inner body suit: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length of inner suit: 23.5" from top of band to inner seams
Pant length: 45" from top of band to hem with a 4.5" turned up interior hem
The front attached fabric panel is 56" long from where it is inset to the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED depending on how how you wear it

Item# DD2996

(1) Editha Dussler in Pauline Trigere, from the editorial Eastward to Eden, Vogue, December 1966. Shot by Henry Clarke. (2) Outtake from that same shoot.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This would have been designed by Belgian-born Jules-Francois Crahay, who headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984. He has been "noted as one of fashion’s great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugel​y ​desirable and influential." His realm is one of my favorites for the house and the period through the late sixties and into the 70s in particular. He was a genius at print and color and he pushed the envelope in terms of using the "new" jerseys and velets available during this time period. This skirt has a boutique label bit also an additional tape that denotes a made-to-measure special order piece that would be considered demi-couture.

This velvet and fringe Lanvin skirt is utterly fantastic. I am in absolute love with it - the color, the design, the workmanship - everything about it is perfection. For the 1971 season Crahay did lots of exotic prints and worked fringe in to the collection. Here we see that fringe on that fabulous finish of the hem and it is picked up with the long, 9" dramatic tassels of the braided belt that circles the waist. The fabric is a soft panne vevlet that holds the print beautifully. The skirt is cut in a simple, long and lean line with that fringe bottom providing the movement and drama. The beauty of the color combination is equaled by the fine workmanship that has gone into constructing it. I love how the waist band has an attached braided belt that ends in five inch tassels. It is really a work of art and having the demi-couture tag makes it that much more special. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a painted metal zipper and hook & eye at the waist. A combination of hand and machine finishes. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S813

Reference Photos: (1) Lanvin in L'Officiel, 1971.  /  (2) 1971 Lanvin Red & Black Coat.  /  (3) Lanvin dress, L'Officiel 1971.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is a dramatic and bold skirt made out of a fine silk taffeta. Silk from this period was some of the finest in the world and this one is no exception. The silk has a slight sheen to it and a is covered with a bold green, red and black checked plaid pattern that is a fantastic. The waist band is fitted and the cut skims over the hips and then at the hem has a wide 10" ruffle that gives it the perfect finish. Really pretty and chic. Excellent condition

I actually have two identical versions of this skirt so the listing will not show as sold until both are sold. One is just a touch smaller and shorter, so please specify in the order notes which skirt you are ordering - skirt 1 or 2. Unlined and closes with two flat hooks at the waist and a zipper. No pockets.

Skirt One
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 44" from top of bodice to hem

Skirt Two
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S811

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is a pretty and fresh feeling skirt made out of a fine Thai silk. Silk from this period from Thailand was some of the finest in the world. The print is fresh and pretty with large tropical flowers scattered over its surface. The waist band is fitted and the cut widens out as it nears the hem. In person the fabric has a slight iridescent quality to it and when it catches the light it takes on a slightly more coral base then the light pink. Really pretty. Excellent condition with one small note below.

Fully interlined in a white silk and closes with three hook & eye at the waist and a zipper. The zipper feels 'sticky' when you zip it but works fine otherwise. I see a teeny bit of rust around the inner hooks but this does not show on the exterior at all. No pockets

Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 37" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S808

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Is there anything better then a full length velvet Pucci skirt? I think they are one of my favorite vintage pieces and everyone should have one in their closet. The velvet ones like this one are the dreamiest. You can throw them on with just about anything and it works. The prints are so vibrant and bright that they act like a neutral and they work as well with flats as they do with a heel. Here we have a stunning version done in his signature vivid floral print screened onto a base of inky black. The cut is a sculptural A-line that falls to the floor in a graceful sweep of fabric. The borders at the waist, hem and down the front serve to highlight and streamline the cut and give you length. The velvet gives it enough weight to hold the shape so it always looks perfect once on. These can really be worn year round as they are made out of a cotton velvet so breathes well. It is just fantastic and I love it. Excellent condition

Lined in a black silk with the Emilio Pucci name woven through out the fabric. It closes with a side, hidden set painted metal zipper and hook and eye at the waist. Hand finished.

Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S796

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

The Char label is one of the best of the hand made leather goods labels from the sixties and seventies. It has a cult like following because of the quality and sheer fabulousness of their pieces. This skirt is wonderful and an excellent example of their work. They hand-dyed their textiles using colors that instantly make you think of the desert and they loved to use a combination of suede, leather and deer skin that they hand cut and whip-stitched into place. Here they have made a fabulous wrap skirt that has a wonderful patchwork landscape scene that goes all the way around the entire skirt. Char made these pieces, by hand from approx 1968 to about 1975-76 in Mexico. Some of the best leather craftsman in the world were there at the time and the piece made are fantastic. A really unusual piece. Excellent condition

Unlined, hand made and whip-stitched. It closes with a combination of hook & eye and leather ties. You could easily adjust the hooks and ties to fit a variety of sizes. I have given the measurements of the back seam to seam but you can easily go up or down a couple inches in either direction. It shows normal patina for leather of this age with the occasional scuff and wear that just adds to its authentic vintage feel.

Waist: 12" (variable with ties)
Hips: 18" (variable with ties)
Length: 22" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# S791

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This black pleated silk chiffon Dior skirt is utterly fantastic and a true piece of Haute Couture. I am in absolute love with it - the fabric, the design, the workmanship - everything about it is perfection. Haute Couture pieces are always a rare find and the beauty of this particular piece really makes it a once in a lifetime find. It has lost its label but is absolutely Dior and absolutely Haute Couture. It is from the daughter of the original owner and was purchased with many of the other couture Dior pieces I have in the shop at the moment.

The fabric is a fine silk chiffon in a the perfect black that will go with everything. It is so hard to convey the quality and fineness of a black piece and when you add that every seam and edging is completely hand done it is almost impossible. The person that buys this will be extremely pleased to see the level of work and quality of this piece in person. The main portion of the skirt is knife pleated in perfectly spaced lines, which gives it a long and lean cut when you are standing still but allows for a tremendous amount of volume and movement. A more fitted band tops a semi-sheer band of chiffon at the waist, creating shape and a sensual detailing. Under the top floating pleated layer is a more fitted inner layer of silk chiffon. It is really a work of art and of course being that is is true Haute Couture makes it that much more special. Excellent, museum quality condition.

Haute Couture is the very pinnacle of the fashion experience and I would hazard to say that vintage versions are even a little more special then modern ones. Haute Couture is the very pinnacle of the fashion experience and I would hazard to say that vintage versions are even a little more special then modern ones. This dress also comes direct from the daughter of the original Haute Couture client so has not been on the market prior to this.

Fully lined with all interior seams and all edges hand finished. It closes at the side with a handset, fine painted metal zip under a panel of silk that closes over most of the zipper with hand set snaps. Finished to Haute Couture standards and entirely done by hand. I have included photos of the interior work so you can see.

Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# S728

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.