George Stavropoulos was an amazing designer and his work is extremely overlooked in my opinion. He was known for his evening wear and his signature looks often involved draping and the use of multiple layers of silk done on a bias cut. He did not like overt, flashy ornamentation and instead focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. It was said that his gowns "seemed to float on air". He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. The majority of his gowns are almost entirely made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there - that starting price point equals to around $26,000 in today's dollars. So when you buy a vintage Stavropoulos gown you are getting incredible value for your money. The only reason many of his gowns are not considered Haute Couture is because he was not an official member of the association.

This is a wonderful example of his work. The print that covers the exterior layer of silk is a beautiful combination of different purples mixed with greens. It is completely made of a fine silk chiffon and through the skirt alone there are four layers of the finest, lightest silk laid over each other. All of the silk used is bias cut which gives the dress incredible movement as you move. You will note that I have photoed the dress with that scoop showing at both the front and the back. I did this because I am actually not sure which way it is meant to sit. It completely sits fabulously on the body both ways and I suspect that on each person one way will feel better then the other - or if you are lucky, it will be like you are getting two dresses in one. The sleeves are very full and each is caught up at the wrist so that they pouf out beautifully. I love the floral print. It is a work of art, very romantic and ethereal in feel and even better in person then how it photoed.  Excellent condition.

The inner layers of silk act as the lining and there are a total of 5 layers of silk in the skirt and another single layer through the bodice. The sleeves are left unlined. It closes with a low hand set, painted metal zipper on the inner layers and hidden snaps to cover the zipper on the outer.

Sleeves: 28"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner lining hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2806

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 really beautiful and romantic, full length maxi dress, designed by Hanae Mori. The colors on this one are especially wonderful and give it a fairy tale, ethereal feel. A soft lavender backdrop has pretty little bouquets of flowers screened onto the almost weightless chiffon. This combination of color and fabric is magical. It is cut with an elastic through the waist which makes it very easy and comfortable to wear. To cover that and to give it even more shape if you wish, it has a long matching fabric tie belt that wraps around the waist. The bodice has a loose and easy cut and each sleeve is quite full above the cuffed wrist. The skirt flows to the floor in a cascade of chiffon. The lightness of the fabric here allows for lots of floating and swirling movement around you when you walk. I can imagine this with sandals for day and then a stacked heel at night. I am such a huge Hanae Mori fan and I just love this little dress by her. It really feels fresh and modern and it is easy to imagine slipping it on and going out the same day it arrives at your door. Excellent condition.

The dress is fully lined through the bodice and skirt in a very light pastel lavender silky crepe chiffon and closes at the back with hidden hook & eye above the elastic at the waist. It has its original fabric belt. Each cuff has a fabric covered snap to close. The elastic waist allows for a bit greater range of size.

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 43.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2537

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

George Stavropoulos was an amazing designer and his work is extremely overlooked in my opinion. He was known for his evening wear and his signature looks often involved draping and the use of multiple layers of silk done on a bias cut. He did not like overt, flashy ornamentation and instead focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. It was said that his gowns "seemed to float on air". He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. The majority of his gowns are almost entirely made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there - that starting price point equals to around $26,000 in today's dollars. So when you buy a vintage Stavropoulos gown you are getting incredible value for your money. The only reason many of his gowns are not considered Haute Couture is because he was not an official member of the association.

This is a wonderful example of his work. The color is the most beautiful and romantic shade of pale lavender over inner layers of the palest blue and creams. There are five full layers of the finest, lightest silk laid over each other that make up the body of this gown. Each layer is bias cut ad float over each other and move beautifully. The three most inner layers are an off-white colored silk. This is then topped by a pale baby blue layer of silk and then the final exterior player is that pale, pastel purple. This gives the gown a remarkable and unique color. That combined with the incredible movement that silk has as you move is fabulous. I love that you you get a glimpse of the other layers and colors. The entire gown is entirely cut on the bias so drapes to skim over your body when on. This is also a feat of technical achievement to have all those bias cut layers sit over each other so perfectly. The sleeves are very full and each poufs out beautifully above the wrist and are finished with a bead applique cuff. The front and back plunge into V's and there is a hand done applique of fine bead work that curves over  one side of the bust and down to the waist on the other side. It is a work of art, very romantic and ethereal in feel and even better in person then how it photoed.  Overall excellent condition with some condition notes to review below.

The inner layers of silk act as the lining and there are a total of 5 layers of silk as described above. It closes with a back hand set, painted metal zipper. There are some faint water spots/smudges scattered across the front and a faint spot on one arm. I have had it lightly cleaned when it came into the studio and these may come out more with a more aggressive round of cleaning.

Sleeves: 25"
Shoulders: Inset 13"
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 58" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD1378

Shown photographed on Laura McLaws Helms by Kimi Selfridge.

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 lovely dress is made from layers of black chiffon set in tiers over each other to create that pretty ruffled effect. This combination of ruffled tiers perfectly offset the black of it to give the dress a wonderful romantic feel. Each layer widens gently out as they near the floor and each panel of fabric is set so that it floats above each other and moves when you move. The bodice is cut with a slight scoop across the front and has two tiny straps that go up and around the shoulders. At the back it dips into a slightly lower scoop. I love that the straps and trim are a cream and each ruffled layer is finished with a cream stitch for the a little detailing. Note that it was a teeny bit small on the mannequin so on a girl that it fits properly it will of course zip all the way up, rather then being open at the very top as the photos show. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silky crepe rayon. It closes with a back painted metal zipper.

Bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from top of shoulder strap to waist
Skirt: 41" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS- SML if you are small busted

Item# E636

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

LaCroix was the master at creating the most fantastical gowns imaginable and I am immensely pleased to have this example of his work in the shop. This gown is absolutely beautiful and the colors and cut divine. It is made entirely from a fine, bias cut silk that combines a red-pink with deep pink dots strewn over its surface and covering every inch. The seaming is a nod to the 1930s and the asters like Gres and Vionnet and they are all angled and pieces together to crated curves and line. This cause the dress to curve around and hug the body while moving with you. The bodice is hand draped across the bust with one side sitting higher and suspended from a tiny strap while the other dips and is anchored by a wider strap. It curves on the bias, skims over the waist and flows to the dramatic skirting. Slits sit on either side of the front panel and these are kept from being scandalous with the wrapping of fabric at the sides. A panel of fabric is set into the back and this cascades to the floor and beyond in a beautiful train of silk. The bare back with its angled cut is the perfect finish. It is magnificent. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a silk organza and closes with a side set zipper. Tagged with the mainline demi-couture LaCroix tag and with a size 42 Tag. The bias cut will allow it to fit a larger range of sizes.

Bust: 15-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 63" from shoulder to front hem, 73" to end of train at the back

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD2803

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 have a version of this dress in black in the shop already and am excited to now have a red one too. There are 4 or 5 Burrows dresses that I always look for because they are just amazing examples of his work, and still hold strong today. This dress is one of those. It is made of a fine, slinky, sexy jersey in red. This one differs from the black in that it ties around the neck and angles down and around from there. It then falls in a beautiful bias cut and ends with an angled cut. All the edges are finished in his signature lettuce hem seaming. It is the front bodice that is truly spectacular - it showcases a design done in sequins, seed beads and tube beads that pop against the red. This is all hand done work and you can clearly see that on the opposite side of the fabric. It is magnificent and a real collectible from a truly amazing American Designer who was the first African American fashion designer to really achieve international recognition for his work. Burrows won three Coty awards (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. Excellent condition

There was recently an exhibit on his work called "When Fashion Danced" and it was the first major examination of Burrows' work. Here is what the museum said of his work: "Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced looks at the period spanning the 1970s when Stephen Burrows’s meteoric rise to fame made him not only the first African-American designer to gain international stature, but a celebrated fashion innovator whose work helped define the look of a generation. With vibrant colors, metallic fabrics, and slinky silhouettes that clung to the body, Burrows’s danceable designs generated a vibrant look that was of a piece with the glamorous, liberated nightlife of the era. Through photographs, drawings, and original garments, the exhibition will trace Burrows’s evolution from creating eclectic looks for his friends in the 1960s to his work with the chic 57th Street retailer Henri Bendel to the floor of Studio 54, as he dressed such 70s style icons as Cher, Liza Minnelli, and Diana Ross."

Unlined and slips over the head with no closures. Tagged a vintage 4 but please check actual measurements. The fabric does have stretch so will accommodate a range of sizes - the comfortable range of that stretch when laying flat is noted in the measurements.

Bust: variable as there are no true side seam
Waist: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 58-60" from top of shoulder to longest point of hem, 40-42" to the shortest depending on high you tie the neck

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2802

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

Similar Fortuny gowns are held in museums and private collections world-wide and they are becoming increasingly hard to find. A version in green is a part of the permanent collection at The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (pictured). The description of that gown is so wonderful I thought I would share it with you here verbatim:

"Mariano Fortuny created a number of variations of his pleated silk gowns. In this model, he combined elements of the classical chiton and the peplos. A "tunic" is attached along its neckline to a long sleeveless underdress, suggesting the apoptygma of the classical peplos. This effect is further emphasized by the handkerchief points at either hip, which would have been seen on the sides of an authentic apoptygma. In the ancient Grecian peplos, the arm openings were positioned along the neckline edge rather than the sideseam edges. This resulted in a dipping hemline at either side of the garment when worn. Fortuny took this structural attribute and achieved the similar, purely decorative effect by cutting away at the tunic's front and back hem. Further, he interpreted the buttoned or pinned closings characteristic of a chiton's shoulder seams by connecting the topline seam of the tunic's sleeves with Venetian glass beads interlaced with silk "rat tail" cording. Fortuny was noted for his antiquarian intentions and scholarly treatment of classical dress, yet in the end, he invented rather than replicated a Hellenic style."

This beautiful version is a labeled Mariano Fortuny gown, circa 1907-1920. It is not perfect but still wearable and a wonderful example of his work. It's imperfections mean a huge difference in price. In hunting for a  comparable I found the very few examples out there to range from $10,500 - $16.500 and none were anywhere near this glorious color.

The dress is hand dyed to an deep raspberry, the pleated silk has a corded silk drawstring at the neck, short kimono style sleeves and an attached tunic with pointed side panels all of which are weighted with deep red, Venetian glass striped beads. The gown is in good condition. The silk is strong and wearable with no splits in the pleats. The pleats have softened throughout and this is the primary reason for the reduction in price. From a wearability point of view it has no effect and gives the gown a softer, more romantic, billowing feel. The beads that should lie along the arm to close it like the one you see from the Met are missing. You could tack the arm shut where a bead would be but I actually loved the open feel that gives it a modern look so chose to leave it as found. I see one spot that is lost in the folds and if held to the light perhaps a tiny pinhole or two but nothing alarming. Even the one from the MET seems to have the same softening of the pleats and I believe this occurs partly from age and partly as a result of the pleats being moved more in this area when worn. All the beads are present along the sides and bottom edge of the tunic. The color, style of sleeve and type of beads used place this in the very early years of Fortuny's career. It is signed along the tape at the seam.

It is 69" long from the mid neck at the back to the hem and the width will accommodate pretty much any size. The upper inside bodice is lined in a nude silk that is fully intact. Part of the seam was loose and I had it lightly tacked down along the edge.

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD2801

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 dramatic and beautiful silk dress is by Bill Blass and is magnificent. The gown is a masterpiece and I feel that it really is one of the highlights of his career and work. It really demonstrates aspects of his work that he touched upon again over the coming decades. I have dated it to the 1974-78 range based on other designs during this time period where he used fur cuffs like the ones on this dress. It is made from one of the best fabrics I have yet to see. The silk is feather light and a deep red that graduates to a chocolate around the hem. Fine gold lame thread create vertical stripes and on the skirt is an additional application of gold sequins - all applied by hand. It has a definitive nod to the 1930s in its cut but he has exaggerated some elements to keep it modern. The bodice crosses over itself and there is a silk chiffon tank set inside that adds some coverage. If you wanted a full plunge feel you could remove this. The sleeves are of course the showstopper. Each widens as it nears the cuff and the wide band of sable fur helps hold the wide bell shape, They are each a full 18" around. A brown silk ties sits at the waist so you can cinch in for shape as much as you desire. The skirt falls on a perfect sheath to the floor.  A real treasure and important and beautiful gown. Excellent condition.

The dress has a full attached second dress underneath in a brown silk chiffon. Closes with a back painted metal set zipper. An inner waist stay inside hooks to close. Hand finished and hand set sequins.

Sleeves: 24" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2800

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 beautiful Bill Blass dress is so easy to wear and yet makes a huge impact style-wise. It is made from a deep burgundy silk chiffon which makes it extremely light in weight. It really feels like nothing once you have it on the body. Woven though the silk are wavy stripes in a gold lame thread. These curve over the dress and sash in three different densities which gives the dress texture and visual interest. On the bodice the striped are set horizontally and are wide and curving with little peaks of the silk between them. On the skirt they are set vertically and the gold is skinny and the silk part wide, so you get the full impact of the color of the silk. And on the wide, extra long sash, you have equal sized stripes of gold and silk. The cut is so easy to wear. The dress slips on and the top is cut loose with a wide boat neck. The waist is cut wide - on a smaller frame you use the belt to cinch it in. The skirt cascades to the floor from there in a pretty flow of silk. I love it. Excellent condition

The top is unlined and the skirt is lined in second layer of chiffon. It closes with a low set back painted metal zipper and buttons from the waist to the neck above that. Each sleeve has elastic as its cuff. The sash tie is very long so you can wrap and style it numerous ways. You could even wrap it and use it as a headscarf if you wished.

Sleeves: 23" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: open
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 19.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2798

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, for her weekly style column on our blog Curated. (Photos by Erin Leydon) Click here to see the full column >

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 Adele Simpson dress is wonderful and so pretty once on. The dress is made from layers of a royal blue chiffon that has a pretty panel of contrasting green that runs down the front to create a ruffle effect. The bust is given shape and detail by a gathered detailing down the center. From there tiny straps start at the center front and then circle around the neck, This simple little touch gives it a beautiful soft and sexy feel. Just under the center bust sit panels of chiffon that are gathered and set so that they flow into the full length skirt and where they meet is that fabulous pop of emerald green. It gives the illusion that the wearer has been wrapped like a Grecian statue in layers and layers of chiffon. A really gorgeous piece from a great American designer. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in matching blue silky chiffon and the the skirt has two more layers of chiffon draped over that. The bodice is lightly boned through the sides and has additional layers built in so you can go bare underneath. It closes with a back metal zipper. Hand finishes. Appears unworn.

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam right under bust: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 6"
Skirt: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD1165

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 beautiful dress was created by Ceil Chapman who is often referred to as Marilyn Monroe's favorite designer. It is so beautiful in person and the level of detail put into the construction is wonderful. The dress is constructed from a blue silk crepe that has a touch of stretch to it which allows the dress to move and mold itself the the wearer. The silk is then covered in swirls of blue glass tube beads mixed with iridescent blue sequins that trail over and on top of the beads. Once on, the dress seems to be sculpted onto the body. The skirt hugs the hips and is cut close to the leg with a back vent to allow you to walk. The waist nips in to create that sexy hourglass silhouette. The bodice has an inner boning and a front tulle detail to bring all the attention to the bust. The shoulders, upper back and arms are left exposed. The workmanship is exquisite and it is absolutely stunning and provocative. What I love most is that is is very close in design to the dress that was worn by Marilyn to performing for the U.S troops in Korea, February 1954 (click here to see more on our blog). Excellent condition.

Fully lined in matching blue silky rayon. Boned through the front and back and the interior has hand finishes. It closes with a painted metal side zipper. Note that the color has a slight purple undertone that does not quite come across in the photos. Museum quality

Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to waist
Length: 31" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1163

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 Bill Blass dress is fabulous. It is the kind of dress that will stop people in their tracks. This is not from his main line and I rarely pick up this particular version of his label but I have to say that I was very impressed with this dress. The design is on point and the construction is very good. It would have definitely been the upper end of this line and the fact that it basically looks to have never been worn and is as crisp and fresh as when it was made certainly doesn't hurt. It is cut in a sleek column suspended from the tiniest of straps. You could tuck these in and wear this as a strapless piece if you wished. That huge black and white diamond pattern is created by squares of fabric placed piece by piece so the pattern is made. The yellow top stitch bow that sits on the top of the bust is the highlight above that great graphic feel. That pop of yellow is fantastic and the tops stitching gives it that perfect Blass touch. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silky rayon and closes with a back zipper. Light boning through the bodice. Tagged a US6 and looks unworn.

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from top of shoulder strap to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2796

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 gorgeous Estevez dress is perfect for the summer and can easily work during the day or at night. The jersey has an almost swimsuit feel and will travel and wear extremely well. The cut is very flattering with a ling lean body, tiny straps and a built in bodice inside that gives you shape. This inside foundation would even allow you to tuck in the straps and wear this as a strapless dress is you wished.  The base is black and onto this is screened a graphic print of lilies in white and greys. It is so pretty and chic and still feels fresh and current. Louis Estevez worked for Jean Patou for two years before starting his own label in 1955 and had a long and successful career. Excellent condition.

It has a built in bodice with elastic that sits just under the bust and the rest of the dress is unlined. It closes at the back with a painted metal and nylon zipper.Note the straps are extra long and work best if you slip them over your head so they cross as photoed. Or you can shorten them to the perfect length if you prefer then to not cross

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist to hip: widens from 17" to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 58" from top of shoulder strap to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2795

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 2016 collection is this wonderful, unworn "Cher" dress from Attico. The Attico line has burst on the scene and rapidly is becoming one of the must have labels. Their website says of the two women behind the label: "Italian designers Giorgia Tordini and Gilda Ambrosio, are combining their vastly different aesthetics to push the boundaries of specialty couture, launching their own line, Attico, in February, 2016. Attico, the Italian word for penthouse, is a collection of standout pieces inspired by the classic peignoir but designed to be flaunted. Dripping with artisanal detail, each piece embodies a woman from a different city, modern muses with nostalgic cigarette taste. Each piece will teach, too: how to make thrown together appear dressed up, dressed up feel everyday, and how to make every entrance feel like the entrance. Attico throws tradition on its head, making an antiquated concept contemporary, making chaste sultry, and seduction natural."

This was the showcase piece from the Fall 2016 collection and sold out worldwide. This one is brand new and still has its original tags. It is made from a silk crepe looking acetate blend that drapes and falls beautifully. Onto this are scattered star-shaped bead work that cover the entire surface and add a touch of glamour. Attico pieces are meant to be layered and this one is no exception. It plunges deep at the front and buttons at the waist and is open down the front of the skirt. This allows you to wear it in so many different ways - over another dress for more coverage, or just a skirt if you want that plunge feel. You can even wear it open as as an evening coat. Also has their innovative open under each arm design. Each sleeve is cut extra long and has buttons along the cuff. It looks straight off the rack and is wonderful. Excellent condition.

Unlined and tagged a size 40 or Attico 2. Buttons at the waist and the fabric is self backed in a satin finish.

Sleeves: 28" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 35.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item#  DD2792

Reference Photo: Look 15, Attico F/W 2016.

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 an incredible Thea Porter dress that is absolutely beautiful. When it came to me it was a grubby, dirty cream but once it was properly cleaned I was thrilled to see it in its original crisp white once again. Thea did make wedding dresses and this may have been intended for that use originally. It can be worn for just about any occasion given its cut and lines but would also make a beautiful choice for the bride who wants something different. Thea always began with the fabric when she designed and chose fabrics whose unique attributes then became a part of the design itself whether by texture, color or design. Here we have a beautiful embroidered muslin that appears to be all hand work. I know that Thea often sourced antique fabrics for her work and that is exactly how this feels to me - a Victorian summer weight cotton that is embroidered throughout. Very romantic. The cut is a play on her "Gypsy" design and has the low bodice and seaming that is typical of her work. The edging is done in a deep cream, flat velvet which add a pretty contrast to the white. The sleeves are incredible and with a pin-tuck seaming that gives them fullness through the shoulder and arm before it narrows at the wrists. Appliqued to the front are three butterflies - each a different size, that are embellished with pearls and beads and have a few prong set rhinestones scattered around them. It is an incredibly beautiful piece and very romantic. Excellent condition.

Unlined and has a touch of transparency. It closes with a back painted metal zipper and ties at the top of the keyhole at the front. Each cuff snaps to close with hidden snaps. I added some extra close ups of the fabric and details as the full length photos lose the details because of the light and the dress being white. It is stunning in person.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 46.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2794

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

John Kloss for Circa were originally intended as lingerie pieces the vast majority are too thin or too sheer to wear as proper dresses now. This one walks the edge, perhaps not to be worn on its own out in public with its open sides, but as a layering piece. It def has a touch of sheerness in a strong light but you could use it as a cover up, be daring and wear nothing but a slip under it, or layer it over just about anything. I love his work. He deliberately chose good weight and quality nylons that held the color well and would drape exactly as he wished. This black tabard cut gown is simple in feel but big on style. It slips over the head with an elastic drawing in and adding shape under the bist and to the waist at both the back and front. It is left completely open on either side with just a simple tie. Quite amazing and daring. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on. The design will allow it to fit just about any size.

Bust to hips: open
Bodice: 11" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 39.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD2790

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

These little 1950s Hawaiian dresses  give you curves and still feel fresh. This one is from Mildreds of Hawaii, on e of the several labels of this era catering to the tourist market. These sarong styled sun dresses were the dress of sex symbols of the day. I love the faux wrap sarong style skirting and the little bow that sits at the waist. Elastic panels run along each side of the bodice so the dress fits you perfectly and is extremely comfortable to wear. The bodice has hand stitched flat paneling detailing that curves in towards that bow at the side. The print is a pretty wash design in shades of blue and greens. It is very pretty and very flattering on. Excellent condition

The dress is fully lined through the bodice in a white cotton and the skirt is unlined. Boning in the bust area and elastic panel on each side. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Made of a soft cotton

Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 24.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2789

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 La Mendola label is highly collectible and sought after - when the duo behind the label where designing in Rome it was girls like Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth that were buying and even wait listing for pieces as they were produced. The Italian based shop closed in 1974 giving us a date for this prior to that. The silk jersey used to make this dress is the best possible grade so feels amazing on. The design is beautifully vibrant and bright with a mix of teal, green and lavender. These travel and wear exceptionally well, exactly what a jet set girl of that time, or now, requires. It has a simple and sleek cut with an undefined waist, high neck and long sleeves. I love how it covers the body completely and how the fabric drapes and skims over your curves so it is still sexy. A matching tie belt  of the same fabric allows you to cinch in the waist for more shape. A row of tightly spaced, hand covered silk buttons up the back of the neck are the perfect finishing detail. It is an amazing piece. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear with a row of hand covered silk buttons up the back of the neck. Original tie belt. The bias cut stretch silk jersey and forgiving design of the dress will allow it to work on a range of sizes. Appears unworn

Sleeves: 20"
Drop shoulders: 18"
Bust: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 53" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD2159

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 Hawaiian label Kamehameha was launched in 1936 and was named after King Kamehameha who united the Hawaiian islands. They were famous for their brilliant tropical floral prints which they made for the tourist markets. They combined the feel and beauty of Hawaii with the current lines popular on the mainline. The items were manufactured on the island and the prints done in-house.  They primarily used cotton for their designs and this dress is no exception. The fabric is that crisp fifties cotton and it has been screened with a brilliant pattern of tropical leaves and flowers in blues and pops of deep pinks. The bodice is fitted and lined with a starched filler so that it has shape and molds to the bust. The waist is cinched with an attached blue sash whose colors match the piping details and straps of the dress The skirt is very full. I have photoed it without a crinoline but you would get a the full fifties cupcake effect if you decided to add one. As an added bonus, the straps each tie at the top of the shoulder, this allows for the perfect fit and also you can easily tuck these in and wear the dress strapless. Excellent condition.

The dress is fully lined in a white cotton and closes with a back metal zipper. The sash at the waist is attached at the front and ties at the back

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 27" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent:XS-SML

Item# DD2788

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 darling little dress from the 1950s with pretty lines. It is labelled - Jeannette Alexander of California - and is well made. It has a fitted, strapless bodice that has a pretty black velvet ribbon circling its upper edge for a little detail. I love how it glides into the skirt and the fullness of the skirt is created by the pleats set along the side of each hip and around the back. This gives the skirt lots of fullness but keeps the front from being bulky and unflattering. I have added a light crinoline and you could wear a far fuller one for e really "cupcake" look, or none for a more modern feel. It's light and airy despite the black of it and it is still in great shape.

Unlined and closes with a back metal zipper. light boning on each side. The fabric shows a touch of sheen from being pressed over the years but its is still in great condition

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9" from top of dress to waist seam and then it has a 4" band before the pleats at the side start
Skirt: 31" from waist seams to hem, 26" from the side pleats to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E635

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 certainly later Halston but still from the time period when he was alive and would have still owned the company. In it you can see his move to more modern fabric and feel of the 1980s in it's cut, while still maintaining his signature simplicity. The silhouette is his classic one shoulder design but inside there is far more structure then his earlier pieces would have had. Here he utilizes the stretch lingerie weight nude nylon "bandage" fabric that would have still been a fairly new innovation then, and creates a inner built in bodice that gives support to the wearer. Over this is a matte silk satin and a black crepe falls from there into a slim skirt. Attached ties wrap around the high set waist and tie for detail and at the back the skirt has been wrapped with a panel left to flutter down the side with a backing of the same silk satin as the bodice. Excellent condition.

The bodice is lined as described above and the skirt self backed with a satin finish. It closes at the side with adjustable lingerie hooks at thew side bust and then the fabric wraps and hooks along the back with a series of hook & eye concealed along the seam. The attached ties wrap and tie at the waist.

Bust: the hooks are set at 16", 17" & 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 32" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2787

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