• The dress is from the Fall 1979 Bill Blass collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Bill Blass.
• I have had the twin of this dress in the shop a few years ago and I was very pleased to find another. Since we have had that original dress we happened to find the runway photo of the dress firmly dating it to Fall 1979.
• A similar version of this dress was worn by Slim Keith to attend the Met Museum Gala that year. We have also included a couple of shots of me in the one we had previously to give you an idea of how it is on.
• And a note to those who prefer not to wear fur; you could always un-tack and remove the sleeves and replace them with a faux version, feathers or anything you could imagine, or leave them without as Slim did and just store the cuffs for archival purposes.
• This dress is one of the best that he ever made. The dress has elements of his work that he would touch on continuously over the coming decades. It is also a wonderful example of just how sophisticated and glamorous he could be.
• The silk chiffon used for the base is feather light and it has a fine gold, metallic lurex thread that is woven through the silk to create vertical stripes.
• Hand applied gold sequins were then added to follow those gold threads. The sequins catch the light beautifully and add another dimension and texture to the dress.
• There is a subtle leaf print that runs through the silk and this adds a beautiful extra level of visual texture. 
• The upper part of the skirt is the same deep red as the bodice of the dress and then that leaf print gradually becomes more dense until it forms a solid soft brown around the lower hem. There is a slit up the front to let you walk.
• The dress has a nod to the 1930s in its cut but he has exaggerated some of the elements to keep it modern.
• The bodice crosses over itself and there is a built in brown silk under piece so that you can wear the dress and not have it completely transparent. On the bodice there are no sequins and this is deliberate to keep it lighter in feel.
• The sleeves extend directly out from the bodice and they narrow down as they reach the cuff. The cuffs are both finished with a 7" band of fur that is either a mink or a sable. It is gorgeous.
• The dress is fully lined in brown silk chiffon and closes with a hidden set box zipper. Hand finishes and hand set sequins. The cuffs have perhaps the very slightest of wear to the edges and are soft and supple. This one does not have its Bill Blass tag present, but has the appropriate size tag and a Saks Fifth Avenue tag inside. 
• Tagged a vintage Bill Blass 6
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: approximately 27" 
Shoulders: no defined seam
Inner bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from the top of the shoulder to waist
Total length: 57.5" from the top of the shoulder to hem and the front slit is 19" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5563

Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1979 Bill Blass.  /  (2-3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.  /  (4) Socialite Slim Keith in Bill Blass (left) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala in New York City, 1979.

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

• When dating this extraordinary Yves Saint Laurent dress, we found a photo of a piece with almost an identical cut bodice from 1972 along with several runway photos that show other pieces with that same cut to the bodice.
• It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
• I have included the reference photos here for you and it is interesting to note that the pleating technique that is used around the upper hip of the skirt was also done in a more intricate fashion for the 1974 Couture show.
• Yves often use ideas from both collections. - Rive Gauche and Couture - to build and develop ideas and it is fascinating to see the progression of his work from garment to garment.
• The dress combines a floral silk chiffon with a muted red silk on the skirt.
• This combination of silks give the dress just enough weight and structure to be able to create the impressive lines and volume that you see but while still making it feel soft and romantic.
• The top is a printed silk chiffon and it has a floral pattern in red, purples and greens that float over the entire bodice and the sleeves.
• The bodice is cut to skim over you and the waist nips in. It plunges at the front and crosses over itself. The neckline has been detailed with ruffles that begin at the back of the neck and circle around to follow the V at the front and then run down to the waist piping done in the same fabric detail.
• The skirt falls to the floor from there and it has yards and yards of fabric in it that creates the fullness and volume that you see.
• It is quite full by the time it reaches the hem and I love the volume that this type of fabric creates and how it billows around you as you move but at the same time it is as light as a feather.
• Under the waist are a series of tiny pleats that gradually open out to create the volume underneath. This intricate detail is a beautiful addition to the dress.
• The sleeves are outstanding and the perfect finishing detail. Each is a single layer of the silk chiffon and are wide and very full. They are caught up at the wrist with a circle full circle ruffle underneath. This creates a beautiful and dramatic finish to the top.
• The dress is fully lined in a red silk except for the sleeves which are unlined. It closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. Attached ties at the waist and elastic in each cuff. Between the top silk and inner lining is a tulle ruffle that helps keep the volume of the skirt. I see some light marks around the hem of the skirt that are minor but mentioned for accuracy.
• Tagged a vintage YSL 38
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 24" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Total length: 62" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5561

Reference Photos: Fall 1972 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.

• The twin of this dress in an ivory walked the runway for the Fall 2005 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Richard Tyler.
• This is the actual dress that was worn by Brie Larson to the 2024 Creative Arts Emmys so has that amazing added modern provenance.
• This colourway may have been a special order or more limited production piece. We love that the multiple photos show just how fantastic this is once on the body. We have a small clip of the dress Brie as she walked on stage on our Instagram, if you want to see it moving.
• The dress is strapless with a full boned inner corset that holds the dress in place around you. 
• It is made from an inner brilliant turquoise coloured silk organza that was then covered with a pale greenish toned ivory silk organza over top. You can see how bright the inner blue is on the label shot. That layering of the two colours is integral to the final colour of the dress.
• I love how he allowed the turquoise to peek out just to touch along the very edge of wherever there is a pleated seam. The workmanship to do this so perfectly for every single edge is almost unimaginable.
• Intricate curving flat pleats start along the top of the bodice and then these curve over to one side where they become curving seams. As they run down and over the dress, each created panel expands and gets wider, creating the beautiful curving pattern over the dress. As these reach the hip area the pleats fully open and this is what creates the volume through the skirt.
• The skirt falls to the floor from there to the floor. One side is cut so that it falls with more volume and it is also cut longer as it curves around to the back where it stands out beyond the hem. This creates that gorgeous trained feel that it has and you can see how beautiful this is in the reference photos.
• The turquoise silk inner layer axe as the lining. The inner bodice is boned and an inner waist stay that hooks to close was added when it was lent to further help hold it in place. The dress closes with a hidden set side zipper. I see some light marks and grubbiness here and there on both layers of silk along the train hem.
• Tagged a vintage Richard Tyler 8 
• Excellent condition with the minor note above

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 55" from top of bodice to the shortest part of the hem at the side and then it curves down with the train side extending another 18" past that.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5560

Reference Photos: (1-6) Fall 2005 Richard Tyler.  /  (7-10) Brie Larson wearing this dress at the Creative Arts Emmys, September 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.

• The twin of this dress was Look 52 from the Christian Dior Cruise 2009 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
• The Vogue report on the collection noted that: "Galliano has been mining the good old U.S. of A. for raw material from which to spin his dreams....grandes dames like Barbara Hutton, Millicent Rogers, and Nan Kempner—women who weren't afraid to make a bold sartorial statement, one that preferably involved a whopping piece of jewelry. From a shimmering backdrop that conjured a Tony Duquette garden, there emerged a full wardrobe for their modern-day counterparts in Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, and Dallas.... What this season is really about is not so much breaking the mold as delivering a vision of the good life—and Galliano can do that in spades."
• This is the actual address that worn by Caitlin Thompson to the 2024 Emmys.
• Emmy Rossum also appeared in its twin in 2009 and I love that the reference photos show just how wonderful this dress is once on the body.
• The dress is made out of a pale pastel silk chiffon that is in the beautiful pastel shade of a turquoise / seafoam green. It is an absolutely beautiful colour and even better in person.
• The bodice is cut slightly wider across the neck and it is meant skim lightly over you to the waist.
• The waist is defined by a wide beaded band that highlights and adds shape.
• From there curves back out over the hips and then cascades to the floor gently widening out as it near the hem. 
• The entire dress is finished with silk chiffon ruffles that are stacked and set to slightly overlap the ruffle sitting underneath all the way down to the hem, with the only break being the detailing around the waist for added shape.
• The ruffles add a lovely soft bit of movement as you move, and I love how he has played with the width of the ruffles as they work their way down to the floor. It makes it more visually interesting and also allows the dress more movement than if he had kept the ruffles all the same size.
• Extensive bead work wraps all the way around the band of the waist. The work has been completely done by hand and the beads are set out in a complex pattern with pale ivory beads mixed with beads of various sizes and finished in romantic pinks and soft greens.
  
• This is a phenomenal runway piece by John Galliano for Dior and is one of the prettiest dresses that he ever created.
• The dress is fully lined in a matching colour silk. It closes with a hidden set zipper at the side and there are hidden hooks on the top of one shoulder. I see one bead missing at the back of the waist. The bead work has all been added by hand. 
• There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below
• Excellent condition

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5559

Reference Photos/Video: (1-6) Cruise 2009 Christian Dior Runway. Look 52.  /  (7) Emmy Rossum at the New Yorkers for Children Spring Dinner Dance, April 2009.  /  (8-12) Caitlin Thompson in this dress at the 2024 Emmys.

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.

• The twin of this gorgeous dress was presented for the Resort 2009 collection for Look 16.
• It was made under the creative direction of Alessandra Facchinetti
• Vogue noted that it was her third Valentino collection and for this one she "sketched a portrait of a lady in soft hues - pearl grey, icy white, and blush pink - punctuated, with pops of chartreuse and a rich fuchsia... Ruffles found their most elegant expression in organza gowns. Smartly paired with metallic flats these embrace the bodice before walking into the floor". There were three dresses presented in this similar cut - one in black, one in this dusty pastel gray green and one in a white. This was the more elaborate of the three.
  
• The dress is made out of a pale pastel green-blue silk organza that is cut to be more fitted around the bodice and then flows in a cascade of ruffles over the skirt. The fabric choice keeps the dress light in weight and gives it beautiful movement. 
• The entire top portion of the dress is gathered in from the shoulders down and into the waist on curves that angle towards the centre. The straps are a touch wider as they curve over the shoulder and it comes in at the waist. The gathering and draping over the bodice is beautiful and detailed.
• Edging the front neckline is a series of little raw edged bows that are held in place by a heavy application of hand applied beads, stones, rhinestones, sequins and metal thread. This follows the neckline all the way down to where it crosses and insert into the waist. There is a modesty panel that keeps it from being too low. If you did wish to have this have a full plunging feel it would be easy to have that adjusted/removed.
• The skirt falls from under there and it is a little masterpiece of panelling and drape. The front panel is a lighter silk jersey and it is heavily gathered at the centre of the waist to fall and expand out as it near the floor. A matching panel to that runs down the centre of the back.
• The side panels of the skirt are made of the organza and there are added panels of organza layered onto those to create those giant ruffles that you see falling down each side and around to the back. These fall all the way down to the hem and create that beautiful structure that you see in the photos. Because the organza is so light in weight when you move, everything moves around you beautifully.
• This is an extraordinarily beautiful dress and I love its added provenance with its royal tie in.
• The dress is fully lined in a matching silk chiffon. The skirt has an additional two layers of silk chiffon under the top layer and these act as the lining. I see a tiny repair near where one ruffle is stitched to the side, but it's on the underneath so does not show. The dress closes with a hidden set side zipper.
• There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements below.
• Excellent condition

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from the top of the shoulder to the bottom of the band at the waist. The band is just under 2" wide.
Total length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5558

Reference Photos: (1) Resort 2009 Valentino Look 16.  

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.

• This is from the Fall 1989 Haute Couture collection
• It was made under the creative direction of Emanuel Ungaro
• The dress is made of out of a handmade embroidered lace in a deep ivory that sits on a silk chiffon base with a silk lining under that. Embroidered cut outs of a leaf and flower design have been added on top of the lace so the dress has a fabulous 3D feel and texture.
• It would have been completely made by hand in the Paris Atelier.
• At the front it is strapless with a more fitted and shaped bodice. Inside there is a built-in inner bodice that has hidden set internal boning and structure.
• The flower part of the dress goes all the way to past the hips so you get this fantastic hourglass feel.
• The waist comes in and then the dress curves back out over the hips. It narrows down a touch under that. Again adding to the hourglass feel of the dress.
• A knife pleated silk skirt is set in underneath the bottom of the flower part to make up the lower portion of the dress. There are yards of fabric in this lower skirting that allow it to move beautifully around you when you walk. The back extends quite a bit for a train feel behind you. 
• The upper portion of the dress is fully lined in an ivory silk with the built-in corset as described above.
• The dress was worn and loved. I have had it specialty cleaned but there are still marks and staining along the hem and on the skirt where it trails out behind you especially. I still see some grubbiness along the front of the hem as well. Because of the way it is constructed you could easily have the bottom portion replaced if this bothered you and its priced with that in mind. The pleating has softened. There are some loose threads here and there where the floral parts of the pattern connect to each other. It is in good condition overall. A bit of minor grubbiness around the inside edge of the bodice that is very minor but mentioned for accuracy.
• The proper Haute Couture label present
• It closes with a hand set back zipper and the flowers overlap and snap into place over it so it is hidden. An inner waist stay hooks to close. It is completely made by hand to Haute Couture standards.
• There is no sized tag present so please go by the measurements listed below.
• The upper part of the dress is in great overall condition and the skirt in good condition with the flaws as mentioned above

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 53" from top of bodice to shortest part of front hem, the back 15" past that.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5555

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.

• This is a gorgeous early-mid 1970s YSL piece.
• It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent 
  
• The dress is so romantic and dreamy feeling. I love that you have the option of wearing it full and open in more of a tent/ caftan dress style or you can use its matching belt to cinch in the waist as much as you wish.
• The dress is made out of a feather light ivory silk that has a touch of crispness to it.
• The sleeves are magnificent. Each is set high into the shoulder and gathered along the top. They puff out around the upper shoulder and then narrow down to a ruffle cuff with a single button and loop.
• The neck is set a touch wider across and the dress is gathered into the neck line down the centre of both the front and back.
• From there the dress falls wide and open to the floor. I love that the back skirt is cut a touch longer than the front. It gives it this beautiful sweeping feel behind you. The very bottom hem is finished with a ruffle to pick up the ruffle on the sleeves.
• The dress comes with its original matching wide tie belt in the same fabric. You can tie the belt right under the bust for a more empire feel or you can cinch it around your natural waist. I love the versatility of this.
• The dress is unlined and has no closures. It simply slips on to wear. Each cuff buttons with a single button and loop and the belt is original to the dress. I think the fabric has softened to touch as it has aged but it is still in beautiful condition
• Tagged a vintage YSL 36 but the loose and easy cut should fit a variety of sizes.
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 26.5" and are 18" around the upper arm
Shoulders: approximately 15.5"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Total length: 58" from top of shoulder to front hem, and the back extends another 4" beyond that.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD5556

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.

• The dress dates to the 1959 Balenciaga Couture collection. Based on the information provided by the Balenciaga archives there is a possibility that it was made in 1960.
• It was made under the creative direction of Cristobal Balenciaga. 
• I was able to date this dress after speaking with the Balenciaga archives and they confirmed that this was 1959–1960. They hold its twin in yellow. They do not allow sharing of photos from their archives but I have seen the photos so know they exist with them.
• The dress would have been made completely by hand and the Paris atelier. 
• The bodice is strapless and completely embroidered and covered in silver thread and prong set glass rhinestones.
• All of the embroidery and embellishment covering the bodice was done by hand.
• The skirt is made from a fine silk organza and falls outward from the waist on a pretty curvy line to the floor. Soft fold, gather it in around the waist and hope to hold the volume exactly Cristobal intended.
• Underneath the top silk layer is an attached silk underskirt that helps hold the shape and make the skirt opaque enough to wear. If you wanted to add even more fullness, you could add an additional underskirt for added support.
• Built inside the bodice is a cupped and boned inner corset that holds the dress in place. This is all perfectly done to couture standards. 
• The dress is fully lined in silk and closes with two back zippers and snaps. There is an inner waist stay that hooks to close. The dress has its proper Haute Couture and numbered tag. I see some faint marks on the skirt and some minor fraying of the metal threads on the bodice here and there. On the interior bodice, the silk ribbon that goes around the edge of the neckline has started to fray. The edges of the metal stays in the cups are coming out on both sides. Please see the photos after the label shot and know that the dress is in good to great condition, but it is not perfect.
• There is no size tag present because it is true Couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
• Good condition with the notes above.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 50" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5557

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.

• The twin of this dress walked the Spring 2021 Versace show for Look 77.
• It was made under the creative direction of Donatella Versace.
• This dress was immediately waitlisted and sold out worldwide. They were released on a very limited basis and very few were made. 
• The show is live streamed and close to the public because of the worldwide lockdowns at the time. The stage was the "imagined ruins of Atlantis" with projected water streaming down the walls. It was a tribute to Gianni's 'tresor de la mer' collection for Spring 1992. She was quoted by Vogue as saying "I wanted to do something disruptive to break the rules because I think that what worked a few months ago does not make any sense today. Creatively that meant finding a way to bring the DNA of Versace to a new reality into people who have undergone a deep change". The dress was one of the closing looks of the show and was worn to perfection by Irina on the runway. 
• It was a dress that was heavily photographed that season. Gigi was photoed in it for US Vogue, Sonam for Vogue India and Emily Ratajkowski was also photoed in its twin.
• The dress is made out of a beautiful pale turquoise blue silk that is of a very high quality. This was then heavily in embellished with large prong set glass crystals in various sizes, colours and shapes on an embroidered backdrop. 
• The level of hand applied crystal embellishment alone on the dress is something rarely seen in modern ready-to-wear.
• Heavily embellished straps curve up and over the shoulders. These attach into the front bodice that is also heavily embellished with a scoop cut out in the centre. It almost feels like what you would see in a 1950s burlesque piece and it is quite fabulous. It is shaped and cupped in the inner structured corset to add support and hold everything in place.
• At the back it is scooped quite low with another band of heavy embellishment coming up and across the back to hold it in place. That band of embellishment actually becomes one of the 'arms' of an oversized starfish that wraps around one hip. 
• The dress curves in for the waist and back out over the hips. This particular dress is a larger size so does not fit my dress form as form fitting as it will on an actual body in the correct size. Once on the correct size person it will fit more like the reference photos.
• A high slit runs up one side of the skirt for a flash of leg to show as you walk and move.
• More starfish are scattered over the skirt and the applique work to create the pattern that sits over the dress is incredible. All of the embellishments on the dress are done in such a heavy and dense manner that they sit up and off of the dress. It is just spectacular.
• It is rare to see such stunning work on a modern piece and it is an absolutely exceptional dress and rare collectible.
• And last I love the gold metal Versace discs that are set in as a part of the straps. At the fronts they have little hand made enamel starfish and I have taken a close-up of how they are embossed with the Versace name on their backs. 
• Not only is this a rare runway piece but it is new with tags and was never worn.
• The dress is fully lined in a blue silk and has a full built in cupped, wired and boned inner corset. The inner corset closes with a series of hook and eye. The dress closes over that with a hidden set side zipper. I see perhaps slightest touch of grubbiness at the very edge of the hem and there is the very occasional tiny pull in the silk. These are very minor, but mentioned for accuracy and almost certainly occurred in storage or while in the shop from normal handling. The original tags are attached along with a packet of extra crystals and the dress was never worn.
• The dress is tagged a modern Versace 48
• Excellent condition

Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 13" from top of shoulder to under the cups at the front
Total length: 53" from top of shoulder to hem and the slit is 23" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: LRG-XL

Item# DD5554

Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Spring 2021 Versace, Look 77. Model Irina Shayk.  /  (5) Gigi Hadid in Versace photographed by Ethan James Green, Vogue March 2021.  /  (6) Sonam Kapoor photographed by Mariano Vivanco, Vogue India, July 2021.  /  (7-8) Emily Ratajkowski in Versace, June 2021.

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.

• This piece is unlabelled and though it is in the manner of a 1920s piece, we think that it may have been made at a later date. Or is a 1920s piece that was resewn or refinished at some point as the inner seams do seem to be later while some elements of the dress appear to be earlier.
• This is one of those pieces that you only ever find in vintage.
• The dress is made out of a pale blue net that has incredible 3D embroidered pieces on top. This floats over an inner blue lining.
• One of the most notable elements on the dress are those incredible 3D rounded domes that are made out of fabric that has padding in underneath. Each one has been serged into place onto the net. They are placed over the dress to highlight the edges and cut of the dress
• In between those are embroidered motifs that are scattered over the surface of the dress. It is quite remarkable.
• The dress is sleeveless and the neckline is scooped at both the front and the back. The bodice skims down and over to the waist which has a matching blue ribbon looped through the waist that you can use to draw in and add shape. From there it float out over the hips and widens out to the hem.
• I love the added texture of having the net top layer float over the inner blue silk layer. The blue is a very unusual shade and is even prettier than how it photoed here.
• Little pops of pink embroidery worked into the pattern and floating from the edge of the hem are the perfect finish.
• The blue layer underneath the netting acts the lining. It slips on to wear with no closure. You can add shape to the waist with the ribbon that loops through.
• There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
• Excellent condition

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam and can be made smaller by cinching in with the ribbon.
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 51" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5552

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.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 2008 Emanuel Ungaro collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Esteban Cortazar.
• Estaban headed the label from 2007 to 2009, succeeding Peter Dundas. He was only 23 when he began there. 
• He brought a softer look to the label and you can clearly see that in this dress. On the runway this dress was shown with a wide belt. And you could certainly add one if you wanted to add some more shape but I love it just on its own as shown here.
• The dress is made out of a printed silk chiffon with a soft, pale, grey tone, floral pattern worked over at surface. The silk is interspersed with silvery toned pale grey panels of jersey that help shape the direction of the fabric and add some structure to create the way the dress falls over the body.
• A band of fabric wraps around the neck and then extends out into long ties that fall down the back in the most beautiful way.
• At the front the silk is gathered into the band at the neck and then sweeps down and around to the back.
• This leaves the sides partially exposed and the entire back from the waist up is left completely open and bare. Only the ties that extend from the back of the neck break the bareness of the skin there. It feels soft and feminine yet very sexy at the same time.
• The waist is seamed and the front halter blouses over the seam. Under that the skirt curves out and over the hips and then sweeps down to the floor.
• The jersey panels are set in curving angles down one side of the dress with the silk set so they blouse slightly over the jersey insets. This perfectly ties the way the top blouses over at the waist and creates a pretty detailing all the way down the skirt.
• The very lower portion of the skirt is quite full and moves beautifully as you move. You can see that in the reference runway video here.
  
• It is a very romantic and beautiful feeling dress.
• The dress is fully lined in a pale grey silk chiffon through the bodice and stretch pale grey jersey through the skirt. It closes with a hidden set zipper and snaps along the back waist. 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

Bust: very flexible and open to most sizes
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 18" from neck to waist but will drape over
Total length: approx 63" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5551

Reference Photo/Video: Fall 2008 Emanuel Ungaro, Look 18.

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.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1996 Nina Ricci Haute Couture show
• 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.
• This dress is a masterpiece and really showcases how beautiful a piece of true couture can be. Everything about its construction is done at a master level.
• The bodice is strapless and curves down at the front beautifully to dip between the breasts. It does the same at the back but with a slightly less deep dip.
• The entire bodice is covered with an elaborate design that blends hand embroidery with metallic silver thread, tiny seed beads in black, and gold tube beads. This would have all been completely done by hand and I would not be surprised to learn that this was by Lesage. It is absolutely magnificent.
• That outer embellished layer tops an inner bodice that is boned and shaped around you. You can actually lift the exterior bottom of the bodice and see some of the work underneath and it is just incredible to see the detail that has gone into this. I have added a photo of that for you to see. It really showcases the attention to detail this dress was made with.
• Under that the skirt is made out of a soft pewter silk that is a very high-quality. It has a slight silver grey feel to it that is lovely. The way that the skirt falls is just extra extraordinary. It is so full and voluminous as it curves outward and down to the floor. To achieve that shape there is an elaborate built-in underskirt that is all hidden. It is made out of a stiffened net that you can feel through the inner silk lining. It is set in those beautiful rounded pleats that you see on the outer skirt and gives the support needed to hold those shapes. We have not added any crinolines under the skirt. All of that volume is created because of the brilliant infrastructure underneath.
• The back of the skirt is cut slightly longer then the front for a beautiful sweeping feel behind you.
• It is fully lined in a handset silk and closes with a side set zipper. An inner waist stay hooks to close. There is hidden boning through the bodice and structure through the hips as described above. I see evidence that some of the seams around the inner waist were let out at some point.
• The proper Haute Couture label is present.
• There is no size tag so please go by the measurements below.
• Excellent condition

Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 8" from top of bodice to inner waist
Total length: 52.5" from top of bodice to front hem and the back extends another 5.5" beyond that. There is an extremely deep hem.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5550

Reference Photos: Fall 1996 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.

• 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. Please see the ohoto 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• A shorter cut version of this dress walked the runway for Spring 2004 Cavalli collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Roberto Cavalli.
• Versions of the dress were photoed for editorials that season and worn by Scarlett Johansson and Sienna Miller.
• As good as the dress looks in these photos it is phenomenally better in person. The photos do not do the silk or the amount of movement and beauty of the cut full justice at all.
• The silk used on the dress is extraordinary and is all cut on the bias. It has a slight texture to it and the pattern that runs over the dress has the feel of being hand painted.
• To achieve this effect the design would have been created specifically for the dress how it lays over the dress pre-planned before the silk was cut. 
• Following the pattern are fused lines made out of a gold metallic glitter for an extra touch of glitz. This is hard to get the impact of in the photos, but it is absolutely beautiful in person.
• The dress is suspended from tiny silk straps that curve up and over the shoulders to attached in at the back. Little triangle sit over the bust and they are set in with seams that angle down towards the sides. It skims over your waist and hips, and then the lower skirt falls in different lengths to hem.
• The skirt is made up of panels that are attached into the dress on different angles. This gives it incredible fullness and allows it to open up around you when you move. It is cut longer at the back so you get this pretty sweeping line around you and this adds to the movement that it has.
• The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear. The bias cut of the silk allows it to drape around you once on. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
• Tagged a Roberto Cavalli vintage small.
• Excellent condition

Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 41" from top of shoulder to shortest part of the front hem, 62" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5545

Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Spring 2004 Roberto Cavalli, Look 23. Model Elise Crombez.  /  (5) Natalia Vodianova by Glen Luchford for Harper’s Bazaar, 2004.  /  (6) Scarlett Johansson for ELLE Magazine, 2004.  /  (7-8) Sienna Miller at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party, June 2004.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• The twin of this dress was shown for Look 67 of the resort 2017 Valentino collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli & Maria Grazia Chiuri.
• This ended up being the final collection that Maria worked on for the Valentino label.
• The inspiration behind the collection was Cuba and the looks were rife with embroidery and bead work. Piccioli remarked that "It gave us a real freedom to mix, like a souvenir, lots of pieces together."
• The dress has the added provenance of being the twin of the dress worn by Bee Schaffer that year on the red carpet. She wore it beautifully and it shows you just how spectacular the dress is once on the body.
• The dress is made out of a light weight white gauze cotton that sits over a white gauze lining to make it opaque enough to wear. Onto that is a beautiful mix of bead work that highlights the lines of the dress.
• The neckline is set wide across so that it sits at the edges of the shoulders and a wide 6" ruffle follows the entire neckline. It gives it the prettiest flounce all the way around you and creates the feel of little cap sleeves that float over the top of the shoulders.
• The neckline is set into a V at both the back and the front for a little bit of added bare skin to show.
• Under that the bodice skims down to the seamed waist and then the skirt is set into the waist.  The waist is slightly more on the generous side and accentuated with a band of the intricate bead work.
• From there the skirt expands outwards and by the time it reaches the hem it has an amazing amount of volume. The back is cut slightly longer than the front so you get a beautiful sweep.
• The lower portion of the skirt has a ruffle that picks up on the one around the shoulders and that ruffle is a full 15" wide. Underneath the top layer skirt is a second layer white. I love how this added touch of under-skirting along with the beautiful cut of the skirt creates the volume. It also gives you fantastic movement when you move.
  
• You can see where the edges and seams between the different panels have all been finished with bead work. The beads have all been done in a combination of ivory and soft taupe beads placed by hand and they have the feel of being hand painted.
• This is an absolutely stunning dress and this particular cut of dress is one of my favourites. 
• The dress is fully lined in a white gauze feeling fabric as described above. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. There is the tiniest faint mark near the waist. Please see the photo after the label shot. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all. It has its original hang tag and packet of extra beads.
• Tagged a modern Valentino 46
• Excellent condition

Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of shoulder to the top of the 2" band at the waist
Total length: 58.5" from top of shoulder to the shortest parts of the front hem well the longest parts of the skirt extend another 3" past that

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD5540

Reference Photos: (1) Resort 2017 Valentino, Look 67.  /  (2) Bee Shaffer at The Franca Sozzani Award gala dinner, September 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• A magnificent dress that is the twin of the one that walked the runway for the It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
  
• The dress would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier.
• The famous socialite Nan Kempner owned its twin and we have included photos here so you can see how fabulous this is on the body.
• The dress is made out of a printed silk that has a black abstract pattern covering it from head to toe.
• In the book Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture: Catwalk they tell us that for the show Yves celebrated the 20th anniversary of his Couture house. The collection emphasize small waists counterbalance by wide shoulders that accentuated narrow hips. Many of the pieces were inspired by India and the craftsmanship that was available there. You can see the inspiration in the front set crystals. He used glass crystal rhinestones that were cut specifically to mimic the type of diamonds called Polki Diamonds that often seen in Indian jewellery and have a more raw cut feel to them.
• The dress is gathered at the shoulder but the gathers are brought down more towards the front. The shoulders are soft.
• The sleeves are extremely generous through the upper arm and are set into the top of the shoulder with a series of soft pleats that give them height and volume. They narrow down to the cuff where they close with a zipper.
• The entire front of the bodice is brought down into the centre waist in a series of soft pleats with a plunge that is fairly low but not too low.
• Set in the middle of the waist is that fantastic diamond shaped applique that has the glass crystal stones mixed with black stones and black glass tube beads. This catches the light fantastically.
• The skirt is gathered up and into that diamond to mimic what is happening on the bodice. It falls to the floor from there. There is a lot of fabric in the skirt because of the front pleating but it feels like it narrows in a bit to keep the silhouette long and narrow.
• At the back it falls in a simple sheath from shoulder to hem.
• All of the inner seams are finished by hand and the entire dress is made by hand to Haute Couture standards
• The dress is unlined and closes with a side set zipper. Zipper sit at each cuff. There is some evidence that the seams at the side of the waist were let out slightly. They could easily be brought back in. The piece is unlabelled.
• No size tag is present so please go by the listed measurements below. 
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 28" and are 14" around the upper arm. They are 7" around the wrist.
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 61" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5533

Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Couture.  /  (2-6) Spring 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Couture Advance Preview. /  (7) Nan Kempner in 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.

• 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.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 1990 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
• I love that it was photo with Yves himself. The model is carrying flowers and this may have been the piece used to close the show as the wedding dress.
• The fabric that the dress is made out of is a stunning pale nude ballet slipper pink that has a beautiful weight to it. This and the cut is what helps hold the draping perfectly in place.
• It has a very unusual design that is completely hidden at first glance. There is an inner bodice that one side of the outer dress hooks onto around the inner waist and then the other side drapes over that and hooks along the outer waist. This gives you coverage over the bust on the inside but still allows the bodice to feel loosely draped around you. It is what allows the plunge to be so low at the front while having it be completely secure while you are fully covered underneath.
• The sleeves are incredible. They are extremely full and each is lined with a pale pink silk chiffon to help hold the added volume of them. I love the way they drop over the cuff at the wrist to form that gorgeous puff at their ends.
• The inner waist closure holds the dress in place around you and then the silk drapes and skims past the waist and hips. The skirt flares out slightly as it nears the hem. The silk drapes over the waist for a bit of definition in shape even though there is no actual seam there. It is all masterful tailoring.
• The inner bodice zips at the front and then the dress hooks to close around it. The rest of the dress is unlined. I see one tiny faint mark along the edge of a fold of the top, some very minor faint marks at the hem and a tiny scuff in the fabric at the back hem. All very minor but mentioned for accuracy. Hand finishes. The colour is slightly more pastel soft pink than how it shot.
• The fit of the dress as it is currently is based almost completely on the measurements of the inner bodice piece but the outer dress is more generous. You could easily alter/add to the inner bodice to get more room if needed.
• Tagged a vintage YSL 38 
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 24.5"
Inner bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam. The outer bust measurement is very full and up to 22" across so if you needed more room you could easily add to the inner bodice to get more room.
Inner waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam with a similar note to above. The outer waist measures to 17"
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 59.5" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML 

Item# DD5526

Reference Photos: Spring 1990 Yves Saint Laurent 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.

• This is original dress from the 1950s, maybe the 1940s that is completely made by hand.
• It is an absolutely incredible example of the high level of hand work being done during that time period and you would be hard pressed to find anything modern done to this degree outside of true Couture pieces.
• I have no formal history on the dress but it does have a handwritten tag with the name Edith that sits inside the hem. The possibility of this being the name of the owner is fascinating and one wonders if it belonged to perhaps a showgirl, dancer or perhaps an actress who would have worn the dress. Having the name added like that certainly does imply that it was more of a stage piece as this was common in stage pieces from the era.
• The dress has hundreds of thousands of sequins and beads hand applied over every inch of its surface. The sequins are incredibly dense in the way that they have been applied. They are set so that they overlap each other to the point where they stand up and off the dress slightly. The black sequins were done in a swirling burst design and this lets it catch the light differently and creates the most amazing effect.
• Added to that is a floral design in pale pink, gold and greens that is also done in sequins. This wraps around the bodice and then runs down the entire skirt of the dress with the density of the design getting heavier as it near the hem.
• Then over all of that are over-sized faceted beads in a variety of colours that have been applied by hand to add an extra bit of detail and sparkle to the dress. They are all jewel tones mixed with gold and copper and it is just incredible to see.
• The dress does have weight to it but it is perfectly balanced once it is on the body. 
• It has straps but can also be worn strapless. Inside there is a full built-in boned and cupped corset that holds the dress in place and adds shape. The waist is brought in by this corset and then the dress skims over the hips. As it falls to the floor it narrows down. There is an overlapping curved slit at the back that allows you to be able to walk in it.
• The dress is fully lined in a black silky rayon. The dress has an inner corset that hooks into place with a double row of metal lingerie hooks. The inner corset is boned and cupped. It is lightly tacked into the dress. I see some wear on the inside of the corset here and there. The dress zips to close over that. It is completely made by hand. 
• There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements below
• Excellent condition with the note above

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 53" from top of bodice to hem
Back slit: 26" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5524

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• The dress is from 2017 and is a piece that was produced for the shops.
• The dress was made under the creative direction of Alessandro Michele.
• Lisa Vanderpump wore it's twin that season and I love that the reference photos we have included here allow you to see how great this is once on the body.
• The dress is made from a light in weight black crepe like fabric mixed with lace set down the bodice and for the sleeves. These fabric choices keeps it light in weight but still give it enough structure to hold that gorgeous shape that you see.
• The neck is cut high with a ruffle of lace running around the neck. A lace panel drops into a low V down the front. This leaves you completely covered but you still have a bit of the transparency that the lace provides.
• Each shoulder is set into the arms with a slight capped feel and then they narrow down to wide cuffs and a ribbed grosgrain. Each cuff closes with two button buttons covered in the same fabric. I love the way the lace of the sleeves picks up on that front panel and how they also have transparency through the lace pattern.
• The bodice is cut to skim over you to the waist that is banded for shape.
• The skirt curves out over the hips and then falls from there to the floor, flaring out as it reaches the hem. This gives it a wonderful movement when you move.
• It is at the very front that you get that signature excess that Alessandro is so well known for. Two large bows are formed out of iridescent silver crystals trimmed with tiny seed beads. These are attached directly to the dress and are stylistically a nod to the 1930s and 1940s. There is also a prong set row of the same crystals that run between the bows to suggest tiny buttons. All of the crystals catch the light beautifully and add a high amount of glamour to the dress.
  
• It is a beautiful dress representative of his time at the Gucci label.
• The dress is lined in a black chiffon through the bodice with the skirt and lace areas left unlined. It closes with a hidden back side zipper and hooks at the back of the neck. Each sleeve has a two buttons at the wrist. There is some stretch through the body so I have put the comfortable range when laying flat below.
• Tagged a Gucci S
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 25.5" and they are 12" around the upper arm
Natural shoulders: approximately 15"
Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16.5-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11.5" from neck to the top of the 4" band at the waistwaist
Total length: 58.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5516

Reference Photos: (1) From the Gucci website.  /  (2-3) Lisa Vanderpump in Gucci at the premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• The near twin of the dress was Look 23 in the Resort 2020 Valentino presentation.
• It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli.
• Vogue said that 'Pierpaolo Piccioli had his Resort collection photographed in Rome’s Orto Botanico, a green oasis in the center of the city with giant bamboo stands and towering palm trees.' This is one of my favourite Valentino dresses of the collection and it is even dreamier in real life.
• The dress is made out of a beautiful lightweight ivory silk chiffon that has the teeniest palest touch of green to its undertone. 
• Onto the entire dress is a beautiful floral pattern that gets larger as it near the hem. The flowers are done in pale greens and soft pinks with more vibrant pinks around the hem mixed with bands of colour.
• The shoulders are soft and the sleeves flutter over the very top of the arm. They are a single layer of the silk chiffon so have a beautiful delicacy to them.
• The dress skims over the bust from a high scooped neck and drapes easily over the body to the waist. Ruffles made out of the same silk sit behind vertical panels of the chiffon with lace ribbon insets. These run vertically down the centre of the top and there is a row of little functional buttons that runs down the middle. 
• The dress comes with a long matching tie in the same fabric that you used to cinch around the waist for added shape.
• I love that parts of the print in the chiffon are signed Valentino.
  
• The skirt flows to the floor from there and it is extremely full. It has a second ivory silk layer underneath so that it is opaque enough to wear. The excessive amount of fabric used through the skirt give it a ton of movement when you walk and move. 
• 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. It really is even more stunning in person.
• The dress is lined through the bodice with an ivory silk chiffon and the skirt is fully lined in an ivory silk. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. The buttons at the front are functional. Comes with its original matching tie belt in the same chiffon. In its original uncut length and it appears to have been worn very little if at all
• Tagged a vintage Valentino 40
• Excellent condition

Shoulders: 14.75"
Bust: 16.5-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Total length: 62" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5507

Reference Photo: Resort 2020 Valentino, Look 23.

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.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1999 Jean Paul Gaultier collection. 
• It was made under the creative direction of Jean Paul Gaultier.
  
• Miley Cyrus famously wore the twin of this dress in 2013. I love that the reference photos of both her and the runway photos that give you an amazing idea of how this looks on the body.
• The dress is made from a black stretch jersey that has some movement and is very comfortable to wear and easy to fit.
• Contrasting with that or padded pipe bands of black velvet that circled the collar and each cuff.
• The velvet collar that circles around the neck is cut wider across in a true circle that sits up and off the body slightly as you can see in the photos. 
• The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are cut extra long. Each one flares out dramatically and is finished with that same round piped velvet finish that the collar has. Each cuff is also a full circle around and it is quite extraordinary and dramatic to see. They have fantastic movement once they are on the body and I love how they are set on an angle so that they fall longer at the back behind your hands.
• It skims over the bodice and is cut more generously through the waist. If you wanted to add more definition you could add a belt but it does falls beautifully in a sleek column when worn as intended.
• The jersey curves back out over the hips and then the skirt falls to the floor below that. The black jersey stretch fabric has incredible drape and movement around you as it flares out.
• This is a phenomenal and very well known piece of Jean Paul's work and highly collectible
• The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear with no closures. The jersey does have some stretch to it and I have put the comfortable range of stretch below. The dress 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: 21" to the shortest point and 30" to the longest. They are 9-11" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 16.5-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 57" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD5506

Reference Photos/Videos: (1-2) Fall 1999 Jean Paul Gaultier.  /   (3-7) Miley Cyrus in Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier at the Bambi Awards, 2013.

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.

• This gorgeous dress is a true couture piece from the Fall 1970 Haute Couture collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Marc Bohan.
• The book Dior:Catwalk noted that the Vogue proclaimed that "Any woman anywhere on earth would want to own these total feminine clothes"
• In the few photos that survive of pieces from this collection, it is interesting to note that he showed most of these shift dresses under capes, which would be a lovely combination even now.
• This dress would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier. 
• The dress is made out of a jet black silk velvet that is extremely soft to the touch and has beautiful drape.
• I love the nod to classic minimalism that the dress displays.
• Straps in a matching black velvet curve up and over your shoulders and then the front and back have just the most gentle bit of a scoop across. Just enough to take away the harshness a straight line would have.
• It skims over the bust and is cut more generously over the waist so that it falls in a perfect shift or column feel around you. If you wanted to add more shape you could easily add a belt or corded rope tie.
• It flares slightly out over the hips and then the skirt falls from there widening out as it near the hem.
• The dress closes down one side with glossy black buttons and I love the deliberate contrast in texture that it has against the black velvet. That pop of shine of the high gloss of the buttons is the perfect subtle detail against the inky texture of the velvet.
• The buttons close the dress down one side to just past the hip and then the rest of that seam is completely open all the way to the hem. When you walk, move or sit, you get a flash of bare leg all the way up that one side. It is almost startling to have that flash of bare skin against the column of black and I love this play between elegance and sexiness.
• 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.
• 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 hand set black silk and closes at the side with the row of buttons. All of the work is done by hand to Couture standards and it has its appropriately dated couture tag present. 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

Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem and the slit is 29" from the hem up to the last button.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5505

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.

• The twin of this dress walked the Fall 1984 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche runway.
• It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
• We were so pleased to find shots of it on because it really shows you just how much it comes to life when worn. It is extraordinary and it is a stunning example of his work during this time period.
• The wrap design of the dress is easy to fit and is also very flattering for so many body types.I love the soft and romantic lines that this dress has.
• It is made of a black velvet that has enough weight to hold the shape that you see but still feel light on the body.
• A wide ruffle in a deep olive coloured silk taffeta runs around the neck starting at the base of the front plunge. It curves up and around the neck and then comes back down across the front is caught up at the side and then falls all the way two the hem and around.
• This stunning framing of the entire front of your body is beautiful and gives the dress is dramatic feel.
• To wear the dress there is an inner strap that wraps around your waist and hooks into place and then a long attached silk tie in a matching green ties into place at the side.
• On the runway, this was shown tied into a bow, a signature Yves detail.
• The wrapping of the dress allows you to adjust the fit around you so that it sits perfectly on you.
• The skirt curves over the hip and falls to the hem and because of the wrap over design when you move or walk, you will see a flash of bare leg. The ruffles hide most of your leg but it does peak out as you walk . It is an insanely sexy detail that is in total contrast with the sweetness of the ruffles.
• As good as the dress looks on the dress form, it is even better in person and on a body. It looks remarkably simple yet is genius in its execution.
• Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a inner strap that hooks around the waist. It ties to one side on the exterior as described above. A zipper at each cuff. I see a tiny bit of pressing of the velvet at the crease under the arms. The easy wrap cut makes it easy to fit a range of sizes. You could easily adjust the inner waist if needed.
• Tagged a vintage YSL 40
• Excellent condition.

Sleeves: 23.5" and they are 15" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: both the inner and outer waist are 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56" from neck to longest point of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD5504

Reference Photos: Fall 1984 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.

• 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.

• The dress is from the Fall 2005 Galliano collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
• The dress is absolutely dreamy. It is meant to skim over the body and it has that beautiful movement that Galliano is so well known for.
• It is made out of a combination of a cut velvet floral fabric that has been applied to a printed bias cut brown backdrop. This gives it an amazing texture. Highlighting the seams are little inset panels of lace with more lace added around the hem and edges.
• The dress is suspended from the shoulders with two brown lace straps and the lace continues around the neckline. The front is set into a shallow V and the back repeats that same V finish.
• The silk  is cut on the bias and the entire dress skims over the body in that perfect way that he always cut a piece.
• The bias cut allows it to be easy fitting over the bust, waist and hips. It is not tight at all but does drape and fall to accent your shape once it is on the body.
• The skirt is made up of panels set in and along angled seaming that is very reminiscent of Old Hollywood dresses from the twenties and thirties. The skirt is made of two panels that expand outwards and are open along the sides. So when you walk or move you get a bit of leg and extra kick along the lower skirting.
• Each panel has elaborate lace edging with ruffles made out of the lace for a pretty and feminine finish. I love how this ties all the elements of the dress together.
• The skirt has an amazing amount of fabric in it and the cut and open sides allow the smallest bit of air to catch the skirt and let it move around you as you move. When this is on and you are walking the movement it creates is absolutely gorgeous.
• This is John at his best and it is a tremendously beautiful dress.
• The dress is fully lined in a brown silk and slips over the head with no closures. It is cut on the bias so we put the comfortable range of measurements when the dress is laying flat below. It appears to have been worn very little if at all
• Tagged a vintage Galliano FR44, GB16, US10
• Excellent condition

Bust: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 60" from top of the shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD5502

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• The twin of this dress was featured in the Spring 2012 collection Lookbook sent out to select retailers. 
• It was made under the creative direction of Sarah Burton.
• Lace was one of the primary fabrics that Sarah Burton used for the Spring 2012 collection and Vogue reported that "She based her collection on the three Gs: Grès for the pleating and draping, Gaudí for the architecture, and Gaia for the sense of all-encompassing oceanic life that infused the clothes, like the outfits composed of coral or shells." 
• Pink wore its twin for an editorial shoot and Du Juan wore one on the red carpet.
• We have had a gold version in the shop before and I'm very pleased to have found this black one that matches the Lookbook and red carpets that it's twins appeared on.
• The dress is made out of a black lace that tops a pale nude silk underneath.
• The neckline is a scooped and the bodice is shaped to flow over your curves. The waist is a touch on the more easy side and you could easily add a wide corset belt to get the effect you see in the reference photos and really cinch it in.
• It curves over the hips to about the knee and then the lower skirts explodes out from there.
• Insets of the same lace with a layers of silk organza underskirts are set all the way around. If you lay the lower skirt out flat it has more volume than a full circle. This is what creates that incredibly full effect and the volume that the skirt has. We did not add any additional underskirts for these photos, all of that beautiful sweeping volume is all built-in.
• The back is cut slightly longer then the front so you get this beautiful sweeping effect behind you as you walk. 
• This dress is Sarah at her best and a highly collectible piece.
• The dress is fully lined in a pale nude silk through the body of the dress and then silk organza is set under the lower skirts. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
• Tagged McQueen 40.
• Excellent condition

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63" from top of bodice to front hem and the back extends another 8" past that.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5490

Reference Photos: (1) Spring 2012 Alexander McQueen Look Book.  /  (2-3) Pink photographed by Andrew MacPherson, Feb 2012.  /  (4) Du Juan at Deja Vu Screening, June 2012.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• This dress is from the Resort 2007 Chanel collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
  
• Everything about this dress has that chic Chanel feel that makes many of Karl's designs forever classics.
• It is beautiful in person and the simple lines and cut make it the kind of dress that you can wear multiple times with the styling and accessories you add making it feel different each time.
• The dress is made of very light black knit that has different finishes depending on where the knit is placed on the dress. These help to define the various parts of the dress and add visual interest.
• On the bodice and the tiny sleeves the knit is done in a light ribbing. The ribbing is used again to circle around the skirt just under the hip area. In between the knit is a solid fine weave and that also carries down to the bottom portion of a skirt as well with a little cut out detail running all the way around the lower hem.
• Underneath the bottom hem there is an added double layer of a slightly stiffened lace for the prettiest detail. This same lace also tops each little sleeve.
• The dress has no closures. You simply slip it over the head and it drapes over the body perfectly once you have it on.
• The front and back necklines are scooped higher across and there is a little Chanel logo button on the top of each shoulder that holds the dress in place.
• It is meant to be more fitted over the bodice as the knit stretches over you. It runs past the waist and then the dress starts to widen out as it skims out and over the hips. It continues to gently widen out as it nears the hem.
• I love the little sleeves. They are attached along the side of the dress and the opening for the arm is cut a little lower than normal to accommodate this. They sit snuggly around the upper arm and add a pretty little detail.
  
• The dress is fully lined in a soft inner stretch knit layer and has no closures except for the two buttons at the top of the shoulders. The knit does have some stretch and I have put the range when laying flat below.
• Tagged a Chanel 34
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 6" and are just a touch over 7" around where the lace attaches. That is the area with the least amount of stretch. 
Bust: 12-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approximately 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 54" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD5483

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.