This is a beautiful black dress from the Christian Dior label that showcases the restraint and elegance that the best of the brand's work has always displayed. The main dress under the cape is cut in one long and lean line. This simple sheath silhouette make it feel even longer then it already is. Everything about the cut is done to lengthen the girl wearing it and give her one long and beautiful line. The inner dress has no true sleeves, instead there is a pleated overlay that is attached around the neckline and falls over the dress. There are slits open along the sides that you can slip your arm through. I am going to post some shots of this dress on my Instagram feed that will show the dress worn as shown on the dress form, belted and with my arms fully inside the overlay. Each way gives the dress a very distinctive look and feel. The panels are pleated and made of a light fine silk. This gives it a lot of movement as you move underneath. I love that the hem of the overlay is set along an angle that curves up at the center front down at the sides and back. The body of the dress follows the body underneath in a way that the fabric just skims over you from shoulder to hem. The skirt falls from there to the floor in a column with a back slit to give you ease of walking and flash a little leg. It is simple and refined and has not a single unnecessary seam. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a zipper at the back. Appears to have never been worn, or worn very little. Hand finishes. If you prefer to wear the top as a true cape over the arms, you could add hidden hooks or snaps to close the arm slits to make it more versatile. Tagged a US12, FR44

Bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 61" from shoulder to hem with a 23" slit up the center back from hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3298

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

That sense of humour and drama is what defined the very best pieces from Moschino. The label had the ability to provoke and challenge all while making exceptional pieces of clothing. Francis Moschino launched his label in 1983 and quickly from a regional designer to one that was known on the international stage.

This dress is from the lingerie line abut still has that quirky sense of humor that is immediately evident. Over the bust area we see that enormous red satin heart that has the words 'Me Baby' embroidered onto it in their signature gold lettering. It is of course meant to be read as 'Love Me Baby'. The heart is edged in a ruffled netting like a Valentines box of chocolates and the top of the heart forms the sweetheart neckline. The sleeves are capped and the dress is see-though for the entire rest of the dress. It is made out of a black netting that molds to your curves before  widening out as it reaches the hem. You could easily wear something under this to make it wearable as a proper dress. It is an amazing piece of the Moschino history. Excellent condition

Unlined and the netting is very fine and is see through. Slips on to wear. Tagged a brand size. The netting does have some stretch

Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 14-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3299

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

This dress is from the Fall 2013 collection from the house of Valentino. During this time period both Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli were acting Creative Directors. It was the finale dress of the runway presentation. The runway pieces were shown and styled with removable collars and cuffs as mentioned in the review below. Vogue's Nicole Phelps reviewed the collection and said in part:

Vermeer's Girl With a Pearl Earring stared out from Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli's mood board this season. At a preview, the Valentino designers were making connections between what they called the severe yet sensual portraits of the Dutch masters and their exquisite new collection for Fall. "We wanted to capture women in a private moment," Chiuri said. "In this show, the face is very important. Making a study of white collars, Chiuri and Piccioli added them to many of their familiar looks. The collars came in laser-cut leather encrusted with beads or in "Calvinist" plain cotton piqué, and they decorated the simplest pieces. This is Valentino we're talking about, of course, so in the end there was no lack of intricacy in the details. There were gowns galore, many of unsurpassed beauty, and some too beautiful not to bring up. But to prattle on describing them would be to defeat the point. They weren't the news; the austere grace was.

This dress is one of the best example of that 'austere grace' that Phelps describes above. It was also the gown chosen to close the show and this is always an important piece to look to as it leaves us with the final impression that the designer wished us to have of the show. It is almost stark and severe in its simplicity and it is gorgeous. It is made from a fine cotton with just a touch of silk in it. The choice of cotton gives it the weight, slight stiffening and structure that the fabric needs to hold its shape while the addition of the silk gives the fabric a lightness and very subtle touch of sheen. The cut is minimalist with a high neck with a small and neat collar. The bodice is fitted and the sleeves are long and slim. There is a hidden set button at the end of each sleeve and I love how this button is set towards the inner lining so that not even here is the line broken in even the slightest of ways. The skirt is maxi length and widens out as it nears the floor. Beginning at the waist and running right to the hem is a long, deep inverted pleat that gives the skirt width, structure and volume. At the back, the hem curves down and is cut a few inches longer then it is at the front. It is amazing on and and is finished with all the meticulous attention paid to it that you would expect from the Valentino label. It appears to  have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk throughout and has a hidden set zipper at the back. Tagged a Valentino 42

Sleeves: approx 22"
Shoulders: approx 15" but no true defined seams
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 61" from neck to front hem, 65" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3300

Reference Photo: F/W 2013 Valentino Runway Finale Look. Model: Maud Welzen.

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

This is a lovely wedding gown by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin that we found reference to in a blog from 2012. The gown is just gorgeous and I love that is is not a traditional white but rather used a combination of a soft blush nude silk at the top and the skirt is an almost soft pastel ivory grey. The top is a fine silk in that soft pinky nude that is suspended from the shoulders with straps that have been detailed with pearls and crystals. These are set on a fine silk netting for a romantic and delicate feel. At the back they trail down past the edge of the top for a pretty touch. The waist is detailed with a wide silk grosgrain ribbon and this extends around to the back where it becomes a large bow that has long ties that fall almost to the hem of the back skirt. The skirt is amazing and very full. The front falls in a sleek column that gains more width as it nears the hem. The back is gathered in large pleats and all of the volume you see is from the way the skirt is cut and gathered combined with the fabric that was used. I did not add any additional crinolines under this for the photos, though if wanted it to be even fuller you easily could wear on underneath. The back is trained and has the most beautiful lines as it trails out and back. Excellent condition with one small note to review below

The top is a double layer of the silk and the skirt is unlined. It closes with the signature exposed Lanvin zipper at the back. The attached ribbon at the waist can be tied as you wish. It appears to be unworn but there is some scuffing and grubbiness to the back hem, most likely from being stored on a rack. I photoed the worst spot that is on the very end of the train. It may come out with additional cleaning or could be shortened slightly to eliminate. Note the colors have a slightly more pink/blush undertone then how it photoed. The colors are better in person and softer

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 50" from waist to front hem, 65" from waist to back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3297

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

Valentino knows how to cut a dress to perfectly flatter a woman's body. Few designers can come close to the masterful techniques he perfected over the decades of his prolific career. This is an exceptional example of his work and it is very beautiful and striking. It would also be a fabulous choice perhaps as a wedding dress for the bride not looking to be 100% traditional

The dress has that feeling of simplicity that the nineties epitomized and yet, still feels modern and fresh even now. The fine silk crepe that is is made out of is cut on the bias which allows it to drape and mold perfectly over the body, skimming over your curves for the most flattering of fits. The color in person is a touch more a true ivory then how it photoed and is very flattering on most skin tones. The bodice of the dress with one of his signature, high set and curved panels that wrap around the bust. This is suspended from one shoulder by tiny straps that wrap and tie at the back. The bodice has been beaded with gold tube beads into a pretty trailing leaf and flower design with silver sequins filling in the petals. Some of the petals are cut out for the teeniest glimpse of skin through them. From that spectacularly detailed bodice, the skirt drapes to the floor from under the bust in a column of bias cut silk. The skirt has two layers hat are both edged with the same beading that is on the bodice and this overlap balances the workmanship on the bodice. The back is trained and also edged with more beads and sequins. The back is cut very low so that you get an expanse of bare skin. It is just stunning on the body. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an ivory bias cut silk satin. It closes with a low back hidden set zipper. Hand finishes. Tagged a Valentino 12 but please check the actual measurements. It is cut on the bias so there is some give in size up or down. There is the occasional tiny pilling to the fabric which is normal for this fabric. Nothing that is outstanding or noticeable when on

Bust: the panel is 16" across from side seam to side seam but the back is open so that is just the area of front coverage
Waist: 14-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 60" from shoulder to front hem, 67" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3295

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

The twin of this dress was photoed with Yves Saint Laurent himself, backstage during the Spring runway show by Roxanne Lowit. This was one of the main pieces of that season and I am very pleased to have found this example.

The dress is made from a gold wool and metallic thread brocade that has an embroidered gold design woven through the fabric. This is done so that it has a slightly raised feel to it and gives the dress the beautiful texture that it has. The two parts of the design also allow for a play on the tones of gold used and the raised parts have a more metallic, lame feel to them which makes the brocade pattern really pop. The dress perfectly represents this time period and you can see the transition from the opulence and over the top feel of the eighties slowly moving into simpler, sleeker shapes for the 1990s. That touch of excess from the 1980s is still there through that gold fabrication, but the shape is getting sleeker and more powerful in feel. The neckline is a simple scoop. Vertical seaming runs down the front and back on to create the slightest of shape through the waist but there is no break in the line that a waist seam would have made. The skirt is cut slim and straight. The sleeves end just below the elbow. The cut is restrained and simple so that the amazing gold fabric takes center stage.  It is amazing on the body. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a gold silky rayon through the body and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a back, hidden set zipper. Light padding in each shoulder. Tagged a vintage YSL 40 and has a generous cut through the waist and bust

Shoulders: 17"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 36" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3295

Reference Photos: Yves Saint Laurent, Avenue Marceau à Paris, March 1991. Photo by Roxanne Lowit.

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

This was sold to me as a Christian Dior but I have never been able to fully verify this with 100% accuracy. It's been priced for what it is and if it does turn out to be a verifiable Dior then you have gotten an amazing bargain. Regardless of its heritage it is an incredibly striking dress.

This dress is all bombshell. It has the feel of the Old Hollywood siren to it and one could easily imagine any of the big movie starlets of the day wearing this out as part of their glamorous lives. The fabric is a deep burnished gold lame that has a stitched effect running over it that gives it a quilted 3D feel but in a very abstract kind of way as opposed to any geometric pattern you would normally see with a quilting technique applied. It is very light in weight and feels like a wisp of air once on the body. It is cut for maximum attention. The top is set with two halter triangle tops that have that wide cut to them from this era. This lets the tops of each halter sit on the outer edges of the shoulders, emphasizing the cinched in waist. On an actual body you can cinch it in even tighter to create more of an hourglass shape. It plunges down to meet the wide sash that wraps and ties around you. The back plunges in the same fashion to leave a large expanse of your back bare. The partially attached ties that wrap around the waist are very long so you can really play with how you style them. Under that the skirt falls in a narrow pencil shape with a small vent at the back to allow for walking. It's gorgeous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in black silk and closes with a painted back zipper. Partially attached ties at the waist that very ling and wrap and tie. Pockets on each hip. Hand finishes

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 20" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E669

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

In its heyday the Gene Shelly of California label was a must have. Gene Shelly dresses are amazing and they are some of the best of the early sequinned vintage pieces that you can find. All of the sequin work that covers this dress was done by hand in Hong Kong on American manufactured knit. The company would send the stretch wool fabric to be hand beaded or sequinned to Hong Kong. The fabric was then sent back to the US and the dresses were made in California. At the time, Hong Kong was doing the best sequin and bead work in the world outside of the specialty ateliers in Paris. Having the bead work down there actually helped keep the cost down though the dresses were still fairly expensive. Full length pieces cost around $600 dollars in the mid-1960s - which is the equivalent of about $4700 in current USD.

The dress has the label's signature stretch knit base which makes it extremely easy and comfortable to wear. This one has a gold knit to match the sequins that cover its surface. Onto the knit are thousands and thousands of tightly spaced, bright gold sequins. Each sequin has been meticulously applied by hand into place. Every inch of the fabric is literally covered with sequins. The neckline is cut wider across so that your collarbones show and the back has a low V dip to it. Edging the neckline is a dense application of larger gold paillettes that are set to stand up from the fabric to create a 3D feel. This same edging circles the end of each sleeve. The dress hugs the body from the neckline to the hem and I love how the hem has that little curved notch at the front More of those fabulous 3D paillettes circle the entire hem. The dimension and texture created from the result of all of the hand work done on the dress is wonderful. The dress itself is immensely flattering with its figure hugging shape. The knit is set on the bias so it shapes and molds to your figure once on. Excellent condition.

The base is a gold toned stretch knit and the dress closes with a painted metal zipper at the back. The sequins are all applied by hand and I see no bare spots. A little wear to the lustre of the sequins here and there that is normal for sequins of this age. The measurements are taken flat and shows the comfortable range of each spot. Note that it is a touch brighter gold in person and it is even more of a wow when you see it in real life. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The stretch will allow for a variety of sizes

Sleeves: 19"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3294

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

The beading technique used on this dress is distinctive and it was this feature that led me to find the date of the collection. A dress from this same collection with a similar beading was photoed by Guy Bourdin for Vogue and a dress similar to that one was auctioned off at Sotherbys with the final hammer being 3000 euros. The dress I have here was actually donated to me by the owner who simply wanted it to find a great home. If this is sold at any time during this month, I have decided to donate the proceeds from this sale to Breast Cancer research in the spirit of paying it forward. Examples of Karl's work during this time period are held in museums around the world and are rare finds. Their place in fashion history is even more so with his recent passing.

This dress is wonderful. In person it is even better then how it photoed, if that is possible, as it really molds to the body underneath it. The cut is simple but sexy with a wrapped feel to the bodice and a long skirt that falls to the floor. The dress is made out of a fine black silk crepe that has a slight give to it that allows it to fit to the body like it does. Onto the silk is that spectacular gold beaded design. The gold glass tube beads are hand applied and set so they climb up the bodice on the one side up and around the neckline and then wrap over the waist and trail down the side in two long curving points. This amazing design really emphasizes your curves. The neckline is high and the back curves and dips down quite low to leave the entire back bare. I love the wrapped illusion created by the way the beading is applied over the bodice and how the neckline curves up and around the neck in such a graceful line. The dress then skims over the hips and flares out once it reaches the hem with a touch of a fishtail effect at the back and a side vent that really allows it to flare out as you walk. It is magic once on an actual body. Excellent condition

Partially lined on the same black silk chiffon through the bodice and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a side painted metal zipper. Hand finished interior to demi-couture standards.

Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 17" from neck to waist
Skirt: 44.5" from waist to front hem, 46" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3293

Reference Photos: F/W 1973-74 Chloe by Guy Bourdin for French Vogue.

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

Please do not buy - this item is now on Layaway

I had a very similar dress in the shop before that was a lilac color and am very pleased to have found an even more versatile black version. Halston is one of those rare labels that for whom the more time goes by it actually feels more relevant. It is easy to look at this piece as both a treasured vintage collectible and a closet staple.

It is the kind of dress that you know that every time you slip it on you will look and feel amazing. It has a definitive Grecian goddess feel to it combined with his signature simplicity and masterful draping. It simply slips over the head with elastic running through the waist at the front. At the back the inner part is completely bare but there are ties that extend on either side of the waist that tie inside the back. This helps to create some shape at the front with the fabric draping all around you, but the ties keep it completely in place. The front drapes and plunges deeply but the way the fabric has been placed combined with that elastic waist and the inner ties make you feel safe wearing it. Over the shoulders and down the back is a single panel of fabric that creates a caped Grecian effect and incredible loops of draping down each hip. They are deep enough to tease that you might get a glimpse of bare skin at the sides but the cut and the inner ties make sure it doesn't bare too much. So sexy! The front high slit and way the skirting is cut also allows a flash of leg to show as one moves. Brilliantly Halston in every way and very easy to wear. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on with elastic through the front part of the waist. Attached nylon jersey ties on either side of where the front waist ends that tie at the back inside as photoed. Tagged a S but the fabric has some stretch and that combined with the drape, elastic waist and adjustable tie waist will allow almost any size

Shoulders: no seams and set to slouch off the shoulder
Bust: open
Waist: open
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from neck to elastic waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to back hem though it does come up a bit when on depending on your build
Front slit: 25" from approx hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# DD3292

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

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

I love when I get versions of this dress in the shop and I am happy to have also found documentation of it with not just one, but two ads. The ads verify the date of this to be from the 1980-1981 time period. Versions of this dress have been worn by countless celebrities. Lady Gaga wore a version, as have girls like Rachel Zoe & Nicole Richie and every girl that has bought one through me has loved it. It is one of those fail safe pieces that you know is going to work every time you put it on. When I do get one in they tend to fly out the door. The dress is insanely sexy with a halter style front that plunges to the waist and a back that is left completely open and bare. It is made of a black liquid jersey that feels amazing on and has the added bonus of traveling very well. It is the kind of piece that you can throw into your suit case and slip on with either flats or heels when you reach some far off destination and be instantly ready to go. The front has a high slit that shows when you walk or sit and I love the signature wide top stitch gold belt at the waist. The belt is attached all the way around the back and then ties at the front to cinch you in exactly to where you want. Excellent condition.

Unlined and slips on. Ties at the back of the neck and at the waist. Elastic through the front portion of the waist. The easy fit allows it work on a variety of sizes. The gold is a true bright gold in person

Bust: variable as there are no side seams
Partial elastic waist: 13-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 16" from natural neck to waist but can be tied to adjust the length if needed
Skirt: 44" from top of back waist to hem
Front slit: 25" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3291

Reference Photos: (1) Bill Tice for Swirl Ad. Vogue US, September 1980. / (2) Bill Tice Ad. Vogue US, September 1981.

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

20% Off Use Code: EXTRA20

This is a beautiful dress by designer Ted Lapidus. Lapidus began selling his designs in the 1950s in Paris. By 1963 his work garnered him a spot as a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and he added Haute Couture to his ready to wear lines. This is a beautiful and rare example of his Couture workmanship. It is unfortunately not perfect and so is sold as is and as a final sale. It could potentially be worn as is with care if you don't mind that your vintage is not perfectly perfect.

The dress is full length with a beautiful, ling line to it. The top is detailed with a very long and pointed collar which instantly gives it that 1970s feel. The neckline is set in a V under. It is more fitted through the top and this then skims over the waist and hips for shape. From there the skirt falls the floor, widening out quite a bit as it nears the hem. A ruffle runs down either side of the front center, from just under the collar all the way to the hem. It is split up the front of the skirt quite high so when you move or sit you get a flash of long legs. The sleeves are the cut with a touch of fullness above their cuffs and are not lined so the full impact of the dotted fabric is seen. The fabric is gorgeous. It is a silk chiffon with black, flat velvet dots cut and set into the silk. This is where some of the damage is as many of these around the upper shoulders have started to break away from the silk chiffon around them. Even with this small flaw this dress is incredible and pried far, far below what it would be otherwise for a piece of Haute Couture. Good overall condition through the body of the dress with some damage as described below.

Fully lined through the body in a back silk. Closes at the back with a fine black zipper. Hand finished through out and proper couture label intact. There are decently done repairs to the silk chiffon on the top of both shoulders and som eof the dots on the sleeves near the upper shoulder. But of you spread the fabric out you can see that other dots are coming away from the silk along the sleeves and I spotted at least one where it is happening near the arm of the main part of the dress and I may have missed some other small areas. There is also a small tear in the chiffon on the other side mar the arm. Sold as is and a final sale. Please review all provided photos shown after the labels shot.

Sleeves: 14"
Shoulders: 25"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem
Slit: 27" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3289

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

I am very pleased to begin presenting a collection of Bill Blass pieces from a woman who was a close personal friend of Mr. Blass for many years. Many of these pieces were custom made or tweaked specifically for her and all of them are in exquisite condition, having been stored and cared for properly over the years. These are rare and hard to find example of his work from the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Some may be the only version of its kind that were made. The family would also like it to be known that their portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to charity.

This gorgeous full length sequin skirt and amazing silk organza top set is a wonderful example of the work that Blass was doing in this time period. We were able to date it exactly with a family photo that my client shared with me. The skirt is a work of art with thousands of sequins hand applied onto a silk chiffon. The sequins range from a deep green to a navy and then to a glossy black. These are applied in a checked pattern and the combination of the three colors that he used gives it a extra layer of depth. They also catch the light fantastically and in person it has far more life and impact then my photos could ever convey. It has an attached, wide silk taffeta sash at the waist that is finished with a large bow. The skirt wraps and secures along the waist to close. The front edge curves up towards the bow for the prettiest of lines. It falls to the floor in a sleek column but the wrap really allows you movement and the occasion flash of leg when you sit or stride. The choice of the silk chiffon that the sequins are applied, with a second layer of silk crepe behind that, keep it from being see though between the sequins while still keeping it light in weight. The top is amazing. It is made out of a black semi-transparent silk organza and the volume that he has created in it is at a couture level. It is cut more straight through the body so that you can wear it tucked in, loose and easy, or with a belt to really cinch it in. The main body of the top is a double layer of the silk so that you have just enough opaqueness for it to not be scandalous but still feel light and airy. Each sleeve is tremendously full and voluminous and the cuffs are finished with a double ruffle of the same fabric. At the neck there are two ruffles above and below the collar and hidden under the front ruffle is a silk satin bow detail that you just get a glimpse of. A large ruffle  detail on each shoulder's top is the perfect finish. Having the two pieces makes it so versatile as you can wear it all together for the full Blass look, or mix and match with modern pieces from your wardrobe. It is beautifully made and wonderfully extravagant. Excellent condition

The skirt  has a second layer of silk crepe under the sequin later and it wraps to close with snaps and flat hook & eye at the waist. You could easily move the snaps and hooks up or down or the perfect fit. The top buttons down the back as seen. The attached sash at the waist closes with flat hook and eye.

Top
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from waist to hem

Skirt
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam, but will open more
Length: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3288

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

20% Off Use Code: EXTRA20

This is a great little unlabeled dress that has lots of impact. The main body of the dress is a black synthetic jersey that has just a bit of give to it for comfort. Finishing each sleeve is a wide cuff made up of glossy black feathers that really up the dramatic feel of the dress. The waist is defined by a high band inset of the same fabric. The front plunges to this band so you get a touch of skin there. At the back there are two ties, one at the back and the other set at the top of the zipper. In between is a curved, round cut out that leaves the back completely bare. The sleeves are long and lean so that those fantastic feather cuffs have even more contrast. The skirt falls to the floor from the band under the bust, skimming over the torso and hips and then flaring out at the hem. That play on the bare skin of the bodice paired with the high drama of the feathers make for a real show stopper. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes at the low back with a metal & nylon zipper and snaps at each cuff. The feathers are glossy and there is no shedding.

Sleeves: 25"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam, 13.5"-15" at the under-bust seam
Waist at second seam under the bust: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 110" from shoulder to first seam under the bust, 12" to the second
Skirt: 44" from second seam under the bust to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E668

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

Nat Kaplan was a dress manufacturer that opened in 1935 and produced well-made mid-range garments for about 50 years. They tended to use great fabrics and the pieces were finely tailored. Fit was paramount and they did not skimp on details to give their clients amazing value for their money.

This dress is darling and for the girl tiny enough to fit into it, it is a beauty. The bodice is very  fitted with light boning inside for support. It has tiny straps in that same lovely fabric and then the entire bodice is finished with a series of vertical knife pleats. These go all the way around the bodice and are set on a slight angle instead of a straight up and down line. The waist is cinched and then the skirt opens out from there and is quite full. The fabric is a lovely semi-sheer light silk-cotton voile with a gorgeous bright floral print that covers every square inch. The skirt has a second layer of organza under that top layer and then a lining under that to keep it from being see-through. It is just lovely. Excellent condition. 

Full interline though the bodice in an ivory silky rayon and the skirt has a silk crepe inner lining and then a layer of ivory silk organza under the top printed layer. It closes with a painted metal zipper at the back and the the skirt overlaps and snaps to close along the waist over the lower portion of the zipper.

Bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 38" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3286

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

This dress is drop dead gorgeous. It came to me without any label and I was perfectly OK with that as it is that exact kind of little vintage 'mystery' find that I love. The dress is made out a fine silk chiffon with a very pretty pink and print on a soft yellow base. The print combines paisley and flowers and the two colors work wonderfully together. It falls from the shoulders from flat silk straps that are made form the same fabric as the rest of the dress. The bodice is fitted and gathered at the center. The dress falls loose and easy under the bust seam. It sweeps down to the floor in a sheath of silk. The bust is entirely detailed in pink, gold and iridescent sequins. These are then continued down along the length of the dress in a wide border that edges the panel of fabric that overlaps at the front. The zipper is set along one side and to not break the line the silk from the back is set to curve around and over the zipper and hook in under the front panel. This effect is a nod tot eh sari and it is very beautiful. Excellent condition 

Fully lined in a deep yellow silk crepe and closes with a side set metal and nylon zipper. Part of the fabric cures around and hooks under the front panel as mentioned above. Light interior boning on the sides of the bodice. Hand finishes

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam with 14" across the under bust
Inner waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from top of shoulder to under bust
Skirt: 45" from under bust to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E667

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

Buro24 said of this collection "Black is the new black ...For Pre-Fall, Ricardo Tisci created a modern, graphic lineup with edgy undertones – all predominately black. Givenchy stuck to its core for its latest collection. The Italian designer also added some romance to the dark collection... as well as draped silhouettes, which came in the shape of lightweight evening gowns." This dress was shown in an ivory for the presentation, layered over a red tank. It was the closing look of the collection for that season.

This is the all black version that was put into production in addition to the ivory one and it is gorgeous with his distinctive edgy touches mixed with high femininity. It combines a liquid silk satin with a very fine Chantilly feeling lace. The lace is as light as a feather and is used extensively through the bodice. This is what gives it that beautiful and delicate transparency. It plunges into a V with straps that curve up and over the shoulders. Little silver rings break the line of the strap at the front. At the back they stay slim until they meet the low set back. The top also has an opaque inset at the front midriff and then the lace around that continues low around the hips and down each side of the skirt. The skirt is actually quite full so has a wonderful amount of movement when you move. More of that fine lace circles the hem. At the back there are two excessively long, wide ties in the same satin as the skirt. These are attached to either side of the back waist and tie at the back as you wish.  They can be tied up so they hang shorter or can even be done so that the ties trail down and behind you. It is a beautiful example of Ricardo's work while at Givenchy and will absolutely be a future collectable. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper under the a row of decorative buttons set at the low back. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3285

Reference Photo: Givenchy Pre-Fall 2015, Look 36.

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

I am very pleased to begin presenting a collection of Bill Blass pieces from a woman who was a close personal friend of Mr. Blass for many years. Many of these pieces were custom made or tweaked specifically for her and all of them are in exquisite condition, having been stored and cared for properly over the years. These are rare and hard to find example of his work from the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Some may be the only version of its kind that were made. The family would also like it to be known that their portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to charity.

This gorgeous ball gown skirt and top set is a wonderful example of the work that Blass was doing in this time period. We were able to date it exactly with a family photo that my client shared with me. Additionally, a version of the skirt with a different top appeared in the September issue of Vogue that year on none other then Jerry Hall. The skirt is made out of a vivid hot pink silk satin that is edged in a wide black silk ribbon at the hem. The color in person is even better then how it photoed and has more depth and richness in real life. It has a detachable wide silk satin sash that has a large bow at the front and ties that trail almost to the hem of the skirt. The skirt is very full and I have styled it with a full length crinoline under the skirt for these shots (I also included a shot of it without so that you can see that it is still very full). The fullness that you see once it is sitting over the underskirt is all done through the way it is cut. The choice of the silk satin also helps it to hold the shape while still keeping it fairly light in weight. The top that goes with it is made out of a baby soft, light cashmere feeling wool that has a slight texture running through it. It is made with elastic through the waist which makes it insanely comfortable to wear. I love that you can wear it tucked in or with the hip peplum out and than add the belt for more shape to it regardless of which way you decide on.  Each sleeve is very full and voluminous. The cuffs end in a ruffle of the same fabric for a wonderful effect. The neckline is finished with that same ruffle and at the back it hooks into place down a long slit opening that runs from the neck to about midway down the back. You could probably even wear the top the other way around if you preferred. The volume and drama of the three pieces worn all together is amazing. Having the three pieces also makes it so versatile as you can wear it all together for the full Blass look, or mix and match with other modern pieces from your wardrobe. It is beautifully made and wonderfully extravagant. Excellent condition

The top is unlined and the skirt fully lined in a matching colored silk. The skirt closes with a metal and nylon zipper and a hook & eye at the waist. The top slips on with elastic through the waist. It has hook & eye down the back and each cuff buttons to close with a fabric covered button and loop. The sash closes with hook and eye.

Top
Sleeves: approx 26" with no defined shoulder seam
Bust: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Elastic waist: 14-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 24" from neck to hem and the elastic waist falls at approx 17"

Skirt
Waist: 13.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 46" from waist to hem
Matching cummerbund: 30" from end to end and the hooks could easily be moved up or down as needed

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3284

Reference Photos: (1) Jerry Hall in Bill Blass, Vogue US, September 1977. Photo by Chris Von Wagenheim.  /  (2) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

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

20% Off Use Code: EXTRA20

Renato Balestra launched his couture label in Rome in 1951. His work quickly gained international fame and was one of the cornerstone ateliers of the Italian couture 'Alta Moda' movement. This is a beautiful example of his work and is in remarkable condition.

The dress is made from a fine silk chiffon that makes it feel feather light. Mixed with that is a fine black silk net that is then fused with a glitter that gives the dress is sparkle and glitz. The bodice is simple and perfect with a crossed over front that plunges into a deep V. There is no backing through the bodice at all and this gives it a semi-sheer transparency. The skirt is cut with a touch of fullness and is lined all through the part where it is the plain black chiffon. It is set so that it appears to wrap and tie around you but this is all created by clever seaming and cutting as it is actually all attached through the waist and then only open under that along the wrapped over edge. The top edges of the bodice and down each side are inset with that black netting. Onto that silk netting the glitter has been fused and this all is laid out in a beautiful and intricate design. The workmanship to attach the netting to the silk chiffon cannot be underplayed as this would have taken hours of meticulous hand work to accomplish. I love the effect of this one on the body. The bottom portion of the skirt picks on this same effect of the tops edging and it is finished with a full 17" panel of that wonderful fused glitter on net technique. I also love how the very bottom edging is finished to follow the pattern of the design and is done in the deep pointed scalloping that you see. A matching, attached silk chiffon sash cinches in the waist for added shape. The workmanship is exquisite and the play on transparencies is very sexy. Excellent condition

Unlined through the bodice and fully lined through the skirt from the waist to the top of where the netting begins on the lower skirt. Attached matching silk chiffon sash at the waist. It closes with a series of tiny snaps up the side and has an inner waist stay that closes with hook & eye.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 41" from waist to longest points of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3283

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

George Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear and his signature looks focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. His dresses were made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there - that starting price point equals to around $26,000US in today's dollars. So when you buy a vintage Stavropoulos gown you are getting incredible value for your money. The only reason his work is not under the Haute Couture category is because he was not an official member of the association.

This dress has the most unusual and wonderful fabric treatment that has been applied onto its surface. Hundreds and hundreds of little embroidered white triangles of fabric have been applied to the dress to cover it from shoulder to hem. These are sewn onto a fine white silk netting and then that is layered over an inner, more ivory toned, silk crepe. This play on tone give it more depth and visual interest. The triangles are set onto the fabric so that parts of the points flutter off the fabric, giving them a 3D quality. The actual dress under that amazing applique work is quite structured. The bodice has slim sleeves that taper in from the shoulder as they reach the ends, and the neckline is cut wide and squared off at the front. The shoulders have very light padding and they are set so they have a bit of high capped feel to them. At the back it is slightly scooped. The dress follows the body with has vertical seaming that bring it on at the waist a touch and then it falls to the floor. A high back vent is the perfect finish and gives a glimpse of leg. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an ivory silk crepe and closes with a hand set, painted metal zipper at the back. Light padding in each shoulder. Very well finished. In person it has a touch more of an ivory tone to the base.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3282

Reference Photo: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

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

This dress is made out of a fine Indian printed silk and that, along with that vivid color combo of the pink and green, give it a definite wow factor. The print that covers the dress has a gorgeous abstract curving design and this runs over every inch of the dress. There is also a secondary ribbon texture that is woven directly into the silk for added interest. I love the lightness and airiness of the dress created by the yards and yards of the ultra fine silk chiffon used. Working in this type of fabric is already difficult and this would have taken many hours of work to complete this dress. The silk is cut on the bias through the skirt and there are yards and yard of it. The tremendous amount of fabric that was used to make up the skirt allow it have wonderful movement and drape. It seems to float around you at the slightest movement. The neckline is squared off and cut low, with the bodice more fitted under that. The waist is nipped in for shape. The sleeves are cut so that they widen out to be quite full by the time they reach the wrist with a lovely flare shape, ending in a wide and full cut. At the back the dress scoops low for an expanse of skin to show. It has a matching sash that you can use at the waist, neck, or as a head scarf. It will also ship with an additional skinny belt covered int he same fabric (not pictured). Excellent condition with a couple of minor notes below

Fully lined in bright green silk with the sleeves lined in silk chiffon. It closes with a hand set, painted metal & nylon zipper. Hand finishes. The sash has hand rolled edges The inner lining to the skirt has small nicks and thinning to it throughout. It seems stable and is completely wearable as is. No similar issues to the outer layer at all. Some grubbiness to the hem that gets lost in the print. I see one mark on the skirt that gets lost in the print.

Sleeves: 25"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at Inner lining: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 44.5" from waist to hem
Sash: 41" x 15.5

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3281

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