If you have been looking for a statement dress for the season look no further then this incredible Emanuel Ungaro dress that is absolutely amazing. The color is wonderful. It is a metallic feeling blue on a silk taffeta. This fabric gives it a touch of a shimmer and depth as it catches the light. The fabric is quite light in weight so despite the elaborate construction of the dress is not heavy to wear, but it does hold the intended shape fabulously. The bodice is cut with a strapless, modified sweetheart neckline and hugs the body. It is elaborately gathered and fitted around the bust with hand placed and gathered folds. This was an Ungaro signature and really made his pieces flattering once on. An angled sash wraps and hooks into place to detail the waist even more. Under that the skirt explodes in a pouf of shape and volume. Elaborate gathers mold the shape so the skirt feel asymmetrical on one side and on the other there is a huge half bow that gives even more volume to that hip. The opening of the skirt at the very bottom is deliberately kept to be as minimal as possible, forcing you to move in a way that highlights the shape even more. It is incredible. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a side zipper from the waist up and silk covered snaps under the wait. The bodice is boned. Tagged a vintage Ungaro 10 but cut small. It appears to have never been worn, or worn very little.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 24" from waist to hem but can be worn up as high as you wish because of the way the bottom opening is cut.
Skirt opening at the bottom hem 32" in total around

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3256

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

For his second ever collection for the Saint Laurent label, Anthony Vaccarello stayed true to himself. Vogue's Mark Holgate said of the collection in his review: "Yves Saint Laurent is of course one of those houses where everyone has an opinion and no two are alike. It’d be nigh impossible to ever reach a consensus on what it should, could, needs to be; everyone is a yay-sayer, or a naysayer, just depends on who you ask. Vaccarello, for his part, realized that his way forward was to be referential, respectful even, just don’t ever get trapped into being reverential. As with last season he was, he said, inspired by one particular dress, an haute couture number with huge sleeves which dates from the early ’80s. “I always relate YSL to parties, to evening,” Vaccarello said backstage. “I couldn’t do a show without those golden years, but I wanted to take that further.” This dress is the twin of the one presented as Look 61 on the runway.

This dress is extraordinary and feels extremely futuristic. The cut is bold and sexy and the color is jaw dropping. The dress is made from a high gloss patent coated leather that molds the shape over you rather then you creating the shape as you would in a more 'normal' fabric. It fits over the body with a startling sculptural silhouette. The shoulders are extreme in their shaping and the top of each shoulder is constructed almost on a completely flat plane. Extra long sleeves fall from there and each is set on a slight curve to mimic the shape of the arm. It zippers up the front and has the ability to completely unzip so that you could potentially wear it as a layered piece. It skims over the body to a short mini length. There is the suggestion of shaping through the waist created by the gathering in towards the center zipper. Along that center line are two rows of ruffles set on either side of the zipper. These are constructed from the same patent as the rest of the dress and feel almost alien in the way they run down the front. It is a daring design made out of an incredible and bold use of leather. Never worn and still has part of the original tag still attached. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a front set zipper. Tagged a FR40. Part of the original tag is still present and the dress has never been worn. It has a skinny cut and the blue is even better in person as it is richer and has more depth. The color is more close to the runway photo in real life

Shoulders: exaggerated and are 17" across
Sleeves: cut extra long at 27"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 32" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3255

Reference Photo: Look 61 of the F/W 2017 Saint Laurent Runway Collection. Model: Adut Akech.

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. 

I absolutely love this dress. It is an amazing example of the work that Mr. Blass was doing in the late 1970s, early eighties time period. It is an amazing find with its sleek lines and those wonderful over-sized pockets that sit on each hip. It still feels shockingly modern in a very minimalist kind of way. It is made from a remarkable, baby soft, plush black cashmere that feels like heaven to the touch. This fabric choice has enough of a weight to it that it holds the shape wonderfully and feels so very high end once on the body. I love the squared off bust-line and skinny straps in a matching fabric. I think that if you wished you could even wear this one strapless and it would work amazingly. The front has two big pocket for that classic American ease his clothing has. The Washington Post once stated that "Seventh Avenue thought of Blass as the king of American fashion and his work has always been portrayed as quintessentially American". The dress is cut to supermodel length and the lines of it make it feel even longer. Everything about the cut is done to give the girl wearing it one long and beautiful silhouette. At the back the zipper is hidden along the offset side seam and there is a slit at the bottom part of that same seam that allow for just a touch of leg to show as you walk away. Its simplicity is part of its appeal and it looks amazing once on. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a hidden set zipper along the back, offset side seam. It comes with a matching cashmere scarf/shawl that is photoed separately. Very well made with hand finishes and ribbon edges inner seams. Tagged a vintage 12 and the fabric is slightly cut on the bias so it has a touch of give once on the body.

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem
Slit: 17" up from hem
Scarf: 13.5" x 54"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3254

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 is a beautiful dress from the late 1970s, early 1980s that showcases the elegance that the best of his work had. The Washington Post once stated that "Seventh Avenue thought of Blass as the king of American fashion and his work has always been portrayed as quintessentially American". The dress is cut to supermodel length and the lines of it make it feel even longer. Everything about the cut is done to give the girl wearing it one long and beautiful silhouette. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are long. The dress is cut to follow the body underneath in a way that the fabric just skims over you from shoulder to hem. The fabric is a soft wool jersey that feels like it has a touch of cashmere in it. The dress buttons all the way down the front so feels like an extended, full length sweater dress once it is on. The buttons completely open so you could actually wear this is a layered piece over something else underneath if you wished. Big pockets sit on each hip for that perfect touch of ease. The fabric and cut are in direct contrast to the high evening glamour that is created by the addition of glossy black sequins that completely cover the dress. These are all hand applied and shimmer when the lights hit them. It is simple, yet striking, and has not a single unnecessary seam. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk crepe chiffon and closes with the buttons down the front. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Very well made with hand finished throughout and hand applied sequins. Tagged a vintage 10 and the fabric does have a bit of stretch. The easy cut should fit a range of sizes.

Sleeves: 25.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3253

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

James Galanos made couture-level gowns with a level of craftsmanship that were on par with the French couturiers. Galanos was a master cutter and draper and he used couture techniques in the construction of his dresses and gowns.His work is held in all of the major museums and he is one of my personal favorites.

Here he has used a beautiful, fine silk chiffon that is completely covered with a large purple flower print. The skirt is cut to have a touch of a wrapped, sarong feel to it. It is attached but set into the waist so that a part of it wraps around you and then hooks into place at the side of the waist. This gives it that lovely curved line at the front and the draping down one side that you see. It also lets you see all three layers of silk that he has constructed the skirt from. There is the top floral printed layer, a middle layer that is a solid purple in the same tone, and then the innermost  layer under those is done in an unexpected shot of green. When you move you get flashes of that green and the effect is marvelous. The bodice has a slightly scooped neck and each sleeve billows out on a pouf of fabric above its cuff. The back  of the dress closes with a series of buttons that run from the nape of the neck to the waist. The bodice is constructed with an inner top with tiny straps and then the looser top layer lies over that. It has a long matching silk sash that you can use to define the waist, or you could tie it at the neck, or use as a head scarf. Excellent condition

The inner top of the bodice acts like the lining with the sleeves left unlined. The skirt has three layers of silk chiffon to it as described above. It closes with a low, hidden set painted metal zipper that is hand set onto the interior dress. The exterior layer over the bodice closes with silk covered buttons and hook and eye. Each sleeve closes with a zipper. Bias cut so there is a little  with the measurements whoch I have given below. Appears unworn.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulder: approx 14"
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Scarf: 15" x approx 140"

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1855

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 colors on this piece are amazing. It is a dreamy combination of his signature purple mixed with pink,  lavender and white. The colors together are quite beautiful and these brighter pink and purple pieces are some of the most coveted of the Pucci color combinations. His famous contrasting edging is used to highlight the cut and emphasize the design. The nylon jersey that was used for these pieces is fluid and soft and the resulting dress weighs mere ounces. The top is sleeveless an with a deep V front and higher set V at the back. Through the body it is cut loose and easy so is extremely comfortable when on and will fit a range of sizes too. Even though his work for the Formfit Rogers line was meant to be lingerie, a modern girl will find that it is completely wearable as a dress with some clever underpinnings. These can can also be used as chic beach cover ups while on vacation. Collectors know that in the EPFR world, pretty pieces like this and in this condition are real rarity. Being able to wear it as a true dress is just bonus. Excellent condition

Unlined nylon jersey fabric and slips on to wear with no closures. Tagged a vintage EPFR small but the cut is very generous so should fit a range of sizes. .

Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural Waist: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 53" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3250

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 archive of the Roman couture house Tiziani, which was founded in 1963 by American designer Evans Richards. The label quickly became a favorite among celebrities and socialites including Elizabeth Taylor, who was a regular client; Doris Duke, Gina Lollobrigida, and Principessa Borghese. The label is also famous because of the fact that as a young designer, Karl Lagerfeld accepted a job there. Lagerfeld worked at Tiziani from 1963 to 1969. This piece is unlabeled but has the provenance of being a part of a past auction that featured the sketches and a few select pieces of work from Karl Lagerfeld's time at the label, this dress being one of them.

The dress is constructed from a fine purple silk that has been adorned with dense areas of hand beading. It is almost overtly ornate in its design and is a strong statement piece. The bodice has a V neck that is edged with pink silk satin trimming. This same ruffled trim work circles under the bust and at the waist. It is carried through and around the sleeves, the cuffs and the hem. The sleeves are full and pouf above the wrists. Each sleeve also has a dense panel of bead work circling the elbow area. More beads adorn the bust and run around one side of the skirt. The bead work is extremely fine and mixes embroidery work, real metallic thread, seed beads, crystals and larger beads. These give the dress a touch of glitz and sparkle, The green of the designs pops against the purple silk and I love the 3D feel this detailing adds to the piece. The bottom of the skirt is finished with knife pleating and the work done there is meticulous. The construction of the dress is entirely by hand and it is done to couture levels. It is extraordinary and an amazing piece of fashion history. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a purple silk and closes with a back zipper. Each cuff buttons to close. The inner skirt is finished with an extremely wide stiffened hem encased in silk that helps to give the skirt structure and the slight bit of volume you see. All hand work through out and made to couture standards. Light padding in each shoulder. There is the tiniest of fading to the edge of the purple silk lining on the inner arms that does not effect the exterior in anyway. 

Sleeves: 23.5"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 16.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from neck to first seam under the bust, and 17.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 42" from the dropped waist seam to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Reference Photo: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

Item# DD3251

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

One of my long term clients sent me this dress and I thought it was quite wonderful. It was custom made for her many years ago from found antique kimono fabric that had never been used. My client was told only that the fabric was over 100 years old when she originally foundit. It is quite beautiful and has been re-purposed into this amazing dress.

The dress has a V neck and long sleeves that each end in a pouf made out of a black silk satin that gives them an interesting finish. This same silk satin is used on a curving line along the inset seams to highlight how the sleeves are set into the bodice. This curve is set so that it goes up and around to meet at the back of the neck. The waist has been left loose and easy so that the dress is very comfortable to wear. It does come with a matching black silk satin sash that hooks to close with flat hook and eye that was not photoed with the dress. It will be shipped with the dress though and it does create a more cinched in feel if you wish. From the waist seam, the skirt falls to the ground, widening out from the hip and set into the waist with soft gathers. The fabric is a black with a soft red pattern worked through it that has pops of white. The workmanship and construction are immaculate and this combination of old and new make it a unique and very visually interesting dress. Excellent condition

Unlined  and closes with a back zipper. Each cuff snaps to close with a hidden, fabric covered snap. Note that this comes with a matching black silk satin sash that hooks to close with flat hook and eye that was not photoed. It will be shipped with the dress and does create a more cinched in feel if you wish

Sleeves: approx 25"
Shoulders: no defined shoulders
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# E665

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

John Anthony opened his label in 1971 and during the 1970s he became known for making pieces that were sleek & sexy but still felt sophisticated. His business was all done on a made to order basis. That means the majority of pieces found are a one-off, or if there are similar pieces, very few of each piece exist. This personal attention to each dress is clearly seen in the workmanship of his pieces and his work is a personal favorite.

This dress is exceptional and a wonderful example of his work during this time period. It is made from a black silk jersey that allows it to drape beautifully on the body. Its genius lies in its cut that allows for all of your curves to show, but in a way that drapes the jersey over you rather then tightly hug the body. This gives it an inherent sexiness despite the fact that you are covered from head to toe. The sleeves have a full cut at the wrists to create a poufed effect over the cuffs. The neckline is set high and with just a slight scoop. Set along that curve of the neck is a beautiful, hand beaded bird that seems to have been captured in mid-flight as it swoops around the neck. A second bird arches down the hip, drawing the eye down so you have an even longer line.  That second beaded bird also highlights the gathered panel of fabric that is set on that one hip. This panel serves to not only give the dress a bit of a forties feel with its nod to Old Hollywood glamour, it also hides a high cut slit that reveals almost your entire your leg when you walk or sit. It is really incredible and made to demi-couture standards. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a back, hand set zipper. Each cuff buttons to close. The birds are hand beaded onto the dress. Appears to have been worn very little if at all. Hand finished. The fabric does have stretch so it should fit a range of sizes. The measurements below give you the comfortable range the fabric has when lying flat.

Sleeves: 26"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58.5" from neck to hem
Slit: 32" from hem to top of slit

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2973

Reference Photo: Jamie Mizrahi from her Instagram.

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

This is an extremely rare silk jersey, full length Hermes dress that dates to 1972. The print is by Julai Abadi and is an elaborate version her famous 'Cliquetis' design that has since become an iconic representation of the house and appears on an entire range of their silk scarves both then as now as a re-issue. It is exceedingly rare to find such a wonderful piece from this time period of the atelier's history that is as striking and beautiful as this dress is. This is very rare opportunity to own a rare piece of fashion history that is made even better by the sheer beauty of the dress itself!

The dress was most likely a custom made piece and has been cut supermodel long. It is made from a fine silk jersey that has incredible drape. The length, combined with the stunning lines of it, make you wonder what fabulous woman this must have been made for. The print is incredible and I was very please to have been able to both date and find the artist's name who created it. The dress has straight cut, just past the elbow, sleeves and the bodice drapes and crosses over itself at both the front and back. The crossing of it drops quite low. When I originally received it, it had been tacked into place on both sides but it was readily apparent that this had been added at some later point and it was not really a well done addition. I had it carefully removed as I feel that should its new owner wish to do that same, she should place the the new securing tack, or a hook and eye, where it falls best on her. If you use the inner strips of fabric that sit inside the shoulder and attach these around your undergarment, you may find needing to tack it is not necessary. The waist is cinched in with attached tie belts and leaving these looser or really cinching the waist in gives the dress a slightly different vibe. The skirt is marvelous, with yards and yards of silk jersey used on its construction, all printed with that stupendous design by Julia Abadi. It is absolutely incredible and a real work of art. It appears to heave been worn little and is one of the best vintage Hermes clothing pies I have ever seen. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a metal and nylon side set zipper. Has attached belts that wrap to cinch in the waist further. There are little straps that snap into place on the inner shoulders to go around your foundation garment snaps to help hold the dress in place on your shoulders. One set of the snap is missing on the one side and the snap that was there at some point is what discolored the label at the one end as you can see in the photo. I can add another snap before it ships upon request. The fabric has some stretch and the measurements below are the comfortable range of the fabric while lying flat. This will allow it to fit a variety of sizes.

Sleeves: approx 16"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 14-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 19" from shoulder to slightly dropped waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3248

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

Victor Costa launched his own label in 1974 and was known for producing his own versions of what was seen on the Paris runways. He also looked to the Americans for inspiration as well. He used good fabrics and his designs were often very close interpretations of other designs but with his own unique twist when it came to colors and fabrics.

This dress is so pretty with its pale blue color mixed with white and its incredible fabric. The fabric seems simple at first glance but the closer you look the more you realize just how wonderful it is. That leaf pattern is not screened onto the fabric, rather it is a raised design that is woven through the fabric. It is quite fabulous as this gives the dress the most amazing texture. The neck and waist are then detailed with big tear drop plastic beads set within embroidered lace drops that mimic that same shape as the beads. The beads range from a deep milky white color to ones that have a teeniest touch of blue to them. Interspersed in that lace border that circles both the waist and neckline, are also little prong set rhinestones for the most subtle touch of glitz. The bodice is sleeveless with a scooped neckline. The waist is set just a touch high and the skirt goes to the floor in a gently widening curve. The fabric has just a touch of weight to it so helps to hold the shape. It is really incredibly pretty in real life and even better then how it photoed. Excellent condition

The skirt is unlined and the bodice is fully lined in a white silky rayon and closes with a back zipper and the velvet tie at the back of the neck.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 41" from waist to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3247

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 wonderful gown with its exquisitely beaded bodice and attached cape is a numbered Haute Couture piece designed by Pierre Balmain. Both pieces would have been  made entirely by hand at the Paris atelier and the bead work done by Lesage. We found a similar gown from that same Couture collection that was featured in Harper's Bazaar that year It is an extraordinary example of the work being done during this time period of the label's history and is very beautiful.

The impact that this gown has cannot be denied. You instantly get the feel of Ancient Greece and yet is has a touch of modernity to it as well. It dress is made out of a very fine ivory silk chiffon. The neckline is high and the skirt flows to the floor with two layers of of silk chiffon over an interior silk skirt. The bodice is covered with hand placed glass tube beads that is most likely the workmanship of the famed Lesage ateliers. Eash bead has been carefully placed by hand and then they are mixed with a real metal gold thread that has been used to outline the design created with the beads. More of that same metallic thread is used to create a gold and ivory braiding that runs down the front and back and highlight the neckline. The cape detail on this one is unusual and really what makes it extra special. This cape is made of that same high end ivory silk chiffon. It ties at the front neck but it also is secured to the shoulders so that it stays perfectly in place no matter how you move, stand or sit. It is attached by tiny snaps, hidden under the inside collar of the neckline. There are endless couture level details put into this one and the workmanship throughout is perfectly and meticulously done. It is an amazing example of the fine workmanship and attention to detail of Haute Couture. and it is a true piece of fashion history. Excellent condition with one small note to review below

The dress is fully lined in an ivory through the bodice and innermost skirt. The skirt has two layers of silk over the inner lining. There may be the occasional loose or missing bead or thread. Both pieces have their numbered tag present under the main label and both bear the same number of 764027. Hand finished. It closes with a hand set, back painted metal zipper. I see one tiny yellowed spot on one tie and a pinpoint of a spot on the cape. There are two teeny smudges on the lower portion of the skirt. None of these detract - I am just being super picky. There is a slight darkening to the silk around the waist under the seam. I have photoed it all the way around and you can see that after the photos of the Couture label.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem
Cape: 57"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2945

Reference Photo: Gleb Derujinsky in Pierre Balmain, Harper's Bazaar, April 1961.

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 extraordinary caftan dress has no label but the work that has gone into creating it is absolutely at the couture level. It is truly a wonderful find and a study in the art of creating fine textiles. The dress is a good heavy weight, not so heavy as to be uncomfortable to wear, but the kind of heavy that gives you an instant clue that this is a high end garment. The weight is because it is entirely made from real metal thread in gold and silver. This is applied onto a threaded supported backing so it has a touch of structure and holds its shape. In between the pattern it is entirely open so you will see whatever color you choose to wear underneath it clearly. It buttons down the front, though I use that term lightly as I think you could just as easily wear the buttons so they are running down your back. The neckline is slightly scooped and the sleeves widen out as they near their ends. I love the effect that those wide cut sleeves create. The rest of the caftan skims over the body and widens out as it nears the hem. The workmanship is astounding and there are areas of 3D metal thread that create patterns within the patterns. The gold and silver is mixed with a masterful hand and it gives the dress an overall muted, molten feel. I have included lots of detail shots as the work is so wonderful it really deserves to be seen. A once in a life time piece that is surely a high level designers work. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips over the head to wear. Buttons up and those buttons can be worn to the front as seen, or to the back. The cut will fit a range of sizes

Sleeves: approx 23"
Dropped shoulders: approx 17"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# E664

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 often involved draping and the use of multiple layers of silk done on a bias cut. He focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. It was said that his gowns "seemed to float on air". He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. 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.

I love the light and airy feel of the dress that is created by the yards and yards of silk chiffon used for the skirt. This is mixed with a low waist top that is constructed out of a ivory embroidered lace. To highlight the pattern that runs through the lace little iridescent clear beads have been hand set and scattered over it. The silk layers that make up the skirt are all cut on the bias and this gives it lovely movement. The bodice is sleeved and the neckline cut wide across with very light padding in the shoulders for shape. The back is cut into a V so you get a bit of skin showing there. The top layer of the bodice is made of an embroidered cut work lace done in a creamy ivory. Note that in person it is far more a true ivory that the deeper color it has photoed as. The waist has no defined seam and skims over to a the upper hips with gathers on either side. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon and closes with a hand set, painted metal zipper at the back. Light padding in each shoulder. Very well finished. In person it is a true ivory. The photos have given it a bit of a taupe feel and it is not that deep a color in person.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 62" from top of shoulder to longest points of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3254

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 a personal favorite and it shows the range of what Hanae Mori was capable of. The dress is simple and beautiful but still striking. It dates to the late 1970s, early 1980s and it is an absolute work of art. Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York Runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional.

This dress is a wonderful example of her range as a designer. It also showcases her extraordinary and meticulous attention to detail. The inner construction on this one is partially finished to Haute Couture standards and I have included a photo of the hand finished inner seams. I think that it may have been a special order placed through Saks Fifth Avenue based on the level of detail on the inner finishes. The dress is as light as a feather to wear because of the silk chiffon she has chosen to make it out of. The silk was then woven through with a gold lame thread that creates that beautiful design of huge stylized flowers that cover the dress entirely. The gold gives the dress its impact and the lightness of the silk chiffon is easy to wear. The bodice is suspended from the shoulders and has an almost chemise feel to it with the straps set slightly inwards. It skims down and over the body to the waist. The back closes with a series of silk covered snaps and her signature tiny snaps. Below this the skirt falls to the floor in two tiers of chiffon layered over each other for just a touch of fullness. It is astonishingly beautiful. Even more beautiful in person and the photos cannot convey the quality and feel of the high grade silk and the lightness of the dress when on. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk and closes at the back with silk covered snaps to the waist and a series of her signature tiny snaps under that. Hand finished to couture standards throughout the interior. Tagged a vintage Mori 10. It will fit more like a loose chemise on a smaller frame and more fitted through the bust on a larger

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam of the inner corset
Hips: open
Length: 59" from top of shoulders to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3244

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.

Halston used this sequin technoque predominantly between about 1973 to 1978. Instead of layering and overlapping the sequins, they were laid out flat, side by side, to cover every inch of the fabric. The Fall 1976 collection featured this asymmetrical neckline heavily and I have included reference photos of jersey versions of the dress from both The Met and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. In December of 1976 the New York Times wrote that: 'This season there are three things that the ladies must wear: Adolfo's taffeta skirt, Halston's asymmetrical neckline and Mollie Parnis's tunic and satin pants.... Babe bought the first asymmetrical neckline dress and Jackie bought the second. If you do not know their last names you do not know the ladies.' This is a stunning and rare version that is full sequinned and could not be more of an impact once it is on.

The dress is made from a black stretch jersey as the inner layer, which also acts as the lining and the outer layer is the same fabric but in a lighter, thinner weight than the inner layer. That outer layer is what the sequins are attached to. The sequins have all been placed and attached by hand and completely cover the dress from shoulder to hem. The sequins are a deep gunmetal grey and depending on the light they can reflect back as a true black, a deep grey, a lighter grey or even have a touch of a blue grey tone to them. This makes the dress absolutely incredible to see in person. They also make the dress feel almost alive as it skims over the body and the the light reflecting off the sequins make it seem like you have been poured into a liquid metal. The sleeves end just about the elbow and the bust curves to fit. It skims over the waist, hugs the hips and then flares out slightly as it reaches it's supermodel length hem. That signature neckline dips deeply to one side to expose the upper chest and this is mirrored at the back. It is amazingly comfortable to wear because the jersey and the stretch of the jersey also make it easy to fit. Excellent condition with a note below.

It closes with a hidden set, side zipper and the fabric has stretch. Fully lined in a black stretch jersey as described above. Hand set sequins and wide ribbon, hand set inner hem. There is the occasional sequin missing but there are sequins in the inner seams that could be used if this bothered you. It is so densely covered that its somewhat irrelevant. Some of the sequins show a little patina on their finish. The one shoulder above the dipped side feels slightly stretched out to me, though I think on a taller girl it would be fine. I left it as found as I think it is better to have the woman who buys it have it fitted to her specifically. These are all very minor and were taken into account when pricing. The stretch of the fabric should allow it to fit a range of sizes and the measurements below are the comfortable range when lying flat. Note that due to the rarity and expense of this gown it is sold as a final sale.

Sleeves: 14"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3243

Reference Photos: (1) 1976 Halston Evening Dress from The MET Online Collection.  /  (2) 1977 Halston Dress from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston Collection.  /  (3-5) 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.

Voguepedia says of Gilbert Adrian: "In the hands of the legendary Hollywood designer Gilbert Adrian, clothes could do and say magical things. From the flower-festooned munchkin costumes in The Wizard of Oz to the elegance-defining “Gowns by Adrian” worn by screen stars like Norma Shearer, Barbara Stanwyck, and Joan Crawford—and copied by the hundreds of thousands for the humbler masses—Adrian was the definition of cinematic invention for more than a decade.....Adrian’s signature custom-retail label, founded in 1942, was wildly popular. His gowns bore distinctive names like “Dinner with a Dash of Gold” and “Shades of Picasso,” and he catered to an elite set of style mavens in Hollywood."

After some extensive research I believe this gown is from from Gilbert Adrian's 1945 collection. It was sold to my client and dated as being from a few seasons later, but I feel that the advertisement that I found is too much of a coincidence with its similar feeling pattern worked through the design. The gown is absolutely outstanding and in a world where Adrian Gilbert pieces are already rare, this particular gown is even more special, even if you simply based it on how utterly beautiful it is. It is made of a stunning black silk that has a metallic lame thread woven through it to create the design work that you see. The metallic parts are done in a gold  mixed with a bright, true green and a deeper olive. The addition of the metal thread gives the entire ensemble a subtle glow. The fabric has a good weight to it that helps it to hold the shape and also adds to it rich and luxurious feel. This is fabric that you would simply not be able to even have made anymore. The Grecian inspired pattern is woven through the entire fabric. The addition of this metallic thread highlights the design that runs all the way around the skirt and the top. The top is a simple halter bodice with straps that curve up and around the shoulders. It curves in towards the waist through vertical seaming and is cut to end exactly on top of where the skirt flares out. Once on it gives the illusion of a true gown. The top is entirely finished with the metallic thread, allowing us to see the full beauty of it. The skirt sits under this and the upper portion of the waist is fitted and set high so that it creates no break or lines when it is worn under the top. From under that, a magnificent ball gown skirt cascades to the floor in a sweep of silk. The construction of this is wonderful and it is gathered all the way around the dropped hip seam and set into that seam with a series of tiny, perfectly spaced knife pleats that open up to the fullness you see. I styled this over a light, full length crinoline to really give it the proper shape it would have had been meant to be worn as when it was made. The shape that this creates is amazing. The dress is entirely hand made to Haute Couture standards. This is a rare opportunity to own an original Gilbert Adrian that is not only in wonderful condition but is also heartbreakingly beautiful and still to this day, feels modern and wearable. Excellent condition.

Both piece are unlined with hand finished inner seams and the inner construction is done to Couture standards. The skirt closes with a painted metal zipper and hook & eye on the inner waist band. The top closes with a back painted metal zipper. The skirt was photoed over a full length crinoline that is not included. I have included detail photos of both the fabric and the inner hand done seams. The top looks like it has been out along the side seams from the waist up on both sides and one seam on the fitted part of the inner top skirt was also opened at some point. The work is well done and it could easily be made smaller again if needed. Note that due to the rarity and expense of this gown it is final sale.

Top
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 25" from shoulder to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at lower seam of skirt: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 44" from waist to hem with a 3.5" hem turned up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3242

Reference Photo: Gown by Gilbert Adrian, available at the William H. Block Co., Indianapolis, 1945.

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 Pucci playsuit is one of those iconic vintage items that is synonymous with the sixties and seventies and that carefree, jet set life that Emilio Pucci and his clients often lived. They are very rare and hard to find as most were worn them extensively and most did not survive intact and in great condition. This example is in wonderful condition and the colors are still bright and true.

The piece is made of his signature silk jersey and is a stunning example of Pucci's work during this time period. It is an all in one playsuit with short sleeves and built in shorts. The print is a gorgeous curving geometric design that combines shades of purple with soft, pale blues and ivory. The front neckline is cut into a low V that meets the angled border that defines the loose cut empire waistline. The silk jersey glides over the body and ends in short shorts. I love the contrasting borders on it and how they run down the back as well. It is a joy to look at from every angle and it combines sexy with that girl-next-door innocence feel perfectly. The fabric is signed throughout. These are hard to come by and a fantastic collector piece. Excellent condition

Unlined with a fine ivory silk jersey interior border set around all the interior edges. It closes with a back metal & nylon zipper. The inside is clean and it appears to have never been worn or worn very little. The fabric does have some stretch which I have accounted for in the measurements below. The colors are a touch brighter then how it photoed in real life.

Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 30" from shoulder to inner seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3239

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

This lovely piece from the 1960s is done in a combination of a pink organza that has a metallic gold lurex thread that has been applied to the organza. The gold thread is done to create huge butterflies and this flit over the entire surface of the dress from top to bottom. The gold catches the light beautifully and really adds detailing to the piece. The fact that it is a butterfly print just adds to its fabulous factor to me. The cut is simple but dramatic and fully covers the body. The neck is high with a small neat collar. The sleeves are long and cut with a flare shaped finish that I love. The skirt mimics that same shape, flaring out and widening as it flows to the floor. It zips up the front under a notched collar with allows you to wear it over just about anything. The fabric choice gives the dress a touch of structure so it holds the shape. This is an easy to wear, but glamorous summer dress. Excellent condition.

Unlined and is partially transparent. It closes with a front hidden set metal & nylon zipper. The organza feels synthetic. Note that in person the pink feels a little more prominent and is a touch brighter and more a true deep pink.

Sleeves: 24.5"
Shoulders: 13.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E663

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 gown is absolutely incredible and very beautiful. It really is one of the most phenomenal dresses I have ever had and the workmanship is exquisite. It is constructed from yards and yards of pink woven silk that has an almost iridescent finish to it. There is also a gorgeous floral pattern woven through the silk that is just breathtaking. It is wonderful example of the high end fabrics that was being produced during this period. The dress has no identifying label but the care and meticulous construction tell me that it is definitely a high end piece. There are lots of couture level finishes on this one. The cut is pure Old Hollywood. The bodice is gathered all the way down the center front to the waist. Above that, it is flat pleated into a deep V and it then extends into wide straps that curve up and over the shoulders. The straps thin out as they run down the back. I love how at the back they are set on a slight inwards angle rather then just being set in a straight line down from the shoulder. The dress cinches in at the waist and this tops an expansive, full skirt that is made from yards and yards of the pink silk. The fabric gathers slightly down the front in soft curves, extending the line coming down the middle of the bodice, and the hips pouf out tremendously. The volume through the skirt is achieved both by the stiffened netted underskirt that comes with it and by the squaring off of the fabric across the top of the hips. I photoed one shot of the skirt with the draped part pulled outwards for you to see how this was done. On the interior corner of that squared off bit, there is a little weight encased in fabric. Once on, the squared off part of the skirt drops back inwards on itself and the weight inside is just enough to hold the shape of the skirt so that you get those wonderful side drapes, but the weights are not heavy enough to take away the volume. Incredible. Everything about this gown is beautiful. The interior is interlined with a black silk organza and there are hand done finishes throughout. This is a testament to gowns made in this time period. Excellent condition

Interlined in a black silk organza. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Hand work throughout. Weights in the interior of the skirt as described above. The netted underskirt is not attaches and will be shipped with the dress. It closes with hook & eye at the waist. It is stiffened slightly for shape. Bias cut will allow for a bit of range size-wise

Dress
Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 17" from top of shoulder strap to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem

Underskirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 39" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E662

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

Thea Porter combined exoticism, embellished ornamentation and luxurious fabrics in her pieces and her work was a phenomenon during her day. She dressed many of the most fashionable woman in the world. Eliazabeth Taylor was a noted fan, as was Sharon Tate, Faye Dunaway, Brit Eckland and many, many more. Her legacy continues to this day and great examples of her work are harder and harder to find. In 2015, the Fashion and Textile Museum in London showcased her work in the exhibit "Thea Porter 70s Bohemian Chic" and over a dozen pieces were pulled from my archives for that show and for the accompanying book. This is a more recent acquisition to the shop and it is one of the best I have seen.

This is an astonishing, high glamour dress that combines elements of both her Faye dress, named after Faye Dunaway and the iconic Gipsy dress. Both of these were made in various versions from 1968 onward. I suspect that this one was custom made for a client, or perhaps was just yet another unique version of one of her dresses dreamed up by Thea herself. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful Thea dresses I have seen in person. The color alone makes it a stand out, never mind the extensive embellishments. The bodice is made from a panel of antique brocade - here it is a pink and gold floral brocade that is very beautiful. This is finished with a combination of silver and gold metallic piping that highlights the neckline and runs down the front to the waist. The sleeves are incredibly full and are made from a deep fuchsia silk chiffon that has a slightly ribbed finish to it. These billow out above elastic ends and are very voluminous. Below the waist there are two layers of silk. The innermost layer is the same silk that was used to make the sleeves. Over that lies a top embroidered silk layer and it is this layer that makes this dress especially wondrous. It is a brighter pink silk Sari fabric that has been heavily embroidered with real silver metal thread and matte silver sequins. This fabric was most likely vintage even at the time of making the dress and both the quality of the silk and the workmanship are extremely fine. All of the work is hand done. The skirt is very full and there are yards and yards of the silk used in its construction. The hem is left to lie at different lengths all around its edge. In person the dress is even better. The  combination of that vibrant deep fuchsia pink mixed with the metallic silver and gold have more impact in real life and the full effect of the dress is astonishing. Excellent overall condition with some notes to review below.

The bodice is fully lined in a purple silk and the skirt is made up of two layers of the silk as described above. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. The elastic in the sleeves may be slightly stretched out but they are fine as they are. I would not change them. I see a small vertical repair to the silk near the top of one shoulder and there are some small splits and areas of weakness to the silk there that will need to be reinforced at some point. There are two long areas of repair to the hem. I see some slight fading to the silk around these areas as well. With the volume of fabric in these areas, once on you would never notice any of these. They are all decently done and the silk seems stable but the areas around the repairs should be handled with care to not do any further damage. Her silks were very fine and this tends to happen to her pieces as they age. Please see the photos following the shot of the label. Note that this dress is sold as a final sale.

Sleeves: 25"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to longest points of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3234

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

This garment has been checked over, steamed out and it is sold in clean. as found condition.