Each Josefa labeled piece was hand made in Mexico in the late sixties to early seventies. They made fabulous caftans that are amazing pieces of art-to-wear.  They look and feel like it could have been worn by Talitha Getty or any of the other jet-set girls that really pushed the Bohemian movement forward in their day. 

This one is an easy to wear piece that you can wear to the beach, all through a day of exploring or as an evening piece with a change of accessories. The design is based on a classic sleeved, caftan dress silhouette that pairs a finely woven, brilliantly hand dyed cotton with with hand stitched on applique work. I love the bright and happy colors of this one. It is a mix of primaries with a bright pink, yellow, green and blue worked into the design. It is cut to be slightly more fitted through the top and then flares out dramatically as it nears the hem. Each sleeve is cut straight and wide. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear. The fabric has natural variations in it and is hand dyed. I see one small smudge on the yellow at the side. Please review the shot after the label photo to see. Note that in person the colors are slightly more bright and true then how it photoed. I took a full front and back shot so you can see the shape laying flat. The loose cut will allow it to fit a full range of sizes

Sleeves: approx 16"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 27" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# DD3235

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 always on the look out for this style of dress by Halston. It is perhaps the most iconic of all of the Halston silhouettes and in 2016 a red version of this exact dress entered modern day fashion history when Kate Moss wore its twin on the red carpet at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. And just this year, Martha Hunt wore a white one that she sourced from us to Cannes. She landed on several Best Dressed lists as a result. These were issued on a variety of colors and this one is a deep pink that is made from a nylon jersey rather then the more typical knit jersey. This fabric choice gives the dress a very slight sheen and the jersey is slightly lighter and more fluid.

Halston was a master at this cut. There is a certain sexiness caused by the illusion of having the entire dress suspended from single shoulder. It gives the sense that the entire dress could drop in a puddle around you by slipping that off your shoulder (which it would). It is constructed from two attached layers.  The inner dress is cut from the same nylon jersey and skims over the body in a long sheath. This inner part of the dress has a high slit cut into the side that travels up the side of the leg opposite to the draped side. Attached to that inner sheath lies a draped panel of jersey that is suspended from the shoulder. It falls from that shoulder down and over the front and the back of the dress. The jersey cascades loosely down from the shoulder and over the inner layer for the ultimate Grecian goddess feel. This is a classic dress by Halston that is perfect for traveling as it is wash and wear and will travel exceedingly well. It is very easy to style too - a quick change of shoe takes it day to night in a snap. Excellent condition.

Slips on to wear with no closures. These will fit a variety of sizes since they are not cut to be super fitted and the jersey does have some stretch. Note the color is slightly more pink and a touch more vibrant then how it photoed. It is better in person I think.

Bust: to 19-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 55" from neck to hem
Slit: 27" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3236

Reference Photo: (1-2) Kate Moss in Vintage Halston at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.  /  (3) Karen Bjornsen, Alva Chinn, Connie Cook and Pat Cleveland in Halston Dresses, photographed by by Harry Benson, 1978. / (4) Martha Hunt wearing this dress in Cannes, 2019.  /  (5) Martha Hunt on Harper's Bazaar Australia Best Dressed List. /  (6-8) 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 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.

This is likely the early work of Elinor Simmons before her name went on the labels. She designed for the Malcolm Starr label from the early 1960s to 1972. You can see her influence in this classic feeling Malcolm Starr dress with its almost sculptural lines and elaborate beading, sequin and rhinestone embellishments on the bodice.

The dress itself has a simple and long A-line cut with a sleeveless bodice and a wide scooped neck. At the back, it is also scooped but this is set far lower so that the upper back is left bare. The entire dress is made out of a satin finish silk of very high grade. This has been dyed a shocking, vibrant pink that is far better in person even then how it photoed here. Onto that is a beautiful hand done detailing that completely covers the bodice of the dress across the full front and the back. Gold toned tubes beads are mixed with seed beads and prong set rhinestones in a dense 3D application. These catch the light wonderfully and the final effect is quite beautiful. The upper portion of the dress skims over the bodice with a high set waist line. The skirt comes out from under the seam at the waist, gently widening out as it nears the floor. It is cut supermodel length which is not always as common in pieces from this era. The fabric choice really holds the shape of the dress beautifully and the color is wonderful. It is really a lovely dress. Excellent condition.

Fully lined through the bodice in a fine silk dyed to the same color and the skirt is lined in a white muslin. The dress closes with a back painted metal zipper. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. Note that color is a bit deeper then how it photoed. The elaborate rhinestone, sequins and beads on the upper bodice are all set by hand. There is an additional 3" turned up under the hem.

Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11.5" from shoulder to seam under the bust
Skirt: 47" from seam under the bust to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3233

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

American couturier, James Galanos, made gowns with a level of craftsmanship that left even France’s most esteemed couturiers astonished that an American could equal their craft. The immaculate construction of a Galanos gowns are amazing. His price points were high, but his clients were more then willing to pay for the quality of what they received. He was a master cutter and he used proper couture techniques to create his pieces. Galanos was particularly known for his evening wear and this is one of the most glamorous pieces I have ever seen from him. It is truly extraordinary and I have never seen another like it.

This dress needs an actual body in it to really come to life. As gorgeous as it looks in my photos, it will look even better once on. The fabric is amazing. It is a black silk net that has little explosions of gold and silver covering its surface. Each of these three dimensional 'dots' is make from silver and gold tinsel lame that has been set into the net and tufts out from it. These are densely applied over every inch of the dress and each would have been done by hand. The way that these catch the light and make the entire dress glint is wonderful. The dress is cut in a classic baby doll with a high thin bodice that sits low on the bust and is suspended from the shoulder by two thin straps covered in the 3D tinsel florettes. The bust is then detailed by a band of of hand applied matte gold sequins set just underneath the bust. The skirt explodes out from under that in a  full and voluminous curve to the floor. Once on an actual body, the effect of this volume is even more pronounced. Under the top netted layer is a base of gold knit lame that adds to the metallic feel of the dress. I love how the bottom hem is finished in the same band of gold sequins that sit under the bust, even though you just barely glimpse them through the netting that lies over the inner skirt. It also comes with a matching jacket made of the same gold and silver detailed netting. This is cut loose and wide through the body with no front closures. Each sleeve of the jacket is cut wide and full. It is an extraordinary set. Excellent condition

The bodice is lined in a nude silk organza and support is added by shaping seams and grosgrain. The body of the dress is lined in a olive toned, fine silk. It closes with a back painted metal and nylon zipper. The jacket slips on with no closures.

Dress
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Under bust seam: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11.5" from top of shoulder strap to lower edge of the sequin waist band
Skirt: 46" from lower edge of the sequin waist band to hem

Jacket
Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 22" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3234

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 John Galliano's own label and I believe it is from within those last few years that he held the position of Creative Director there. Galliano has always been know for his amazing bias cut gowns and this gorgeous example is no exception. His work, especially the bias cut pieces like this, have a feeling of the decadence mixed with the high luxury of the twenties and thirties and they are beautifully cut. They marry the old Hollywood feel of those past eras with the minimalist spirit of the nineties and early aughts and the results are stunning.

This dress is exceptionally beautiful. It is made out of a soft black lace with tiers and flounces made from that same lace and the effect is marvelous. It is completely cut on the bias and once on the body it skims over your curves and highlights your shape. It is extremely comfortable to wear and the lace drapes over a nude colored interior from the scooped neck to the last tiered ruffle of the skirt, giving the illusion of just wearing the layer of black lace. The neckline at the front is cut into a V and the shoulders sit slightly wide. At the back there is an inlay of lace set into the low scooped back and this panel of fabric drapes softly down over that. The body of the dress skims over the bust, waist and hips. There is a curved and angled ruffle of lace that is set diagonally across and around the body that draws the eye vertically for the illusion of extra height. The bottom skirt is very full and widens out with tiers of ruffles lace set all around it. I took a photo of it laid out flat so you can see the tremendous volume in the lower skirts. The ruffles also serve to visually anchor the dress as the layers of the lace there gives it a more solid black appearance. This ruffled technique is one derived from the gowns of the twenties and thirties and this play a large part in the vintage feel the dress has. It is stunning on. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a bias cut silky nude rayon. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. The bias cut will allow for some stretch and a bit of range on sizing. Tagged a Galliano label 40

Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3233

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 am always thrilled to find a really great Emilio Pucci piece. The truly great ones are getting very hard to find and this one is exceptional. By the 1960s, the time period that this dress is from, Pucci was a world-wide phenomenon. Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and even Jackie Kennedy were huge fans. For all of the many attempts since to catapult the label back to the height of its glory, the days when Emailio himself oversaw the label and designed the prints will always be the most special to me.

This is one of the prettiest Pucci dresses I have ever had in the shop. It is a gorgeous combination of a pinks, whites. and soft lavenders. These colors are combined in a soft and romantic floral design that sweeps over the entire dress. As is typical in a Pucci dress, he has used bands of a different printed silk to define each section of the dress. On this dress these borders are pretty little curving flourishes rather than the typical geometric print that his borders are usually finished with. This adds to the soft and feminine feel it has. The cut is very flattering. Each sleeves are cut to slightly pouf above the wide cuffed wrist. The neckline is softly scooped and sits a touch wide across both the front and back neck. The slightly empire waist is defined by a band that sits just under the bust. From there the skirt flares out to the floor in a gently widening line. I love how it is sectioned into three tiers with each tier defined by a silk border and each tier having slightly more fabric then the one above to the dress gets more movement and fullness as it nears the hem. It is very feminine but sexy at the same time. I absolutely love it. Excellent condition with one small note below

Fully lined in a white silk chiffon and closes at the back with a painted metal zipper. Each cuff snaps to close with fabric covered, hidden snaps. I see the teeniest bit of discoloration under the arms. It is very faint and nothing you would notice when on especially with the fullness of the sleeves. I could not capture it properly with the camera even.

Sleeves: 27" but will come up once on
Shoulders: slightly dropped at 16.5" across
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 14" from top of shoulder to top seam of the 2" band at the waist
Skirt: 42" from bottom seam of the 2" band at the waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3231

Reference photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture

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

This is a beautiful and romantic bias cut silk chiffon dress with attached panels of silk chiffon that give the dress its caped effect. I am really in the fence as to whether this is Gianfranco Ferre's work or Galliano's, but have opted for the side of Galliano based on his signature buttons that run op the side of the dress to close it. The secondary print through the silk also has more of a Galliano feel to me. I feel it could be from one of those earlier transition collections but will keep hunting to try to verify this. Regardless, it is a stunning dress and is truly beautiful once on the body.

The dress is constructed from a beautiful lightweight silk chiffon that has been screened with the prettiest combination of pastels. These run across the body in horizontal rows that softly blend into each other as each color meets the next. Over this is a secondary print in white that depicts a graphic curved flower design. These are scattered over the entire dress. The bodice of the dress is gathered in a twisted knot under the center bust and then curves up and over the shoulders.  This leaves a low V at the front and and also emphasizes the bust. At the back, it dips into a low V there as well. The waist is set high to just under the bust and the skirt cascades to the floor in a soft flow of silk chiffon under that. The silk lies over an inner white silk lining and this helps soften the colors even more and also draw the eye to that secondary print. At the back there are two wide panels of silk chiffon attached along the upper shoulders and along the edges of  the V of the back. Each panel is a single layer of weightless silk chiffon that floats over and behind the body for a beautiful caped effect. The lightness of the silk there gives it a billowing effect when you move and walk that is stupendous. A really lovely and romantic dress that is even better on the body and in real life. Excellent condition with one small note below

The dress is fully lined in a white silk and the back floating panels are unlined. The dress closes up one side with a tightly spaced row of silk covered buttons. Hand finishes. I see a repair to the silk at the front of the dress near the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot. The volume of fabric once on and the placement of the repairs effectively hide it. I don't consider this to be a flaw that takes away from this amazing vintage piece

Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Underbust at seam: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from shoulder to seam under center bust
Skirt: 48" from seam under center bust to hem
Length of floating panels: approx 76" from shoulder to longest point on each one

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3229

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

Madame Gres' work has had profound effects on Haute Couture and her influence still resonates to this day. Her attention to detail, master draping techniques and respect for the female form is unparalleled. She was known for designing and creating garments directly on the models and the results were spectacular. She first opened her atelier, La Maison Alix in 1932. A partnership briefly changed the house's name to Alix Barton and then the label went to simply Alix. In 1942 she married, and the label made its last change to became Madame Gres, a partial anagram of her husband's first name, Serge. Her work spanned over five decades and all of it, with the exception of a short-lived RTW line begun in 1980, was created as Haute Couture pieces.

When researching this garment I happened across a dress that is held in the collection of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, with a similar cut, and what looks to be the same fabric, dated to 1977. The collection notes on that dress even mention a matching cape that is not shown in the single photo provided for that garment (and shared here). It is also interesting to note that the Museum held dress has been exhibited twice. Once for the "New Look to Now", at de Young Museum, 1989-91; and it was lent to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, for "Mme. Gres" in 1994. This 1970s period is also about the time period where she turned her attention from using primarily jerseys to incorporating more taffeta and silks into her work. Her designs were never huge variations on themselves through the decades and we do see similar feeling pieces to this across the decades of her work at times, but I am fairly confident that this is the correct date within a season or two. Especially given the reference photo provided and the fact that the Museum dress also has a matching cape. It is just too coincidental given the same color and similar silhouette, not to be from that same collection.

The dress and gown are made from a deep green silk taffeta. This fabric choice gave her the ability to work in the volume she required for the silhouette whole still keeping the dress light and wearable. It is also a fabric that helps to retain the shapes she wished the set to have. The sleeveless bodice is cut so that the shoulders slightly extends outward giving the silhouette an almost statue-like appearance. The bodice skims over the body in a long lean drop that ends just at the top of the hip. It extends in this same long lean line over the hips, under the skirting and falls to the floor, with a high side slit up one side to allow you to walk. Attached to this inner dress is a dramatic skirt that is cut high at the front and curving down and slightly trained at the back. By tightly gathering the taffeta and adding a second tightly gathered, short ruffled layer underneath around the hips, she has created a form that stands away from the body and gives tremendous volume and shape. On the body it has an airy lightness and the volume of the skirts surrounds you, making you feel like you are a part of a magical fairy tale. Over this is a matching silk taffeta cape with almost monastic simplicity in its lines. It simply hooks into place at the neck with one tiny hook and falls beautifully over the shoulders. The cape flows and extends down longer at the back, picking up on the curved lines of the back skirts and extending the line downwards and back. It is magnificent. Both pieces are made by hand and both have the Gres Haute Couture label present. This is a rare opportunity to own an original Couture Gres ensemble comprised of this extraordinarily beautiful gown and matching cape. Excellent condition.

The Dress and cape are unlined with hand done seams throughout as per the parameters of Haute Couture. The dress closes with a off-set back zipper that is camouflaged along a seam. It also closes along the top of one shoulder with a series of hooks and snaps. The cape has one single hook & eye to close. Under the skirt overlay is tightly gathered ruffle of silk taffeta that gives the skirt overlay support and some extra volume. I see some very tiny marks on the bodice that are negligible but mentioned for accuracy. Note that the bust is more suited for a medium frame and the dress will work well on a smaller frame as well as the volume through the waist and hips is not meant to really hug and fit the body bit to glide over it. The dress has a very faint smell of perfume but it is not unpleasant or overwhelming. It is an extraordinary thing to see in real life.

Dress
Bust: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at dropped seam: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 23" from neck to dropped seam where over skirt begins
Inner skirt: 37" from dropped seam where over skirt begins to hem
Total Length: 60" from neck to hem of inner dress, 67" to longest point of the back of the trained top skirt 
Slit: 20" from the hem up

Cape: will fit any size and is 30" in length

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3227

Reference Photos: 1977 Madame Gres Dress from the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco.  /  Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

This garment has been professionally steamed and sold in, clean, as found condition. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Ken Scott was an American who moved to Italy and ended up in Milan, first designing scarves for Falconetto in the 1950s and eventually opening his own ready to wear line in 1964. He was part of the print movement of the time that included designers like Emilio Pucci, Bessi and La Mendola. Each was creating their own hand done prints and designs which they then screened onto fabric to make into beautiful clothing for the jet set crowd. Scott's garments have a touch of the American sportswear movement to them mixed with that European glamor. I love whenever I find a great piece by him like this dress as it is a label that is not as common as the others are. This dress is stunning. The jersey is printed with a gorgeous mix of soft greens mixed with pops of periwinkle on the palest blue-lavender base. The skirt is long and has a slight flare below the banded waist. Depending on how the waist fits you it will either gather up the fabric above to softly drape over the waist, or as in the last full length shot I have provided here, sit in a longer, less shaped silhouette. Tye way it sits will also effect the length of the skirt. . A tie runs through the upper seam of the halter neckline and gathers the fabric in. At the back there is a small slit between the tie and where the zipper starts. This really gives it a sexy, Grecian  feel. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a back painted metal & nylon zipper. It also ties through the neck. The fabric does have some stretch but the waist is a fixed measurement

Bust: loose and open
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 59" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3228

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

Vitaldi Babani founded the Babani atelier in Paris in 1894. Originally they imported art, furniture, embroideries, silks and exotic goods from China, Japan, India, and Turkey. By 1910 they were producing their own label garments. The designs were heavily inspired by the wares they were importing and they often incorporated some of the antique textiles that they were bringing into Paris. They were known for the exoticism of their designs and the heavy embroideries and high craft that was put int their garments. In 1928, Katherine Hepburn famously wore a white crushed velvet Babani dress with antique gold embroidery for her 1928 wedding to Ludlow Ogden Smith. This is a rare and wonderful dress by the House of Babani and it is remarkable in both its condition and its design.

The base of the dress is an inky black silk velvet that has the same weight and feel of the Fortuny's I have seen from this period. Which would not be a stretch given that the Babani company had a license to retail textiles and garments by the Venice-based designer. To have used some of those velvet's for their own label would not have been out of question. The shape is very loose and easy. It follows the tubular fashion of the day with the middle portion of the dress almost curving outwards a touch. On the body it looks tremendously modern and oversized. Even a small framed girl could wear this and just carry it off in a different way then someone closer to the garment's actual measuremnts. Onto the black velvet is an elaborate and intricate geometric design. This has been created by using thick gold metallic cording to create the outer edgings of the design. The inner parts of the design are then filled with a thinner gold thread. All of the thread has that feel of being made out of actual metal. This is an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of rare fashion history from one of the most elusive of labels from this period. Excellent antique condition 

The dress slips on and is fully lined in a fine black silk. It has no closures. All of the embroidery work is present and fully intact. I see some waviness to the velvet under the arms where it has been worn and slightly folded over time. There is perhaps an area or two where the pile of the velvet has gone into a slightly different direction but there are no true flaws overall. For a garment of this age and this rarity it is in excellent antique condition

Bust: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 43" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3225

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

This garment is sent in clean. as found condition

Dresses of this age are rarely 100% perfect and this one is starting to show some shattering to some areas of the finer, tissue silk underlays, and has several areas of tears in the netting around the sleeves and shoulders. Even so is still remarkable in how intact it still is even after all of these years. It is a wonderful example of the workmanship that was being done during this time period. It is also a rare example of a labeled piece from this time period when labels were just beginning to be added to pieces. Please make sure to read the full description and condition notes and review all photos

The dress is made from a fine black satin with an overlay of black net. The net has then been covered in a dense pattern made up of white glass beads and silver sequins in two shapes. This is suspended over the inner silk dress and attached through the waist. Through the sleeves and the upper shoulders the netting is not lined so you get a glimpse of skin through it. The sleeves are exquisite, falling from the shoulder in a swath of sheer netting with that same beading covering them. On the bodice we see the smallest hint of color with a pale green silk penal set under the layers. This color then peeks out as it wraps all the way around front to back. Over this it is then embroidered with gold metal thread and the result is divine. The beading and netting angle into towards the nipped in waist which is then defined by a wide velvet belt that is finished with a large flat bow at the back. The skirt falls to the floor from the waist, sweeping down to a trained finish at the back. The netting is set so that if fall over the skirt in two panels. One down the front and one down the back. Each of these has a complex and beautiful design hand worked onto them. The front panel is finished with a full ten inch long black silk velvet fringe. This moves as you do and is some of the finest, softest velvet I have ever felt. The dress is just extraordinary. It presents very well but does have some issues. Please read the full description below and review all photos before purchasing.

The inner bodice is cream tissue silk and the black silk satin portions are lined in a black silk. There is a wide band of fabric through the inner waist. The silk satin serves as the lining under the netting. The dress closes with a series of hook and eye, some of which may need replacing. There are tears through the netting under the arms and along the shoulders. The netting around these areas is very fragile. I have photoed all of the areas affected.  You could reinforce them but I have left the dress as found and all original. There is shattering to the green silk and again I have photoed it. On the interior there is minor separation/shattering along some of the seams. There may be other areas of weakness here and there as well but I don't see any readily apparent ones. All the areas affected can be seen after the label shot. The beads and sequins seem to be entirely present. The rest of the dress is remarkably sound. If this was perfect it would be priced at several thousand more. Even with these defects the dress is shockingly beautiful. It is after all over 100 years old.

Sleeves: Approx 14"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from neck to front hem, 71" to tip of back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3224

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

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly check

This wonderful dress would date to the late teens or perhaps the early 1920s. Dresses of this age are rarely 100% perfect and this one does have some small areas that are starting to show weakness, but overall is still very strong even after all of these years. It is a wonderful example of the workmanship that was being done during this time period.

The dress is made from a fine silk chiffon that has been covered in a dense pattern of glossy black jet tube and seed beads mixed with larger glass jet beads. The design is very extensive and is set over the entire surface of the dress. The execution of the design is very well done and it is quite beautiful. The bead work covers both the front and the back of the dress and the hand work involved would have taken hours and hours to finish. The dress is cut in a classic flapper tube shape with a high set neck and a long body with no defined waist. The silk chiffon top layer sits over an inner silk satin which is what has give the dress its stability and longevity. I love the romantic touches of the wispy bits of silk chiffon that finish each sleeve and care set to curve around the arm. Floating panels of chiffon sit on each hip and give the skirts a slight volume at the sides. Circled around the dropped waist is a heavily embellished belt that is made of large black glass beads that ends with a long tassel of beads hanging down one hip. This is then caught up and finished with a silk and velvet pink flower for a pretty pop of color against the black. It is incredibly beautiful and entirely made by hand. Excellent antique condition.

Lined with the inner silk satin dress under the chiffon overlay. The dress slips on to wear. The shoulders at the seams are starting to show signs of aging - please see the photos provided - you could reinforce them but I have left the dress as found and all original. There may be other areas of weakness here and there as well but I don't see any readily apparent ones. The bead and jet beads seem to be entirely present with perhaps the occasional one missing around the edge of the neck. The attached belt detail that wraps around the waist has no hook - I have twisted it in place for the photos. I think once the new owner gets it you should add a hook or secure it where it sits best on you. Some small areas of shattering on some of the inner silk petals of the flower. Even with these small defects the dress is remarkably sound and shockingly beautiful. It is almost 100 years old and is considered to be in museum quality condition.

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

Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41 from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E485

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 in this dress are amazing and when combined with the gold metallic thread that runs through the silk from top to bottom, the final effect is just beautiful. The exterior is a rich red silk chiffon that has a secondary print of blue and taupe running through it. Woven through the silk are little golden dots made out of a lurex thread. This adds a subtle shine to the entire dress. Picking up on that are curving bands of gold sequins that have been hand applied onto the silk. These following parts of the screened design. Some parts of the pattern have an even denser application of the sequins. This multi-layered textural feeling makes the fabric feel rich and exotic. This is then layered over the interior red silk lining through the skirt and front bodice. The back and sleeves are not lined so you catch a glimpse of skin through the silk. The sleeves are wonderful. Each extends from the bodice in a wide swatch of fabric and then taper down as they reach the wrist to create a subtle billowing through the upper arm. The neck is simple and slightly scooped. The skirt falls from the piped detailed waist to flare out as it nears to the floor. It is a beautiful, dramatic piece and the red, gold and other colors presents as being more vibrant and far better in person then how they photoed. Malcolm Starr International was designed by Youssef Rizkallah from 1969 to 1975 giving us a neat little window for dating this dress. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a deep red silk with the sleeves, shoulders and upper back left unlined. It closes with a back painted metal zipper rm the waist down and buttons above that to the neck. Each sleeve has a snap at the cuff.

Sleeves: approx 24" from natural shoulder
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: open with no defined side seams
Waist: 13" flat across the back from seam to seam
Inner hips: to 21" flat across the back from seam to seam of the skirt's lining
Bodice: approx 15" from neck to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3224

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 very tiny in size but has big impact. The girl who is lucky enough to fit this will find that it is an absolute dream to wear. It is the kind of dress that is just waiting to go out, have fun and dance the night away. It is cut to fit and hug your curves in a way that is extremely flattering and sexy. The shoulders are shaped and padded. Both the front and the back are scooped and plunge quite low so that you get a bare expanse of skin showing. I had to pin this on my dress form because of its tiny size but on an actual body the the front and the back feel lower then how they look on the form. It is very flattering and I love how the back is more of a cut out. It's not apparent in the photos but at the top back of the neck the fabric curves around and across the neck and hooks into place so its held securely onto you. The surface of the red silk base is finished in a dense covering of red beads mixed with gold beads and sequins. These have all been sewn on by hand. The design that is created by the gold areas especially really add to the curves and lines of the dress. Each sleeve has its own fabulous design at its cuff for the perfect finish. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a red silk and closes with a back zipper and hook and eye at the back of the neck. Padding in each shoulder Each cuff has a hook & eye to close. The beads are hand sewn onto the silk . The only size tag is one that says it is 'petite'

Sleeves: 20"
Wide set shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11.5-12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 53" from neck to hem
Front slit: 19" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3222

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 more time that goes by from when an original Halston dress was first created, the more relevant they seem to feel. It is easy to think of this piece as a closet staple. It is so sleek and simple that it is the kind of dress that you know that every time you slip it on you will look and feel amazing. It still feels fresh and of our modern world despite the fact that it has now been almost 50 years since it was designed. It has his signature simplicity and masterful draping along with a touch of Studio 54 sexiness thrown in. The dress slips on and you hook it into place at the waist. It has no other closures. The front crosses over itself with a mid-level plunge that the placement of the fabric and interior hooks hold in place so that you feel safe wearing it. It is cut on the bias so it wraps and drapes to follow your curves. The skirt is cut to feel lean and again it is the crossing over of the fabric that gives you enough coverage to be able to wear it and feel secure. The wrapped styling allows the entire front to look like you could step out of the dress at any moment but it is designed to stay in place. The waist is already defined but you could cinch it in further with a belt. This is signature Halston Studio 54 sexiness but in a dress that you can easily wear day or night. Excellent condition.

Unlined and wraps to close with flat hooks inside and out at the waist to hold it in place with no other closures. Tagged a vintage 6 but please check measurements. The waist could be adjusted approx 1" up or down by moving the hooks. The fabric feels like a light silk mix with an almost linen cotton feel to it. Very light and easy to wear but would wear well and not wrinkle easily.

Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Skirt: 31" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2598

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 was a designer who made couture-level gowns and dresses with a level of craftsmanship that left France’s most esteemed couturiers with their mouths agape. The immaculate construction of Galanos’ work oozed luxury, privilege, and high society. He was a master cutter and he used many couture level techniques in his gowns.

This little black dress is lovely and the type of dress that you will reach for endlessly as it is just dressy enough for any occasion that call for a cocktail dress but it also feels refined and elegant. The front is very pretty with black stone and rhinestone edged buttons. Behind those buttons the edges have been scalloped into little curves for a pretty and feminine touch. The neckline is done in a V and the arm opening are set inwards on a slight angle. The waist is set so that it is slightly dropped. This creates length and leanness through the bodice. The skirt has just a touch of fullness to it and it has pockets set along the seam on either side of the hip. Each of those pockets are finished with pipped edges and the scallop detailing along the front edge is top stitched to perfectly follow the cut. The sides of each arm are cut into a deep V. This was one of Galanos' signature finishes. It is just a lovely little dress and one that will easily transition from day to night. Excellent condition.

Fully lined through the bodice in a black silk and the skirt is unlined. All of the interior edges are very well finished. It closes down the front with buttons, hook & eye and fabric covered snaps. It appears to have been worn very little if at all

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 18" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 18" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD1448

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

From the front this Thierry Mugler dress falls in line with his more stark pieces with its all black color and sharp line, but the second that you turn around it is almost shocking. This is classic Mugler and the back has that wonderful, overt sensuality he worked into his clothes. It is made out of an inky black stretch jersey and is cut to hug your curves. The bodice is cut along those classic Mugler lines with rounded shoulders and a sharply pointed notched collar. The seams are all set into curving lines and they help to give the dress a touch of structure, shape and support. The waist nips ion and the hips curve out following the lines of the body. The skirt is cut to about the knee and curves in at the hem for a fitted silhouette. The back is spectacular. The entire back has an open cut work lace in lieu of the jersey. So you are completely covered but at the same time exposed to an almost scandalous level as the bottom of that panel dips quite low. Again at the back the seams are curved so add to the curves created by the dress already. Each sleeve is capped and has a little snap that adds just a touch of volume above them, The dress simply snaps down the front and can come off as easily. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes down the front with snaps. Each sleeve has a snap as well. Light, rounded padding in each shoulder. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a vintage Mugler 42. The fabric does have some stretch

Shoulders: approx 15" but no true defined seam
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
length: 42" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3221

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