• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1986 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
• The reference photos and video of the dress on the runway showcase just how amazing the dress is on.
• I have also included a reference photo of Bella Hadid who famously wore a white and black version of the dress in 2022.
• The dress is made out of a beautiful blue silk that has a gold metallic stripe running through it. This gives the dress the structure to hold the shape while keeping it light-in-weight once on. The all blue portion of the skirt between the bodice and hem is made out of a netted fabric.
• The bodice is strapless and there is built-in inner boning for support. The boning continues down the sides and to the lower seam. 
• Soft horizontal gathers are set over the full length of the bodice and I love how this creates extra visual interest with the gold stripes.
• The waist curves in and then curves back out over the top of the hips. 
• The skirt falls from there with a pretty fullness. The upper portion of the top layer of the skirt is made of the netting and then there is a 12' band of the striped silk around the lower part of the skirt
• That top layers sits over a second layer of netting underneath and then there is a blue silk layer under that.
• I love that they have folded that bottom panel of silk under so it is completely backed by the same silk inside. It adds a bit of extra structure and helps to hold the shape of the skirt.
• The striped silk that finishes the bottom hem perfectly ties the components of the dress together. The silk on the bottom panel is set with the stripes on an angle and you will notice that the sleeves have also been set on an angle while the bodice is horizontal. It is the small details that are so spectacular in Karl's Chanel.
• At the back of the bodice there is a tightly spaced row of gold metal Chanel buttons that have little Chanel perfume bottles engraved into them. There are twelve in total.
• The sleeves are incredible. They are separate pieces from the dress. To wear them you slip them over your arm. They have stiffened tulle inside the part that puffs out which helps to hold that shape with a more fitted sleeve underneath that runs down your arm. Each sleeve ends in a point to cover the top of your hand.
  
• This is a spectacular and rare piece of Chanel history.
• The bodice of the dress is lined in a deep blue silk and the skirt is lined as described above. It closes with a back set zipper underneath the row of gold metal buttons embossed with a Chanel perfume bottle. There is an extra spare button sewn into the lining inside. The sleeves have tulle inside to help hold the shape and elastic on the upper arm while the lower cuff zips to close.
• Tagged a vintage Chanel 38
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: approx 30" long. The elastic at the top will stretch to fit around the upper arm
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: to 21.5"flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of the bodice to the seam
Total length: 52" from top of the bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5696

Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Fall 1986 Chanel Runway.  /  (4-5) Bella Hadid in Fall 1986 Chanel, Cannes, 2022.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1983 Chanel Haute Couture show as Look 73. 
• It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld
• This was Karl's second Haute Couture show so any pieces from the show are incredibly rare and valuable.
• "It is all about luxury" Karl said of the show at the time. In the book "Catwalk: Chanel" they note that Karl was inspired by the history of the house and the unique skills of the Haute Couture atelier. Karl actually coaxed one of Coco Chanel's tailor's out of a retirement to find out how Mademoiselle made the sleeves of the iconic suit jacket. "They were cut in five different places" Karl admiringly told Women's Wear Daily. The book also notes that true to the spirit of Haute Couture, Lagerfeld worked with "luxurious materials from panne velvet and subtle beading to opulent embroidery inspired by Coco Chanel's personal collection of baroque objects and by the elaborate patterns of 18th century furniture."
• The dress would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier. 
  
• The dress is made out of a silk metallic panne velvet. All of the strands within the velvet have a metallic feel to them and this gives the dress an almost silvery liquid finish.
• The dress is cut to feel very soft over the body and the fabric is very light in weight. As you move the metallic threads that run through the velvet pick up the light from every angle. It is quite extraordinary.
• The shoulders have light rounded padding in them that extend into the top of the sleeve past the gold ribbon that frames the shoulder. The sleeves are long and each cuff is brought in slightly with hidden set stitching.
• The dress wraps over itself at the front and buttons to close with a series of six handmade gold buttons that we believe to be gold plated though they have no markings. Each button has a lion that sit on a black enamel base. 
• The edges of the dress are defined by a metallic gold ribbon finish that feels all like it has real metal threads in it. This detailing follows. the seams where the sleeves insert into the dress, run around the collar, along the tops of the four pockets on the dress, and then down the front opening.
• I have included a photo of the dress hanging on a hanger. It is cut quite generously through the waist with the intention of cinching it in as needed with a belt. With the way that it is cut it would be easy to move the buttons over if you wanted a slimmer fit before belting.
• The dress is fully lined in a handset black silk. All of the work is done by hand and the trimming and buttons would have all been handmade specifically for this piece. I see a little bit of pinhole in the lining where it looks like someone moved the inner snap at the collar. This has no impact and is just mentioned for accuracy. The buttons may have been moved at some point to make it larger, and as mentioned above, it would be easy to move them where it fit the person who purchased this best. The grosgrain ribbon photoed with the dress is not original to the dress but will be included. The dress has as proper couture Chanel label and number tape underneath that in place.
• There is no size tag present. Please go by the listed measurements below. 
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 24" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders to the ribbons: 15" and the padding extends slightly beyond that
Bust: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17.5" from neck to waist
Total length: 42" from neck to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD5674

Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 1983 Chanel Haute Couture Runway.  /  (3) From the book "Catwalk: Chanel".

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 2000 Chanel collection as Look 72.
• It was made under the creative direction Karl Lagerfeld
• Three versions of this dress in this print were presented on the Fall 2000 runway that season. The twin of this one was worn by Trish Goff.
• Vogue's review of the collection states in part; 'Fall 2000 was, overall, the season of the lady. One who had polish—and, likely, two homes and one eye on the fluctuating stock market. “With the Dow Jones and Nasdaq soaring and plunging like a late-sixties hemline,” wrote Sally Singer in Vogue, “it was perhaps inevitable that many designers would choose for fall 2000 to forgo fantasy and get back to basics—luxe basics, that is.”
• I think this was one of the best dresses in that collection and it is an absolute favourite.
• The dress is a stunning example of the work that Lagerfeld was doing during this time period.
• It has an easy sexy feel to it. It feels like the kind of dress that you just throw on and walk out the door in and feel fabulous.
• The dress is made from a feather light silk chiffon that has an amazing print combining pinks and purple that covers the entire surface. 
• The fabric is draped and gathered over the body to create the very feminine silhouette. There is an inner purple lining that goes to just below the hip so that the silk has something to attach to and the dress is opaque enough to wear. Over that the silk is gathered in soft sweeps around the body.
• A curved panel of fabric attaches in along one hip and drapes down and around the hips. Another panel is attached at the top to drape over one shoulder.
• The panels are a single layer of silk so that they have an interesting play on the overlapping of the pattern as they float over each other.
• The part of skirt below the inner lining also has a touch of transparency that gives a glimpse of the shape of the leg underneath. It is cut on an angle to play on the asymmetrical feel of the dress.
• A slit runs up one side of the skirt so when you move it can catch the air and it move around you.
• The famous double C logo is worked through the print for the perfect finishing touch.
• The dress is lined in a purple silk chiffon through the main body of the dress and upper part of the skirt. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. Light boning on either side of the bust. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
• Tagged a vintage Chanel 40.
• Excellent condition

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam 
Seam under bust: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam 
Natural waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 6" from top of the bodice to the seam under the bus
Total length : approx 65" from top of shoulder to longest point on hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5582

Reference Photos/Video: Chanel Fall 2000 Runway Collection, Look 72. Model: Trish Goff.

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

• A shorter version of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 2002 Chanel collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
• Karl chose to show primarily short pieces for the entire presentation of the collection but many of the pieces that went to the shops were done in longer lengths.
• In the book Catwalk: Chanel they noted that the runway had a "sexy rock 'n' roll vibe translated into a collection that reinvented Chanel signatures, placing them into a rock context." There were several dresses on the runway presented using this beautifully weighted silk. We included a reference to one of the dresses that has the same feel as this.
• As good as this dress looks in the photos when you see this one in real life it will take your breath away. It is supremely well-made and absolutely stunning.
• The dress is made out of a beautiful combination of a rich black silk and an inky black velvet. I love the way that he has used the two fabrics to highlight and complement the lines of the dress.
• The dress curves over the shoulders and it is set so that it sits a bit wider across the front. The neckline comes down into a V and the velvet has been used to line the inside of the collar which flips over on both sides for that lovely bit of contrast there.
• There is an inner built-in bodice under that to hold the dress in place and that inner bodice is made out of Chanel logo and camellia flower embossed silk. It is a little extra bit of hidden luxury.
• The straps curve from the top of the collar and down the back, leaving the upper back exposed. The straps are very interesting because they actually have a button where they attach on both sides. The buttons are functional, even though you could not wear the dress without the straps. It is just one of those extra details that you see in a Chanel piece of this high of quality.
• The bodice is made out of the black silk and wraps around to the back where it closes with three more Chanel buttons set above a hidden zipper.
• The waist is defined by a band of black velvet that has an almost slight peplum feel to it. This sits over a wider band of black velvet that curves over the hips to add shape and definition.
• The skirt falls to the floor in a beautiful column of black silk and flares out dramatically as it nears the hem. A high slit runs up the front for a flash of bare leg.
• The back is as good as the front. That black velvet wide panel that wraps around the hips continues around to the back and is gathered in heavily at the centre and then flares out into a panel of black velvet that sweeps down to the floor and slightly past the hem of the silk skirt.
• The silk skirt that sits under the panel at the back of the dress is cut longer then the front so that you have the two layers of velvet and silk creating a beautiful bit of a sweep behind you as you walk.
• This is an exceptional Chanel dress. I cannot rave enough about it.
  
• The dress is lined through the bodice in a black Chanel embossed silk and the skirt and attached black velvet panel are unlined. It closes at the back with a series of Chanel embossed buttons that sit above a hidden set zipper. Each strap is attached and buttons onto the dress at the front and back with workable functioning buttons. Hand finishes. It comes with its original Chanel packet that has an extra piece of velvet in it. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
• Tagged a vintage Chanel 36
• Excellent condition

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from top of shoulder to the seam under the bust and 15" to the waist
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to the front hem. The slit is 22" from the front hem up. The back extends another 12" past that

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5548

Reference Photo/Video: Fall 2002 Chanel.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of the suit along with several variations of it, walked the runway for the Spring 1994 Chanel show.
• It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
• The show opened with an entire series of these suits done in a rainbow of pastel colours and shown on some of the top supermodels of the day. The twin of the suit appears in the runway reference video and we have added some still shots of it and the video here for you to see. We have also added some reference shots of some of the other suits just to give you a better idea of how this will sit once on the body.
• Vogue featured the collection that year and in 2014 Rihanna wore a version.
• These mini skirted versions of the classic Chanel suit, using unusual elements like this one has, are one of the keystone moments that made Chanel under Karl the global powerhouse that it is today.
• Both pieces are made out of a classic Chanel pink tweed with a nubby finish. The colour is slightly more pastel in person than how it photographed here.
• The jacket is extraordinary. It zips to close up the back so there is no closure at the front to break the eye. The shoulders are shaped with very light padding and the sleeves are long. It is cut with a slight nod to the box shape through the body but curves in for shape around the waist.
• What really makes these suits extraordinary is the way that he finished all of the edges. They are done in pastel blue, yellow, and pink vinyl cording that has the feel of a skinnier version of an old telephone cord but without the twist. These have been hand stitched into place to create the gorgeous pattern that you see. The bows are backed in a pink grograin ribbon to give them shape and structure. Where they are placed directly on the Chanel boucle there is no backing so that the fabric acts as the pink seen in between the cord.
• The cording pattern circles around the collar and runs down the centre to a flat bow with the ends of the vinyl tied and knotted so that you have a dangling fringe under each end of the bow. More cording circles around the cuff and you see another flat bow placed on the outside portion of each cuff.
• The skirt is cut short in a mini. The upper part of the skirt is slightly padded inside and is made out of a pastel pink silk. It s the same silk that he used for the lining of the jacket. Both the lining in the jacket and this top portion of the skirt have tiny little double Cs embroidered into the silk. Under that the skirt flares out slightly to the hem.
• Around the entire bottom edge of the skirt is another banding of that same telephone cord piping. This perfectly ties the top and skirt together.
• It is this use of unusual finishes that really showcase Karl's genius and while at the same time helped to modernize the house and appeal to a younger audience.
• This is an extremely rare Chanel set and I am very pleased to have it in the shop.
• Both pieces are lined in a double C embossed pink silk. The jacket closes at the back with a zipper and a loop & button at the top of the back neck. The skirt closes with a hidden set back zipper & hook an eye at the waist. There is some discoloration underneath the inner arms of the lining of this jacket but it does not go through to the front. It is in stunning condition otherwise.
• Both pieces are tagged a vintage Chanel 40
• Excellent condition with one note above

Jacket
Sleeves: 23" and are 13" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 22" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 17" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5341

Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Spring 1994 Chanel Runway.  /  (5-6) Photographed by Steven Meisel for Vogue, March 1994.  /  (7) Rihanna in Vintage Chanel for Good Morning America, 2014.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1986 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
• The reference photos and video of the dress on the runway showcase just how amazing the dress is on.
• I have also included a reference photo of Bella Hadid who famously wore a white and black version of the dress in 2022.
• The dress is made out of a beautiful blue silk that has a gold metallic stripe running through it. This gives the dress the structure to hold the shape while keeping it light-in-weight once on. The all blue portion of the skirt between the bodice and hem is made out of a netted fabric.
• The bodice is strapless and there is built-in inner boning for support. The boning continues down the sides and to the lower seam. 
• Soft horizontal gathers are set over the full length of the bodice and I love how this creates extra visual interest with the gold stripes.
• The waist curves in and then curves back out over the top of the hips. 
• The skirt falls from there with a pretty fullness. The upper portion of the top layer of the skirt is made of the netting and then there is a 12' band of the striped silk around the lower part of the skirt
• That top layers sits over a second layer of netting underneath and then there is a blue silk layer under that.
• I love that they have folded that bottom panel of silk under so it is completely backed by the same silk inside. It adds a bit of extra structure and helps to hold the shape of the skirt.
• The striped silk that finishes the bottom hem perfectly ties the components of the dress together. The silk on the bottom panel is set with the stripes on an angle and you will notice that the sleeves have also been set on an angle while the bodice is horizontal. It is the small details that are so spectacular in Karl's Chanel.
• At the back of the bodice there is a tightly spaced row of gold metal Chanel buttons that have little Chanel perfume bottles engraved into them. There are twelve in total.
• The sleeves are incredible. They are separate pieces from the dress. To wear them you slip them over your arm. They have stiffened tulle inside the part that puffs out which helps to hold that shape with a more fitted sleeve underneath that runs down your arm. Each sleeve ends in a point to cover the top of your hand.
  
• This is a spectacular and rare piece of Chanel history.
• The bodice of the dress is lined in a deep blue silk and the skirt is lined as described above. It closes with a back set zipper underneath the row of gold metal buttons embossed with a Chanel perfume bottle. There is an extra spare button sewn into the lining inside. The sleeves have tulle inside to help hold the shape and elastic on the upper arm while the lower cuff zips to close.
• Tagged a vintage Chanel 38
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: approx 30" long. The elastic at the top will stretch to fit around the upper arm
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: to 21.5"flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of the bodice to the seam
Total length: 52" from top of the bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5696

Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Fall 1986 Chanel Runway.  /  (4-5) Bella Hadid in Fall 1986 Chanel, Cannes, 2022.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1987 season.
• It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
• I love that we have reference photos from the runway so you can see how great it is on the body. He could really push the envelope with some of his designs and this particular dress is a nod back to some of the work that he was doing in earlier decades but in that best of the 1980s kind of way.
  
• The dress is made from a pink silk with a black floral print. Into the silk there is a secondary pattern that is woven directly through the silk for a pink on pink effect.
• The rest of the dress is made from a sequin detailed lace. The lace has an added black ribbon that follows the design of the underlying lace. 
• The neckline is cut wide across and the shoulders are soft. The arms are unlined so you see a peak of skin between the net lace, sequins and ribbon detailing. More of the lace goes across the top of the bodice at the front and back. 
• The pink floral silk is gathered under that seam and those gathers allow for the volume that you see through the body of the dress to the top of the hip.
• A band of same embellished black lace with an elastic running through sits at the top of the hips. This lets you adjust the length of the skirt up or down by where you have it sit on your hips.
• The very bottom part of the skirt is a band of the pink silk that adds lots of movement.
• The dress is fully lined in a black silk through the body. There is black silk organza behind the upper bodice. The lower skirt and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a back zipper and each sleeve zips to close at the wrist. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
• Tagged a vintage YSL 40.
• Excellent condition.

Sleeves: 27" and they are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: open
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 36" from top of shoulder to hem and can be adjusted to sit shorter

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5695

Reference Photos: Fall 1987 Yves Saint Laurent.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The dress dates to the late 1980s and is most similar to the pieces we see in the 1987 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
• Its easy cut and open smock shape through the body is a strong nod to the pieces from the 1920s.
• The dress combines a brilliant pink silk with black floral patterned lace used for the sleeves.
  
• The neckline is cut slightly wide across and the shoulders are soft. The neckline is bordered with a panel of the same pink silk and the fabric is gathered in along the edge on the front and the back. It buttons with two buttons at the back of the neck that sit above a small slit.
• The sleeves are spectacular. They are made out of a very pretty floral black lace. The lace is unlined so you can see a peak of skin between the lace once the dress is on. I love that for the cuffs he used the same pink silk used in the body of the dress for a little contrasting pop.
• The dress skims loosely over the bust and waist into a low set seam around the hips. If you wanted to wear the dress shorter, you could add a belt for a completely different silhouette. The very bottom part of the skirt is a little soft and flirty silk ruffle that is just under 9" wide.
• The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear. It closes with two buttons at the back of the neck. Each sleeve has a loop and button to close. It's loose and easy fit should allow it to work on a range of sizes. The pink is a touch lighter than how it photoed here. It is meant to fit slightly oversized.
• There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
• Excellent condition.

Sleeves: approx 25.5" and they are full and open around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-seam at hip: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 36" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5693

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• This dress is from the Spring 1987 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
• I have included reference photos of similar dresses used for the ad campaign and shown on the runway so that you can get an idea of how great this dress will be on the body.
• The 1987 collection is one of my all time favourites and I am very pleased to have this wonderful example from it in the shop.
• The dress is made from a black silk base with a layer of dotted black silk netting applied over the bodice in horizontal bands. This choice in fabric gives the dress its structure and shape so that it holds the shape around you once on.
• The bodice is strapless and cut on a soft curve across the neckline. It is lightly boned on the inside to hold the dress perfectly in place. It curves in over the waist and then curves back out over the hips. From there the lower skirts flare outwards to the hem.
• The lower skirt is quite full and makes an incredible statement. It has a fishnet style lace for its top layer. Under that is a layer of dotted lace to subtly tie in the lace of the bodice. Under those layers two more layers of the fishnet lace to give it its incredible fullness.
• On the bodice the lace is separated by five wide bands made out of a black silk ribbon that give a beautiful and rich feel to the dress. I love the contrast between the texture of the silk and the dotted netting.
• Each ribbon is stacked to run from the very top of the bodice to the lowest seam above the skirt. Each ribbon is gathered into a little folded bow and has a round metal circle attached that is finished with  glossy black glass rhinestones. There are five of those big jewelled pieces in total and they add the perfect amount of glitz to the dress. The combination of the silk ribbon, the dotted lace, the jewelled circles and that stunning full lower skirt is just gorgeous to see and it is even better on the body.
• The dress fully lined in a crisp black cotton and closes with a side set zipper. The inner bodice is lightly boned and shaped. I see some minor repairs in the netting of the skirt. You only see them if you are looking for them because of the amount of fabric in the skirt and the black layers. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all.
• Tagged a 40.
• Excellent condition

Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from the top of the bodice to the inner waist, 24" to the bottom of the lowest seam above the skirt
Total length: 47" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5685

Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Ad Campaign  /  (2-3) Spring 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Runway.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1983 Chanel Haute Couture show as Look 73. 
• It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld
• This was Karl's second Haute Couture show so any pieces from the show are incredibly rare and valuable.
• "It is all about luxury" Karl said of the show at the time. In the book "Catwalk: Chanel" they note that Karl was inspired by the history of the house and the unique skills of the Haute Couture atelier. Karl actually coaxed one of Coco Chanel's tailor's out of a retirement to find out how Mademoiselle made the sleeves of the iconic suit jacket. "They were cut in five different places" Karl admiringly told Women's Wear Daily. The book also notes that true to the spirit of Haute Couture, Lagerfeld worked with "luxurious materials from panne velvet and subtle beading to opulent embroidery inspired by Coco Chanel's personal collection of baroque objects and by the elaborate patterns of 18th century furniture."
• The dress would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier. 
  
• The dress is made out of a silk metallic panne velvet. All of the strands within the velvet have a metallic feel to them and this gives the dress an almost silvery liquid finish.
• The dress is cut to feel very soft over the body and the fabric is very light in weight. As you move the metallic threads that run through the velvet pick up the light from every angle. It is quite extraordinary.
• The shoulders have light rounded padding in them that extend into the top of the sleeve past the gold ribbon that frames the shoulder. The sleeves are long and each cuff is brought in slightly with hidden set stitching.
• The dress wraps over itself at the front and buttons to close with a series of six handmade gold buttons that we believe to be gold plated though they have no markings. Each button has a lion that sit on a black enamel base. 
• The edges of the dress are defined by a metallic gold ribbon finish that feels all like it has real metal threads in it. This detailing follows. the seams where the sleeves insert into the dress, run around the collar, along the tops of the four pockets on the dress, and then down the front opening.
• I have included a photo of the dress hanging on a hanger. It is cut quite generously through the waist with the intention of cinching it in as needed with a belt. With the way that it is cut it would be easy to move the buttons over if you wanted a slimmer fit before belting.
• The dress is fully lined in a handset black silk. All of the work is done by hand and the trimming and buttons would have all been handmade specifically for this piece. I see a little bit of pinhole in the lining where it looks like someone moved the inner snap at the collar. This has no impact and is just mentioned for accuracy. The buttons may have been moved at some point to make it larger, and as mentioned above, it would be easy to move them where it fit the person who purchased this best. The grosgrain ribbon photoed with the dress is not original to the dress but will be included. The dress has as proper couture Chanel label and number tape underneath that in place.
• There is no size tag present. Please go by the listed measurements below. 
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 24" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders to the ribbons: 15" and the padding extends slightly beyond that
Bust: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17.5" from neck to waist
Total length: 42" from neck to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD5674

Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 1983 Chanel Haute Couture Runway.  /  (3) From the book "Catwalk: Chanel".

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