This extraordinary set is done in that beautiful Valentino red and has the elegant cut and line you expect from him. The dress is beautifully cut and unexpectedly sexy with its bare expanse of skin at the back. From the front it is a simple shift with a high neckline that has simple straps that curve up and over each shoulder. It is constructed to skim over the body with a slight flare as it nears the hem and a piping at the waist to define the shape. At the back the straps cross over each other to suspend the dress and leave the back bare form the shoulder to the waist. The fabric used for both pieces is a beautiful silk crepe that give the pieces just enough weight to sculpt the shape Valentino desired. The jacket is as fantastic as a stand alone piece as it is as the completion of the set. It is cut to perfection with soft lines and a nipped in waist highlighted with a black bow draping that angle inwards to the front center. It then slightly flares out over the hip. No shortcut was taken in the construction and it is a stand out piece in every possible way. However much you think this looks fabulous in the photographs it is infinitely better in person. Excellent condition.

Both the dress and jacket are fully lined in a hand set red silk of very high quality. Proper finished buttonholes and jet beads on both cuffs. The jacket closes with hook & eye under the bow. The dress closes with a hand set zipper at the low back. Finished to Haute Couture standards and entirely done by hand.

Dress
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Skirt: 21" from waist to hem

Jacket
Sleeves: 22.5"
Shoulders: 17.5"
Bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2839

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

USE CODE couture50 AT CHECKOUT TO GET THIS AT 50% OFF

I am very happy to be able to pass on this extraordinary opportunity to you. Throughout the shop there is now a collection of items you can buy at a discount of by 50%, identified by this note at the top of the listing. (to see all the available items click here).

Some of them are couture pieces and all of them are of exceptional quality and highly collectible. All are from the archives of one client with whom I have worked with for many years, getting a steady stream of vintage and couture pieces from then as they have downsized their extensive collection. It is now time for them to retire. They have asked me to put all of their items down to 50% as a final clear out with all sales final for these items. For those of you that have shopped with me all these years this is a golden moment.

USE CODE couture50 AT CHECKOUT TO GET THIS AT 50% OFF

A version of this wonderful Chanel pant and top set was featured in the ad campaign for 1996 that featured Amber Valletta. Both pieces are made of a silk that is very light and easy to wear. It has the added bonus of being made up of two pieces so can be worn together or you can mix and match with other pieces already in your wardrobe. The pants are the twin of the ones used in the ad campaign, They have a fitted hip and waist and the pant legs are cut long and lean with a straight cut that has just a touch of width to them. The top has a button down cut with neat, pointed collar and long sleeves. It is cut to be worn more loose and easy through the body and can be worn tucked in or left out. Pockets sit on each side of the bust for detailing. The pattern is fabulous with its combination of the signature Chanel camellia mixed with that classic double C logo. "Chanel" is also written across the fabric in script from top to bottom. It is wonderful. Excellent condition.

Both pieces are unlined. The pants close with a side zipper and button at the waist, The top buttons down the front and has buttons on each cuff. Tagged a vintage 34. Appears unworn 

Top
Shoulders: 16.5" across
Sleeves: 22.5" long
Bust: to 19" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 20" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Length: 29" from neck to hem

Pants
Waist: 12" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 17" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Pant: 40.5" from waist to cuff
Inseam: 29"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2046

Reference photos: Amber Valletta for Chanel Resort 1996 Ad  / Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in New York  /  Amanda Lee Shirreffs (see the complete blog post on this look here)

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 wonderful dress and cape set that came from a recent estate buy and like some of the other pieces I would bet that this once had a label. The women was very wealthy and she did remove labels from many of her pieces. It is maddening but regardless the dress is beyond amazing so know that you are probably buying a high end designer piece.I have a strong suspicion that it is Dior but so far have been unable to find an exact reference photo.

This is a beautiful silk chiffon dress with a matching full length, feather trimmed cape shawl. Both pieces are constructed from a lightweight printed silk chiffon that has a beautiful floral design done in shades of green. The dress is made from two layers with an interior, attached lining and this inner piece is made of a silk twill which gives it a slight bit of structure and also makes it opaque enough to wear. The bodice of the dress is cut in a halter style that leaves the back completely bare. The inner twill silk has a nude strap that slips over the head and the silk chiffon outer layer sits over this and hooks behind the neck. I love the little silk rosette detail that sits at the small of the back. The top layer of the skirt floats to the floor over the inner silk twill to give it the feel of airiness and lightness and creating a depth of pattern. Over this beautiful dress, is that fabulous caped shawl that is made of the same silk and trimmed with elaborate and dramatically dyed feathers. This additional piece can be worn a variety of ways - it hooks to close at the neck in one spot and is cut asymmetrically so that one side trails down farther then the other. The edges of the inner seams of this piece are all hand finished and I would bet that this was a demi-couture piece by Dior making it an incredible find at the listed price. It has all the tell tale signs. Excellent condition

The dress is fully lined in a silk twill through the skirt and bodice. The cape is unlined. The dress closes with a low back, hand set, side painted metal zipper and the cape closes with a hook & eye at the neck. Hand finishes.

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner skirt hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item #E622

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 label on this dress instantly gives us a date of between 1970-1974. 1970 was the year Janice Wainwright launched her own label and after 1974 her labels only carry her name, not the full ‘Janice Wainwright at Forty Seven Poland Street,’ that we see here. These four years are what has forever defined Janice and her work. She excelled at these embroidered pieces and the Art Deco inspiration she loved flourished and became one of her signatures.

This set is amazing and really a museum worthy set. Pieces by her of this quality are harder and harder to find. As mentioned above, it has the added bonus of having the coveted, earliest Janice Wainwright at Forty Seven Poland Street label. Pieces with this label are from the beginning of her career and for me, really showcase her talent and are among the very best of her work. It is two separate pieces and the base of both is a black chiffon. Both pieces simply slip on and are very easy to wear. The top "tabard" cut top is fabulous. It is cut into a wide T shaped on both the front and back. This allows the sleeves to be wide and have a kimono feel to them and the front drop over the skirt like an apron. It has elastic that runs through the waist and it ties at each side.  Her signature embroidery is done in sharp geometric angles that follow the cut of the tabard on both sides. The pink and green pop wonderfully against the black. Under this sits a skirt that is completely finished with Fortuny felling pleat finish. It is full length and the solid black of it serves as the perfect base for that spectacular top. Excellent condition

The top is fully lined with the same chiffon fabric as the exterior and slips over the head with elastic all through the wide waist band and ties at each side. The skirt is also lined and closes with a zipper and hook at the waistband.

Top
Length: 54.5" top to bottom
Width: 32.5" side to side

Skirt
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 44.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2811

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

USE CODE couture50 AT CHECKOUT TO GET THIS AT 50% OFF

I am very happy to be able to pass on this extraordinary opportunity to you. Throughout the shop there is now a collection of items you can buy at a discount of by 50%, identified by this note at the top of the listing. (to see all the available items click here).

Some of them are couture pieces and all of them are of exceptional quality and highly collectible. All are from the archives of one client with whom I have worked with for many years, getting a steady stream of vintage and couture pieces from then as they have downsized their extensive collection. It is now time for them to retire. They have asked me to put all of their items down to 50% as a final clear out with all sales final for these items. For those of you that have shopped with me all these years this is a golden moment.

USE CODE couture50 AT CHECKOUT TO GET THIS AT 50% OFF

I also have listed a second, similar pant suit set that has a Micheal Novarese label and I was told by my client that that this one was also by him although it no longer has a label. (see the other one here). The fabric is signed on the inner hem salvage "Summer Day" by Boll Poole for Onondaga Silk - who were a US based silk mill that provided custom fabric for couture and high end design houses as far back as 1933.

This particular set is wonderful. The cut of both pieces is based entirely on the design that covers the fabric. The fabric itself is amazing. It is a rich, heavy silk with green base. Onto this is screened an intricate and detailed print that depicts a full meadow scene. Dragonflies and flowers adorn the surface of the silk. Both the dragonflies and flowers are completely made of sequins. The cuffs, hems and bottom of the pants are circled in green sequins that make the grass over which they fly. It is magical. The pants are flat fronted and have a slightly flared leg. The tunic sits over the pants, skimming the torso and flaring out at the hip. It has a high neck and long sleeves and how they pick up that same sequin pattern as the pants. I love that it is two pieces that you can break up and wear them separateif you want. Michael Novarese designed gowns for many of the stars during the 1960s through to the 1980s including Jane Russell, Liza Minelli, Judy Garland, Dinah Shore and Elizabeth Taylor.  I love his work and this is one of the best pieces I have seen of his. Excellent condition

Both pieces are fully lined in an off-white silk. The tunic closes with a hand set back painted metal zipper and the pants close with a hand set zipper and hook & eye at the waist. Hand finished throughout. Made to demi-couture standards.

Tunic
Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 26.5" from neck to hem

Pants
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from waist to hem
Inseam: 28"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2210

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

USE CODE couture50 AT CHECKOUT TO GET THIS AT 50% OFF

I am very happy to be able to pass on this extraordinary opportunity to you. Throughout the shop there is now a collection of items you can buy at a discount of by 50%, identified by this note at the top of the listing. (to see all the available items click here).

Some of them are couture pieces and all of them are of exceptional quality and highly collectible. All are from the archives of one client with whom I have worked with for many years, getting a steady stream of vintage and couture pieces from then as they have downsized their extensive collection. It is now time for them to retire. They have asked me to put all of their items down to 50% as a final clear out with all sales final for these items. For those of you that have shopped with me all these years this is a golden moment.

USE CODE couture50 AT CHECKOUT TO GET THIS AT 50% OFF

This amazing Pauline Trigere set is the absolutely stunning. It really is one of my favorites pieces by her that I have had come through my hands so far. It feels shockingly modern and I have seen similar pieces walking the runways recently. The skirt is supermodel length and has the perfect amount of fullness to it. The fabric has a fine ribbed texture to it and has been hand dyed a brilliant green. The silk has enough weight to it that it almost has the feel of like a light canvas type fabric. This allows it to hold the intended shape and fullness that you see but at the same time not be stiff or unwieldy. The skirt wraps over itself and closes with attached ties that wind through the waist band. The front of the skirt has a beautiful pleating detail and pockets sit along each seam at the hip. The halter top wraps up and around the neck and is cut to leave the back bare. I love the intricate seam and stitch detailing that runs over the front and follows the plunging neckline. It is gorgeous and a real statement piece. The set has its original hang tags and also has an envelope with an extra button for the halter neckline. Worn together it looks like a dress but the two pieces give you the extra versatility to wear it as separates. Excellent condition

The skirt is unlined and the top lined in a matching color polished cotton. The top closes with a fabric covered button at the neck and hidden flat hook and eye at the back waist. The skirt wraps and ties to close with a hidden hook & eye along the wrapped edge. Pockets on each side of the skirt. Note the the hook of the closure at the waist is set in just under 2" so you could adjust this easily to get more room. The  potential adjustments will allow it to fit a broader range of sizes.

Top
Bust: no true side seams so variable
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam (if you move the hook you could get to 14")
Length: 17.5" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: ties so adjustable - approx 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2292

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 fabulous silk Sonia Rykiel set that really sums up her chic French girl style that always feels so chic and has so much charm to it. We lost Sonia last August and it feels even more special to know that this was a piece designed by her. The label tells us this is an early piece designed shortly after she launched her label or a few years into that. The silk is scarf weight and I love her signature combination of black with a chic taupe tan color. Stripes were her forte and this set used them beautifully. The pants are just perfection - they are cut wide with a slight flare cut at the ends and each is split deliberately up the sides. This split detail is mimicked on the tunic with also is split up each side. I love the way the stripes sit over each other once the two pieces are layered. The tunic is suspended from skinny straps and is cut to skim over the torso and flare out over the pant. My favorite detail is the front pockets that are sewn apron style and have a slight droop to them, again deliberate. This gives the set the final perfect touch for me. Together they are perfection but you could of course wear them separately as well. Excellent condition

Both pieces are unlined. The top slips on to wear with no closures and the pants close with a fine metal zipper at the side. Handwritten fabric tag. All hand finished inside. The seams on the side of the tunic are set inside out - again this is deliberate and a design detail

Tunic
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: open
Hips: open
Length: 45.5" from neck to hem

Pant
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 33.5" from waist to hem
Inseam: 22"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2805

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 Halston IV pant and tunic set, is a made from an easy to care for, easy to wear silky synthetic that is light and easy and that you can wash and wear. The simple, classic design makes it is an easy way to be instantly dressed up and still entirely comfortable. This easy to wear and style set can go from the beach to entertaining at home with flats, to full on evening glamor. You can wear then pieces together or as separates and the tunic is just long enough that you could probably get away with wearing it as a micro-mini. The pants are cut with straight, wide legs and slip on. Over that the tunic sits with a loose cut. Wonderful piece with all the lines you love from Halston at a far more reasonable cost. Excellent condition.

Unlined and slips on to wear with elastic on the waist of the pants and a tie at the neck of the tunic.

Tunic
Sleeves: 26" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 32.5" from neck to hem

Pant
Waist: 14-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42.5" from waist to hem
Inseam: 32"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2799

Reference photo by Rico Puhlmann for Harper's Bazaar, June 1974.
(Click here to see Laura McLaws Helms' article on our blog, Curated, which features this full editorial >)

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 Bill Blass dress is fabulous. It is the kind of dress that will stop people in their tracks. This is not from his main line and I rarely pick up this particular version of his label but I have to say that I was very impressed with this dress. The design is on point and the construction is very good. It would have definitely been the upper end of this line and the fact that it basically looks to have never been worn and is as crisp and fresh as when it was made certainly doesn't hurt. It is cut in a sleek column suspended from the tiniest of straps. You could tuck these in and wear this as a strapless piece if you wished. That huge black and white diamond pattern is created by squares of fabric placed piece by piece so the pattern is made. The yellow top stitch bow that sits on the top of the bust is the highlight above that great graphic feel. That pop of yellow is fantastic and the tops stitching gives it that perfect Blass touch. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silky rayon and closes with a back zipper. Light boning through the bodice. Tagged a US6 and looks unworn.

Bust: 17.5" 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: 60" from top of shoulder strap to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2796

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 suit is from the Fall 1977 Marc Bohan for Christian Dior Haute Couture collection. Whenever I find true couture pieces I am thrilled and this one is especially wonderful.

Made of a beautiful cream silk that has a secondary pattern woven through it. That pattern is little abstract shapes and I love that every once in a while one of the shapes in that design looks suspiciously like little hearts. The pants are cut with a straight leg and this gives them a bit of width while the silk keeps them soft feeling. The waist lines is banded and the front flat with just a hint of softness there as well. Pockets lie along the seams on each hip. The jacket is wonderful and done in a boxed cut that falls in a slim and straight line. It ends just at the hip which gives the pants the perfect balance. I love the clear lucite buttons with their little silver capped tops that run down the front - they are the only embellishment on the piece. three top set pockets in the same fabric add subtle detailing. The straight cut sleeves and rounded are kept simple as well. It was a teeny bit small on my mannequin so on the right size girl will sit even better. In person it is even better. A true piece of history. Numbered Haute Couture. Overall excellent condition with some notes to review below.

Both pieces are fully lined - the jacket in a rich cream silk satin and the pants are also a silk satin but a slightly lighter version. Entirely made by hand in the Dior atelier as Haute Couture dictates. The jacket buttons to close and pants close with a front painted metal zipper and hook & eye at the waist. Pockets on the jacket and pants. There is a 2 1/4 inch hem on the pants if you needed more length. The pants have a slight line of a yellow mark at the lower front right leg near the hem (see photo). The jacket sows discoloration under the arms on the inside that does not go through. (see photo). There is the slightest darkening to the edge of the collar.

Jacket
Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23.5" from neck to hem

Pants
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from waist to hem
Inseam: 30.5"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Photo: from the Dior 1976-77 Fall Haute Couture show in Paris

Item# DD2793

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

Philip Hulitar only designed under his own label for a short time period - 1949-1964. Prior to that he was the in-house custom designer for Bergdorf's. His pieces are very beautiful and have an air of sophistication about them. Finding examples is hard due to the short period his label existed. This dress with its unique matching skirted 1/2 jacket is absolutely incredible. The fabric is exquisite - a fine silk chiffon in a vivid clear green that has a spray of pink and coral flowers screened onto the bodice and skirt. The bodice is quite wonderful with its meticulously constructed flat pleats. - a signature design element of Hulitar. At the waist is a silk satin bow in pink. The jacket that sits over the dress is made of that same bright pink silk satin. It slips over the dress with little cap sleeves and and long side panels that go the hem and end in a fine fringe. At the back it drapes inwards to a fringing detail. The lining is a green silk chiffon that perfectly picks up on the dress  and is so well made it is almost reversible. The skirt is cut long and lean with weighted discs set inside in the couture manner at the back hem to add weight and ensure that it falls perfectly. The bodice has a full built in corset that is lightly boned. All the draping and pleating have been done by hand and the work is on par with demi-couture. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a green tissue silk. The bodice has a full built in, boned corset. The hem of the dress is weighted. It closes with a back, hand-set painted metal zipper. The half jacket is made of a pink silk satin that matches the bow on the waist and is lined in green silk chiffon

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 8" from neck to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1263

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

Norma Kamali opened her OMO shop in 1978 and I believe this to be one of the early labels from that before she moved to the non-italic script versions. It is not 100% perfect but such a early and representative piece form that time period of her work that it had to go into the shop for her fans and collectors to have access to.  Off the hanger the dress looks incredibly tiny but the T-short like fabric allows it a lot of stretch and it easily for on my mannequin. The dress is strapless and done in a brilliant red. The bodice is gathered and fits like a glove to the waist and then it flares out to form a hip peplum. Under that is a second layer of jersey that acts as the lining  and support for the bodice and also is a full fitted dress to the knee. I love the exaggerated and dramatic lines of the hip flare on that top tier. Over this is a tiny fitted bolero that is just curved fabric with sleeves, huge round padded shoulders and a collar. Really well done and the photos don't do it full justice at all. Present as excellent condition with notes to read below

Both pieces are unlined and slip on with no closures. The dress looks incredibly tiny off the body but does stretch quit a bit. The bolero has various storage marks on it - they are dark smudges. I have photoed the worst of them. It is still wearable as is but these are there. The T-short fabric shows a tiny amount of patina from being washed. 

Bolero
Sleeves: 17" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: open
Length: 18" from neck to hem

Dress
Bust: Will stretch to about a 34-35" bust max and fit anything under that
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 38" from top of waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2782

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

USE CODE couture50 AT CHECKOUT TO GET THIS AT 50% OFF

I am very happy to be able to pass on this extraordinary opportunity to you. Throughout the shop there is now a collection of items you can buy at a discount of by 50%, identified by this note at the top of the listing. (to see all the available items click here).

Some of them are couture pieces and all of them are of exceptional quality and highly collectible. All are from the archives of one client with whom I have worked with for many years, getting a steady stream of vintage and couture pieces from then as they have downsized their extensive collection. It is now time for them to retire. They have asked me to put all of their items down to 50% as a final clear out with all sales final for these items. For those of you that have shopped with me all these years this is a golden moment.

USE CODE couture50 AT CHECKOUT TO GET THIS AT 50% OFF

This really spectacular set by Pauline Trigere is constructed from layers of silk chiffon that combine two tones of green with a exterior purple layer. The silk used is almost weightless and it feels like wisps of air once on. The skirt flows to the floor and is constructed so that there is an inner layer of the darkest green that is seamed so it closes around the hips and then three layers of silk over this that attached at the waist only. Since only the very inner layer is closed and only closed around the hip, you get  a high, sexy, side slit down one side. The top is cut in a simple tank that has tiny straps suspending it from the shoulders. I love that for those straps she used the same three colors of the silk used for the two pieces. The top uses the same layering technique of the three colors that the skirt has. Each colored silk layer is set on top of each other and set so you can clearly see them stacked on top of each other along the neckline. The matching, long oblong scarf, is also made of those same three shades of color and can be wrapped around the waist, neck or used as a head piece or evening turban. It is very beautiful. Being a set gives you the added versatility of wearing the pieces together or separate. Excellent condition.

Each piece is made of three layers of silk chiffon with the skirt having an additional lining as well made of the same silk. Hand finished and weighs ounces. The top closes at the side with a series of hand set snaps. You step into the skirt and then close it at the waist with two flat hook & eye. You could adjust the placement of the hooks at the waist to get an inch up or down if needed.

Top
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 17" from shoulder to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2089

Reference Photos: Amanda Lee Shirreffs for her weekly column on our blog, Curated. (Photos by Erin Leydon) Click here to see the full column >

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 fabulous and seventies Leonard dress and cape set is a find. The dress in this set is made from his signature silk jersey fabric. This fabric choice give it the perfect drape and fit and it also wonderfully holds the color of the print that covers the surface. It is that perfect balance of being easy to wear and still having the feel of being chic and luxurious. This would have been a custom designed fabric and during this time period in particular, the company was producing the most gorgeous color palettes like this one. The design that covers both pieces is a mix of pretty flowers in pinks and purples on a black backdrop. I love the simple cut of the dress and how it flows to the floor in a swoop of bias cut silk jersey from the band around the upper bust. The cut is long and lean and the silk jersey drapes and moves with you as you move. Over this sits a pretty silk chiffon cape that buttons at the neck and has a touch of transparency to it and has a defined collar. It sits beautifully over the other dress and instantly takes the dress to the next level. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a side, metal and nylon zipper. the cape has a fabric covered button at the back of the neck. The dress fabric is a silk jersey and does have some stretch - the measurements given are to the comfortable stretch when laying out flat. The fabric is signed throughout.

Dress
The band at the top of the bust that goes around: 15-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem

Cape
37" from neck to longest point at hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2769

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

Arnold Scaasi did absolutely exquisite and elaborate designs and the best of his work featured heavy adornment . His work is for when you want to have all eyes on you. He worked under Charles James at the beginning of his career and you can see that influence of that time in the lines of his own work. He cut and created his designs to extremely high standards and the workmanship is fabulous. This dress and jacket set combines the richness of a black cotton velvet with an elaborate and brilliant design. The work and attention to detail is incredible. Onto the velvet base is a dense application of gold braid, sequins and beads that are all hand applied and set in this amazing 3D design that covers both pieces. Many of the paillette used are shaped and colored to form flowers and petals. The dress is a strapless, sculpted piece that hugs the bodice and then falls away from the body in a pretty A-line. The jacket is cropped and sits over this and you can close it for a very fitted feel. It has pro[per curve cut sleeves and I love the pink lining. I love that the applique design is left off the very top and bottom of the dress so that it becomes a natural design element without having to add a third element to the design. The two pieces are is equally stunning worn together or as separates and adds to the versatility of the piece by being able to wear it together or separate. Scaasi dressed actresses, socialites and first ladies.  He also studied at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne and you can see the evidence of that in work like this set. He was never an official member of the Chambre so even though this is made to couture standards it, like his other work from his main atelier, is considered demi-couture. Excellent condition.

The dress in fully interlined in a black silk through the bodice and hand finished and aslo has a second lining in the skirt. It closes with a back, hand set painted metal zipper and a second metal zipper on the interior bodice. The bodice is boned. The jacket is fully lined in a fine, high end pink silk and is hand finished. It closes with fabric covered snaps. If you even remotely like it in the photos you will be extremely pleased in person as it is wonderful. There may be a missing or broken shaped sequin paillette here and there but nothing that needs to be pointed out as a jarring flaw. Someone cut the interior lining of the skirt at some pint so it now falls just past the hip and has an unfinished edge. It is left as found.

Dress
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 29" from top of strapless bodice to hem

Jacket
Slightly dropped sleeves: 19"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 19" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2762

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 amazing and classic feeling suit from the Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture atelier. I have put that it as from the 1980s but the estate it came form was chock full of pieces dating form the late 1970s to the early 80s so it could be a little earlier. It is a chic silhouette with a classic jacket dropped to the top of the hip and a fitted skirt that lands above the knee. The fabric is beautiful and has the feel of a man's suiting, a play on gender that Yves did often. Both the jacket and skirt are constructed from a grey herringbone with grey velvet derailing at the collar and cuffs. It is cut perfectly, with a slim shoulder, a slim notched lapel. The jacket is fitted and follows the curves of your body with two pockets that sit on the front of each hip. The skirt is also fitted and cut above the knee for a subtle sexiness that contrasts the fabric choice with belt loos that match the belt. Excellent condition.

Both pieces are hand lined in silk and the suit was made entirely by hand in the YSL atelier. The jacket buttons to close and the skirt closes with a couture set zipper and hook & eye at the waist. It has it's matching belt. Numbered Haute Couture label 050937

Jacket
Sleeves: 23.5"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 19.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2757

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 version of this set is held by the Liverpool Museum and is currently on display in the exhibit happening now at the Walker Art Gallery Collection for the Fashion Icons: Celebrating Gay Designers exhibit.The show motes for that version state:

Bill Gibb was born in Scotland and moved to London to study fashion design at St Martin’s School of Art. Between 1969 and 1972 he worked as a freelance designer for the fashion house of Baccarat before launching his own company.
This evening dress, with its petal-shaped hemline, and glowing jewel-like colours, is typical of much of Gibb’s work in the early 1970s. In particular, his use of an exotic pattern and a metallic Lurex thread in the fabric shows how he was often influenced by rich historic fabrics and non-Western cultures.

Gibb was one of the most influential and famous designers in 1970s Britain and his clothes were sought out and worn by the rich and famous. This three piece ensemble plus a belt is amazing and an absolute perfect example of his work. Included are the midi skirt, a sleeveless tank that buttons at the front, the jacket and a fabric belt. The skirt is cut to midi length and is made of a series of flat, knife cut pleats that fall from a more fitted hip. Into this tucks a top that is sleeveless and buttons down the front with amazing holographic faceted buttons. The jacket is a work of art - it is cut with high capped shoulders and has a fabulous dog eared collar. It cinches at the waist by a seam and flares out below that to past the hip. There are big curved pockets on each hip and the same buttons close the jacket that are on the top. It almost has a slouchy cardigan feel to it. It also has its original belt that has an unusual finish of a flexible holograph strip that picks up on the buttons of the jacket and top. The colors are a fabulous mix of greens with other colors running through and the glitter of the lurex is amazing. This is a rare and absolutely wonderful set. Excellent, museum quality condition.

The skirt is lined through the hips and where the pleats start it is unlined. It closes with a side zipper. The top buttons to close and has an expanse of lining around the lower half that you tuck in and it helps it stay on place. It is unlined. The jacket is lined in a green silk satin and buttons to close with two buttons on each cuff as well. Pockets on each hip of the jacket. Original tie belt included. The skirt and jacket are tagged. Appears unworn.

Jacket
Sleeves: 24" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 16" from waist to hem

Top
Bust: 16.5-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 21" from shoulder strap to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 34.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2739

Reference Photos: (1) Evening dress, Bill Gibb, 1973 from the Walker Art Gallery Collection (on display now for the "Fashion Icons: Celebrating Gay Designers" exhibit). / (2) Evening dress, cellulose acetate, nylon and lurex, Bill Gibb, 1973, Liverpool Museum Archives.

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

USE CODE couture50 AT CHECKOUT TO GET THIS AT 50% OFF

I am very happy to be able to pass on this extraordinary opportunity to you. Throughout the shop there is now a collection of items you can buy at a discount of by 50%, identified by this note at the top of the listing. (to see all the available items click here).

Some of them are couture pieces and all of them are of exceptional quality and highly collectible. All are from the archives of one client with whom I have worked with for many years, getting a steady stream of vintage and couture pieces from then as they have downsized their extensive collection. It is now time for them to retire. They have asked me to put all of their items down to 50% as a final clear out with all sales final for these items. For those of you that have shopped with me all these years this is a golden moment.

USE CODE couture50 AT CHECKOUT TO GET THIS AT 50% OFF

This is a beautiful and romantic full length dress with a matching full length scarf or cape piece that can be worn in a variety of ways by the great American couturier Oscar de la Renta. Both pieces are constructed from a lightweight, printed silk chiffon that has a pretty floral design screened onto it's black base. I love how the silk of the cape has an extra layer of texture with its little rectangles of a more opaque pattern woven through the silk effect woven directly into it - this really gives it in extra bit of texture and interest visually - like a lattice upon which the flowers trail across. The bodice of the dress itself is so pretty. It is gathered across the bust and there are tiny silk straps that come out from the center and curve up and around the neck. The skirt cascades to the floor and the silk chiffon floats over the inner silk skirting giving it the feel of airiness and lightness. The skirt is not too full nor too slim. A matching long caped piece can be worn a variety of ways - it hooks to close at the neck and the lightness of the silk allows you to wear it as a cape or even as a long scarf. A really lovely and pretty set that is very well made. Excellent condition

The dress is fully lined in a black silk chiffon through the skirt and a more opaque silk through the bodice. The cape is unlined. The dress closes with a hand set, side painted metal zipper and the cape closes with a hook & eye at the neck. Hand finishes.

Dress
Bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam with room for an A cup at the front
Under Bust: 14"
Natural Waist: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from top of the bodice dress to hem. The halter allows the area formt he top of the bodice to the neck to be adjusted

Shawl
Length: 55.5" neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XSpSML

Item# DD2732

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

Azzaro was a beloved label and worn on a regular basis by women like Raquel Welch, Sophia Loren and Marisa Berenson. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. Loris launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks with colors, ornate beading and daring cut-outs and ways of defining the body. This is an amazing two piece set that is made of a perma-pleated, slinky jersey. The color is a deep true red and incredibly flattering on most skin tones. This outfit is so easy to wear and feels fantastic once on. The pants are cut incredibly wide through the leg so it almost looks like a maxi-skirt when on. This gives them lots of movement while still showing your curves as the fabric moves against your body in a swish of fabric. The waist and hip is defined and the cut sublime. The top is equally amazing and simply wraps into place with the attached, long ties at the waist. This allows you to really cinch in the waist and that, combined with those fabulously strong, structured shoulders are the perfect contrast and give you tremendous shape. . The front crosses over itself resulting in a dramatic plunge. Long, full sleeves with a cuff are the perfect finish. Excellent condition.

Both pieces are unlined. The pants close with a painted metal and nylon zipper and a button at the waist. The top has attached ties that wrap to close. Buttons at each cuff. Padded shoulders. Tagged a vintage 40 bu the fit is fairly flexible because of the wrap. Appears unworn

Top
Sleeves: 28"
Padded shoulders: to 16"
Bust: open and adjustable
Waist: adjustable
Length: 20" from neck to hem

Pants
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 46" from waist to hem
Inseam: 33"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD2724

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, for her weekly style column on our blog Curated. (Photos by Erin Leydon) Click here to see the full column >

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