George Halley started at Charles James who said of the young designer that he 'was a genius at draping'. By the time Halley opened his own atelier in 1966 he was well on his way to fame. He won the Coty Award in 1968 and his work is on par with couture. He is one of my personal favorite designers. In 2015 I included him in my list of: The 10 Designers to Add to Your Vintage Collection' for Harper's Bazaar, saying; 'If you want old school glamour and to feel like Hollywood royalty, look to this under-the-radar label outside of vintage circles... A Coty Award winner in 1968, Halley was one of the great American Couturiers and his work always feels grand and elegant. Think polished silk and fused velvet's and embellishments that have a touch of the Grand Old South to them. Silhouettes to look for are his sweeping ball gowns and hostess gowns. Rich fabrics and rich colors are used with a master's hand. Feathers, crystals, hand painted fabrics and fine workmanship are all things to expect from a George Halley gown. Slipping one on instantly makes a girl feel special and important. These are the showpieces and while you should expect to pay for the quality and beauty of what you get they are absolute jewels'. The best of his work are the pieces that show his love for Old Hollywood glamour combined with his love for over-the-top opulence. Women's Wear Daily called him 'a designer in a lovely world of his own'.

This dress is very pretty in person and the camera does not capture the depth created by that the gold thread woven into the fabric. A George Halley design always starts with his the fabric that he has chosen. For this one he has used a stunning silk brocade that uses real metal thread in a gold tone that is densely woven through the silk. The color is a soft pastel teal blue green through the body and then the collar, waist and down the sides of the skirt are highlighted with a panel of the same type of fabric in a soft dusty pink. The bodice is cut to be more fitted and has a high neckline and narrows down into the cinched on waist. Each sleeve is long with a wide cuff on that pink fabric. The skirt falls to the floor and there is a surprising amount of volume in it. It widens out gradually as it falls from the waist and is set into the waist with a series of soft folds. This is an attached band of matching fabric in the pink that wraps and hooks to close around the waist. The hidden details are exquisite with each snap covered in silk and set into place by hand. It is made to couture standards. In person the gold has a bit more of an impact and catches the light when you move.  This is a remarkable dress that would be impossible to replicate in our modern work. This is almost certainly a one-off and a wonderful find. Excellent condition with a small note to review below.

Fully lined in a hand set turquoise blue silk. It closes with a hand set back zipper, The waist sash and hooks to close. Each sleeve has hidden, hand covered silk snaps. There are some breaks along the edge of the hem, please see photo after the label photo. There is also minor fraying to the edge of the collar . Neither of these notes detract and the gown is extraordinary and very beautiful.

Sleeves: 14"
Shoulders: 24"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3430

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 amazing and rare Donald Brooks Boutique set is an early example of the pieces he was doing for his main couture line. He launched his self-named label in 1964 and only designed for a very short time, closing his business in 1973. He also designed costumes and stage wear and that love of exuberance and high glamour was also seen in his own label and in pieces like this.

This set is incredible and is such a glamorous and distinctive design. The pants have an unusual harem cut to them and this will give them a slightly cropped feel to them depending on your height. Each leg ends in an elastic and this allows the pant leg to pouf over the inner elastic and gives it that wonderful harem feel. They are slim cut through the hips and the waist is set higher. Over this is the long tunic dress that is cut to skim over the bust. The waist is cinched in with a seam and there is the matching, original tie belt that allows you to add even more shape if needed. Below that the skirt falls past the knees so that when worn together the pants just peak out under. The longer length of the top gives you the extra versatility to wear it as a dress on its own and of course you can mix the pants up with other pieces from your wardrobe. I love the edging of big gold pailettes that dangle from the edges with little looped seed beads. These go all the way around each cuff, the neckline, and the  hem of the skirt. When you move they will move as well and create a fabulous added feel to the set. The fabric is a beautiful printed silk chiffon over an inner lining of silk and there are big gold dots created by gold metallic thread. The combination of the bright turquoise, the print and those metallic dots is killer. Excellent condition with a small note below

Both the top and skirt are lined in a bright matching turquoise silk. The tunic closes with a metal and nylon zipper at the back and hook & eye at the neck. Each cuff snaps to close. The pants zip and hook to close and have elastic at each hem. Note that there are a couple of the gold pailettes missing on each cuff. I have photoed them for you to review. One pant leg seems to fall slightly differently then the other I would have it adjusted to where they sit perfectly on you. Note that the back does close all the way - it was just small on my dress form

Tunic/dress
Sleeves: 27" with the pailettes adding another 2"
Shoulders: 15'
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from shoulder to hem
Skirt: 35" from waist to hem including the pailettes

Pants
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 42" from waist to hem
Inseam: approx 30"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3427

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

Bill Blass became the head designer at Maurice Rentner in 1959 and soon after that his name started to appear on the labels. In 1970 he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. These Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner pieces, are some of his earliest and you will find many of them, like the twin of this coat, in museum collections throughout the world. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of all the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with luxurious materials and his evening wear in particular seem to have a way of flattering the wearer even at their most extravagant. This piece has the additional bonus of being able to be worn as either a coat or a dress

This early Bill Blass coat is particularly gorgeous with its metallic gold and deep blue silk brocade fabric. The base of the coat is a deep blue silk. Onto this, in horizontal rows that run over the entire coat, is an incredible and intricate design that has been created out of gold lame and gold thread. The gold pops off the blue base and has a lovely way of catching the light. The coat has a bit of a military feel to it and I love how the pattern is laid out to highlight the high collar and cuffs. Flap pockets are placed on the front of the coat. One on each hip and then two more on each breast. They are perfectly set tot follow the pattern and each has a large bead covered dome button to secure its flap closure. The same big bead covered buttons run down the front giving the coat a neat and polished feel. The shoulders are structured but are not padded. There is a subtle fabric epaulette across the top of each shoulder. The sleeves are long and he took the time to make sure that the fabric lines up with the body of the coat. The fairly simple design of the coat allows that beautiful fabric to take center stage. An interesting thing about this one, it closes all the way to the bottom hem so could be worn as a dress as well. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a blue silk and closes with silk covered snaps hidden behind each hand beaded dome button down the front. All four pockets are functional. Hand finished throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. 

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 37" from neck to hem with 4" turned over under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# C542

Reference Photo: Samantha Jones in Bill Blass, photographed by Richard Avedon, Vogue October 1968.

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 Valentino set is wonderful and even better once it is on an actual body. All four of the original pieces are present which is rare. This is early Valentino Boutique when they were still hand writing out the fabrics on the tag. 

All of the pieces of the set are made out of the same fluid silk chiffon crepe that has a deep blue base with a Italian Roma tomato print. The pieces are all original. There is a cropped halter top, a long full maxi skirt, a sash and a huge shawl. The top is cut with a high neckline and a ruffled collar. The front is set on an angle that curves up towards the neck and leaves a hint of collar bone showing. It is slightly cropped in length and ends up sitting just at the waist with a ruffle detail that picks up the detail at the neck. This leaves the entire top portion of the back bare. This gorgeous little top goes with the long maxi length skirt that is incredibly full. It widens out to almost a full circle skirt when laid out flat with yards and yards of fabric there. A double ruffle circles the bottom hem and ties in with the ruffles on the halter top. When the top and skirt are worn together it gives the effect of a dress except for that sexy peek of skin at the waist. You can wrap the long sash around the waist or use as a head scarf. The shawl can be wrapped and styled around you any way you wish. The shawl is also finished with a ruffle around all its edges to tie everything together perfectly. The set is gorgeous and far better on an actual body them my dress form. This is Valentino at his best during this time period. Excellent condition

The skirt and halter top are fully lined in a black silk chiffon and the sash and shawl are unlined. The halter closes with a painted metal at the back and the skirt also zips to close at the waist. Hand finished throughout. Tagged a vintage Valentino 6

Neck: 13.5" from end to end
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 17"

Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 45" from waist to hem

Sash: 16" x 72"
Shawl: 39" x 116"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3078

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

Yves Saint Laurent only created six Haute Couture collections for the House of Dior which makes the few garments found from those collections very special. The Fall 1958 season was his second collection for the house and this collection was presented to Princess Margaret and guests at Blenheim Palace. This coat is  from that season and is exceptionally well documented. It was the piece from the show that was used in the ad campaign that season and it also appears in the book 'Dior: Yves Saint Laurent 1958-1960' one of a series of books celebrating the houses 70th anniversary. The design of the coat builds on the Trapeze line of his first collection for Dior. In the book it is noted as being a ‘Courbe line’ or curved line design. It is extraordinarily beautiful and a true piece of fashion history.

The coat is made from a navy blue silk satin and is cut with the volume that Yves brought to the collection that season. This would have be considered to have been a ‘Petite Theatre’, or more formal evening coat, during this time period. A neat rounded collar wraps in a curve around the neck and closes just off to the side to sit perfectly above the row of buttons that run down that side. Those buttons are one half of the double row of large silk covered buttons that finish the front of the coat. Under each is a perfectly made button hole and all the work is done by hand. Vertical seams run down each side of the buttons and are gracefully set on a slight curve. Pockets are hidden along their curve so that their lines seem unbroken. The back has more volume then the front and this fullness is created by an inverted pleat that opens from just under the back collar and extends down to the hem, opening as it goes. From the side, this treatment almost gives it a caped back feel. The silk used is of the highest possible quality and there is an almost sensual sensation when wearing the coat. It appears to have bee worn very little and is in outstanding condition. The original, numbered Haute Couture label is present and the coat is made entirely by hand to the standards demanded of Haute Couture. This is an exquisite example of Yves work during his early years at Dior and an outstanding piece of Haute Couture from one of the most important houses of our modern era. Excellent condition

Fully lined in hand set blue silk. It buttons to close at the front with silk covered buttons and has two hooks inside to secure in place. Hand done, proper button holes. Pockets are hidden at each hip along the seams. The coat looks to have been worn very little if it all. The coat is meant to fit slightly oversized so should fit a variety of sizes. It's Haute Couture tag is present, numbered and the coat is of course made to Haute Couture standards

Sleeves: 16"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: open
Waist: open
Hips: open
Length: 38.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C434

Reference Photos: (1) Christian Dior ad, 1958.  /  (2-3) "Dior: Yves Saint Laurent 1958-1960", pages 108-109, published by Assoulin.  /  (4-6) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

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

Emilio Pucci is one of my favorite designers and every single dress is a work of art in its own right. His colors and prints are mixed with a masterful hand and when you get a good piece of Pucci, it is a piece that you can wear for a lifetime. This one is quintessentially Pucci and is done in one of his beautiful blue color palettes. The dress is made out of his signature lightweight silk jersey, a fabric that he preferred because of the way it moved and took color. It is screened with one of his custom prints that depicts a lattice pattern that runs over the entire dress and then has leaves and vines twining around and through that lattice. The pattern runs over the long sleeves and over the bodice that skims over the bust with a scooped neckline. The neckline and cuffs are defined with a border piece of the same pattern that only has the leaves and vines. There is a detailing seam that runs just under the bust and then the waist and skirt flows from there to the floor. I love the wide band of print that runs up the back of the dress and circles the hem as well. The skirt itself is surprisingly full through the lower portion. When you are standing it falls in perfectly little rounded drapes but when you move you really get a sense of the fullness. The entire dress weighs ounces and is just wonderful to see. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a back hidden, painted metal zipper. The fabric is a silk jersey and does have some stretch. Note that the color is more intense in person - better then how it photoed. Hand finished. Tagged a vintage Pucci 8

Sleeves: approx 23"
Shoulders: approx 15"
Bust: 14-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3382

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 great little Geoffrey Beene top has that classic one shoulder design but with some structure built into the interior for that extra bit of detailing and tailoring that he is known for. The exterior is a knit jersey that has some give but inside there is zip front corset that has built in cups. This interior foundation creates a inner built in bodice that gives support to the wearer. Over this the top buttons to close with white buttons. That white detailing is picked up again with the white piping that finished the edges and details each pocket. One side has a simple cap sleeve and the other leaves the shoulder bare. Love it. Excellent condition.

The bodice is lined as described above and the rest of the top is unlined. It is well finished. It closes with a series of buttons at the front. Functional pockets on each hip. Tagged a vintage Beene 2

Interior bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Interior waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 26" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# S889

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 2004 until 2012, Stefano Pilati was the head designer of Yves Saint Laurent for 8 years. He did two more collections after the Resort 2012 one. Vogue said of this collection that Pilati had succumbed to the call of the sea for resiort sending "out a cruise collection that was as croisière as it gets, complete with lanyard necklaces, rope-print dresses, and sailor jackets and pants. Afterward, the designer pointed out that Yves Saint Laurent did a nautical collection of his own around 1982. "He showed it with sheer stockings and pumps, and I loved the 'why not?' factor," Pilati said" This dress was Look 23 of the collection and one of the ones that had a definitive nod to the original YSL archives in its lines.

The dress is ain a pretty crepe fabric that has a blue floral print covering it. It has the feel of Yves infamous 'Scandal collection of 1971 in its cut that has a string nod to the forties. The sleeves are capped and gathered along a bad that runs down their tops before buttoning in a cuff detail. The front plunges quite low and ties in two places along that plunge. There is actually a double panel of fabric that extends out from each side to make those ties which is unusual and gives a bit thicker knot for coverage. The bust and waist just skim over the body with no seaming present until you hit the low ruffle of the skirt. This low set skirt has volume so that when you move it moves and gives the dress its flirty feel. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a hidden set side zipper. Ties at the front and each sleeve has a button to close. Tagged a YSL FR40 but cut generously for that sizing.

Inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 38" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3313

Reference Photos: (1) Resort 2012 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Collection, Look 23, Model Janice Alida.  /  (2) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture. (Cherie is also wearing a Recent Prada Jacket)

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 darling little dress is from the days when founder Consuelo Castiglioni was the head of the company still and acting Creative Director. The brand launched in 1994 and quickly became known for it innovative prints and the way she mixed and matched colors. This is classic Marni from this time period. The print was featured on the runway in two looks and then for production to the stores they utilized the fabric in this dress as well. It is one of her very easy to wear smock pieces with sleeves that run just past the elbow and a bodice set above a high waist. The collar is neat and pointed and this tops a plunge that runs right to the seam under the bust. There is a bit of a curved yoke at the front and the back as well as a few well placed knife pleats for volume and detail. The dress falls in a loose baby doll, smock feel around and below that. It is very easy to wear and travel with and is a great example of her work during this time period. Plus it has pockets. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear. Buttons at each cuff and pockets along the side seams. Tagged a 38

Sleeves: 18"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 35" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3314

Reference Photos: S/S 2006 Marni Runway. Look 2 (Model: Kim Noora) & Look 4 (Model: Gemma Ward).

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 amazing blue silk Halston dress is a beautiful example of his earlier work. Halston was a master at combining function and ease but without sacrificing glamour. He did this with the very minimum of seaming. His pieces that were bias cut, like this one, seem to almost be shapeless and not very exciting when you see them on the hanger. But, once you slip them on, they drape and settle into place the way they were intended and the transformation is remarkable. There is true genius on their simple cuts and they are addictive. A similar dress in cut was photoed for Vogue in 1974 and that reference photo is included here.

This dress is entirely cut on the bias with that minimal seaming signature of his best work. The color is a beautiful royal blue that is flattering on most skin tones. It is feather light and you are barely conscious of wearing anything once it is on. The cut through the body is extremely loose and easy, running in one long bias cut sheath to the floor. It is very long and I love the slits that run up each side of the dress. The bias cut gives the dress the slightest of shape as it drapes around your body. The neckline is cut into a V for some skin to show. The neckline, the sleeve edges and those slits on the skirt are all hand rolled and stitched. The work to get this as perfect as it is would have been astounding - there is no trickier fabric to hand stitch then this. Each sleeve is soft and full, the dress laid out flat is a T-shape and the sleeves when laid out are blocked out. Once on these fall in soft and flattering folds. I am pleased to have found a runway reference photo from the show that same year and also a photo of a similar version that was worn by Lauren Hutton. Excellent condition

The dress is constructed from one single layer of a liquid bias cut silk. It is entirely bias cut and just slips over the head to wear. Hand rolled and finished edges. The easy cut will allow it to fit a full range of sizes.

Sleeves: 18" from dropped shoulder seam
Slightly dropped shoulders: 18"
Bust: to 19-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from top of bodice to dropped waist
Slits: 20" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3271

Reference Photos: (1) Model Naomi Sims for Halston Runway Show, 68th St Salon, December 7, 1971. Photo: James Hamilton.  /  (2) Karen Graham, Halston Silk Caftan, Vogue, November 1971. Photo: Irving Penn.  /  (3-6) 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.

The Hardy Amies label launched in 1946. In the beginning he only produced couture. it was not until 1950 that he added a more ready-to-wear label, but even that was made to extremely high standards. In 1951 Amies was chosen to design some of the wardrobe for Princess Elizabeth’s tour of Canada. That led to Amies appointment as the Royal Dressmaker in 1955 after Elizabeth became the Queen. Hardy was known for his fine, elegant lines and very high quality fabric choices. A signature touch of Amies is a slightly dropped waistline as he thought it was more flattering and elegant and added length to the torso.

This beautiful full length maxi dress is made of a silk organza that holds color exceptionally well and it is very light but still has a touch of structure to it. It is the perfect fabric choice to create volume without bulk or heaviness. The blue is a lovely and unusual shade, and in person it is even better then how it photoed here. Screened onto this is an pretty print done in rusts and taupe shades. The dress is cut with simple lines. The simple bodice has tiny straps that curve up and around each shoulder. The waist nips in with a seam and under that the skirt billows out with light and airy fullness. The skirt is made of yards and yards of silk that drapes perfectly into place as it flows to the ground. The top layer floats over an inner lining and all the volume you see is created by the way it is set into the waist, the fabric choice and the sheer yardage used to construct it. There is no additional crinolines used on the photos. I love the matching cape that simply ties into place at the neck and floats over the shoulders. It is cut to end just about the waist seam at the back and sits just slightly shorter then that at the front. The edge is finished with a full six inch ruffle that perfectly picks up the skirt's shape and volume. Excellent condition with one note to review below

The dress is fully lined in a blue silk and closes with a back painted metal zipper. There is a light spot that follows the front seam of the skirt - it really gets lost in the pattern and when on is not noticeable - you do see it when its flat and look for it. Please review the photo after the label shot. The cape ties at the neck and is unlined.

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: " flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to hem
Cape: 18" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1586

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3256

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3255

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3248

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.

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3247

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

This lovely little Christian Dior scarf is from the late 1970s, early 1980s, and it is very pretty. I love the mix of the stark black with that brilliant blue and the way the two colors are divided down the center. This give you a lovely effect once it is tied. It is made of a double layer of fine silk chiffon that has a slight texture to it. This fabric choice makes it extremely light and pliable so that you can easily tie it as you wish. Excellent condition

Christian Dior tag as shown. It is freshly cleaned and it looks to have been worn very little if at all.

Measures 45.5" x 17.5"

Item# A365

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

In 1962 Capucci opened his first atelier in Paris and took the fashion world by storm. In 1968 he went back to his native Rome and opened his atelier there. By 1972 his work was presented in a museum in Rome at the Museum of Etruscan Art. A remarkable achievement for a living designer. He exhibited again in 1990 and in 2005 he founded the Roberto Capucci Foundation to preserve his numerous drawing and archives. His pieces tend to be highly architectural and the ones you see in exhibits border on not being wearable, so it is a treat to find a beautiful and highly wearable example of his work.

From the late 1970s comes this fabulous little deep blue chiffon dress that is cut to flow and drape over the body. The neck is cut wide to give a glimpse of the upper shoulders and the sleeves flow from there in an expanse of volume and fullness to above the buttoned wrist. The skirt has yards and yards of chiffon and flows to the floor in a pretty, light expanse of fabric. The back and bodice are especially pretty with their pin tuck lattice design that is detailed with a little clear beads where each pin tuck crosses over the other. It is lovely and a rare example of a hard to find designers work. Excellent condition

Fully lined except for the sleeves and closes with a back zipper on the interior fabric and snaps on the outer. Each cuff closes with a hidden snap under a silk covered button detail. Hand finished inside and hand applied beads.

Sleeves: 24" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2753

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 absolutely incredible and the workmanship that has been put into making it is just extraordinary. It really is one of the most phenomenal dresses I have ever had in the shop. Philip Hulitar designed under his own namesake label from 1949 to his retirement in 1964. He was known for his sophisticated cocktail dresses and evening gowns. Shortly after the launch of his label, a journalist wrote; 'The star of a gifted designer has risen recently on the fashion horizon'. Prior to launching his own label, Mr Hulitar was the in-house designer and head of the women's dress division for Bergdorf Goodmans for 18 years.

This dress is really a thing of beauty and shows the high level of meticulous care put into the execution of design during this time period. The fabric is a high end, luxurious silk in a pale dusty blue. Onto this is a hand screened  custom floral design. The print is set onto the silk in a soft washed feel like a watercolor painting. The silk has then been meticulously hand pleated into rows of sharp knife pleats that are stacked one upon each other. They are set so that the pleats are facing upwards rather then facing down as you would typically see. This gives the fabric a slightly surreal edgy feel and as gravity slightly pulls them and opens them the lines of the body are exaggerated. It is really spectacular in person. The bodice is strapless and fitted. Inside it is boned and shaped. The silk is draped into place by hand draping it to closely follow every curve. It cinches in at the waist and then follows the curve of the hips and narrows at the hem The back is spectacular with a large half bow that sits above a tightly gathered ruffle. This begins at the low back and slowly tapers out just above the knees. Everything on this dress is done to create that highly sculptural shape. Overall excellent condition with some notes to review below

Fully lined in a cream silky rayon and closes with a hand set back painted metal zipper. The interior bodice is boned. The back bow snaps into place. I see some extremely minor pinholes along the one part of the top pf the bodice at the fold and some very minor watermarks on the silk near the hem. It has a area of fading on one hip that I have photoed and placed after the label photo for your review. It can be seen in some of the photos before that as well. You could perhaps shorten it to remove this area or just wear it as is and not worry about it. It is marked a lot lower in price then it would be but for this area.

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam with an A to small B cup
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 39" from top of the bodice to the front hem, 41" to the back hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3214

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

Michaele Vollbracht began his fashion career working for Geoffrey Beene in 1969, where he eventually designed the Beene Bazaar line. He stayed there for two years and then moved over to Donald Brooks. After a stint there, he worked for Henri Bendel's and then Bloomingdales as an in-house illustrator. In the latter half of 1978 he decided to go back to fashion and launched his own label. By his second collection he had done so well that he earned a Coty award. Elizabeth Taylor was a huge fan and owned many of his pieces. The company folded in 1985 giving us a small, precise window to date this piece.  

This set is so spectacular that it really belongs in a museum and would certainly be the show piece of any collection or exhibit focusing on Vollbracht's work. It is made of a fine silk with a hand painted floral design that runs down each side the pants and down each side of the matching poncho top. Both the pants and the poncho are cut to fall loosely on the body and the beauty of the piece lies in the way it  drapes once on. It is far far better on an actual body then my dress form and really transforms. Both pieces are made from a fine lightweight silk. The pants are cut wide through the legs and by the time they reach the hem they are a full 29" around. They simply slip on with an elastic running through the waist. This makes them very comfortable to wear. I love how each pant leg is a divided into four quadrants with the two colors and how the hand painted flowers run down each leg, adding length to each. The poncho is equally amazing and also plays on that dual tone of blue and black. What I love about it, is that you can wear the poncho so any of the sides are facing the front. By changing what part of the poncho goes toward the front, it gives you a totally different look with each option. The poncho is made from one long rectangle of silk that folded and with a slit cut out for your head to slip through. One side hangs longer then the other which is what gives you the different options once it is on. You can see that I have styled it in each possible way. By turning it around it creates different lengths and looks from a crop top at the front, to a longer at the front, shorter at the sides, and with the bead design floating down either the shoulders, or the front and back. Onto the poncho is that same hand painted design on both main sides and then these are covered with extensive bead work that follows the pattern on the silk. This gives the fabric a bit of weight and helps it to fall into place perfectly once on. All the bead work is done by hand. The beaded part of the design combines silver and green glass tube beads and this gives the set a subtle added sparkle. There is also a charming little silver beaded butterfly added on both sides of the poncho that I love. The pieces look amazing together and are also very versatile as they can be split up and worn separately. Excellent condition

Both pieces are unlined and slip on the wear. The pants have elastic through the waist. Hand finished and the fabric of both pieces are hand painted and have his logo screened into the silk as well. I have marked it suitable for a variety of frames as I feel on a smaller frame they just drape more.

Poncho Top
Total Width: 25" from top to bottom on one side, 15" from top to bottom on the other side
Total length: 63" from side to side

Pants
Elastic waist: 12-18" from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" from side seam to side seam
Length: 43.5" from waist to bottom hem
Inseam: 31.5" from inner seam to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# DD3210

Reference Photo: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

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

The Pucci beach caftan is one of those iconic vintage items that is synonymous with the 1960s and that carefree, jet set life that Emilio Pucci and his clients often lived. Variations of this example were heavily featured in the display at the Fondazione Emilio Pucci, Palaxxo Pucci, in Florence. There, they were displayed and encased under glass so that you could see then from every angle and each felt like a sculpture. They are very rare and hard to find as most were worn them extensively and most did not survive intact and in great condition. This example is in wonderful condition and the colors are still bright and true.

The piece is made of a terry cloth, toweling velvet and is a stunning example of this classic piece of Pucci's work during this time period. It has no sleeves and is meant to be worn layered over something else, whether that be a bikini, shorts, another dress or a skirt. The possibilities are endless.It has a geometric print in a gorgeous ocean theme that combines green, purple, a turquoise aqua, black and white. It completely unzips and opens at the side along one seam that I have photoed. This makes it extremely versatile and allows it to slip over just about anything or be worn as a stand alone. The front neckline sits on a V and the sides are open right to the waist. The print is vivid and bright and it one of his signature designs. The fabric is also signed throughout. These are hard to come by and a fantastic collector piece. Excellent condition with one small note to review below.

The body of the dress is unlined but it does have a fine cotton muslin interior border in a aqua blue hand stitched in place around all the edges. It closes with a hand placed metal zipper at the side that completely opens the dress. There is also a row of fabric covered, hand places snaps along the seam of one shoulder. Hand finished throughout. In person the color is more true and vibrant than how it photoed. There are two tiny smudges, one that you can see near the shoulder on the 8th photo and one on the back low hip that I photoed and it is shown in the final shot after the label photo. Both are extremely minor.

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 55" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3197

Reference Photos: (1) Fondazione Emilio Pucci, Palaxxo Pucci, Florence. A display featuring terrycloth and cotton velvet capes in display cases in the Sala delle Muse. Photo: Santi Caleca/Emilio Pucci Archive, Florence.  /  (2) Photo by Henry Clarke, 1968.

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 just love the print that covers the surface of this wonderful Ungaro top. Its bright and cheerful with a purple, yellow and red print on a blue backdrop. It is made from a scarf weight silk that holds that bright color beautifully. The sleeves are wonderful and each is cut with a slight fullness above the cuffs. They are inset into the shoulder with gathers so are a touch fuller at the top. The body of the top is cut loose and easy as it falls from the padded shoulders. I love the high collar that is designed to stand up to frame the neck. It even has a little hidden snap that closes it off perfectly and holds it exactly in place. It's all drama and high eighties glamour. Excellent condition.

Unlined and buttons down the front. Each cuff buttons to close. Padded shoulders. The loose and easy fit should work on a range of sizes

Sleeves: 25"
Shoulders: 15.5" to ends of padding which extend slightly beyond natural shoulder
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17.55" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# S841

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

When hunting for the date of this dress I found a photo of a dress from 1971 that has similar lines and ruffle details. Based on the other work Mr. Givenchy was doing during this time period it makes perfect sens that this would be from that year's collection. It is the Boutique label but very well made. I found a numbered tape inside the seam of the skirt and it may very well denote a special or custom order.

I love color and the design, the color, the workmanship - everything about this dress is perfect. At first glance the fabric appears to be a metallic silk brocade, but as you go closer you realize it is much more special then that. It is actually a fine and light woven netted lace with a blue metallic lurex thread running through the design. The play of the metallic thread against the non-metallic bits adds its own texture to the already textured lace. It is amazing and also very light in weight. The fabric has just a touch of transparency to it. Once you get past the sheer brilliance of the fabric you begin to notice the workmanship that has gone into constructing this. The bodice is cut to skim over the bust from the rounded neckline and then cinches into the waist. It has its original belt that can cinch the waist in more. I have photoed it both with and without the belt as you could wear it bot ways. The sleeves are cut long and slim and are finished with a ruffle that creates a beautiful bell shape. The skirt falls to the floor from there and gently widens out as is nears the hem. it is finished with that same ruffled detail to perfectly tie the dress together. Really a work of art and feels very fresh and current. Excellent condition with one small note to review below.

The bodice is unlined and the skirt is fully lined with a blue silk organza. It closes at the back with a fine metal zipper. Inner waist stay hooks to close. The belt closes with hooks. There is the teeniest of marks along the inner edge under the seam at the inner arms but they do not show through. Please refer to the photo after the label shot. There is a numbered tape along the inner skirt seam that I also photoed. Note that if you required more length it would be possible to move the ruffle down as it is set higher up the skirt rather then at the very edge of the hem. I think you could get a good 6" more in length. The sleeves are set the same way.

Sleeves: 24.5"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 40.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3167

Reference Photo: Jours de France Issue 844, 1971. 

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 Resort and Spring 1977 collections were some of the few that Halston worked some prints into the collections. He normally focused on a solid color palette and I love seeing this side of his work. I found a runway reference photograph and you can see the similar print done on a long silk tank dress. This shorter, day version still employs the minimal seaming that Halston excelled at but is finished in his iconic wrap cut. The photo is from a Halston book and in it there is a quote by Bob Colacello that says; "His colors were so American, they were like out of a Crayola crayon box. Halston's red and purple and green were like true colors; they weren't pastels, they weren't dark, they weren't iridescent - they were very true and very American" and this really sums up the true, beautiful blue that the silk is done in. The waist has a long attached tie belt that you wrap and cinch it in for as much shape as you wish. The silk is scarf weight so drapes beautifully over the curves of the body. I love the pops of color brought in by the abstract print that covers the dress. Excellent condition

Unlined and wraps to close. Hook & eye along the plunge that if left open will give you a deeper plunge then shown. Hand finished. he blue is a touch deeper in tone then how it photoed. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2348

Reference photo from the book: Halston, An American Original, Eliane Gross and Fred Rottman, 1999

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 beautiful Emilio Pucci dress is made out of one of his signature silk jerseys. Covering every square inch of it is a stunning print that is a mix of different tones of blue, grey and whites, all mixed together like a master. The bodice crosses over itself and is then detailed at the waist with a contrasting printed border. This border also circles the neckline for added detail. Each cuff is also finished with this contrasting print and covers each wide cuff that the sleeves end in. The cut is a simple and classic with a slight A-line cut as the skirt nears its hem. The sleeves are long and simple with a slight pouf to them. I love those wide cuffs that finish each sleeve off perfectly. This is a classic Pucci silhouette that is instantly recognizable and very sexy despite it not being super form fitting. I love all the contrasting print panels that give the cut visual definition. This mix of blues is always one of my favorite of his prints. They are just soft and pretty and suit pretty much any skin tone. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a painted metal zipper at the side. Tagged a vintage Pucci 12 but of course, check the actual measurements. The fabric does have slight stretch. Each cuff closes with hidden set snaps

Sleeves: 27"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from neck to middle of waist
Skirt: 28" from middle of waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2718

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