Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional. Hanae Mori excelled at the beautiful prints that she created and they always have a hauntingly organic feel to them as she was constantly inspired by nature. This set dates to the eighties and is stunning.

This is a gorgeous Hanae piece. It has a wonderful custom designed print that is screened onto feather light silk for both the dress and the matching cape. When you wear the cape and dress together the two prints layer over each other and create the prettiest effect. This layering technique with silk chiffons is one of her signatures and she was a master it it by this point in her career. The silk chiffon she used has been printed with a pale tangerine and ivory pattern that is  set over a white silk lining. Using silk chiffon for both the top layer and the cape that floats over the dress is what gives the piece its light and airy feel. The dress falls from wide cut straps that curve over the shoulders and dips into a V at the front. From the neckline it skims over the body, with a more fitted bodice and then gently widens out until it reaches the hem. I love how the pattern changes and gets bigger as it nears the hem. Over this is a gorgeous little silk chiffon capelet. It snaps into place around the neck and then falls over each shoulder, with the silk overlapping a bit at the front and the back. A pretty spray of silver thread and rhinestones give it a little glamour at the front neck. It is a stunning example of her work and beautifully made. The colour in person is a bit more intense shade of what you see and is even better in person. Excellent condition

Fully lined in white silk and closes with a back zipper. The capelet snaps to close along the edge of the neckline. I see some very minor marks on the interior lining of the dress

Dress
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from top of shoulder to hem

Capelet 
Neck: 15" where the snaps are now but you could easily move them up or down as needed
Length: 46" from neck to longest point of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3643

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 1951, 27 year old James Galanos launched his first label called Galanos Originals. By 1954 he had won a Coty award and the Neiman Marcus award. By 1958 he was producing clothing that could range in price from $200 to $3000, an astronomical price for ready-to-wear for that time period. That said, his ready-to-wear was made to almost true couture standards and were made with a level of craftsmanship that was on par with the French couturiers. Galanos was a master cutter and draper and he used many couture techniques in the construction of his dresses and gowns. Grace Kelly was an early fan. His work is held in all of the major museums around the world and he is one of my personal favourite designers. 

I love the coral and rust print that completely covers this amazing jumpsuit. It is very detailed and adds its own layer of interest to the silk. The silk chiffon fabric that he chose to use is very fine and light so that once it is on it feels like it weighs next to nothing. This creates a sense of lightness and airiness to the piece as it moves beautifully around you. Silk chiffon of this weight is notoriously hard to work with and the fact that he has structured this so beautifully is a testament to his skills as a designer. The top is cut with a simple scoop neckline at the front and the bodice skims lightly over you to the waist. The sleeves are cut long and each ends in a double ruffle of silk that has tremendous movement. The waist is seamed and you could add a belt to create even more shape or wear it loose and easy. The pants on this are truly amazing. Each pant leg is cut to be extra wide and full so that if you are standing still it appears that you are wearing a skirt. When you move you realize that they are pants and that each is wrapped around the leg and the edges where they meet is left open so that there is a slit almost to the top of the thigh. They only open as you move or sit. They are incredibly light in weight so you get this amazing billowing effect when you move. The pants are finished with a second layer of silk chiffon inside that is done on a solid red colour. So when you move the red flashes and it is fantastic. The cuffs on each sleeve are finished in the same way. It is fabulous. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a red silk chiffon throughout. The top part of the jumpsuit buttons to close at the back and then zippers to close below the waist. Hand rolled and hand finished seams and edges. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Also after photoing this I feel like perhaps the buttons could also be worn at the front. I think you can wear it either way which makes it that much more versatile.

Sleeves: 26.5"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 19.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem
Inseam: 36"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2759

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 have had a one shoulder version of this Bill Tice dress that had the same gold lame flower detail but this is the first time I have seen this exact design. The dress is not 100% perfect but I am hoping that its amazing design will still tempt someone to give it a second life and love it. It is made of a liquid nylon jersey that feels amazing on and has the added bonus of traveling very well. It is the kind of piece you can throw into your suit case and slip on with either flats or heels when you reach some far off destination and be ready to go. The dress is cut to be long and slim but in a loose and skimming over the body kind of way. The sleeves are long and they start off with a big poufed shoulder created by gathering in the fabric in soft pleats around the arm. They then slim down as they reach the wrist and the edge is trimmed with gold lame piping. The neckline plunges extremely deep and is anchored by one of his twisted jersey and gold knotted flowers. There is a little hook about 2" inches above the flower if you want to be a touch less scandalous but I left it with the full plunge open for these shots. The dress gathers up and into the knot and this allows it to be more to the open and loose side around the waist and hips as the jersey drapes down and around your body.  A slit runs up the front from the curved hem and this allows a bit of leg to show when you walk or sit. Besides the knot and cuffs, the neckline and arm seams are also accented by a touch of gold lame. Excellent condition with one flaw noted below. 

Unlined and slips on to wear. The easy fit should allows it to work on a variety of sizes. The fabric has a bit of stretch. There is a run on the jersey on the front left side. Because of the way that it folds and wraps it at first glance just looks like a fold. Completely wear able if you don't mind that it is not 100% perfect and priced at 1/2 of what it would be without this small flaw. The measurements below are lying flat without stretching the fabric 

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem
Slit: 29" from lowest point of hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3644

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 collection was inspired by Zandra's trip to China. She came back with sketchbooks filled from her travels there that became the foundation for her 1979 'Chinese Square' print and then carried over to the Spring 1980 collection with this print that she calls 'Chinese Constructivist & Clouds'. You can also clearly see the carry over in shape from her famous Lilies dress from a few years before this. The twin of this dress appears on page 159 of the book 'The Art of Zandra Rhodes' with her catalogue identification of 80/114

This rare and amazing dress is made entirely of hand painted silk chiffon over an inner layer of silk jersey. You can actually feel the paint on top of the fabric. The bodice is cut loose and full and dips down at the front with a V neckline. The sleeves are cut to be very wide and full and you can see in the reference photo just how wide they are. They come out from the waist and fall to about the elbow once on. Their edges are embellished with little droplets. Around the neckline there are pearlized beads and all of the edges there and elsewhere are hand rolled. Rows of rhinestones shoot out from the centre of the elasticized waist up and over the bodice and then more rhinestone rows run down the panel below the waist. These catch the light and add a little bit of extra glamour to the dress. The waist is finished with a gathered elastic band that looks good on its own or you can add a sash to tie over the elastic like you see in the book photo. The skirt is beautiful. It is made up of three layers. There is a panel that circles the waist that ends in points. These then have droplets at their ends to give them a touch of weight so that they sit properly. Then a second silk layer sits under that and this one falls the length of the skirt in an asymmetrical cut and ends in different lengths with more droplets applied to the points. Last is a ruffled edged pale blue silk jersey skirt that peeks out from under the top silk layers. It is a true work of art and very special. Excellent condition

Lined with a silk through the bodice and silk jersey through the skirt with the sleeves left unlined. The dress has an elastic waist and slips on to wear so should work on a range of sizes. Hand finished throughout. The edges are  hand rolled  and the silk chiffon is hand painted.

Sleeves: 18" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: variable
Waist: 12-14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips on inner lining: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 45.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3634

Reference Photo: From the book "The Art Of Zandra Rhodes".

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

Andre Courreges made these amazing faux leather coats out of a coated vinyl starting around 1963 and into the early 1970s. The vinyl give it a more sporty look and was also considered to be a cutting edge fabric during this time period. It also features his logo prominently on the front which was also rather daring for this era. He was one the first designers to do this. The twin of this coat along with many versions and variations of it are held in museums world-wide. 

This can be worn as either a coat or a dress with something underneath. It is belted for definition through the waist and the big pockets at the front act as both a design feature and give it a sense of sporty utility. The front closes with a row of his signature white painted snaps and at the back there is a row hidden under the vent that allows you to close it for a more dress feel. You can also unsnap them and leave them open so that the bottom portion of the coat has more volume. It is cut to skim over the body and be more fitted through the top. Courreges once commented when asked about how his fit and cuts came about, saying that it 'was somewhere between a youthful and optimistic inventiveness, and a concept of fashion embracing the platonic ideal of perfect form. What was needed was to apply new technical and aesthetic rules and to create a modern style that was easy to wear.' This longer coat style is harder to find and more rare then its cropped counterparts and this one is in one of the best and most coveted of the colours; the brilliant orange. These are now skyrocketing in price and I have seen them more than double this one's price. This in is a size vintage Courreges size C which is a harder to find size too. Excellent overall condition with notes to review below

The jacket snaps to close at the front and it has its original belt that also snaps into place. More snaps close the back vent and each cuff. The pockets zipper as seen. Inside, the lining can be fully removed and snaps into place. It is tagged a Courreges size C. There is wear to the vinyl exterior at all the movement points and the logo on these always goes to a cream as they age. Minor wear to the paint on a couple of the snaps and grubbiness here and there. Inside the lining there is a some small missing piece near one snap and off of the body the lining hangs past the hem. Another common thing you see with these. The exterior flaws are normal wear and patina for this fabric and it presents as excellent. The interior issues are minor and the fabric is strong and stable. Please see all the photos after the label shot. 

Sleeves: 22.5"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# C558

Reference Photos: (1) Model in Courreges, L'Officiel c.1970s.  /  (2) 1963-69 Courreges Coat from The Met Collection.  /  (3) Courreges Coat from the Istanbul Fashion Museum Adnan Ege Kutay Collection.  /  (4) From the book "Fashion: A History from the 18th to the 20th century. Volume II - The 20th Century." by The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute and Taschen.  /  (5-6) 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.

Tina Leser opened her first shop in 1935 and became known for her use of fabrics curved from far off locations. By 1944 she had been awarded the Coty award. In 1948 she took a trip around the world and the places that she went influenced all of her future collections. She loved to take a fabric that was seen as being for casual wear for this time period and using it for evening wear or vice versa. The Tina Leser Originals label launched in 1953, closed in 1964 and then re-opened in 1966.. This is one of the best pieces I have seen from her and is truly a spectacular example of her work. 

More then anything I love the extreme sleeves on this dress. The are truly spectacular. Each sleeve falls to past the knee. It is shaped like a normal sleeve from the shoulder to the elbow and then extends down from there into those long slit panels that you see. These give the dress a wonderfully exotic feel and they create tremendous movement when you move. They are also lined in a soft pale blue to offer contrast against the exterior fabric. The fabric that the dress is made of is equally stunning. It is actually a beautiful light silk voile that is entirely covered in the print that you see. The pattern is fantastic. The intricate design covers ever square inch and you can see how it incorporates that same blue that lines the inside of the sleeves. The front has a high neckline that is detailed with a collar of hand cut out flowers in two sizes. These are then hand placed around the neckline so they form a wonderful 3D effect. The dress falls from there in a generous cut that is meant to just skim over the curves with just a suggestion of shape at the waist. It widens out gently as it nears the hem and there is a high slit set off side at the front for a bit of leg to flash when you walk or sit. It is gorgeous. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in an orange silk through the body with a wide band of blue silk around the inner edges. The lower part of the sleeves are lined in a soft blue silk voile. It closes at the back with a painted metal zipper. In person the dress has a slightly paler, softer feel to the overall colour. It is even better in real life. 

Sleeves: 42"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59.5" from neck to hem
Slit: 31" up from hem 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3575

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 the 1960s if you wanted to wear something with a dramatic flare then you chose the work of Ronald Amey. He was known for his original use of fabrics and colors and his dresses were priced into the thousands even in the 1960s. His career was very short-lived. From 1959-1969 he designed under the label Burke-Amey. Joseph Burke, his partner, took care of the business side of things. In 1970s he bought out Burke and renamed the company Ronald Amey where he continued to produce his dramatic clothing until the label shuttered in 1976. His clothing was of very high quality and he incorporated many couture level details into their construction. All of his pieces were sewn in-house at his New York atelier

One of his signatures was to combine bold colors, prints and fabrics in interesting, unusual ways and this dress is a splendid example of that. The colors are bold and the mix is dramatic. The bodice and sleeves are sheer orange printed silk chiffon that is layered over the same printed coral ribbon silk that you see used for the skirt. This gives the top a very couture and quirky feel. The neckline is cut wide across the collarbones and it is anchored by a wide band of blue silk satin that is top-stitched in gold thread. This curves around the neckline and then down the front on either side of the notched front. The panel continues past the seamed waist and runs down the center of the skirt where it ends with a large diamond of the same fabric in brown. More of the blue runs around the hem and then is used again for the cuffs on each sleeve. The combination of the orange, coral and blue is spectacular . The heavy dose of all those prints, colors and patterns should not work but it does. The perfect finish is the wide fabric belt made of the same blue as the banding and this wraps around the waist where you can cinch it in and leave it simple as I did or tie it in a far more elaborate way. The exterior is in excellent condition with a note about the lining to review below.

Fully lined in a bright peach silk throughout. Entirely hand finished. It closes with a front zipper and there are zippers on each cuff. The zippers stick a bit when you open and close them. There is shattering of the silk around each arm on the interior. The exterior fabrics are sound and show no wear at all. The exterior of the dress appears to have been worm very little. The dress is even better in person.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 40.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3478

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 strikingly similar dress from the runway that had additional shoulder detailing but is otherwise remarkably like this one. It gives you a great idea of how amazing this one will be once on an actual body. 

The fabric and color are fantastic. It is a metallic silk that blends a vivid coral with gold lame thread and if you love it the photos you will love it even more in real life. This fabric catches the light and intensifies the coral color. The fabric itself is quite light in weight so despite the elaborate construction of the dress is not heavy to wear. Inside the dress is quite structured for support which means that despite the lightness of the actual fabric the intended shape is held in place. 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. On this one the gathers and shape run from the bust right down and over the hips so your shape is very emphasized. Under that the skirt is set with panels of fabric, each individual set on an angle to achieve that explosion of volume that you see. This technique also allows each piece to move freely so that whenever you move it does as well. A little box at the back is the perfect sweet detail. It is incredible. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a coral silk and closes with a back zipper and the bow snaps into place over the top of that. The bodice is boned. Tagged a vintage Ungaro 6 It appears to have never been worn, or worn very little.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 29" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3417

Reference Photo: F/W 1988-89 Emanuel Ungaro Runway Collection.

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 Swash Buckler top is from the Fall 2017 Rosie Assoulin collection. On the runway this same print was shown on the finale gown. These tops were a hallmark of the collection and their high drama is an easy way for a modern girl to step out in the evening and be able to pair it with pants or a skirt and still get a high glamour feel. The top is an amazing feat of proportion and cutting. The front has a v-neckline with loose ties at the neck. This tops a curved yoke and then the body of the top flares out under that. The fit through the body is relaxed and the sleeves are cut into fantastical bubble sleeves. They are set low on the sides and then pouf out and are cut on a curve so that they follow the arm and maintain the same pouf from the shoulder to the cuff. The cuffs are cut extra long and slit so that you can wear then unfolded and over the hand or flip them up. The back has a ton of volume and the choice of the fabric keeps it light and airy in feel. I love it. Excellent condition

It is constructed from a double layer of the organza. It slips on to wear with ties at the neck. Each cuff has two silk covered buttons and loops to close. Tagged a modern brand size S but the cut is very generous so it should fit a variety of sizes.

Sleeves: 27" from shoulder to longest point of cuffs
Shoulders: approx 16"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 28" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# S898

Reference Photo: Rosie Assoulin Fall 2017 Collection, Look 41.

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 incredible dress and jacket set that would be from when Marc Bohan was head of the Dior atelier. It is a beautiful and early example of the work being produced by Christian Dior in this time period. This is the Christian Dior - New York label and is considered to be demi-couture from this time period of Dior's history. These where made for the American market based on the runway designs and with many of the same high standard finishes that Haute Couture pieces incorporated.

This set is just spectacular. It has a simple, refined cut that is made glamorous by the wonderful fabric choice. The fabric is a beautiful wool silk that has a touch of weight to it so that the lines are perfectly held. It has a cream base with squares running over its surface. Each is a peach outline that then has a gold and peach medallion in its centers. In person the peach is brighter and better. The metallic gold lame thread is slight raised up from the fabric so it gives a touch of dimension besides the shine. These cover every square inch of the fabric. It is made of two pieces. The inner dress is a simple sheath that is cut so that is skims over the body and slightly flares out as it reaches the hem. It is sleeveless and the neckline is a simple scoop. It comes with a gold metal and rhinestone chain belt that slips through the loops that run around the low waist and then the belt hooks. The belt is real metal and has crystal detailing set along every 4 inches. I love how it ends in a gold tassel that dangels down under where it hooks. Over this is a little matching jacket that is sheer perfection in cut. It has a neat little collar and box cut. There are no closures and it is the perfect finish once it is popped over the dress. What I love about it is that when the dress is worn on its own it has that touch of a mod feel that the sixties were all about but once the jacket is on it has a very refined feel. Excellent condition with a small note below

Both pieces are lined in a heavy cream silk crepe with an additional silk chiffon interlining through the dress. The dress closes with a had set, hidden zipper at the back. The jacket slips on with no front closures. The belt hooks to close. There is a slight grubbiness to the lining of the inside back collar  of the jacket and one very minor nick out of the fabric on the jacket. Please see the photo after the label shot. . Otherwise the set appears to have been worn very little if at all. Hand finished and very well made to demi-couture standards.

Jacket
Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 19" from neck to hem

Dress
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 38" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3357

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 Frank Usher dress is really wonderful. It is a full length maxi dress and the skirt falls to the floor with yards and yards of a bright orange based coral jersey for its fabric. The color is an instant showstopper and the fabric choice means that it drapes and moves fantastically. The skirt is cut on the bias and once it is on you get a better sense of just how much fabric has been used. The waist is set high and just under the bust. There are three long skinny ties made of the same fabric that loop through openings there. These allow you to cinch in the front and gather it a little more if you wish and then you can either leave the ties hanging on either side or tie them at the back. The top has two triangle halters that plunge to those front ties. They then curve up and extend into long straps that tie behind the neck. This leave the back completely bare. Excellent condition

The bodice is a double layer of the jersey and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a low back set zipper and also ties around the neck. Three ties runs through the front that can be adjusted for the perfect fit. The loose and easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. The color is a touch more coral then how it photoed in person

Bust: variable since it has no true side seams and has stretch
Underbust: to approx 14-16.5" flat across from side to side
Natural waist & hips: open
Length: somewhat adjustable but approx 58-60" from neck to hem it will vary a little depending on how you tie it at the neck

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3335

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 and happy feeling dress is one of my favorites from the pieces of Malcolm Starr that I have had in the shop. It was designed by Elinor Simmons, who was a young designer that Malcolm brought in to the company to design a higher end line for him in 1965. She eventually left in 1972 which giving us a window within to date the dress. Everything about this dress suggest the late 1960s.

The silk fabric that the dress is made out of is very pretty and fresh feeling with huge flowers printed across its entire surface. The bodice skims over the torso with darling little capped sleeves and a high set, ribbon detailed waist line. The neck is detailed in a double band of the same black braiding used at the waist. This use of a bit of a darker color anchors the design beautifully and contrasts against the pastels colors of the silk. The skirt falls to the floor, gradually widening out as it nears the hem. I love the fullness that this creates. The silk used has a almost polished cotton finish to it but with a touch more texture. The fabric choice really holds the shape of the dress beautifully and the color is wonderful. I love that it has pockets hidden away at the inset seams that run down the front. It really is a lovely dress. Excellent condition with a note below to review

Fully lined in an ivory muslin through the skirt and an ivory silky rayon through the bodice. It closes with a painted back metal zipper. The hem of the skirt is finished with ribbon. Some grubbiness to the edge of the hem. It appears that the back was taken out at some point alongside the zipper. It could be left as is or easily taken in again to be smaller. I also see what looks to be maybe a faint touch of a pen mark near the zipper. Please review the last photo after the shot of the label. Otherwise it appears to have been worn very little.

Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from neck to top band at the waist with 2" to the bottom band
Skirt: 42" from bottom band at the waist to hem with 3" turned up under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2730

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 really spectacular piece by Pauline Trigere that is one of her best documented pieces. It was photoed for Vogue in 1966 by Henry Clark while on location in Turkey. The fashion details in that issue described this piece: "High waisted drift of sun printed chiffon with a toga-scarf, and its own little body stocking to wear underneath. By Trigere of Staron silk". This editorial is instantly recognizable and it is a pleasure to have this piece in the shop. 

When you look at the photos from Vogue at first glance, especially the published one, you think this is a dress. However it is actually an extremely wide cut legged jumpsuit. It is also surprising in how it is constructed - it seems to lie half way between a dress and a half jumpsuit. Looking at the photos again the model appears to be wearing a nude halter underneath in the shots. There is a built in body suit inside and you can see that on the mannequin it is sitting too low. If you are short through the body it might come up just to, or over your bust line, otherwise you would wear it as a high waisted full pant. A long panel of fabric is attached at the front. This can be swooped up and over one shoulder. Again, referring to the shoot photos you can see that this is what they did. It  is constructed from layers of a printed silk chiffon that combine pink, pale mint and tangerine The silk used is almost weightless. It flows to the floor and when on you can barely tell that it is indeed pants as they are so wide and full. The front panel extends down past the hem and I have just scooped it up and over one shoulder. It is a very unusual design and will take some styling but it is a rare and historically documented piece. I purchased this years ago I and was told it came from a models closet so suspect that it might just be the actual piece used in this shoot. It is very beautiful. Excellent condition with one small note below.

Has an attached crepe bodysuit in a nude color. This zips up the back with a painted metal zipper. The silk over this snaps in place to close. Hand finished. Has a hand numbered tag inside #159. Slight wear to the fabric on the inside band of the waist where it hooks to close. 

Top band of waist/Underbust: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips of inner body suit: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length of inner suit: 23.5" from top of band to inner seams
Pant length: 45" from top of band to hem with a 4.5" turned up interior hem
The front attached fabric panel is 56" long from where it is inset to the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED depending on how how you wear it

Item# DD2996

(1) Editha Dussler in Pauline Trigere, from the editorial Eastward to Eden, Vogue, December 1966. Shot by Henry Clarke. (2) Outtake from that same shoot.

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 was designed when Youssef Rizkallah headed the company so would have been made between the years of 1969 and 1975. The years that Youssef headed the line are among some of my favorites and in particular his pieces that utilize quilting and patchwork are truly iconic. Rizkallah was born in Egypt and studied at the Ecole de dessin appliqué and the Ecole des arts decoratifs in Paris. The fabric used is unusual in that it feels like a light wool. It is not a fabric that you see a lot of for this line but it holds the shape and color beautifully. The bodice skims over the torso with darling little capped sleeves that are each finished with a little bow. The  waist line is defined with a seam and set a little higher then the natural waist for just a hint of an empire feel. The neck is scooped and the pattern places on the bodice to highlight the shape and curve of the dress. The skirt cascades to the floor in a widening swath of fabric and the combination of fabric and the quilting detail helps to give it the shape that you see. A decorative row of buttons runs down the front for added detailing. The colors used are wonderful and the dress has a glamorous and exotic feel. I love that it has pockets hidden away along the seams of the skirt. It is really a lovely dress. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a purple silky rayon through the bodice and self-backed through the skirt. It closes with a painted back metal zipper. The buttons down the front are decorative only. I see a tiny bit of discoloration on the interior lining of the bodice but the exterior is pristine.

Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2947

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

Geoffrey Beene was one of the great American fashion designers and he was recognized for both his artistic and technical skills. He launched his label in 1963 and a piece from his very first collection landed the cover of Vogue. A Coty award followed a year later and in 1984 the Council of Fashion Designers created the annual Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award in honor of Beene's fashion legacy.

Geoffrey Beene's evening wear rarely misses the mark. It always has this combination of elegance and sexiness with great details and workmanship that makes you feel that you are really wearing something special. Here we have a beautiful chiffon dress with a fabulous square cut out back. The color of the dress is very unusual. The colour has been achieved by layering a chocolate brown semi-sheer chiffon over an inner layer of cape that has been done in a bright orange. Then under that is a nude coloured lining. This combination makes the final resulting colour a deep burnt pumpkin colour that is very striking. It also gives the fabric a depth and texture that seems to change in different lights. The degree of transparency and colour opaqueness also changes when the fabric moves over itself as you move. The bodice has a wide band at the waist with an attached tie that wraps and snaps into place and then ties at the front. The arms are cut to taper down as they reach each wrist. The skirt swings out from the waist and there is literally yards and yards of fabric in it. If you twirl it is a full circle. The neck is cut in a wide scoop across the front but the back is left completely bare. It is that starts open back that gives you an element of shock when you turn. I love it. . Excellent condition

Fully lined in a nude silk crepe, it closes with a low back, hand set zipper and the attached waist tie snaps into place around the waist and then ties and snaps at the front. Each sleeve has hidden snaps at the wrist. Hand finishes

Sleeves: 27" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 25.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from top of bodice to lower waist band, with the included band being approx 4.25"
Skirt: 42" from the bottom of the waist band to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2146

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