Helen Bond Carruthers lived in Versailles, Kentucky and in the 1950s she began decorating cashmere sweaters for her friends. She would purchase high quality cashmere sweaters, ordered from Bergdorf Goodman's, and she then embellished them with embroidery taken from antique shawls, linens, wedding dresses and other heirlooms finds. She added her own silk linings and her label. She would change the buttons and shorten the sleeves. According to the Headley-Whitney Museum in Lexington, Ky, where they have a Helen Bond Carruthers exhibit, Elizabeth Taylor supposedly purchased ten sweaters in one afternoon and she was only one of many other celebrities who wore and loved them. This one is gorgeous. The cashmere is in perfect condition and I love that it is done in grey as it will go with anything. The applique work on this one features a hand applied, antique cording applique, in a floral design. This covers the front, the back and adorns each sleeve. The buttons are done in a cording as well and are little hand made knots. The inside of this one has been lined in a soft grey silk and the inner hem is finished with an extra wide silk grosgrain ribbon. Her signature label is hand-stitched predominately in place on that ribbon. Excellent condition.

Hand set silk lining on the back and front panels of the sweater with the sleeves left unlined. Buttons to close. Hand appliqued and hand finished. The shoulders and bust are cut to fall loose and easy

Sleeves: 21" from dropped shoulder seam
Shoulders: 16.5" across to each dropped shoulder seam
Bust: approx 21 " flat across from dropped side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 18" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# S825

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

This wonderful dress was obvioulsy inspired by the work that Loris Azzaro was doing during this time period. At first glance you would almost think that it was that jeweled collar dress of his that became one of his signature pieces. It has that same looped keyhole neckline that has a highly detailed embellishment onto it like his pieces did. This slightly simpler version is made from a fluid silver-grey jersey that drapes fantastically. The color perfectly off-sets the detailing at the neck. It is gathered up and around the bodice with the gathers there converging into the center keyhole. The upper shoulders and back are left bare. The skirt cascade from just below the bust line to flow to the floor, gently widening out as it nears the hem. The neckline is of course, the center piece of the dress. It curves up and around the neck and the straps are completely encrusted with densely set faux pearls, rhinestones and beads. Presents as excellent condition with a small note to review below

Fully lined in a matching grey silky rayon and closes at the back with a painted metal and nylon zipper. There is some light scuffing/grubbiness along the hem and the occasional very faint mark on the jersey. A couple of beads missing near the hook and eye of the halter (photoed). Nothing that detracts when on but present when laid out flat and inspected.

Bust: 16-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 11" from neck to empire waist
Skirt: approx 49" from empire waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2386

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 Bessi company was launched in 1950 but it was not until 1968 that it started producing the printed pieces that the label is now associated with. Like Pucci he signed all his prints and designed them himself. In terms of style, construction and quality  his dresses were often on par with Pucci and Leonard, especially the ones from the late sixties to mid seventies. Here we have a stunning dress made from a fine silk jersey. The main color is a soft grey that has a pretty print that has soft pops of ivory, pale turquoise and a pastel pink running through it. The design trails over the entire surface of the dress, including each sleeve. I love the contrasting border that defines the lines of the dress. The sleeves are cut wide and full to really show off the print with that border running down their centers and circling each cuff. The skirt will stop just above the ankle on most girls and it is cut so that it widens softly as it reaches the hem. The bordered print define the neck and cuffs. It also gives the waist some detailing and acts as a design element down the sides of the skirt and the upper back. I love the high neck and how it has a slight ruffle finish. This dress is wonderful and though the color combination is not the usual brights you expect form this label, it is subtly beautiful in a different kind of way. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes at the back with a painted metal zipper. Hand finishes throughout. The fabric is also signed throughout. Really beautifully constructed

Sleeves: 20"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 36.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2660

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

From the attempted relaunch of the Halston line this jumpsuit is from the Spring 2009 collection. This line was a higher priced line that has since gone defunct with only the lower end, Halston heritage label still in production. It only lasted a couple of seasons and did not seem to be able to capture the heart of the many Halston fans out there. This particular season relied heavily on the archives and this jumpsuit does borrow from the original lines. It is one of the more wearable pieces from the endeavor and is in its off the rack condition with its original Halston hang tag still attached. It is made from a t-shirt feeling, soft draped jersey that serves the line and drape of the jumpsuit well. The legs are done in a narrow peg that fall from a loose and easy cut around the hips. The bodice drapes over an elastic waist and plunges to the waist at the back and crosses over itself for a deep plunge at the front as well. A tie at the back keeps it in place. Excellent condition.

Unlined and slips on with elastic at the waist. Tagged a 42. original hang tag attached. Unworn. The easy fit will allow for a range of sizes.

Bust: open and variable
Elastic waist: 12.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 21" from top of shoulder to waist but meant to drape
Pant: 43" from waist to hem
Inseam: 29.5"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2967

Reference Photos: S/S 2009 Halston Runway & Presentation, Look 15. Model: Michaela Kocianova.

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. This dress is representative of just how wonderful his work could get. The bodice above the lame tie that wraps around the waist has high capped shoulders and a puffed short sleeve with lots of volume. The silk used is a high quality silk taffeta  and the color is an incredible blend of a silver toned grey with that wonderful black floral print that covers the dress. This sits above that incredible waist detail. Attached at the waist are long ties made of a semi-transparent metallic sill lame. An inset panel of that same fabric anchors the ties and create a block of color that accents your middle. As the long ties wrap around the body the layering of them make the fabric opaque but where this fabric connects the upper bodice to the skirt you do get a glimpse of skin under the fabric. You can style the ties to take advantage of that or tie them so that it completely cover it. This play on transparent cut-outs is a staple of Beene's work that you see in his early work but here he takes it to a more sophisticated level. Below the waist the printed silk continues and fall to the floor in a cascade of silver and black. Yards of it are used in the skirt so when you move you can really get a sense of its fullness. I love that the underskirt has an edging done in a wide panel of is black lace. When you move or sit you get just a peek of it. Excellent condition.

The skirt is fully lined in a black silk chiffon that is edged with a wide panel of black lace at the hem. The bodice is also lined in a black silk chiffon. It close with a series of fabric covered buttons down the back and a low back zipper. Inner waist stay that hooks to close. Each sleeve has elastic in its cuff. The ties are attached and you can wrap as you wish. It appears to have never been worn, or worn very little.

Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from shoulder to bottom waist seam
Skirt: 40" from waist seam to bottom hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1904

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 gorgeous black and white houndstooth dress is based on the 1998 Spring runway piece worn by Supermodel Naomi Campbell. It has been in my archives for a bit now and it was also pulled and worn by the striking Samantha Angelo during Paris fashion week in 2016 where she layered it and styled it completely different then how you would think of at first glance. The dress itself is wonderful. It is fitted and cut to hug the body from bust to just past the knee. This long lean silhouette is perfectly suited to the era and still feels relevant now. Each cup is a padded nude shaped from with a black lace overlay that turns into a twist that curves up and over each shoulder and then meets at an angle at the back to tie into the dress off to one side. It is just gorgeous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black muslin. The cups are padded and shaped and each is covered in a nude lingerie weight nylon. It closes with a hidden set, offset zipper that runs along a side seam and a second interior zipper that closes the inner corsetting. Tagged a vintage Versace 40

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam with A cups
Waist of inner corset: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED with a small bust

Item# DD2857

Reference Photos: Samantha Angelo during Paris Fashion Week 2016 wearing this Versace dress  /  S/S 1998 Versace. Model: Naomi Campbell.

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

This is a superb cape that is made from a grey wool and is cut to be full length and will tremendous volume through the cut. The lines are easy and the weight of the wool allows it to fall from the shoulders in a swoop of fabric that falls to the floor. It is constructed from a steel grey wool that is warm and does have a decent weight to it, but is not so heavy as to be cumbersome when on. It hooks at the neck with a large hook & eye and is open below that to allow for the maximum movement.  The detailing on it is incredible - it has a hand set braided cord in two shades of grey set in an intricate pattern that follows the collar and then runs down both sides of the front. Presents as excellent condition with one note below to review

Unlined with ribbon finished interior seams and closes with a hook & eye at the neck. There are a couple of teeny nips - I have photoed them. Otherwise no issues. It has been specialty cleaned and temperature treated to Museum standards.

Length: 58" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# C448

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon. (See more on Instagram)

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 are looking for full on luxury this jacket has it in spades. It is made from a rich, thick cashmere with just a touch of wool added for structure. It is so soft and rich looking. The color is also amazing - it is a deep grey but has just a touch of an undertone color to it that seems to take on different hues in different lights - sometimes more black, sometimes a hint of blue and sometimes the feel of eggplant. The shoulders are squared off and the body is cut to skim in at the waist. Pockets sit on each hip. The finishing details just add to the rich feel of the jacket. the out edges are finished with a thick, flat cord and silk braiding and this circles the hem, runs up the front and around the notched collar and finishes each cuff. It closes with huge braided leather loops that fasten over big leather and cord topped buttons. These are not true frog knots but have that feel. Each sleeve has two more of those huge buttons adorning it and the buttons holes there are functional. The cashmere is the highest level and it looks to have never been worn. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a deep midnight purple silk satin and closes at the front as shown. Tagged a vintage YSL 36 but the oversized cut will allow it to fit a variety of sizes depending on how you want to wear it.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 17"
Bust: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# S788

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2757

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

In 1981 Haslton still remained in full control and at the helm of his internartional brand. He has not yet singed the international licensing agreements (that was to happen in 1983) that would be the beginning of his downfall. At this point he was at the top of his game and anyone who was anybody was clamoring for his work. His pieces where sky high and the work impeccable. His beaded and sequin pieces where, like this lovely little jacket all hand made in India and her personally was choosing the fabrics and materials used. The 1981 collection was especially intricate with heavily beaded and sequinned pieces featured. This is one of those pieces and is made of a cut work silk organza in a silver hue whose pattern is held together by looped stitched that run between the pieces and leave a hint of skin peeking through. Over this and following the design is an edging of silver glass tube beads and miniature pearls. All hand applied and placed to give the jacket a swirling organic feel. In the book Halston published by Phiadon, a similar piece in red in shown on Katherine Graham, the American publisher who led the Washington Post for more then two decades. Also from that book is a photo of Halston with models fromt he show and you can see the girl in the gold wearing a similar piece over a skirt and belted with a sash. A great styling option to copy. Really a wonderful piece. Excellent condition.

The body of the jacket is fully lined in a grey silk chiffon and it closes at the front with hook and eye. There may be the very occasional break in the thread but no areas that I can see offhand. Hand done.

Sleeves: 21.5" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: approx 19" flat across but no true side seams due to the cut of the arm
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 22" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S733

Reference Photos: from Halston book published by Phaidon. (1) Halston with models, December 7 1981, photo Ron Galella.  (2) Katherine Graham, October 29 1981, photo Globe photos.  /  (3-4) Amanda Lee Shirreffs for her weekly column on our blog, Curated. (Photos by Erin Leydon) Click here to see the full column >

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

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This is a stupendous early seventies suit by Louis Feraud that I think is just tremendous! It is that perfect working girl cut that is still fresh now. The skirt is cut on an almost exaggerated A-line with op stitched detailing that emphasize the widening of the cut as it near the hem. The jacket is perfection. It sits just at the hip with a narrowed in waist and lovely rounded, large collar. I love the three little pickets that sit atop the fabric and how each has an embroidered design on it. Its all top stitched which adds to the design, right down to the little buckle at the back. It just fit on the mannequin so on a slightly smaller girl will sit and look ever better!! Excellent, appears unworn condition

Jacket
Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 14" across
Bust: 16" flat across the back from seam to seam
Waist: 12" flat across the back from seam to seam
Length: 21" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12" flat across the back from seam to seam
Hips: 18" flat across the back from seam to seam

Length: 27" from waist to hem Both pieces are fully lined in a logo embossed silky rayon. The skirt closes with a zipper and hook & eye at the waist. The jacket closes with the logo embossed buttons at the front. Each pocket has that wonderful embroidery detailing. The color is slightly lighter then shown - it is closest to the color seen in the label shot.

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS

Item# DD1101

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