Christian LaCroix launched his Haute Couture house in 1987 and was instantly adored and revered. A ready-to-wear line soon followed along with perfumes and menswear. His collections are always an exotic, lavish affair and his inspirations spanned the decades with their eccentric, exotic glamour. His atelier closed in 2009. This dress is from the Spring 2006 collection and was shown on the runway. I love that for production they went with an even longer length.

I love this dress and how it showcases LaCroix's love of drape and a bias cut. It has the added benefit of being a version of the dress that was shown on the runway that season in a slightly shorter length. It is suspended from the shoulders by tiny straps that are made from the same silk as the dress. Triangle cups cover the bust at the front with just a small hint of gathers to the fabric at the center and at the back it scoops down for a little extra skin to show. From there the dress falls in a sweeping bias cut that gradually widens out as it nears the hem. The skirt is made up of yards and yards of silk and there are little pleats set just under the bust to give it even more volume and movement. The whole dress has an easy and sexy scarf dress type of feel to it. I love the print that runs over the silk. It is set onto the fabric like a patchwork of design that should all clash but because the tones are all kept in a similar palette it all works perfectly. It is so simple but so very sexy. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an ivory silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. Tagged a size 42. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from top of shoulder to seam under the bust
Skirt: 47" from seam under the bust to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3027

Reference Photo: Christian Lacroix S/S 2006, Look 61.

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 Spring 2005 Prada show is one of the label's most iconic and recognizable. In her review of the show, Vogue's Sarah Mower stated: "Just when the whole fashion world has turned ladylike—thanks, of course, to Miuccia Prada—she's tossed it all in the air, looking for a certain freedom. "A vague idea of birds; birds of vanity, like peacocks, parrots, and swans," was a starting point in her restless search for change, she explained. "I also wanted to move toward something more young and sporty, tall and narrow.... In broad terms, the news from Prada included a different silhouette (short hemlines, worn mostly with flat sandals), a return to one of her favorite palettes (brown-ochre-rust), and as always, lots of artful eccentricity (peacock feathers, flowerpot hats, Bakelite digital watches). There was also a Jamaican dance hall vibe, with reggae on the sound system, Rasta stripes in the knitwear, and Caribbean crochet in the raffia hats and cardigan coats. The birds really took flight for night, in the form of skirts overlaid with peacock feathers, dresses covered with digitalized feather prints, and pretty chiffon gowns whose fan-like pleats hinted subtly at dove's wings."

This is Look 22 from the show and is absolutely infused with that Prada vibe. Here we see her masterful hand at mixing textures with color. The top of the dress is a combination of eggplant and purple, anchored by an almost startling strip of red at the waist. A bright purple grosgrain ribbon details the sides of the bodice. The skirt is a combination of a deep brown and a moss green pleated & textured silk chiffon. The cut is micro mini short and the skirt has lots of movement and it is just gorgeous. The silk chiffon it is made from is feather light and it is given shape and structure by the addition of two rows of horizontal stitching placed over the hips. The top is a light weigh wool and I love the contrast of fabrics. The one shoulder silhouette balances the length of the skirt nicely and the unusual color combination is fabulous.  Excellent condition

Fully lined in a deep brown silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. Hand finishes. Tagged a Prada 40

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 16.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2820

Reference Photo: Prada Spring 2005 Runway Show, Look 22. (Model: Kim Noorda)

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

Arnold Scaasi did exquisite work and as time passes I feel his designs are coming to be appreciated by a new audience. He apprenticed for Paquin before moving ot New York and working for Charles James. He launched a ready to wear label in 1956 but 1964 launched a couture salon and scaled back everything else to concentrate  on made-to-order. He cut and created his designs to extremely high standards and the workmanship is fabulous. This skirt is from those early days of his couture salon and is both innovative and exquisite. The fabric is wonderful. It is a cotton patchwork with multiple floral designs making up the squares. The fabric has been cut so that it is set on an angle so that you get that diamond pattern. The flowers are all stitched along their edges so the skirt has a subtle bit of a quilted texture. White lace ribbon is hand set along the lines that separate each square. It has a high set, corset feeling waist that cinches in the waistline severely and then rises above that in a beautiful curved and sculpted line. The skirt widens out as it nears the hem with soft pleats set on either hip just below the waist to help give it the volume and shape you see. It's glorious. Excellent condition.

Fully self- lined in a cream silk and hand finished. It closes with a back, hand set painted metal zipper and a series of hook & eye at the waist. The waist banding has backing to give it additional shape and support.

Hips: to 21"" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from top of waist to hem, the front rises an additional 5"aboce the waist at the front

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# S818

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 was custom made, and is from the estate of 1950s model Betsy Pickering Kaiser. Betsy appeared on several Vogue covers in the 1950s and it was during that time period time period that she met Galanos. They were friends for over 60 years. She collected, and wore Galanos, her entire life and was his friend and muse. He once told her husband ‘I would rather have Betsy wear my clothes than any other woman’. She was a constant presence on the International Best Dressed List and and was added to the Best Dressed Hall of Fame in the early 1970s.

Galanos was known as the designer that could rival the French in terms of construction and design. He launched his atelier in 1951 and although his atelier was never formally designated as Haute Couture by the French, he certainly produced clothing that met the parameters of couture and he is often referred to  as one of the great American couturiers. Here, we see that high level of workmanship put into this dress. The dress is made of a light weight  black silk chiffon that is covered with a vivid floral print. The colors are bright and true with a watercolor feel and they pop against that black backdrop. Three full layers of silk are used through the body and yet the dress still weighs mere ounces. The top layer is printed and the two layers under that are a black silk chiffon. The layered effect of the silk gives it lots of movement and creates a light, floating effect when you walk. Each layer is finished with a black ribbon piping along the edges and the dress does up along each side with a series of small frog knots and loops made of the same fabric as the finishing. It is cut in a long column that skims over the body to the floor. Each side has a openings along either side and the lower frog knots are functional so that you can control how high they open slightly. The top is scooped at both the front, and the back. Both these scoops are finished with a panel of a fine black lace so that you get a transparency effect. The back is scooped very low and is only kept from being scandalous for its time period by that covering of lace. The contrast between the lightness of the silk, the see through quality of the lace and the boldness of the colors is wonderful. Excellent condition

The dress is made of three layers of silk chiffon and close with a hidden set, side zipper. Frog knots run down each side with some functional and some decorative. The slits can be close slightly with a frog knot and if you wanted them higher you could open them more. This is a one-off, unlabelled custom piece made for Betsy and came from her estate. The cut is loose and easy through the body.

Bust: 18-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to hem
Slits: to 28" on one side and to 23" on the other

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3004

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 is the second time I have had this in the shop and I love finding these. It is hands down, one of my very favorites of the early Oscar designs. It is so bright and colorful that you can't help but smile in it. It is literally like wearing a rainbow. The cut is extremely sexy with that barely there coverage at the top and yet it still manages to have an innocent, girl-next-door feel to it. It is made from heavy linen that is striped with a rainbow of bright colors. These sit horizontally over the skirt and then on the halter the pattern is set to follow the cut of the diamond shaped halter of the bodice. The halter top stays in place with little piped straps that crisscross over the back and tie. The waist is cinched in and the skirt has a pretty amount of volume. The skirt is finished with a wide ruffled edge. I love that the back and sides are left completely bare and open. The barely covered top with the sweetness of the ruffled, long skirt are the perfect contrast to each other. This style of top was the rage during the 1967-1969 period of time and I suspect that this is from then. Note that this piece is not labeled but is 100% the same dress as the labeled one I have sold in the past. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a white silky rayon and closes at the low back with a painted metal and nylon zipper and flat hook & eye at the back waist. The straps tie at the back to hold the halter in place.

Bust: adjustable
(The actual diamond shape measures 15"w x 10"h from waist to top, the straps will adjust for length and width from there)
Waist: 12.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: adjustable with straps
Skirt: 37.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2997

Reference photos: (1) From her Instagram, Indre Rockefeller in her Shrimpton Couture version (2) Sophia Amoruso in her own version, from her Instagram and again in (3)

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

Besides its Haute Couture origins, this Emanuel Ungaro set has the added modern provenance of being worn to Madonna's birthday party in Italy by stylist B. Akerlund. It has also been photoed for creative purposes with all those reference photos included here. 

A brilliant mix of bright, primary colors have been used to create this wonderful couture skirt and top set. Both pieces are made from high quality silks that have subtly different weights and finishes to them. The top is more of a soft draped silk, while the skirt is made from a silk taffeta to give it more shape and volume. The finishes on the silk also are different and become a part of the design itself. The top has a subtle floral design woven into the silk and the skirt has dots. The top is a deep red silk cut loose and easy with billowing sleeves that button at each cuff. The front plunging keyhole is edged and highlighted with gold cord and has inset bands of silk. The green taffeta skirt has a cinched and banded waist done in a bright yellow silk. It  extends out into extra long, attached ties that are wrapped and tied around the waist. On the skirt there is an attached front panel of fabric in a play on an apron,  that has a beautiful painted scene. Perhaps inspired by Paul Gauguin? The contrast of the jeweled colors and the painted panel on the skirt give it a wonderfully couture folk art feel. Excellent condition with one small item to note below.

The skirt is backed in a white, fine silk organza and closes at the waist with a zipper and flat hook and eye at the waist. The top is unlined and slips over the head. Both pieces are completely made and finished by hand as per the standard of haute couture. The top is labeled and the skirt has the interior cross stitch that couture pieces of this time period have to indicate the front. There is an area of very slight discoloration on the back of the skirt skirt and a water mark that falls under the apron that you do not see when it is on. One small smudge on the sleeve. All photoed

Shoulders: no defined seam
Sleeves: 26"
Bust: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: open
Length: 25" from neck to waist

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

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD1181

Reference photos: (1-3) Photographed for creative purposes by Nikki Ormerod, Styling: Nadia Pizzimenti, Hair & Makeup: Ashley Readings, Model: Constance from Plutino Models. (4-6) B. Akerlund and Madonna from B's instagram account.

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 1952, Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris and quickly rose to fame as one of the grand couturiers. 16 years later for the 1968-69 season, he added a ready-to-wear line of clothing and accessories called “Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique”. The line was initially sold in the United States exclusively through Bergdorf-Goodman stores and was eventually available at other retailers as well. The line was high end and extremely well made and made to appeal to his non-couture clients. It continued until 1992.

This dress is made from an easy to wear, synthetic jersey fabric in a deep blue. Many people are surprised to see pieces from the larger ateliers producing dresses using this fabric, but at the time this was a cutting edge fabric with all the promises of long life and easy care. High end designers like Givenchy were on the forefront of these developments in fabric. They were also practical as many of their clients traveled extensively and this fabric could be popped into a suitcase at one end and worn immediately upon arrival at the other. The dress has a simple cut with a pretty red and white floral print scattered over its surface. The neckline has a square cut with straps that curve up and over the shoulders. The bodice has been draped and gathered all the way around the torso. From the waist the skirt falls to the floor, gently widening out as it nears the hem. It is a gorgeous little piece that can easily go from day to evening with a change of accessories. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a back zipper. Hand finishes and hand edged inner seams. Inner waist stay that closes with hook & eye. The fabric has some stretch

Bust: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from top of shoulder strap to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2712

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 cut of this dress is not typical of Emilio Pucci's work but I wish it was as its very feminine and flattering. It is cut loose and easy through the bodice with ties at the neck that you can tie at the front or wrap and cross up and around the neck. Depending on how you tie it you can wear it to sit off the shoulder, or more on top of the shoulder. The silk jersey it is made of adds to its allure and give it the easy drape you see. This was a favored fabric of Pucci and the colors of his self-designed prints really pop against them. On this dress the print is especially pretty with soft, huge feathers curling over the dress and against each other, covering the surface. The sleeves are cut to be very full and each balloons out over its cuff. The waist is defined by piping but is cut to be loose and easy and the piping suggests, rather than defines the waist. It is simple in cut and fabrication, but striking because if the print with a dash of sensuality because of the bare shoulders. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set, painted metal zipper. The ties at the neck can be worn as you wish. Each cuff closes with hidden set fabric covered snaps. Tagged a vintage Pucci 12. The fabric does have stretch

Sleeves: 24" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 28.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2189

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 not only exceptional, it is a dress that feels like it has walked through a time capsule as it still has all of its original tags. The RN number is on one of those tags and that information allowed me to be able to date it to approximately 1975. It's cost at that time was $2500USD which would be about $11,000USD in modern terms. 

The dress has an exotic feel to it created by the combination of the pattern in the silk and the brass bells that edge the dress. The entire dress has a golden sheen created by weaving a fine gold lurex through the silk in a secondary design. The edges are finished with a braided gold metal cord that runs around each cuff and down the edge of the skirt to circle the hem. The braiding also goes around the neckline and down the side of the bodice. Where it goes down the side there are three domed filigree buttons set with a crystal. Oscar then took it one step farther and added hundreds of little brass bells that are hand placed along the loops of the braided edging. These are real bells so every time you move there is a wonderful little sound that all those bells makes. It is very subtle and not overwhelming in anyway, more of a faint rustle that is quite amazing. The skirt has the illusion of a wrap even though it is attached along the waist and this also allows for a bit of a overlap so you see some leg when you sit or walk. The silk is surprisingly lightweight and fluid. Very exotic in feel and very well made. Excellent condition.

The bodice and sleeves are fully lined in a blue silk satin of high quality and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a back, hidden set metal and nylon zipper. Zips at each cuff. Light padding in each shoulder. Tagged a size 10. The matching, fabric covered belt closes with hook and grommets. All original hang tags are present and the dress has never been worn.

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: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 18" from neck to waist
Skirt: 41" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2735

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

Elinor Simmons designed for the Malcolm Starr label from the early 1960s to 1972 and you can see her handiwork in this wonderful dress made from a batik print cotton. The print is a wonderful mix of pinks and reds that really pop. The print is hand screened onto a crisp cotton. The pattern would have had to have been all pre-planned out prior to cutting so that the design exactly follows the cut and lines of the dress. This technique uses extra fabric and is often too cost prohibitive to do properly on modern day garments any more. The dresses plunges low at the front with a crossed over effect and the sleeves are kept long as a balance. The skirt flows out from the waist and it is cut quite full in order to show off the pretty print on the fabric. The front of the skirt is left open with a high slit that runs up the center. This gives you the versatility to wear this over a capri, a full pant or shorts if you wanted more skin to show. The wide belt is densely covered in hand applied beads to add a touch of glitz to the whole thing and it cinches in the waist for added shape. A wonderful piece of vintage. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a back metal zipper. The belt closes with hook and eye that could be adjusted or moved to get the perfect fit.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 13" from neck to waist
Skirt: 35" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1300

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

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

This is one of the holy grails when looking for and finding vintage Missoni. It is a metallic lurex floral caftan dress. Similar, but less dramatic pieces with this floral print appeared in the 1972-73 season in Vogue and telegraph magazine and I have included those reference photos here.  The caftan is made from a pinky rust colored metallic lurex that has bands of flowers circling the fabric every 6 inches or so from top to bottom. The fabric is feather light so wearing this feels like wearing air and it is coll and comfortable even in warm climates. I myself own its twin and have worn it several times on vacation and closer to home. It is wonderful and easy to wear and very flattering. It is seamed down each side so unlike a traditional caftan it gives you shape and defines your curves. A long fabric belt of the same fabric cinches in the waist and gives it a modern twist. That belt also cleverly camouflages any tummy you have so you feel lean and sleek in it. I love the sides - they are left open from the outer edge to the inner seaming so you get that feel of a true caftan and all the decadence and flow that a caftan would have. You see these very, very rarely and this one is exceptional with its stunning colorway. Excellent condition.

The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear. There is stretch to the fabric so it will allow a variety of sizes to wear it. The smaller you are the more it fits like a loose caftan. The dress has seaming down the sides so the measurements are from side to side of the inner seaming. The belt is original and in excellent condition.I see one tiny repair to the back of the one of the caftan sides that has no impact once on. Mentioned for accuracy only. The fabric does have some stretch. The cutt will allow it to fit a full range of sizes.

Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: will stretch to about 19" flat from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-15" flat across from side seam to side seam, has belt to cinch
Hips: will stretch 19-21" comfortably flat from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from neck to bottom hem
Full width across: 48"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# DD2969

Reference Photos:  (1-2) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.  /  (3) Model (on right) in Missoni, photo by Duffy for Telegraph Magazine, September 1973.  /  (4) Moyra Swan wearing a Missoni skirt. Photographed by Barry Lategan from Vogue 1972.

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 perhaps one of the most recognized and well documented pieces of vintage to have ever existed. Rarely have I seen pieces come up for sale in this condition. It also retains its original 'modesty' panel under the front lacing of the jacket that is almost never present as girls took them out and threw them away. In an article from Look-In Fashion Model Annual, 1971, from which one of the reference photos was taken, the writer said this of the Mr Freedom boutique: "It's a remarkable shop. The price tags are cardboard fried eggs. Inside, a huge fly eight or nine feet long slowly flaps it's wings just above your head and further inside a chest-high model of a shoe looms large in metallic mauve. There's an armchair made to look like a huge set of false teeth and furniture the shape and colour of liquorice all-sorts. There are beautiful Mr Freedom-clad assistants and a wide-grinning Teddy boy called 'arold. Not to mention the clothes. Mr Freedom stocks an ever changing shopful of vivid, original fashions, each one more outrageous than the last and each quite different. There are fashions from the thirties and forties. There are drape jackets and blue suede shoes from the Teddy boy era, and shorts and sling back shoes fit for fifties film stars, enamel brooches, sneakers, platform shoes, sailor suits, and a whole host of incredible clothes that could have only come from the seventies. And all the time new ideas bring new clothes. Mr Freedom doesn't follow fashion, he leads"

Both the pants and jacket are made of a combination of red and black velvet. The set is a play on the traditional "baseball suit" with patch appliques at both elbows, on the pant legs and butt area to mimic that uniform. The pants are fitted around the hip with a button front detail. The legs are cut with a slight flare that ends at the cuffed hems. The jacket is also meant to be fitted and its cropped so you get an expanse of skin showing between the pants and jacket. It does up the front with thick, bright yellow laces. The laces can also be tied with the laces ending at the top or the bottom and it seems from the many reference photos that it was done both ways. Truly a rare and fine piece of fashion history. Excellent condition.

Both pieces are unlined. The pants close at the front with a button fly and the jacket laces to close as shown. There are very slight 'crease' marks in the velvet at the parts that sit over a joint but this is a natural effect of time and normal wear and I don't feel it takes away at all from the rating of excellent. The patina adds to the vintage heritage of such a rare set. Tagged a British vintage 12 but please check the listed measurements.

Jacket
Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 16.5" from top of bodice to waist

Pants
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from top of bodice to waist
Inseam: 31.5" from top of bodice to waist

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2611

Reference Photos: (1) Baseball Jacket from the V&A archives that was on display for Cecil Beaton's 1971 exhibition "Fashion: An anthology".  /  (2) Olivia Newton John, 1970s.  /  (3) Katy Manning, c. 1971.  /  (4) Frederika Elizabeth Mary Lambert-Laughton wears a Mr. Freedom Baseball Suit for Look-In Fashion Model Annual, 1971  /  (5) Mr. Freedom Outfits, 1970s.  /  (6) Harold The Ted with fellow shop assistants in the entrance to Mr. Freedom, 22 Kensington Church Street, Summer 1971. Photo by Bob Hall.  / (7) Models posing inside Mr. Freedom.  /  (8) Clockwise from top left: Olivia Newton John with Cliff Richard, 1971 / Cover of the book "Mr Freedom. Tommy Roberts: British Design Hero" by Paul Gorman. /  Photographer unknown, 1971 / Model in The Telegraph Magazine, April 1971.

Video Below: Middle of the Road performing on Top of the Pops, 1971.

This garment is in cleaned, as found condition, was steamed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This Thea Porter dress, produced in 1970, was one of the dresses that I lent from my archives and was displayed in the 2015 exhibit "THEA PORTER 70s Bohemian Chic" at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, curated by Laura McClaws Helms. You may also recognize the dress as being the one worn by Nicole Richie when she celebrated her birthday in it back in 2006. The textile design that runs over the dress was done by Sheila Hudson.

It is wonderful to have such an iconic dress and to have become a part of its provenance. The Nicole connection has made the dress instantly recognizable world-wide. Like all of Thea's pieces, only a very few were produced. I have decided to let this one go and I know that I will most likely ever see another one in my career. The dress features a hand-sequined and beaded bodice. These are set so that they follow the textile design underneath and add the perfect little touch of high glamour to the finished product. The bodice is fitted to the bust and has wide straps made of the same silk chiffon that tie around the neck. The skirt is set into the waist on the bias and this makes the chiffon seem to float around you and feel light as air. At the very bottom hem there is a ribbon of purple velvet to finish. The dress is not 100% perfect but still sound and very beautiful. Please review the condition notes below. This is a once in a life time opportunity to own a marvelous and very rare example of one of Thea's best work.

The dress is lined in a tissue silk. The museum staff added structural support under each arm in the interior (photoed). You can see a small amount of thinning to the exterior (also photoed) and the inner addition of fabric was done to stabilize this. The hem is finished with parts of it being longer than others. The interior lining shows fading and marks but is sound. Finally there is evidence of some repairs to the skirt and neck tie. All as found and in the condition exhibited it. All of this has been taken into consideration when pricing.

Bust: approx 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: is slightly shorter in the front at about 31" and the back goes to about 37" from slight empire waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS (through the bust this is a true size 0)

Item# DD2954

Reference Photos: (1-2) Nicole Richie in Thea Porter, 2006.  /  (3-4) From the 2015 "Thea Porter, 70s Bohemian Chic" Exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum.

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

Vogue's May Singer said of the Spring 2015 Rodarte show: "The show marked a real return to form for Laura and Kate Mulleavy: Playing off aquatic themes, specifically the observation of tidal pools, they progressed more or less organically from terrifically commercial looks to ones that expressed just the kind of artful madness that people crave from their brand. By the time you arrived at the net mermaid dresses clotted with embroidery, you were back under the Rodarte spell. The tidal pool inspiration made a good channel for the Mulleavys' Miss Havisham-esque hoarder streak—mimicking the way flotsam and jetsam collect in eddies, they embellished their dresses not with restraint, exactly, but with a sense of formal specificity. There was a painterly aspect to their patchwork frocks, the heavy embroidery a kind of impasto, revealing the hand."

This is one of those net dresses that was referred to specifically in that review as was Look 31 in the presentation. It was made available through special order through Moda Operandi and the original price tag on in pre-tax was $9175. It is made from a combination of purple paillettes on a copper lame, Pink looped paillettes on a pink copper lame and a gold lame that is then covered with silk net, tulle and embroidery. Blue beads give the feel of sea coral and a swatch of netting trails down one side. This dress if any from the show typified the the tidal pool inspiration and it feels like a fantasy dress that gives you the feel of the ocean and all things related. The dress is made by hand and all the embroidery work and paillettes are placed by hand. It is modern American couture. I love the duality of the dress with its patchwork feel and clash of textures. Once on it skims over the body with a V at both the front and back. The waist is a suggestion and the netting trailing down one side is extremely clever. It looks to have never been worn and is a phenomenal and hard to find runway example of the Rodarte sisters work. Excellent condition.

The inner lame base is self backed and it closes with a side set zipper. You can see hand work on the interior. Tagged a modern 6. Appears to have never been worn. The bias cut of the fabric will allow it to fit a range of sizes

Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from top of shoulder to longest points of the hem with another 12-13" extending past the longest points of the by the netting

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD2953

Reference Photo: S/S 2015 Rodarte, Look 31. Model: Model: Xiao Wen Ju.

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 would have been designed by Belgian-born Jules-Francois Crahay, who headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984. He has been "noted as one of fashion’s great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugel​y ​desirable and influential." His realm is one of my favorites for the house and the period through the late sixties and into the 70s in particular. He was a genius at print and color and he pushed the envelope in terms of using the "new" jerseys and velets available during this time period. This skirt has a boutique label bit also an additional tape that denotes a made-to-measure special order piece that would be considered demi-couture.

This velvet and fringe Lanvin skirt is utterly fantastic. I am in absolute love with it - the color, the design, the workmanship - everything about it is perfection. For the 1971 season Crahay did lots of exotic prints and worked fringe in to the collection. Here we see that fringe on that fabulous finish of the hem and it is picked up with the long, 9" dramatic tassels of the braided belt that circles the waist. The fabric is a soft panne vevlet that holds the print beautifully. The skirt is cut in a simple, long and lean line with that fringe bottom providing the movement and drama. The beauty of the color combination is equaled by the fine workmanship that has gone into constructing it. I love how the waist band has an attached braided belt that ends in five inch tassels. It is really a work of art and having the demi-couture tag makes it that much more special. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a painted metal zipper and hook & eye at the waist. A combination of hand and machine finishes. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S813

Reference Photos: (1) Lanvin in L'Officiel, 1971.  /  (2) 1971 Lanvin Red & Black Coat.  /  (3) Lanvin dress, L'Officiel 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.

This is a dramatic and bold skirt made out of a fine silk taffeta. Silk from this period was some of the finest in the world and this one is no exception. The silk has a slight sheen to it and a is covered with a bold green, red and black checked plaid pattern that is a fantastic. The waist band is fitted and the cut skims over the hips and then at the hem has a wide 10" ruffle that gives it the perfect finish. Really pretty and chic. Excellent condition

I actually have two identical versions of this skirt so the listing will not show as sold until both are sold. One is just a touch smaller and shorter, so please specify in the order notes which skirt you are ordering - skirt 1 or 2. Unlined and closes with two flat hooks at the waist and a zipper. No pockets.

Skirt One
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 44" from top of bodice to hem

Skirt Two
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S811

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.