yves saint laurent
Spring 1980 Yves Saint Laurent Floral Cotton Gauze Wide Shoulder Dress w Matching Tie Belt
I Have a Question
- This is a phenomenal dress in a floral print version of the dresses that walked the runway for the Spring 1980 YSL show.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- The dress is made out of what feels like a feather light cotton and silk mix. This fabric choice holds the colours beautifully.
- The neckline is set wide across so that it sits at the edges of the shoulders. If you are not very broad across the shoulders you may be able to wear it fully off the shoulder but for most I think it will sit at the edges of the shoulder like you see on the dress form here. A wide 7" ruffle follows the entire neckline and gives it the prettiest flounce all the way around you.
- Under that the bodice skims down to a low dropped waist that is cut more generously through the middle. I have taken a photo without the belt so you can see how it is cut generously through the body. The dress comes with its matching tie belt that you can cinch in the waist as much as needed.
- The skirt is set into a slightly angled seam around the waist that comes up into a peak at one side. Tiny gathers are set in all along that seam and this is what gives the skirt its incredible volume.
- The skirt falls shorter at the side to match the peak of the seam of the skirt. As it circles around the back it gets longer. If you were to lay this out and open the skirt it is more than a full circle around. That volume combined with the lightness of the fabric gives you incredible movement when you move.
- This is an absolutely stunning example of his work during this time period and this particular cut of dress is one of my favourites from him. I have had it in several colours and patterns now and this is one of the prettiest I have had.
- The dress is unlined and closes with a side set zipper. The tie belt is original to the dress.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 45" from top of shoulder to the shortest point of the front hem, 57.5" to the longest point of the hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5589
Reference Photos: Spring 1980 Yves Saint Laurent
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
james galanos
Extraordinary 1970s James Galanos Couture Floral Print Silk Chiffon Dress w Beaded Butterfly Detailing
I Have a Question
- The label on this dress date it to the 1970s period.
- It was made under the creative direction of James Galanos.
- In 1951 a 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.
- His ready-to-wear line was made close to couture standards and with a level of craftsmanship that was on par with the French couturiers. He was truly one of the great American designers and his work is held in all of the major museums around the world.
- This is a dress that is extremely well made with a very high level of construction techniques.
- The dress is made out of the most beautiful floral print silk chiffon in a mix of soft pastels. The print forms large flowers that cascade over the entire dress.
- There is a full inner bodice made of the same printed silk chiffon. This inner piece has straps that curve up and around the shoulders with a scoop at the front and back. Blousing over that is a fuller cut, single layer of the silk chiffon. It has long sleeves that narrow to the cuff and the most incredible beaded butterfly that is completely made by hand adorning the front. It is spectacularly beautiful.
- The waist nips in and the dress comes with a matching silk covered leather belt.
- The silk is gathered into the waist seam on one side so that it wraps around you. There is a high slit hidden underneath the wrap over on one side and another matching high slit on the other side so you get an unexpected flash of bare leg when you move or sit.
- The workmanship on the dress is absolutely stunning and the vast majority of it is all done by hand including the butterfly at the front.
- The inner bodice that sits under the top acts as the lining and then that is lined with another layer of nude silk chiffon. The skirt is made of two layers of chiffon. It zips to close at the back with a hand set zipper and the outer bodice hooks to close at the back of the neck. Each sleeve ends in a little zipper. I see a tiny pinhole just above the butterfly at the front and some very minor repairs - one near the neckline of the back and some near the hem. Please see the photos after the label shot.
- The dress has no size tag so please go by the listed measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the notes above.
Sleeves: 23" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Inner bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 62" from top of shoulder to the longest point of the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5574
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
yves saint laurent
Well Documented Spring 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway Look 53 Silk Floral Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway as Look 53 for the Spring 1983 Haute Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- The dress would've been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- On the runway it was shown under a jacket when the model first came out and then she removed the jacket. I love that this shows you how versatile these little dresses can be.
- We also found the fabric noted in a WWD editorial and then I looked into my folio collection book and found the model number and original sketch for you to see. I have included all these reference photos for you here and it gives you a beautiful idea of how fabulous this is once on the body.
- The dress is gorgeous and Yves always cut his couture pieces so perfectly to flatter a woman's body.
- It is made out of a fine silk that has the tiniest ribbed texture running through it.
- The top is cut to skim over you and blouse over the waist. The shoulders have light padding just at their outer edges to slightly extend them outward. They are set into the bodice with gathers so that they slightly pouf above the shoulder line. The sleeves are slim and pouf out just slightly as they slim down to the zippered cuffs.
- The neckline is set wide across the collarbones and edged in a black silk band.
- The waist is seamed and we have added a black grosgrain ribbon there for shape. You can add a belt instead if you wanted a really cinched in look.
- The skirt falls under that in a simple pencil to just about the knee or above depending on your height.
- There are hidden set pockets along each hip.
- The colour of the silk is the best thing about the dress. It is a mix of a bright pink, green, blue and a deep purple set in a large floral design that runs over the entire dress.
- Truly a brilliant dress and when you see it in person you will fall in love with how good it is in person. And it is just so good on the body. A masterpiece.
- Unlined through the bodice and lined in a black silk through the skirt. All the work is done by hand to Haute Couture standards. It closes with a back zipper and two buttons at the back of the neck. An inner waist stay hooks to close. Each cuff has a hand set hidden set zipper to close. Light padding in each shoulder as described above. Completely made by hand. Proper Haute Couture numbered label present. The grosgrain ribbon is not original to the dress but will be sent with it.
- There is no size tag present because it is true Couture so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition.
Sleeves: 22" and 13.75" around the upper arm
Slightly wide set shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of shoulder to waist but mean to blouse a bit
Total length: 38" from top of shoulder to hem with 2" turned under
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5486
Reference Photos: (1-4) Spring 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway. / (5-7) Spring 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Advance Preview. / (8) Womens Wear Daily, February 1983.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
chloe
Rare Spring 1979 Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld Floral & Stripe Print Silk Dress w Matching Striped Belt
I Have a Question
- After much research I believe this to be from the Spring 1979 Chloe collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
- In this collection he moved away from 1940s as his inspiration into the sex appeal of the 1950s, said the book 'Chloe Catwalk'. The silhouettes were based on the hourglass. In that same book there was a very similar floral patterns shown I have included several photos here for you.
- Hand placed gathering emphasizes the hips for many of the pieces in this collection, along with extra emphasis on the waist. Lagerfeld said of the collection to the press "Frivolity is important. I want shape and sensualness."
- The dress is made from one of his signature feather light silks being used during this time period for Chloe. It is screened with a custom print that mixes an ivory, more pastel coral colour and a pale lavender.
- An interesting detail is that the labels are on the side of the dress that I think is the front. The side that has the deep plunge is longer in length at the hem so I believe that should be the back. I have seen other dresses with this label placement from around this time period and when the back is plunged like this, so it is not unusual to see. I have photoed it both ways for you, with the plunge at the back and the front. You could potentially wear the plunge at the front if you don't mind the longer hem at the front much like that Lacroix dress from me that was worn to the Met Gala a couple years ago when they turned it around backwards.
- The sleeves are long and it skims over the bust to the waist. The back plunges into a low V to just above the waist. As mentioned above, it is possible that you could wear it either way around. It is incredibly sexy worn either way.
- The waist is seamed and the dress comes with its original striped screened silk belt that hooks into place around you. The stripes on the belt pick up the stripes that are on the end of each sleeve and circle around the hem.
- The skirt curves over the hips and there is a gathering of the silk for added shape. It falls to the floor with the back cut longer then the front for a slight trained effect. You get the most fantastic movement as you walk.
- The dress is in its original uncut length and is unlined. It closes with a back hand set zipper. Hand finishes throughout. There is a tiny bit of fading at the top of the shoulders and edges of the hems. The entire dress looks to be hand dyed and or screened and it presents perfectly once on as this becomes part of the uniqueness of the pattern. The belt hooks to close.
- Excellent condition with the note above.
Sleeves: 22.5" and are 11" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from neck to waist
Total length: 60" from neck to front hem, 68" to the back hem with about 2" turned under the hem
Belt: 2.5" wide x 27" long where the hooks currently sit.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5310
Reference Photos: From the book "Chloe: The Complete Collections" by Lou Stoppard.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
versace
Very Rare Spring 1993 Versace by Gianna Versace Runway & Lookbook 'Miami Collection' Floral Print Silk Vest
I Have a Question
- This is an absolutely fantastic and very rare piece whose twin walked the Spring 1993 Versace runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gianni Versace
- Besides being prominently featured on the runway, it was featured in editorials for the Versace lookbook.
- This collection was an homage to South Beach, a place that Gianni absolutely loved. In 1991 he bought Casa Casuarina, a mansion on Ocean Drive. Two years and $30 million later it was a lavish palazzo, but before that was completed, he created this Spring 1993 show as a love letter to South Beach. Little Havana was referenced in the amazing floral printed silks that we see on this piece.
- On the runway, this was worn over a printed bell bottom pant in a contrasting floral print. In real life, you could certainly re-create that look or pair it with something simpler to let the vest shine on its own. It would look equally as good topping any length skirt, a pant, and you could even go very daring and wear something far more bare underneath.
- The vest is made out of a printed silk that mixes a solid black for the collar and lining. Black silk is also used for the properly finished button holes and the silk covered buttons at the front. It has a slightly softened feel to it that gives it a bit of a washed cast. This is intentional and carries through the entire piece where the black silk has been used.
- The rest of the vest has a brilliant oversized floral print running over it that is spectacular. It mixes all the primary colours and covers the entire piece. I love how the back panel of the vest is a different floral panel pattern for contrast.
- The shawl collar curves down low to the waist and then the vest closes with a double set of silk covered buttons across the front. Long floral covered tails fall around the side of the hip and down the front. These will end around or past the knee depending on your height.
- At the back, seams curve inwards to add shape through the waist and there is a fabric half belt that you use to cinch in and add more shape. The belt buckle and added embellishment on the belt are amazing. They are made out of a gold toned metal with the tops of each piece finished in a red, hand poured enamel. There are two curving pieces, one that secures the belt once buckled and the other to finish the end of the belt strap. Three more straight pieces sit on either side of that for added decoration. It is a very decadent and beautiful extra touch of detail.
- This is an iconic and highly collectible piece of Versace history. That is an easy piece to incorporate some vintage into your existing wardrobe.
- The vest is fully lined in a black silk and closes with the two front buttons that have properly finished button holes. As noted above, the black silk portion of the vest has a slight washed feel to its finish that appears intentional. It does have a fabric and size tag, but it is faded and you can no longer read what size it is.
- The size tag has faded so please go buy the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: approx 19" flat across from side seam to side seam but because the tails open at the front, there is some wiggle room and it should fit a little larger. The tails would just be spread open more at the front.
Total length: 44" from neck to longest point of the front hem, 20" from neck to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5284
Reference Photos/Video: (1-6) Spring 1993 Versace. / (6) Angelika Kallio for Spring 1993 Gianni Versace Miami Collection Lookbook. / (7) Backstage at Versace, 1993.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
valentino
Fall 2017 Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli Runway Look 18 Exuberant Silk Print Dress w Ruffled Details
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for Look 18 for the Fall 2017 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli.
- I love that the runway reference photos and video show you how beautifully this moves once it is on the body.
- Vogue's review stated in part "this label, based in its idyllic Roman headquarters, has already been rebuilt on escapism. If you’re in need of a fantasy dress, Valentino, with its exquisite workmanship and aura of art-history-tinted romance, will be very near top of mind. Piccioli said he’d merged Victoriana and the Memphis Group as starting points. The Victoriana provided plenty in the line of the long, high-waisted, high-necked house signature dresses." This is clearly one of the dresses inspired by that theme.
- The dress is made out of a white silk that has an exuberant oversized and stylized floral print. The print runs over the entire dress.
- The neckline is high with a ruffled collar and the dress buttons completely down the front with a double row of buttons. I love that each button hole is properly finished in the proper tailoring manner. It skims over the bust, waist and hips and is cut generously through the body so it is an easy fit. There is a seam at the waist but it is cut generously.
- Little ruffles round over each shoulder and the sleeves fall from there, ending in a double row of ruffles to tie everything together.
- The skirt has built in flat pleats which gives it lots of volume,and you can see this in the video when it is on and moving. Even though you are completely covered the power of that beautiful fantasy print keeps the dress feeling light and easy.
- The dress is fully lined in a white silk chiffon and closes at the front with the buttons to the waist. Hidden set buttons continue under there down the front of the skirt. It is in beautiful condition and appears to have been worn very little at all.
- Tagged a Valentino 42
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 26" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Total length: 62" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5183
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2017 Valentino, Look 18. Model Mariana Zaragoza.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
I Have a Question
- This set is from Spring 2002 Versace collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Donatella Versace.
- On the runway this print was shown throughout the first part of the show and the jacket and pant that make up the set were shown separately. I love that this gives you some styling ideas when you don't want to wear them together as the full set.
- This two piece set combines a beautifully cut jacket with pants that are beaded from the knee down. I always love a suit because of the ability this gives you to mix and match the pieces with things you already own.
- The incredible floral print give the suit this incredible rock 'n' roll feel. The jacket is tailored with a sleek cut that follows the curves of the body.
- It has no collar and the sleeves are long with a notch opening up each wrist. A series of tightly spaced, hidden set, hook and eye close the jacket at the front.
- It comes in at the waist a touch for shape and is meant to follow the curves of the body, but without being too tight.
- The floral print that covers the jacket is spectacular to see. The fabric of the jacket is an almost canvas feeling cotton mix with a slight texture that gives the perfect backdrop to the print.
- The pants are made of a super light in weight stretch fabric that lets the pants hug the body like a second skin.
- There is a small band at the waist that is meant to flip inwards and then nothing else to break the eye as they fall in a fairly straight boot cut to the floor.
- From about the knee down the floral print is covered in matching coloured beads and sequins. These catch the light terrifically as you move.
- It is fabulous and a great little piece of fashion history.
- The jacket is lined in an ivory Versace logo embossed fabric and hooks to close at the front. The pants are unlined and close with a back zipper. Padding in each shoulder of the jacket. Both pieces appear to have been worn very little if at all. The hips of the pants have some stretch and the comfortable range is given in the measurements below.
- The pants are tagged a 42 and the jacket has no size tag present.
- Excellent condition
Jacket
Sleeves: 24" and each arm is 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom seam: 17.5 flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from neck to hem
Pants
Waist: to 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from waist to hem with 2" turned under the hem
Inseam: 31.25" and the gusset is 14" from back of waist to inner leg seam
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4895
Reference Photos/Video: (1-9) Spring 2002 Versace (Look 9 (jacket) & Look 51 (pants)). / (10) From the book "Versace: Catwalk". / (11) Spring 2002 Versace Ad Campaign by Steven Meisel.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian lacroix
Rare Spring 1988 Christian Lacroix Well Documented Brilliant Silk Floral Dress w Back Bustle
I Have a Question
This dress is very special and an extremely well documented piece from Spring 1988. It has the special added provenance of being the twin of one of the four dresses portrayed in that instantly recognizable photo taken in his atelier that year. That photo is perhaps one of the most famous photos in the Lacroix history. The dress is from his Luxe label that was only produced the very first couple of seasons. It was very high end expensive ready-to-wear that was made to near couture standards and was available primarily to his couture clients and a select few beyond that. It was the predecessor to his later regular ready-to-wear collections. It is said that this label only lasted a couple of seasons because some of the couture clients complained at how close the garments were to their Haute Couture pieces. We found numerous reference photos of the dress as it appeared on the runway so you have an amazing idea of how this dress looks on the body.
The dress is gorgeous. It is made out of a textured silk organza that has a slight texture running through it. Onto that is a glorious floral pattern in pinks and yellow with pops of green. It feels so vibrant and beautiful with that gorgeous print. The sleeves are long and they are cut on a slight curve in the traditional couture manner. The shoulders are lightly shaped and the front falls into a shallow V. The dress has a little bit of gathering just at the bust area down the centre seam and then it falls smoothly to the hem under that. It is cut to skim over you through the body with just a suggestion of shape through the waist. At the back the bottom 9 inches of the skirt has an inset bustle. The fabric there is gathered into a curving seam and there are three black organza half bows stacked one on top of the other to create a bustle feel. This is one of his most famous dresses and its amazing. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition
The body of the dress is fully lined in a black silk and the sleeves are lined in a white silk. The dress zips to close at the back and each cuff has a zipper to close it. Light padding in the shoulders. Tagged a vintage Lacroix 44
Sleeves: 22.5" and 13" around the upper arm
Slightly dropped shoulders: 17"
Bust: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 35" from top of shoulder to hem with 2" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD4401
Reference Photos: (1-5) Spring 1988 Christian Lacroix Collection. / (6-7) Models in Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Atelier, Paris, 1988. Photos by Arthur Elgort.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
Fausto Puglisi
2014 Fausto Puglisi Bright Multi Colour 'Greco-Roman' Mini Dress w Gold Rhinestone Medallion
I Have a Question
This dress is from the Fall 2014 collection and when Fausto did a series of these in every colour combination you could think of they sold out worldwide and seemed to be everywhere on all of the fashion people. His forst collection debuted in 2006 and Italian fashion editor Anna Dello Russo started to wear his pieces everywhere and is largely responsible for bringing his work to the spotlight. His style during this time period has been called Greco-Roman glitz which to me is the perfect way to describe pieces like this. This dress is fantastic and you can see how amazing it is on the body on the reference editorial shot that we found.
The dress is absolutely gorgeous. It's made out of a light wool that has a slight texture to it finished. It mixes the six different colours that makes it up with a masterful hand. The bodice is a pale purple, and it has lemon straps that are wide and curved up and over the shoulders to meet the back. Around the waist at the front, there's a wide panel of ivory that plays double duty to also not only anchor the shape of the dress, but provide a beautiful backdrop to that huge metal and rhinestone medallion that sits at the front. The band at the back is a beautiful spring green and then you have black panels that wrap around the hips to the back zipper on either side. The skirt is a deeper purple at the front and that same pretty yellow at The skirt has been knife, pleated all the way around and has little slits on either side to show even more leg than the short length already does. It is beautifully made and that piece of jewellery at the front combined The skirt has been knife, pleated all the way around and has little slits on either side to show even more leg than the short length already does. It is beautifully made, and that piece of jewellery at the front just gives it combined. with that masterful mix of colours, gives it fine but sexy feel. It's an incredible mix of sexiness glitz and a sense of lightness and fun. its gorgeous on the body and I love it. Excellent condition with one small note below
The bodice is fully lined in an ivory silk, and there is light boning at the sides. It closes with a back hidden, set zipper and an inner waist stay snapped to close. A touch of a mark on the inner lining. Please see the photo after the label shot. Tagged modern a US6, UK10, IT42, FR38
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 31.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Slits: 5.25" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4629
Reference Photo: Model in Fausto Puglisi for En Vie Fashion Magazine, July 2014.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
Color Multi










