True Haute Couture pieces by Chanel are an extraordinary find as they are so very rare and hard to come by. This one, like several other of the Haute Couture pieces in the shop at the moment, are from one of my clients whose mother purchased the majority of her Couture pieces between 1973 to the mid and late seventies.

The dress is made of two layers. There is an inner silk dress that acts as the lining, and then an outer layer over that, made from a semi-transparent silk chiffon. The silk chiffon used on the outer layer is especially fine and it has a beautiful red floral design screened onto the black with a secondary print suggesting an exotic animal print. The straps of the inner dress are made of that same fabric as is the matching belt that cinches in the waist. When the two pieces are layered over each other the result is wonderful. The outer dress gives the dress a very light and airy feel that is very feminine. The dress is so well made that I could not decide which way it sat better. I decided to photograph it both ways. First with the buttons down the front and then with it turned around to have the buttons run down the back. The neckline is collarless and simply ties above the row of silk covered buttons that start a slit keyhole between them and the tie. The bodice is cut to sit looser over the inner slip and the sleeves are full, poufing up above their buttoned cuffs. The skirt is a masterpiece of soft pleat work all the way around the hips. Each individual pleat is done by hand and precisely spaced. These give the skirt it's flounced feel. The matching silk fabric belt hook and ties into place to cinch in the waist. As good as it is on the dress form, it will be even better on an actual body. It is entirely made by hand and has its Haute Couture tag and numbered tape behind the tag present on the interior dress. Excellent condition

The exterior dress is unlined and closes with a tie at the neck and silk covered buttons. It has an inner waist stay that hooks to close. The interior dress act as the lining and closes with a handset side painted metal zip. Matching original belt. Finished to Haute Couture standards. Haute Couture label present with interior tape number 54878. The dress appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Outer Dress
Sleeves: 24.5"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 28" from waist to hem

Inner Dress
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3010

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

This Valentino is very similar to the work he was doing for the 1977 season that was so beautifully captured by Deborah Turbeville for the Fall campaign. I have included several reference photos of the similar gowns from the Haute Couture season that year and you can see how this one would have evolved form those for the boutique line

The dress is made from a feather light silk crepe chiffon in his signature shade of red. The fabric choice allows for the sense of airiness that the dress has once it is on and that beautiful shape. The bodice is strapless and is kept very simple with a straight across cut and inner boning on the sides so it stays on place. Two rows of those silk ruffles run around it and they are set so that just a few inches at the waist is left to be seen. This gives you some shape through the waist and keep the dress from being one solid column of nothing but ruffles. The skirt falls to the floor from there, gradually widening out as it nears the hem. Here the ruffles take center stage and fully cover the skirt in horizontal rows that slightly overlap each other. These run fully down the length of the skirt from waist to hem. The lightness of the silk allows them to move with the slightest bit of movement on your part. The effect that this creates is wonderful. It is a beautiful and romantic dress and showcases the best of Valentino's work. Excellent condition with one minor note below

Fully lined in a red silk and closes with a back metal and nylon zipper. Light boning in the sides of the bodice. I see one very faint mark on one ruffle to the side of the waist at the front. Please review the photo after the label shot. Note the back will close completely on the right sized frame. It was just a touch small on my dress form.

Bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9" from top of the bodice to waist
Skirt: 44.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3403

Reference Photos: Valentino Fall/Winter 1977 campaign photographed by Deborah Turbeville. (Model in Photo 1: Malgosia Bela)

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

After emigrating to the US in 1933, Rudi Gernreich started working in theater as a costume designer. He worked under Gilbert Adrian for a few years and eventually started his own small independent label in 1948 while still working for various other labels through to the 1952. At this point he started to develop the basis of some of the knits he would become known for while working for  the JAX boutique and doing freelance for several department stores. In 1960, Gernreich finally launched his own company and in 1964 renamed it Rudi Gernreich Inc. He is best known for his own label's work and the work that he was doing for Harmon knits in the 1960s and 1970s. Pieces like this dress are now regraded as being highly collectible.

This dress is from the 1971 season and several variations of this print were done and documented that season. His fascination with this graphic check print seems to have consumed him full force during this time period. Here we see three variations of the check used to maximum effectiveness. The top portion of the dress is done in a small red and navy check. The sleeves are more red in feel with a slightly larger so;id blue check running vertically down them. This balances out the skirt which is cut to be more full. Here the checks are of the same size and are quite large. The original belt that comes with the dress has the same check as the top and it anchors the entire design. The bodice is cut to be fitted and the skirt is set so that is has volume. It is made of his signature light wool knit. It is very rare to see a piece that still has its belt so I am happy to have had that come with it. It is a magnificent statement dress and highly collectible. Excellent condition with some small notes below.

Unlined and closes with a painted back zipper. The belt is backed with leather. The fabric around the round buckle shows signs of separating from the backing but still presents well. I see two nicks out of the fabric that I have photoed. I had this cleaned and temperature treated and the fabric seems stable. Please review the photos after the label shot and before the reference photos. Tagged a vintage S.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Skirt: 31" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3402

Reference Photos: (1) 1971 Rudi Gernreich Dress from the Indianapolis Museum of Art Collection.  /  (2-3) Peggy Moffitt in Rudi Gernreich, Fall 1971. Photographed by William Claxton.

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 dress from the last years of Marc Bohan's grand career as head of Dior is from the Fall 1980 collection. In the book Dior; Catwalk, the notes on the fall collection state that the collection notes read that; "Bohan was inspired by 'Baroque fancies and pre-Raphaelite chinoiserie'." and that "the designer created 'sinuous and subble bias cut evening dresses pleated 'a la Fortuny". This dress has the added provenance of having been photoed on Michelle Monaghan before it was released from my archives.

This two piece dress from that Haute Couture collection has that pleating technique use in its constructed as mentioned above and it is very beautiful. The inner dress is a fine, almost weightless silk chiffon with a simple double layer of silk chiffon that has been used to create the bodice that skims over the torso. The waist of this inner piece is cut loose and easy for comfort. The skirt has an extraordinary three full layers of silk, layered over each other. The outer exterior layer is finely pleated in a series of perfectly done, 1/8th of an inch pleats, that circle all the way around. The edges are finished with tiniest of stitches that have all been done meticulously by hand. All of the interior work is by hand as well. Lying over this is a loose tunic feeling overlay that is made out of a fine, silk chiffon. Worked into the silk are hundreds of dots made from a feather soft silk velvet that has been fused to the base fabric. The sleeves are full and cut so that the widen out quite a bit as they near the ends. They are unlined so that you get a touch of transparency to them and the dot pattern is really highlighted. They each end in an angled V shape that pick up that same angular shaped panel that drapes down from the neckline. The neck is cut high and again this part is left unlined for just a glimpse of skin underneath. At the back is a large bow that snaps into place so that you can wear it on or off. I have shown this worn to the back but this set is so well made that you could easily turn it around and wear it to the front I think. The versatility of the two pieces is wonderful, you can wear them together or break them up and mix with other pieces. The tunic would look as equally chic over a slim black trouser and you can combine the inner piece with a sweater or other top. The tunic is just ling enough to wear on its own if you dare. Excellent condition with a minor note to review below

The inner dress is composed of two layers that are hand sewn together through the bodice and three silk layers through the skirt. It closes with a hand set side zipper with hidden snaps to cover the fabric over the zipper below the waist. There is a button at the back of the neck and an inner waist stay that hooks to close. The tunic slips on the wear with three hook & eye at the back of the neck. Lightly padded shoulders and the bow snaps into place. There has been some softening to the pleating of the skirt near the bottom. It would be possible to iron them back in with care.

Tunic
Sleeves: 25" to longest points
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 39" from neck to longest point of hem

Under Dress
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1717

Reference Photos: (1) Michelle Monaghan for Rhapsody Magazine by Jane + Jane (Boondock Agency). Stylist: Amanda Lee Shirreffs, Makeup: Ann Pala, Hair: Anne Morgan, Manicurist: Leanne Colley. Click here to see this entire shoot in our lookbooks >  /  (2) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

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

This is a beautiful example of Halston's work during this time period. He was a master at combining function and ease but without sacrificing glamour. He did this with the absolute minimum of seaming that a garment required. His bias cut pieces like this one, sometimes feel somewhat shapeless on the hanger or dress form and it is only when they are slipped on that they drape and settle into place the way they were intended. They seem so very simple but they are not. A similar dress to this example was photoed for Vogue in 1974

The dress is entirely cut on the bias with that minimal seaming signature that I spoke of above. The color is a beautiful clear red that is flattering on most skin tones. It is feather light and it weighs ounces once it is on. The cut through the body is extremely loose and easy. There is an elastic at the waist but it is there as almost an afterthought as it does not cinch in the waist at all. It is more there to give the piece the slightest of shape and add to the soft gathers. The neckline is deep and can be worn with an even lower plunge if you leave the hidden snaps open. There are attached ties above the slit front of the neck and the collar is a double layer of flounced silk ruffles. Each sleeve is soft and full and these end with a ruffle finish. The skirt is full and open. The matching silk sash can be worn wrapped around the waist to add shape. You could also wear it wrapped turban style or at the neck. If the sash is not worn the dress has a more full, caftan feel and will land between mid-calf and ankle length depending on your height. If cinched at the waist, the length pulls up more to land between knee and calf. Excellent overall condition with a note to review below

The body and skirt of the dress are constructed from two layers of bias cut silk chiffon. The sleeves and shoulders are unlined. It is entirely bias cut and just slips over the head to wear. Ties at the neck and a very wide elastic at the waist. Each cuff is finished with elastic above the ruffled ends. The sash is original. Hand finished. Note that there are some marks on the front skirt toward the side closer to the hem. The volume and cut effectively hide these once on but they are there. I photoed ir for your reference and it is shown in the photo after the label shot. The easy cut will allow it to fit a full range of sizes

Sleeves: approx  23"
Shoulders: no defined shoulder seams
Bust: to 22-25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 20-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: to 20" from top of bodice to dropped waist
Skirt: 35" from dropped waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-XL

Item# DD2992

Reference Photo: (1) Model wearing Halston. Photo by Richard Avedon. Vogue US, December 1974.  /  (2-3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

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

The Nina Ricci Haute Couture house was founded in 1932, at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris and became one of the pre-eminent couture ateliers in the world. In 1964, Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant who took over the atelier in 1954. Over the following three decades, his Haute Couture vision "celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day." This late seventies gown is a wonderful example of Pipart's vision for the house and is a stunning example of the work that the atelier was producing during this time period.

This dress is spectacular. One of the best Ricci pieces I have seen and just a fabulous dress regardless. It has the Haute Couture label for the house and every stitch is done by hand. The hours that would have been put into making this dress and ensuring that drape is line are perfect are mind-boggling. The dress is made out of a fine silk done in a crisp clear red that is a touch brighter and clearer in person. This fabric choice gives it that fantastic drape and when you move, the fabric is so light that the various draped parts seem to just float behind you. The neckline is slightly scooped and the silk is gathered up on one shoulder. It skims over the waist and into a low drape over the skirt. There is another gathering of the silk there but this time on the side opposite to the draped shoulder. The creates a lovely long line through the body. The skirt flows in a single layer of silk from under that. It is cut on an angle at the hem and one corner of the back skirt is left longer so that it trails down and past the floor. That same side has a slit up the leg and a tightly spaced row of buttons that run up from there and disappear under the drape of the bodice. The sleeves are amazing. They are each cut to drop to the floor and flow around you every time you move. Here Pipart has again played on the asymmetrical feel he has created for the dress and he has cut one sleeve to be longer then the other, with the longer one set on the same side that the skirt is longer. The final touch is that fabulous pleated double flower at the neckline that gives it the perfect finish. This little extra detail creates that last bit of high drama to the design. Excellent condition with some small notes to review below.

The body of the dress is fully lined in red silk crepe and the skirt and sleeve are unlined. It closes with a side, hand set, zipper and a second one at the top of the shoulder where the flowers are. Light padding in the shoulders. Finished to Haute Couture standards and entirely made by hand. Note that there is some grubbiness on the trailing parts of the silk panels and some very tiny areas of thinning/picking of the fabric on the lower trailing panel of the skirt especially. Some small areas of darkening on the sleeves. Once on these do not detract at all and the fabric and dress is strong and stable. This is more from not being stored properly prior to my acquiring of it. I have included photos after the label shot to review. It is cut on the boas so there is a little play on the measurements. Haute Couture label present and made to couture standards.

Sleeves: the left is approx 62", the right is 52"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 16-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 60" from neck to front hem and the trailing panel extends another 15" longer

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3386

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 stunning and rare gown was designed by Bob Mackie. Mackie shot for fame with the work he did dressing Cher. The best of his work is dramatic and opulent and he was a master at print and color. He worked for both Edith Head and Jean Louis, where he drew Marilyn Monroe's famous 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' dress, prior to working as a costume designer and co-designing with Ray Aghayan. That led to his incredible journey in designing for stars like Cher and Diana Ross for many years. In many ways it was his work and his creations that really defined their careers and helped to shape that entire idea of high glamour.

This is an extremely gorgeous Bob Mackie dress done in a vivid floral silk chiffon. The bodice is fully formed and molded inside and the silk is then draped and shaped over that inner support. It is set so that is created a large cross over at the front which highlights the shape of the bust and emphasizes the high peak of the front bust line. The skirt flows out from under there with panels of silk chiffon that float around you and cascade to the floor. There are literally yards and yards of fabric through that skirt and when you move it is just incredible. It is cut to cure up at the front and under the top print layer are two more layers of a solid coral silk chiffon. All the silk is cut on the bias so it has incredible movement. The dress comes with its original matching cape piece. This buttons at the neck and is cut to mimic the curve of the skirt. The color is a bright tropical feeling print and it is truly one of the best dresses of his that I have seen. Very high end and very dramatic. Excellent condition with one small note below

The bodice of the dress is fully lined in a red silk. The skirt has two inner layers of coral silk that follow the line of the outer layer. The bodice is shaped and and fully boned inside and has an inner waist stay that hooks to close. It then closes with a back painted metal zipper. Hand finished throughout and hand rolled edges. There are some small repairs to the edge of the hem of the cape

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from top of the high peaked bodice to bottom of inner waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to longest part of hem
Cape: approx 60"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3384

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

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

This John Kloss piece is not 100% perfect but is too pretty to not put out there. I know there are collectors of his work and I hope someone falls in love with it as is. This would have been originally intended to be worn as lingerie piece. However, the recent trend towards wearing items more sheer and layered over inner foundation garments makes piece like this far more suitable as outwear now. This one walks the edge, as far as how sheer it is. It def has a touch of sheerness in a strong light but you could use it as a cover up, be daring and wear nothing but a slip under it, or layer it over just about anything underneath to the point where you can walk outside. The nylon is of a good quality and weight. The fabric is a pinky red color that I think is better in person then how it photoed even though the color is very close in these shots. It slips over the head with pretty cap sleeves that just cover the tops of the shoulder. The neckline is scooped and dips very low. I love the way that it is gathered under just the one side of the bust. It is so subtle and such an unusual detailing. There are a scattering of pinhead size dots at the front and a couple of the same down the front that are barely noticeable. The fabric itself is strong and otherwise in excellent condition

Unlined and slips on. Tagged M. The fabric does have some stretch. Dots on the front as per above. Please see the photo after the label shot for the area affected the most

Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: approx 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: approx 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: approx to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3336

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 Yves Saint Laurent piece is the later version of the black one I also listed today and it is just as fabulous. The color of the deep burgundy sequins is amazing. The color is very rich feeling the sequins bring it to life even more. Every square inch of the piece is finished with them. For this one the sequins are laid out flat and set side by side to cover the entire piece. Like its slightly older counterpart it too can play double duty. It is more of a short, mini dress length but can also be worn as a tunic. Either way you will be showing off a mile of leg. The neckline is slightly scooped and the shoulders themselves are lightly padded and squared off so you get a touch of structure. The sleeves are long and the body of the tunic dress is cut to skim over the body in an easy, relaxed way. The sequins are shimmer in the light and in person it is even better then how it photoed. I love the piped detailing that finishes each cuff, the neckline then runs down the back on either side of the zipper. It's fabulous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a burgundy silk  crepe and closes with a zipper at the back. Light padding in each shoulder. Tagged a vintage YSL 40

Sleeves: 24"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 30.5" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3334

Reference Photo: Yasmeen Ghauri for Yves Saint-Laurent, F/W 1996-97.

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

I love this little hat by Christian Dior. It is just wonderfully made and so unique. I have seen a couple of version of this over the years in duller colors - a taupe and a olive green, but this is the only one I have come across in this wonderful red color. The brim is wide and bold with a touch a a slant that you can play with once it is on. I love the soft, 'fuzzy' chenille felt choice of fabric that gives it a fur feel. It has a wonderful patchwork of ribbons hand placed around the crown and onto the brim. The band is a pale dusty rose grosgrain ribbon that extend out the back into two ties that are each finished with the same ribbon. It is then top stitched over the ribbons all the way around the crown and brim. The hat is soft but with a shaped crown and not so soft that it is floppy. It feels very on point and modern. Excellent condition

Interior matched red grosgrain ribbon. 21" inner circumference

Item# A370

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 Lillie Rubin label was actually a chain of boutiques that sold mainly evening wear and carried other labels as well. Pieces often had both the Lillie Rubin shop label and the designer label. This dress has only its Lillie Rubin label but I have always wondered if it was perhaps a Halston. I have never been able to verify that. If it is not I think it was definitely inspired by the tie dye work that Halston was doing during this time period. I added a reference photo of a verified Halston tie dye caftan that was done in a similar color way to this dress. If this dress could be verified as one of his pieces then this is extremely good value for the person who buys it.

This dress is gorgeous. It is made out a light silk crepe that has been tie dyed for the prettiest effect. At the front two wide triangle panels are set into the low waist so that the cross over for coverage at the front and then tie behind the neck with skinny little silk straps. This leaves the back almost completely bare and it plunges right to the waist seam. The skirt flows to the floor under that in a double layer of the same silk. The waist is dropped and has elastic through it for an easy fit. It comes with a cleverly cut looped shawl piece that you can slip your arms though and it is sort of like a soft, loose half jacket. You could style this a number of ways. It is very pretty and an amazing set. Excellent condition

The bodice is unlined and slightly transparent, the skirt is a double layer of the fabric. It slips on the wear with elastic though the waist that is loose and easy set. The shawl has no closures, will fit any size and slip on

Bust: approx 17" across the front with open sides
Waist: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 19" from neck to dropped elastic waist
Skirt: 42" from dropped waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3310

Reference Photo: Halston Caftan.

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

This lovely Rochas dress still has its tags attached and is that perfect dress for when you want full impact mixed with a touch of feminine prettiness. It is made of a silk crepe de chine in a beautiful shade of red. This fabric choice gives it lightness but allows it to drape over the body and have a pretty flow to it. It is suspended from the shoulder by tiny little silk straps that meet the bodice at the front and cross over and hold the low dip at the back. There is a little gather at the bust and the seam curves up to meet that for a pretty line. The dress flows out from there to the floor, gradually widening as it goes. At the back, it dips very low and then again flows to the floor. This leave the upper part of you more bare but is very flattering in the way it skims over the body under that. Below this is a double row of ruffles made from the same fabric. I love that this gives a nod to the historical bustle but in a very fresh and modern way. It is cut super model long and the lightness of the silk gives it beautiful movement. Excellent condition with a note below

Unlined and closes with a hidden set zipper at the side. There is a smudge near the seam on one side of the bust and some grubbiness along the hem at the front mainly. It was new with tags so was not cleaned and I am sure these will come out for be so faint it won't matter. In person, the color is a little more a muted red then how it photoed. Tagged a modern 40

Bust: approx 15 " flat across the front with open sides
Under bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: approx 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 65" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3309

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture. (Email us for information on the cape!)

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

Ruben Panis was known for his flair for drama. He started off his career designing costumes for showgirls in Las Vegas and eventually honed his skills by working for both James Galanos and Norman Norell. His gowns were worn by many Hollywood icons like Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa Gabor. At the height of his career he was charging up to $5000 for a dress which at the time was an exorbitant amount. This is an excellent example of his work and very well made.

The dress is made out of a beautiful silk jersey that has been dyed to a clear, bright red. The way it is cut is very forties in feel with a bit of that old Hollywood charm. The bust is gathered in soft horizontal drapes that run from the top of the bodice to the top of the hip. Inside it is lightly boned. This gives it structure as well as creating a beautiful curving line that accentuates the body underneath. Running up and around the neck is a tiny strap made of the same jersey. This strap hooks into place at one side and you have the option of tucking it in and wearing the dress as a strapless piece. The skirt falls to the floor under that and the jersey gives it lots of swing and movement. To finish the dress, Panis added a little drama with elaborate beading that runs on each side of the dress. A large abstract flower with dangling bead in its center sits on each side. The petals are ling and curved. The effect is wonderful. Excellent condition.

The bodice is lined in a red silky rayon and the skirt has an inner lining made of the same jersey fabric. It closes with a back, painted metal zipper and the strap hooks at one end. Light boning through the bodice and hand finishes.

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15" from top of neck to natural waist, 20" to bottom of the draping
Skirt: approx 42" from natural waist

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3304

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 beautiful coat with very fine workmanship and beautiful construction. The deep red of it is very striking and the cut is simple and sleek. It is made from a fine red silk that has golden thread woven through it. These bits of gold are done in a beautiful floral and leaf pattern that is densely done so from afar they almost appear to be solid contrasting panels. As you get closer you start to see detail after detail. The cut is wonderfully simple. The sleeves end just above the wrist. I have shown the sleeves at their full length but there is actually a full panel of the gold in the inside sleeve. You could wear this with the sleeves ends turned over for a shorter sleeve and even more gold showing. There is no collar or visible closures on the coat, rather it closes with three simple hook & eye down the front and that panel of gold follows the front edging and then runs all the way around the hem in a thick panel. The simple line this creates keeps the line from any distraction and highlights that stunning fabric that makes this coat truly special. It's label tells us that is was a custom tailored piece that would have been specialty made and/ordered out of Hong Kong, who were doing some of the best silks and tailored pieces in the world during this time period. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a very fine red silk with quilting details and it closes with three hook & eye spaced down the front. The easy cut will allow it to fit a variety of sizes

Shoulders: no defined seams
Sleeves: approx 21" with the cuffs turned down
Bust: 21" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Waist: 22" flat across the back from side to side
Hips: 22" flat across the back from side to side
Length: 39.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-MED

Item# C521

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 red, full length, silk jersey dress is from Karl Lagerfeld's own label. He launched his self-named label in 1984 and this dress would be from the earlier period of that line. It is made from a silk jersey in a deep red and has an easy to wear cut that give you a long and lean line. The skirt falls to the floor from a slightly dropped waist. The jersey gives it a column feel when you are standing still, but once you move, you realize that there is quite a bit of fabric there. At the front the skirt curves slightly up for a pretty and feminine touch. It skims over the hips and the dropped waist is flattering as it brings the eye down rather then draw attention to the waist line. The sleeves are cut slim and long with a gathered detail at each cuff and hidden set zippers to allow them to fit close to the wrist. The bodice is cut long to past the waist. The fabric that runs along one side of the bodice is gathered in soft folds. At the back it closes with a long series of tightly spaced fabric covered buttons. It comes with a matching, wide cut jersey sash that is very long. This will allow you to use it in several ways - wrap low on the hip as shown, use it around the waist or neck, or even wear as a turban. It really showcases Karl's genius with fabric and cut and is a wonderful example of his earlier work. Excellent condition with two small notes to review below.

Unlined except for the front bodice panel which is lined in a red silk. It closes at the back with buttons as shown. The fabric does have some stretch and is cut on the bias. There is a teeny tiny repair near the top button at the back and there is one tiny spot on the front just above the seam. Tagged a vintage 40 and the fabric does have some stretch

Sleeves: 26"
Slight dropped shoulders: 16"
Bust: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 14-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam above hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips under seam: open
Bodice: 21" from shoulder to dropped seam above hip
Skirt: 39" dropped seam above hip to the back hem and the front skirt comes up slightly at the center

Sash: 93" x 20"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD2137

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

I am very pleased to begin presenting a collection of Bill Blass pieces from a woman who was a close personal friend of Mr. Blass for many years. Many of these pieces were custom made or tweaked specifically for her and all of them are in exquisite condition, having been stored and cared for properly over the years. These are rare and hard to find example of his work from the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Some may be the only version of its kind that were made. The family would also like it to be known that their portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to charity.

This is an extraordinary top. It is a stunning sequin and bead top that is entirely hand finished and in perfect condition. The sequin and bead work are all set onto a jersey base which is very unusual. It is constructed in the manner of a couture piece with the part of the top that is meant to tuck into your pant or skirt left bare. This allows you to tuck and secure the top so its sits perfectly in place when it is on but doesn't ruin the sequin work where it would be all folded and held. Newer pieces would never do this any more as its extra fabric used whose only purpose it to get the perfect fit. The entire top above that is densely covered in vertically places, overlapping deep red sequins, each tightly spaced for full coverage. These are applied onto the jersey so that the cover every inch of the top. This gives it a good weight but once on this weight is perfectly distributed over your torso. Heavy bead work details the neckline and all down that low dipping V at the back. More beads have been hand applies to detail each cuff for the perfect finish. It is very chic and very glamorous. I love it. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a red silk and closes at the back with metal and nylon zipper. Light padding in each shoulder. Hand finished. It appears to have been worn very little, if at all

Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 20" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S885

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

I love this Yves Saint Laurent piece. I just had a blue version of this in the shop and I was thrilled to have a red one come into my hands so quickly after that one. The color of the red sequins is amazing and every square inch of the piece is finished with them. The neckline is slightly scooped and set wide across the neck which allows for a little bit of skin to show on the top of your shoulders. The shoulders are set to feel slightly slouchy and that easy feel carries through the body of the top. It almost feels like some kind of a glam sweatshirt in the way that it sits once on. The sleeves fall to just below the elbows and the body of the tunic dress is cut to skim over the body in an easy, relaxed way. The front is cut a touch shorter then the back. The sequins are a brilliant true red and in person the color is even better then how it photoed. I love the detailing around the cuff of each sleeve and the bottom hem. It creates the impression of a ribbed sweater but this is all actually done with hand placed tube beads and sequins running in horizontal rows. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a red silk chiffon and slips on to wear with no closures.

Sleeves: 17.5"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 21" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# S884

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

Gorgeous and absolutely huge, this Yves Saint Laurent plaid scarf from the late 1970s, early 1980s is a mix of a deep and bright reds with deep blues that are overlaid with shots of metallic blue, red and gold thread. The plaid is surrounded by an intricate paisley printed double border that is also overlaid with this same gold and blue metallic highlights and then the center goes back to the red plaid. The addition of the metallic thread gives the entire scarf a subtle shine that is gorgeous in real life. It is made of a fine silk and wool mix that is extremely light and pliable - it is the same weight and feel as a fine Hermes piece. Hand fringed edges. It is super light weight despite its size. This will allow you to wear it for many purposes, as a scarf, a shawl, a sarong, a head wrap, or anything else you can dream up style wise.

The YSL logo is screened directly onto the fabric and it is tagged. It is freshly cleaned and it looks to have been worn very little if at all.

Measures 54" x 54"

Item# A363

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

Gorgeous and absolutely huge, this Yves Saint Laurent plaid scarf from the late 1970s, early 1980s is a mix of a red and yellow that is overlaid with shots of metallic red and gold thread. The plaid is mixed with an intricate paisley printed inner border that is also overlaid with this same gold and blue metallic highlights and then the center goes back to the yellow plaid. The addition of the metallic thread gives the entire scarf a subtle shine that is gorgeous in real life. It is made of a fine silk and wool mix that is extremely light and pliable - it is the same weight and feel as a fine Hermes piece. Hand fringed edges. It is super light weight despite its size. This will allow you to wear it for many purposes, as a scarf, a shawl, a sarong, a head wrap, or anything else you can dream up style wise.

The YSL logo is screened directly onto the fabric and it is tagged. It is freshly cleaned and it looks to have been worn very little if at all.

Measures 53" x 54"

Item# A361

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 gorgeous and absolutely huge Yves Saint Laurent silk scarf from the late 1970s, early 1980s that mixes a pretty and bright red rose design on an ivory silk. The print also has pops of green and taupe to highlight the design. I love the fine fringe edging to the scarf that adds a pretty and feminine finish. It is made of a fine silk that is extremely light and pliable - it is the same weight and feel as a fine Hermes piece. It is super light weight despite its size. This will allow you to wear it for many purposes, as a scarf, a shawl, a sarong, a head wrap, or anything else you can dream up style wise.

The YSL logo is screened directly onto the silk. There is one small pinhead mark and a small stain. It has been priced slightly less then its counterparts as a result.  Please review the two photos after the photo of the label. It is freshly cleaned and it looks to have been worn very little if at all other then the two areas noted.

Measures 53" x 53"

Item# A360

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 fabric on this fantastic Yves Saint Laurent shirt is a crisp cotton that has been custom screened with an interesting little graphic print. These are done in a vibrant red that in person are brighter in color then how they photoed. I love the little buttoned flap button pockets that sit high on the chest. These make it feel like a pay on one of his classic safari pieces. The collar is neat and pointed and each cuff buttons to close giving the sleeve above just a little bit of fullness. Very chic and looks to have never been worn. Excellent condition

Unlined and buttons at the front. It appaears to heav never been worn, or worn very little Tagged a vintage YSL 36

Shoulders: 14.5"
Sleeves: 23.5"
Bust: 18" flat across from side to side
Waist: 19" flat across from side to side
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side to side
Length: 26" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# S871

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

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

Unlined and buttons down the front. Each cuff buttons to close. Padded shoulders. The loose and easy fit should work on a range of sizes. Note that in person the red is more bright and vibrant then how it photoed

Sleeves: 24.5"
Shoulders: 16" to ends of padding which extend slightly beyond natural shoulder
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# S870

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 colors in this dress are amazing and when combined with the gold metallic thread that runs through the silk from top to bottom, the final effect is just beautiful. The exterior is a rich red silk chiffon that has a secondary print of blue and taupe running through it. Woven through the silk are little golden dots made out of a lurex thread. This adds a subtle shine to the entire dress. Picking up on that are curving bands of gold sequins that have been hand applied onto the silk. These following parts of the screened design. Some parts of the pattern have an even denser application of the sequins. This multi-layered textural feeling makes the fabric feel rich and exotic. This is then layered over the interior red silk lining through the skirt and front bodice. The back and sleeves are not lined so you catch a glimpse of skin through the silk. The sleeves are wonderful. Each extends from the bodice in a wide swatch of fabric and then taper down as they reach the wrist to create a subtle billowing through the upper arm. The neck is simple and slightly scooped. The skirt falls from the piped detailed waist to flare out as it nears to the floor. It is a beautiful, dramatic piece and the red, gold and other colors presents as being more vibrant and far better in person then how they photoed. Malcolm Starr International was designed by Youssef Rizkallah from 1969 to 1975 giving us a neat little window for dating this dress. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a deep red silk with the sleeves, shoulders and upper back left unlined. It closes with a back painted metal zipper rm the waist down and buttons above that to the neck. Each sleeve has a snap at the cuff.

Sleeves: approx 24" from natural shoulder
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: open with no defined side seams
Waist: 13" flat across the back from seam to seam
Inner hips: to 21" flat across the back from seam to seam of the skirt's lining
Bodice: approx 15" from neck to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3224

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