This is an incredible fur and the workmanship is of the best possible quality. Schiaparelli is of course celebrated for her bold designs and elements of wit and the unexpected. The furs being produced under the Schiaparelli name during this time period were of the best quality and that quality still shows even 50 some odd years later.  The pelts are soft and supple. It is surprisingly light for a coat made during this time period - another nod to the quality and workmanship. The coat does double duty as it can be worn at two different lengths. It does this by having the bottom portion of the coat attach by a zipper and snaps that are cleverly set along a hidden seam. When they are zipped together there is no break at all in the design. When the bottom panel is in place the coat falls to just about the knee. Once this panel is removed the coat falls to just past the hip. It is done in rows of fur that are interspersed with rows of light grey leather. The collar is big and oversized and it has its original matching leather tie belt to cinch in the waist. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an ivory silky rayon. There are no front closures, rather it wraps and ties with the belt.  Hidden pickets along the top of the row at the hip. The bottom portion zips off and there are fabric covered, hand set snaps at either end to keep the fabric above and below the zipper perfectly in place. There are a couple of tiny marks to the lining. The wrap style should allow it to fit a variety of sizes.

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: approx 17" on the inside
Inside bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inside waist: approx 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam but adjustable depending on how you tie it
Hips: open
Length: 27" from neck to 1st hem, 39" to second with the lower panel on

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C528

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

I have a small collection of historically important, key designer labelled vintage furs and fur trimmed pieces stored away in my archives that I will be slowly posting on the site over the next couple of years until I have none left. I will no longer be buying furs for the shop moving forward and have not purchased anything for several years now. I feel like times have changed and while there still is a place for vintage furs for some, including collectors and historians, many modern girls are choosing other options. Many of the pieces in my collection are representative of the designer during a set time period in history that was different then our modern outlook. I have decided that the best course to handle this controversial issue is to let the pieces I have go rather then sit in a cold storage unit. Fur coats are final sale.

This exquisite Pierre Balmain Haute Couture dress is a stunning and very rare example of what the house was producing during this time period. It is true Haute Couture and has been entirely made by hand to Haute Couture standards. You can see a striking resemblance to the  Fall 1954 "Ecume" dress combined with elements from the "Clorinde" dress from that same season. There is also an even closer resemblance to that famous photo of the model and dress captured back stage by Mark Shaw that season. You can easily imagine that this dress was derived from the different elements of these, while tweaking the details to be more perfectly reflective of the clients personal style. It is wonderful and a joy to have it come into the shop.

The dress is constructed from a hand made ivory Chantilly French lace that is outlined with a fine silk cording. The cord has been meticulously hand applied to the lace. It follows the outline of, and defines each delicate motif within the lace's pattern. The lace portion of the dress begins just under the high and defined waist and the entire lower portion of the exterior layer of the dress is done in that stunning lace. I love how at the very hem the lace edges have been meticulously hand stitched into a silk organza so that the hem is perfectly straight. The bodice is kept with a more simple silk jersey fabric to contrast the high level of workmanship that the lace has. It is strapless and the cups are shaped and molded underneath the jersey. The silk has been is hand draped so that is sits  in soft folds over the bust. The folds are set on a slight angle and one section in the middle has been used to create a wide open loop. Through that opening winds a wide black silk taffeta sash that drapes down at the front to follow the curved angle of the bust line and then ties at the back. I have tied it into a more formal bow but you could also leave this to trail down the back. The use of the contrasting black ribbon adds both a simple and romantic touch and also visually cinches in the waist area even more then the interior corseting already does. The skirt billows out to a beautiful fullness beneath the tapered in waist. The shape and fullness that you see is built into the skirt through layers and layers of silk netting and tulle underneath. The inner construction of the dress is absolutely exquisite with a boned and corseted interior made entirely made by hand and to Haute Couture standards. Under the skirt there are a three full layers of silk tulle and netted underskirts to achieve the shape that you see. I did not add any additional crinolines here but you could create an even fuller shape by adding a separate underskirt if you wished. It is a beautiful example of the very early work that the House of Balmain was doing and a wonderful example of the golden years of Haute Couture. Excellent condition with some small notes to review below.

Fully lined in a ivory silk with extensive boning, inner construction and skirting. It closes with an intricate combination of the Balmain signature, multiple chest and waist stays and two zippers. One to close the inner corset and the other to close the exterior dress The inner layers of the skirt are attached with some having addition half layers at their hems for additional volume. The innermost skirt is interlined with netting and the built in corset is made of lingerie netting and hand done padding. It is boned with metal boning. There is perhaps some very minor darkening to the lace here and there. Very small areas here and there of darkening to the inner bodice. On the exterior bodice there are areas of light yellowing that run across the sides. It is very faint and once on I think you would never even notice it as they are across the fabric and in the folds mainly. None of this compromises the strength or integrity of the dress and it is strong and wearable with the care. All of the photos to show the stunning details of the dress are before the shot of the label and the shots to show the sides of the bodice mentioned above are after the label shot. It really is in remarkable condition. Proper Haute Couture label and tape underneath, though the writing on the couture tape under the label has faded to almost nothing.

Bust: 15" flat across the back from side seam to side seam with cups built in that would fit an A or smaller
Waist: 11.5-12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 5" from top of bodice to seam under front cups
Skirt: 36" from seam under the cups to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3344

Reference Photos: (1) Model Ann Farrar in Pierre Balmain A/W 1954-55 "Ecume" Dress. Photo by Philippe Pottier.  /  (2) Backstage at Balmain, 1954. Photo by Mark Shaw.  /  (3) Marie-Thérèse in an evening dress called "Clorinde" by Pierre Balmain, Fall/Winter 1954-1955 Collection.

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

This fabulous faux fur coat is a very rare piece indeed. It is a wonderful example of Thierry Mugler's work with its amazing over-sized hood and nipped in waist. The exaggerated narrowing of that cinched waist is made even more so by the curving line of the hips that flare out dramatically. The excess amount of fabric used n the lower part of the coat makes it even more dramatic and that combined with the thickness of the faux fur cause that flared out line to happen from every angle you see it from. The color is a very creamy ivory with a touch of a yellow tone to it depending on the light. There is a hidden snap under the belt at the front and another at the tip of one collar so you could potentially close it right up. The collar is wide and full and this extends out to a fabulous deep hood. The waist is cinched in with a faux leather belt with a silver colored metal buckle. This is an early foray by a high end designer into attempting to find a substitute for real fur and so has historical importance from that perspective as well. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an pale gold toned silky satin and has two hidden snaps at the front as described above. It then belts with the original accompanying belt. Pockets on each hip. Hand set rounded padding in each shoulder. Tagged a vintage Mugler 40. Because of the way it is cut it should work on a variety of sizes

Sleeves: approx 22-24" from natural shoulder
Dropped shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 31.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C527

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 early eighties are a time period often overlooked in the Paco Rabanne history but there are some lovely pieces that came out of this time period. This dress is definitely one of them. It is made from a white crepe and has a nod to the earlier mod shaped shift dresses that defined his career. The white of the fabric is still crisp and this contrasts perfectly against the rope and chain detailing that finishes the edge of the neckline, sleeves and hem. Building on his iconic chain link pieces, all of the edges of the dress are finished with a series of open gold toned metal grommets that are linked together with little silver circles of metal. A rope runs through the upper edges for a slight nod to a nautical feel. It is very chic and with the recent revival of the Rabanne house, it feels very modern. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a white silky satin rayon and closes at the back with a zipper.

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 32" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3323

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

In 1981 Haslton was still in full control of his brand. He had not yet signed the international licensing agreements (that was to happen in 1983) that would be the beginning of his downfall. In fact, at this point in the Halston history, he was at the top of his game and anyone who was anybody was wearing the Halston label. His prices were sky high and the work put into the pieces was impeccable.

The fabric for his beaded and sequin pieces were being made in India. Halston personally chose the fabrics and materials that were used for each piece of his main line collections. The 1981 collection was especially intricate and the majority of the runway garments were heavily beaded and/or sequinned. In the book Halston, An American Original, the twin of this dress is shown as it appeared on the runway for that season. It is interesting that he chose to show it belts belted with a sash so that the length is shorter. The dress is extraordinary and all of the bead work on it is completely done by hand. The beads are tightly spaced and all have been hand applied onto the fabric which you can clearly see on the back of the fabric. I love the pale mix of pastels colored beads that were used as it gives the dress a soft and pretty feel. The fabric that the beads have been applied to has just the slightest touch of transparently to it which I love. The silhouette is very simple with a scooped front and back and then it just gently widens out as it reached the hem. This makes it very easy to wear and very flattering on the body. Really a wonderful and rare example of his work during this time period. Excellent condition.

Unlined and has no closures. It slips over the head to wear so you have to be small enough to get it on without a opening. You could probably add a side zipper along the seam if needed. The bead work is completely hand done.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41.5" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3322

Reference Photo: Spring 1981 Halston runway collection from the book 'HALSTON: An American Original' by Elaine Gross & Fred Rottman.

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 from the Spring 2012 collection from the house of Valentino. During this time period both Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli were acting Creative Directors. On the runway there was a shorter strapless dress shown and a longer version with cap sleeves. For the stores they seemed to have combined the two looks into this strapless version with a longer skirt. Vogue's Nicole Phelps reviewed the collection and said in part:

"The designers turned out their best collection yet—one dress more seductively, calmly lovely than the next, many of them walking out on flat sandals or lace espadrilles that helped give the outing its fresh feel. "Fashion is a dream, and in this moment we need dreams," Piccioli said beforehand...The designers opened with short frocks in off-white or black in a cotton lace fabric that made them into everyday sort of propositions, or they inset lace into paper-thin leather for a halter dress and a snappy trench..."Beautiful" is the word we heard over and over as we left the show."

And beautiful the dress is. This is still once of my favorites collections from the modern Valentino and I was very pleased to get this example in the shop. These are the kind of pieces to buy now, treasure and know they will only increase in importance as time goes by. The dress is strapless with a built in lingerie weight stretch corset that gives you support. The waist is nipped in and has a leather cord that runs through it and adds some detailing and additional shape. The skirt falls from there and widens out as it nears the hem. It is finished with a wide ruffle that gives it some movement and extra volume. The fabric is lovely and is a cotton and nylon mix that has a artisanal feel to it. It has cut work areas running all through it and it back with an almost weightless cotton. It is stunning and looks to have never been worn. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a light cotton muslin and the bodice has an additional lingerie stretch, lightly boned foundation built in that closes with its own zipper. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. A leather tie runs through the waist. It is tagged a modern 42 but runs extremely small. Please check the measurements provided. It would best fit a 0-2. The detail shot of the cotton lace is the best color reference photo.

Bust: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11.5-12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 36" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-SM

Item# DD3322

Reference Photos: S/S 2012 Valentino Runway. (Look 2, Model Julia Nobis / Look 4, Freja Beha Erichsen)

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

George Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear and his signature looks focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. His dresses were made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there - that starting price point equals to around $26,000US in today's dollars. So when you buy a vintage Stavropoulos piece you are getting incredible value for your money. The only reason his work is not under the actual Haute Couture category is because he was not an official member of the association.

This came from the estate of a woman who was a personal friend of George Stavropoulos and the set was custom made for her. It is incredible and you are really getting two couture level garments that you can easily wear as a set or separately. Very fine, high end silk was used to create both pieces. The silk that was used is very fine tissue silk in the perfect ivory. It has a stunning metallic gold thread embroidered and woven directly into the silk that forms borders, panels and the scattered motifs that you see. All of these are placed to highlight the design and cut of each piece. As a result is has an exotic Indian sari feel to it that has been westernized to combine the two ideals perfectly. Pieces were still being made specifically for the Western market and designers like Stavropoulos were using the beautiful, traditional silks that were now available. The dress is cut with a single shoulder that is made from a panel of the gold that runs up the side of the dress. The bodice is fitted with a hidden more structured interior. The waist curves in and then the skirt falls under that mixing the cream and gold parts beautifully. The jacket is cut to be oversized with just past the elbow sleeves and a loose cut. It is full and has lots of volume.  It is so well made you could flip it inside out and wear it. I love the contrast between the volume of the coat with the fitted dress underneath. It is beautifully made and very light. Excellent condition with a couple of minor notes below

Both pieces are fully lined in an ivory tissue silk. The dress closes with a back, hand set painted metal zipper and the jacket has no closures. The interior of the bodice is shaped and boned. All hand finished throughout to demi-couture standards and beautifully made throughout. On the dress I see the tiniest ares of fraying along the top of the fold near the one shoulder panel. There is the slightest of yellowing to the silk on the other side but it really only shows in certain lights and barely even then. The gold thread used has real metal in it and this has tarnished slightly over the years. Please review the final four photos after the label shot. The coat is pristine. I will also include a matching scarf that is not photoed. It has hand rolled edges and measures 77" x 16"

Dress
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from shoulder to hem

Coat
Sleeves: approx 19"
Shoulders: no true shoulder seam
Bust-hem: 24 widening to 29" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED for the dress, The coat is OSFA

Item# DD3316

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 three piece set is gorgeous and has the added benefit in that you can mix and match all the separate pieces with other things in your current closet. The label on the sweater tells us that it was hand beaded in Hong Kong and the hand work is easily apparent where you can see the back. At the time, Hong Kong was doing the best sequin and bead work in the world outside of the specialty ateliers in Paris. The skirt and sleeveless top are matched and the sweater is done in a contrasting pattern. The base of the top and skirt is a creamy ivory silk satin of very good quality. The top zips up the back and is completely covered with a pattern of flowers and leaves. The edges have a cord created of tiny seed beads mixed with little round gold beads. At the hem strands of seed beads dangle all the way around with each strand finished with two gold beads. The skirt is cut sleek and narrow with the same gorgeous bead work down all the way around the bottom portion of the hem. The sweater is cropped and has a contrasting patterns all around its edges, around the shoulder and detailing the sleeves. The same beads have been used for the sweater that were used on the skirt and top, so the piece are tied all together. It is gorgeous and far better on an actual person then the dress form. Excellent condition with a couple of minor notes below.

All three pieces are fully lined in a hand set, ivory tissue silk. The skirt closes with a metal zipper and flat hook & eye at the waist. The top has a hand set zipper at the back that can be completely opened. The sweater closes with a series of hook & eye down the front. All three pieces appear to have been made and finished primarily by hand. There is perhaps the teeniest touch of pressing over the seams of the skirt. There is some grubbiness at the inner silk lining of the sweater at the neck, under each arm and a spot on the inner edge of the front. all of these could be eliminated by removing the silk lining as the sweater itself is fabulous. Please see the label pic and the two following photos for these areas. It is priced as the top and skirt with the sweater included at no charge

Sweater
Sleeves: 17"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hem: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 19.5" from neck to hem

Top
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hem: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 20" from shoulder to hem including 1.5" bead fringe

Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# D612

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 lovely wedding gown by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin that we found reference to in a blog from 2012. The gown is just gorgeous and I love that is is not a traditional white but rather used a combination of a soft blush nude silk at the top and the skirt is an almost soft pastel ivory grey. The top is a fine silk in that soft pinky nude that is suspended from the shoulders with straps that have been detailed with pearls and crystals. These are set on a fine silk netting for a romantic and delicate feel. At the back they trail down past the edge of the top for a pretty touch. The waist is detailed with a wide silk grosgrain ribbon and this extends around to the back where it becomes a large bow that has long ties that fall almost to the hem of the back skirt. The skirt is amazing and very full. The front falls in a sleek column that gains more width as it nears the hem. The back is gathered in large pleats and all of the volume you see is from the way the skirt is cut and gathered combined with the fabric that was used. I did not add any additional crinolines under this for the photos, though if wanted it to be even fuller you easily could wear on underneath. The back is trained and has the most beautiful lines as it trails out and back. Excellent condition with one small note to review below

The top is a double layer of the silk and the skirt is unlined. It closes with the signature exposed Lanvin zipper at the back. The attached ribbon at the waist can be tied as you wish. It appears to be unworn but there is some scuffing and grubbiness to the back hem, most likely from being stored on a rack. I photoed the worst spot that is on the very end of the train. It may come out with additional cleaning or could be shortened slightly to eliminate. Note the colors have a slightly more pink/blush undertone then how it photoed. The colors are better in person and softer

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 50" from waist to front hem, 65" from waist to back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3297

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

George Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear and his signature looks focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. His dresses were made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there - that starting price point equals to around $26,000US in today's dollars. So when you buy a vintage Stavropoulos gown you are getting incredible value for your money. The only reason his work is not under the Haute Couture category is because he was not an official member of the association.

This dress has the most unusual and wonderful fabric treatment that has been applied onto its surface. Hundreds and hundreds of little embroidered white triangles of fabric have been applied to the dress to cover it from shoulder to hem. These are sewn onto a fine white silk netting and then that is layered over an inner, more ivory toned, silk crepe. This play on tone give it more depth and visual interest. The triangles are set onto the fabric so that parts of the points flutter off the fabric, giving them a 3D quality. The actual dress under that amazing applique work is quite structured. The bodice has slim sleeves that taper in from the shoulder as they reach the ends, and the neckline is cut wide and squared off at the front. The shoulders have very light padding and they are set so they have a bit of high capped feel to them. At the back it is slightly scooped. The dress follows the body with has vertical seaming that bring it on at the waist a touch and then it falls to the floor. A high back vent is the perfect finish and gives a glimpse of leg. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an ivory silk crepe and closes with a hand set, painted metal zipper at the back. Light padding in each shoulder. Very well finished. In person it has a touch more of an ivory tone to the base.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3282

Reference Photo: 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.

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. 

The crepe fabric on this late seventies, early eighties dress is the perfect choice for it to fall and drape perfectly once on the body. The fabric has just enough weight so that the drape down the front is perfectly executed, but it is still light enough to feel extremely comfortable once on the body. The simple yet dramatic cut has that nod back to the glamour days of Hollywood that you see in his best pieces. The interior of the bodice is has a concealed inner separate panel that is lightly boned and meant to hug and support the bust so you can go completely bare underneath. Straps made from the  same fabric extends from the center of the bust and curve up and around the neck. From the center bust the dress drapes down and around you, curving up at the front allowing for an unexpected flash of leg when you move and down to a longer length at the back. This then tops a second layer of fabric so that the dress falls to a full maxi length. A slit runs up the front so that you get a flash of leg when you move. It is simple, sexy and perfect. Excellent condition with one minor note below.

The bust has a full built in foundation that is lightly boned and closes with its own front set zipper. The exterior layer of the dress closes with a front hidden set zippers that is set along the front middle seam, disappearing under the draping once on. Hand finishes. The ends of the ties are weighted and hand finished. I see one tiny storage mark on one hip. Please see the photo after the label shot. It also comes with a matching cowl like scarf pie that is not pictured but will be sent with the dress

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner bodice at waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: approx 60" from neck to hem
Front slit: 21" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3277

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 wonderful gown with its exquisitely beaded bodice and attached cape is a numbered Haute Couture piece designed by Pierre Balmain. Both pieces would have been  made entirely by hand at the Paris atelier and the bead work done by Lesage. We found a similar gown from that same Couture collection that was featured in Harper's Bazaar that year It is an extraordinary example of the work being done during this time period of the label's history and is very beautiful.

The impact that this gown has cannot be denied. You instantly get the feel of Ancient Greece and yet is has a touch of modernity to it as well. It dress is made out of a very fine ivory silk chiffon. The neckline is high and the skirt flows to the floor with two layers of of silk chiffon over an interior silk skirt. The bodice is covered with hand placed glass tube beads that is most likely the workmanship of the famed Lesage ateliers. Eash bead has been carefully placed by hand and then they are mixed with a real metal gold thread that has been used to outline the design created with the beads. More of that same metallic thread is used to create a gold and ivory braiding that runs down the front and back and highlight the neckline. The cape detail on this one is unusual and really what makes it extra special. This cape is made of that same high end ivory silk chiffon. It ties at the front neck but it also is secured to the shoulders so that it stays perfectly in place no matter how you move, stand or sit. It is attached by tiny snaps, hidden under the inside collar of the neckline. There are endless couture level details put into this one and the workmanship throughout is perfectly and meticulously done. It is an amazing example of the fine workmanship and attention to detail of Haute Couture. and it is a true piece of fashion history. Excellent condition with one small note to review below

The dress is fully lined in an ivory through the bodice and innermost skirt. The skirt has two layers of silk over the inner lining. There may be the occasional loose or missing bead or thread. Both pieces have their numbered tag present under the main label and both bear the same number of 764027. Hand finished. It closes with a hand set, back painted metal zipper. I see one tiny yellowed spot on one tie and a pinpoint of a spot on the cape. There are two teeny smudges on the lower portion of the skirt. None of these detract - I am just being super picky. There is a slight darkening to the silk around the waist under the seam. I have photoed it all the way around and you can see that after the photos of the Couture label.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem
Cape: 57"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2945

Reference Photo: Gleb Derujinsky in Pierre Balmain, Harper's Bazaar, April 1961.

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

George Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear and his signature looks often involved draping and the use of multiple layers of silk done on a bias cut. He focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. It was said that his gowns "seemed to float on air". He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. His dresses were made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there - that starting price point equals to around $26,000US in today's dollars. So when you buy a vintage Stavropoulos gown you are getting incredible value for your money. The only reason his work is not under the Haute Couture category is because he was not an official member of the association.

I love the light and airy feel of the dress that is created by the yards and yards of silk chiffon used for the skirt. This is mixed with a low waist top that is constructed out of a ivory embroidered lace. To highlight the pattern that runs through the lace little iridescent clear beads have been hand set and scattered over it. The silk layers that make up the skirt are all cut on the bias and this gives it lovely movement. The bodice is sleeved and the neckline cut wide across with very light padding in the shoulders for shape. The back is cut into a V so you get a bit of skin showing there. The top layer of the bodice is made of an embroidered cut work lace done in a creamy ivory. Note that in person it is far more a true ivory that the deeper color it has photoed as. The waist has no defined seam and skims over to a the upper hips with gathers on either side. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon and closes with a hand set, painted metal zipper at the back. Light padding in each shoulder. Very well finished. In person it is a true ivory. The photos have given it a bit of a taupe feel and it is not that deep a color in person.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 62" from top of shoulder to longest points of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3254

Reference Photo: 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 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.

George Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear and his signature looks often involved draping and the use of multiple layers of silk done on a bias cut. He focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. It was said that his gowns "seemed to float on air". He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. His dresses were made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there - that starting price point equals to around $26,000US in today's dollars. So when you buy a vintage Stavropoulos gown you are getting incredible value for your money. The only reason his work is not under the Haute Couture category is because he was not an official member of the association.

I love the light and airy feel of the dress that is created by the yards and yards of silk chiffon used under the top layer of netted lace used in its construction. Working in this type of fabric is already difficult and this would have taken many hours of work to execute the making of this dress by hand. The silk layers underneath are all cut on the bias and this gives it a lovely movement and makes it very comfortable to wear once on the body. The dress is suspended from the single shoulder and falls from there with a loose and billowy effect as it widens out to the hem. The top layer of the dress is made of a netted ivory with a lace feeling pattern that runs over that. This is then detailed with gold thread that gives the dress a slight touch of sparkles. Once the dress gets past the bust it widens out to be quite full by the time it reaches the hem so that when you move you get an unexpected bit of volume. it is also gathered up at the side toward the back and this gives it a little extra volume there, shows off the layers underneath the top layer and also helps to create that asymmetrical hem. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon under the top lace and net layer and closes with a hand set, painted metal zipper set off side at the back. Has four full layers of silk chiffon under the top netting layer under the skirt

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to longest point of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3107

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

Giorgio Sant' Angelo launched his label in 1966. He was a designer for whom the fabric was always the start point and worked closely with his fabric mills in developing new textiles and he also often developed his own prints. It was said the he 'he ornamented the body and made fantasy wearable'. He was the winner of two Coty Awards, the first in 1968 and the second in 1970, and two Council of Fashion Designers of America honors.

Sant' Angelo often cited various native and ethnic cultures as the inspiration for his collections and you can see that he has given this dress a touch of that homage through the bead work that adorns the dress. The dress has absolutely beautiful lines. The bodice is a halter cut with a deep front plunge. It curves up and behind the neck where it hooks into place. Along the edges it is beaded in a combination of bright coral, neon yellow and turquoise. Additionally, there are prong set rhinestones that are set all through every inch of the beading. The beads are laid out in rows along the edge. The waist curves slightly up to meet the plunge and then it too is extensively beaded. Here we see beautiful motifs worked through the band in a wider and more complicated beaded pattern. The skirt falls from there and is cut very long. It is slit high up the front and the edges are again completely beaded. These adds color to the stark ivory back drop and also define the cut of the dress. Attached to the top of each shoulder is a long silk chiffon scarf. These can be worn fully at the back for a more caped effect but I love them draped over the shoulder. When worn this way they feel like magical sleeves that extend all the way to the hem of the dress. At the bottom each is affixed with a strip of a fine orange silk and then hand stitched over that are two hand-dipped silk ribbons. The process to create the dipped silk gives them a slight ombre, watercolor effect. They pick up all of the colors used in the dress and bring a pretty romantic feel to the gown that it would not have otherwise. It is just pure genius. It is extremely beautiful and its extensive hand finishes let us know that this is one of his custom, couture pieces. Excellent condition with a tiny note to review below

Fully lined in a fine, hand set ivory silk and closes with a back painted metal zipper. It hooks to close at the back of the neck. Hand work throughout. The beads and ribbons on the scarf sleeves are all hand applied. There is some slight grubbiness/yellowing to the silk on the interior of the halter neck and a couple of beads missing near the edges of the back neck closure. I photoed the area and it can be seen after the label photo.

Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 14" from top of bodice to top waist seam
Waist band: 3"
Skirt: 43" from the boom of the waist band to hem
Front slit: 25" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3220

Reference Photo: 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.

Harvey Berin opened his self-named label in 1921 and by the 1940s his label was considered to be a leader in American fashion. The pieces were actually designed by Karen Stark, his wife's sister, though it is said that all designs had to meet with Berin's approval before going into production. The dresses were made with high end finishes and were often based on the Parisian couture designs of the season. By 1952 Stark had won a Coty award. This dress is one of the best I have seen from the label and is extraordinary.

The dress is absolutely wonderful and could easily stand side by side with any of the couture dresses being produced in this time frame. The base fabric is a pale ivory with just the barest touch of blush to it. It then has a beautiful floral and leaf pattern worked into the silk that is made from a nude toned netting. The weave of the netting varies and these variations become a layer of the design itself. Over these fabrics the dress has been densely beaded with thousands and thousands of little white glass seed beads. These are applied by hand in a dense scattering cover over the main silk part. More beads are worked into dense ropes that follow the edges of each leave and flower. More beads are used to make up the inner design of the flowers and leaves. The heavy profusion of beads makes the dress feel that is has a good solid couture feeling weight to it. The cut is kept simple to off-set that amazing design. The straps are cut wide and curve over each shoulder. The bust is fitted with a sweetheart neckline at the front and a simple scoop at the back. The waist nips in and the skirt flares out to be very full under that. I put a light crinoline under it for the photos and I think you could go even fuller if you wished. In person the dress has far more impact and beauty then the photos could ever convey. You will honestly be floored when you see it in person. The color is a more true ivory-nude and the dress has more depth and a 3D effect in real life. It is wonderful and would perhaps even make a fabulous wedding dress for the bride looking for something non-traditional. Excellent condition with a couple of tiny items to note below.

Fully lined in a pale pink silk and closes with a side set painted metal zipper. There is a teeny tiny area of the slightest of darkening to the fabric under one arm and a couple of tiny storage spots. Nothing that I feel detracts in any way. I have photoed the areas and you can see then after the shot of the label. Hand finished throughout. There is a 4.5" hem turned up and it appears that someone has turned it up at some point already and this prior shortening takes up about 2.5" of the total

Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 29" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3218

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 wonderful dress from the fifties that is beautifully feminine and romantic in feel. It is so rare to find these really outstanding fifties pieces any more and I am extra appreciative when they come into the shop. The fabric that has been used for the base is a lightweight soft cotton mix. It is almost surprising to see such a light and supple fabric used for a structured dress like this. It is all the work on the inside that give it the lines that you see. The skirt is cut to be very full. It has a built in underskirt that is made of a starched/stiffened muslin that is then finished with a layer of tulle along the bottom for volume. I then photoed it with an additional crinoline underneath of that layer so you can get a true sense of the volume that is there. You could even go fuller if you wished. If you chose to wear it with no crinoline you would still get a lot of volume and movement. The structure through the bodice comes from the extensive ribbon embellishment. This has been hand applied onto the fabric so that is completely covers the bodice to the waist and then tapers off into pretty tendrils as it trails down and over the skirt. The ribbon on all of these places panels has been shaped and made by hand out of an ivory crinkle ribbon and then the panels hand sewn into place onto the dress. Ivory silk cord is stitched around the tendrils of the skirt so they have a more finished feel. The applique work runs over the full front and back of the dress and add a beautiful 3D element to it. The waist is nipped in and the bodice is sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline at the front and a dipped back. This is a really outstanding example of the work being done during this time period. Overall excellent condition with some very minor notes to review below.

The bodice is lined with the same blue fabric as the exterior and the skirt has a built in skirt as described above. The dress closes with a side metal zipper. Note in person the blue is slightly more a true baby blue and the ribbon has a slightly more ivory tone to it and it not a true stark white. There is a very slight storage spot on  the ribbon on the top of one shoulder (see the very last ohoto) and perhaps some slight grubbiness to the ribbon along the edges here and there but this is more a cause from time and natural patina. I am being extremely picky. The hand work in the dress is easily seen from the back. The crinoline used in the styling is not include.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 46" from top of shoulder hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# E661

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

Anna Molinari and husband Gianpaolo Tarabini launched the Blumarine label in 1977 out of Capri and had their first catwalk show in 1980. By the 1990s they had opened  their first stand alone shop. For the Autumn-Winter show of 2000-2001, they launched the special 'ultra-luxe cardigan', a unique one-off item with diamonds and pearls embroidered on the handcuffs, which became famous all over the world. This jacket an extension of that first ultra-lux cardigan idea and comes from just a couple of  seasons later. My client originally paid just under $5000 for this when it was first issued.

The jacket is extraordinary. It is covered extensively in heavy, real metal discs, silver metal sequins and silver rings that are all hand applied onto the jacket. Carved squares and triangle beads that look to be mother of pearl are set in and among the silver. Fragments of shells created a 3D border around the pocket areas and everything is set on a ivory silk brocade. This gives the jacket a warm ivory tone and picks up the ivory and richness of the MOP and shells. The silver is muted and I love that there are little red tube beads interspersed though the design for the tiniest pop of color and even some prong set rhinestones in the mix. It hooks to close at the neck, highlighting the densely embellished collar, and then is open down the front under that. The cut has been kept simple so that the embellishment can take center stage. The sleeves are cut long and straight and the jacket is also cut straight and loose through the body. Big pockets sit on each hip and these have also been completely covered. It is heavy, but once on it feel perfectly balanced. I love how the bottom edge has the metal sequins trickling down over the silk underneath instead of ending in a solid finish of silver. It is just one more elaborate and special detail on a piece that is already ever so special. It is wonderful and far better in person then how it photoed. The overall feel is richer and more luminescent then how the camera could ever capture it. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a cotton muslin and closes with one hook at the neck. There may be the occasional metal sequin missing but nothing that leaves an super noticeable bare spot. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The pockets has been hand tacked . Hand work throughout. The easy loose cut and drop shoulder design will allow it to fit a range of sizes. Tagged an IT40

Sleeves: 18" from dropped shoulder seam
Dropped shoulders: 18"
Bust: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 35" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C508

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 twenties dress combines a rich, golden tone ivory silk velvet with an inset panel of silk chiffon in the same rich color. The front panel where the silk chiffon is inlaid, has been heavily embellished with beads and faux pearls. The execution of the design is very well done and it is quite beautiful. I love the way the back panel of the dress is set so that it falls in one single long line. This is created by having the back set over the inner structure of the dress and simply hooking into place once on. The velvet then wraps around the body to the front with bead work at the waist holding the velvet perfectly in place. The hand work involved in the front design would have taken hours and hours to finish. There is a wide and elaborate band of beading at the center low waist and from that hang a long, double sided, multi strand beaded tassel. These drop right to the hem of the dress and create wonderful movement. Behind this, the silk chiffon has an elaborate, trailing design of little flowers. These are all hand done and made from glass beads, pearls and rhinestones. The dress is cut in a classic flapper tube shape with a long body with no defined waist. The silk velvet top layer sits over an inner dress that gives it some hidden structure, This inner dress is no longer perfect all along where it closes underneath the back panel but this cannot be seen at all once it is on. It could perhaps still be worn as is very carefully, or the inner part could be replaced, or even removed altogether. I love all the romantic touches and feel that this could potentially be a beautiful wedding piece for a girl looking for a more twenties feeling wedding dress. The exterior is in absolutely remarkable antique condition. It is incredibly beautiful and entirely made by hand. An amazing collector piece and beautiful example of the time period. It is far far better in person then how it photoed - more rich feeling and has a softer, more romantic feel in person as well.  Excellent overall antique condition.

Has an elaborate inner dress comprised of silk netting, tissue silk and silk chiffon. The dress slips on to wear with no closures from the waist seam down. It has a series of snaps and hooks from the waist up.  The fabric at the back of the inner bodice has deteriorated badly. I have taken a photo of it on the mannequin and if you turn the layers inside out its even more shredded on one inner layer then how this looks. That said it is very sound still as the netting is there and that is strong. The structure is all there. I see one small tear to the chiffon but it is stable and not readily apparent when in due to the placement and the many layers of chiffon. There is the occasional weak spot to the silk chiffon that lines the outer silk velvet but again the velvet itself is remarkably strong and stable. There may be other areas of weakness here and there as well but I don't see any readily apparent ones. The bead and jet beads seem to be entirely present with perhaps the occasional one missing in that front design. Even with these small defects the dress is remarkably sound and shockingly beautiful. It is almost 100 years old and is considered to be in museum quality condition.

Inner bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 45 from shoulder  to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Item# E659

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 Look 38 on the runway for the Fall of 2007. At this period in time, Oscar was still alive and the Creative head of his self named label which means this would be one of his designs. Nicole Phelps of Vogue said of this collection; 't could've been a movie, so picture-perfect was Oscar de la Renta's take on the good life. From beginning to end, and day to night, the collection sparkled.' Indeed the entire collection that season was embellished and detailed with glitz. This dress was a stand out and has an interesting mix of feeling perfectly feminine and proper, while the extensive matte pewter bead work gives it an almost armor feel.

The dress is superbly constructed and feels high end form the first glance. The base fabric is a textured ivory boucle that has just enough weight to it that it feels luxurious but is not too heavy to wear comfortably. Onto this is an extensive design made of square matte silver sequin beads, mixed with matching crystals in a variety of sizes and and large pailettes that are all hand placed and applied to the dress. These circle the neck where they are set on little triangles and have rhinestones scattered in the design as well. Around each sleeve is a wide band of the square sequins with bead work detailing each sleeve further. Two wide bands of embellishment circle the hem. Around the waist is the most extensive beading of all and these are also detailed with large square sequins and more beads. It is quite striking and dramatic and yet still retains that classic elegance that the best of Oscar's work has. The dress is new and has never been worn. It still has all of its retail tags attached. Excellent condition. 

Fully lined in an ivory silk and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The dress has all of its original tags attached and has never been worn. Tagged a US 4 but seems generous in its cut so p,ease know your size in ODLR or make sure to check the measurements below.

Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 23.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3207

Reference Photo: (1) Oscar de la Renta Fall 2007 Runway, Look 38. Model: Caroline Trentini

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