I have several interesting pieces coming that are from a client whose aunt had most of her clothes made. This dress was made by Ady Couture and the story behind this label is fascinating. Ady Couture was based out of Lausanne Switzerland. She would buy couture fabrics from the couture houses along with the patterns and with permission make copies of the piece presented in the Haute Couture collections. When she was younger, and lived in Amsterdam, Ady would attend the private viewing and purchase directly from the couture houses. My client believes that her arrangement with the ateliers was a way to work around customs that prompted Ady to negotiate this arrangement with the ateliers. In my hunt for more information I have been able to verify that they made this permissible copies of the work of Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Ungaro. There may have been others but this are the four houses I am confident on. I feel that this particular dress has a more Dior feel to it and it might even be a design that pre-dates the decades (the late 70s to 1993) where my client's aunt was buying and living in Switzerland. The dresses are completely made by hand to Haute Couture standards and are incredible pieces.

This dress is spectacular. The fabric is extremely high end and the workmanship is amazing. It is the perfect LBD. The design is very Dior and has the feeling of Dior's earliest work and in particular his last collection of 1957 where he used the shawl collar with a flower to anchor them. The collar is amazing. It is cut to wrap around you and sits high up and above the shoulders to frame the face. It is made out of a matte silk satin and I love the way that it drapes and folds into place. It creates a fabulous 'film noir' feel. At the front where is meets and hooks into place is a removable silk and velvet flower that adds detail and a touch of romance. I love that the flower was kept black so that the eye is not suddenly jarred. The tone on tone feel this creates is wonderfully dark and rich. Underneath is a simple pencil skirted dress that is made out of a moire silk taffeta in black. It skims over the bust, goes in with a seam at the waist and then falls in a sleek pencil to just past the knee. The shoulder have a light padding and you can see the hand done work and silk edging that they have added in the shot I have included here. The dress comes with its original silk covered belt that you can use to really add shape through the waist. Inside it is hand lined in a sensual black matte silk satin. The workmanship is of the highest quality and I had added an interior shot so that you can see how beautiful it is finished. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition 

Fully lined in a black silk satin and closes a back metal zipper. The belt buckles into place and the interior shoulders are lightly padded. It appears to have been for very little if at all. Made to Haute Couture standards with a tremendous amount of detail put into its construction. 

Bust: 18" 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 bottom of band at waist
Skirt: 24.5" from bottom of band at waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD

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 several interesting pieces that have come in from a client whose aunt had most of her clothes made. This dress was made by Ady Couture and the story behind this label is fascinating. Ady Couture was based out of Lausanne Switzerland. She would buy couture fabrics from the couture houses along with the patterns and with their permission would make copies of the piece presented in the Haute Couture collections. When she was younger, and lived in Amsterdam, Ady would attend the private viewing and purchase directly from the couture houses. My client believes that her arrangement with the ateliers was a way to work around customs and this was the work around that that Ady negotiated with the ateliers. In my hunt for more information on the label I have been able to verify that they made this permissible copies of the work of Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Ungaro. There may have been others but this are the four houses I am confident on. I feel that this particular dress has a more Yves Saint Laurent or Ungaro feel to it and I am still actively searching to find its counterpart. The dresses are completely made by hand to Haute Couture standards and are incredible to see.

The dress is made from a silk taffeta and this fabric choice allows it to hold those extravagant lines that you see. It is absolutely beautiful and a testament to the level of design that you only see in couture pieces. The colour of the silk is extraordinary. I have managed to almost capture it in these photos but in person it is even richer feeling then what you see here. At the front the neckline is set in a simple high scoop. The bodice is cut to skim over your curves and is simple in cut to let the other details shine. The sleeves are a work of art. Each is made on a curve to follow the shape of the arm. They are set into the shoulders with a beautiful series of soft pleats so that you get a beautiful sense of volume there. They then taper down to the cuffs where they zip to close around the wrist. The waist is seamed and the skirt is set around the waist in a series of soft gathers that sit out from the waist slightly. This gives the illusion that the waist is smaller then it is and is quite genius. The skirt is one of the best skirts I have seen both from a design point of view and by its level of construction. It is made into two sections. The top section comes out from the soft gathered pleats all around the waist and then it balloons out all around you in a full pouf. It is seamed underneath to catch the fabric back inwards and then the second part of the skirt falls to the floor. That second tier has many yards of silk in it so that it flares out as it reached the hem. Between the two sections is a wide velvet ribbon that wraps around the seam and then you tie it into a bow at the side. What is truly incredible is that all the volume and shape that you see is created purely through the way it is cut and the fabric choice. The skirt does not have extensive underskirts to shape it. The silk of the skirts are interlined in a silk organza to help give it more weight but it is really the genius of the cut that gives it the intended shape. The final perfect detail is the elaborate detailing that runs across the front and back of the bodice and over the sleeves. All of the work is by hand. The intricate floral design has been created by combining embroidery work with tiny black sequins and beads. It is some of the finest hand work I have seen and I love how they have deliberately laid the sequins out so that you get a more matte feel for parts of the design. Inside the dress is completely finished to couture standards with every seam is hand finished. I have taken some detail shots for you to see the fine workmanship inside. It is an incredible piece and absoluteyly beautifully made. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition 

The bodice is fully lined in a matching gold toned silk and the skirt is fully interlined with a slightly gold tinged silk organza. It closes with a back fine zipper and the skirt snaps into place with silk covered snaps over it. Hidden set zippers at each wrist. Hand finished throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Made to Haute Couture standards with a tremendous amount of detail put into its construction.

Sleeves: 26"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13.5"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from shoulder to waist
Length: 42" from waist to front hem, 45" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3685

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 from my same client whose aunt purchased from Ady Couture who I explained in depth in this listing while she was living in Switzerland during the eighties and into the nineties. Prior to that, during the late sixties and into the early 80s her aunt lived in both France and Brussels where she purchased pieces from Louis Mies. Mies was a small independent couturier who did custom work for his clients to couture standards. I have not been able to confirm that he had permission from the houses to replicate their Haute Couture pieces for his clients like Ady did but this dress certainly takes its inspiration from the couture collections. After some research I think this is inspired  by the Fall 1982 Givenchy collection. In that collection he had many pieces that had similar silhouettes to this one. Given her overall wardrobe, her love of couture, Givenchy, and having things copied, it is not a stretch to make that leap. It is beyond beautiful in person and one of my favourite personal pieces from her estate so far. 

The level that this dress is made to is a beautiful thing to see. All of the finishes are by hand and it has all those lovely details that you expect in a couture level garment. It is made out of a black silk taffeta and this fabric choice helps it to hold its intended shape. On the main body of the dress the silk has been finished with hand embroidered roses. These are made with a chenille velvet thread that is worked through the silk to form large roses that cover the entire dress. Scattered over and around the roses are dots that are made with the same chenille. This gives the dress an incredible 3D texture and and depth. The flowers also add such a lovely and romantic feel to the dress. The bodice is more fitted and the neckline is scooped low across the front. It buttons to close down the front and then there is an elaborate set of snaps and hooks that follow the waist line and carry over to the side where there is a hidden set zipper. The top is cut to follow your curves and the waist is cinched in. The sleeves are a work of art. Each is made on a curve to follow the shape of the arm. They are set into the shoulders with a beautiful series of soft pleats so that you get a bit of volume there. They then taper down to the wrist. The skirt is equally well made. It curves out from the hips, falling to the floor, and then widens out as it nears the hem. Inside the skirt is a full built in black silk under-skirt. That inner skirt is finished with an edging of black silk ruffles and it set slight below the top skirt in length. So when you move a certain way or sit you get just a glimpse of the ruffles at the hem. This technique also helps to hold the shape of the skirt. I think my favourite detail is the rolled pleats that circle the waist. Each is made by hand and each perfectly matches its neighbour. The hours of work that it would have taken to implement these is mind boggling. The interior is made to couture standards with all the inner seams finished by hand. I have included some shots of the inner seams for you to see. It is extraordinary and the kind of quality and beauty that you will only find with vintage. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Fully lined through the bodice in a black silk crepe chiffon. There is a built in black silk taffeta inner skirt. It closes with button and loops down the front. At the waist there is an elaborate series of silk covered snaps and hooks that close along the waist line and then it zips at the side with a hidden set fine metal zipper. Inner waist stay that hooks to close. There is at least an inch and a bit of fabric on either side of each inner seams through the bodice to let it out if needed. The inside is all hand done and it is finished to couture standards. 

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem with 3" turned under the hem 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3682

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

This is an incredible Haute Couture dress that came to me unlabeled. After some research and feedback from my client I think this may be a Givenchy or a Givenchy copy. I have a Givenchy in my own archives from his demi-couture boutique label from this same time period and the construction of the sleeves and the overall lines of the dress are remarkably similar other then the fact that this dress was entirely made by hand. Given the client's overall wardrobe and love of couture combined with the level of workmanship in the dress it is not a stretch. It could also be another of her Ady Couture piece as well. Ady Couture was based out of Lausanne Switzerland. She would buy couture fabrics from the couture houses along with the patterns and with permission make copies of the piece presented in the Haute Couture collections. When she was younger, and lived in Amsterdam, Ady would attend the private viewing and purchase directly from the couture houses. My client believes that her arrangement with the ateliers was a way to work around customs that prompted Ady to negotiate this arrangement with the ateliers. In my hunt for more information I have been able to verify that they made this permissible copies of the work of Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Ungaro. There may have been others but this are the four houses I am confident on. It is priced as an Ady piece and the context that it would have with that label. The dress is completely made by hand to Haute Couture standards and it is incredible.

The dress is made from a black silk taffeta and this fabric choice allows it to hold the almost sculptural lines that you see. It is absolutely beautiful and a testament to the level of design that you only see in couture pieces. At the front the neckline dips into a V and the dress is vertically seamed to follow and curve over the body. The sleeves are a work of art. Each is made on a curve to follow the shape of the arm They are set into the shoulders with a beautiful series of soft pleats so that you get a bit of volume there. They then taper down to the cuffs where they zip to close around the wrist. At the back the dress is cut into a second V that is lower then the one at the front so that you get a bare expanse of skin. The waist is set to curve in at the front for a suggestion of shape but at the back is is cut so that the low waist and the top of the skirt lifts off and away from the body for more of a sense of volume. The skirt at the front is cut on a bell and curves gracefully away from the hips. At the back it is fuller and cut to fall longer then the front. Underneath is an interior skirt that is edged in a ruffle of black silk netting so that when you move you see just a peek of that from under the top skirt. At the top of the inner underskirt are layers of silk that help to hold the shape at the hips. Otherwise all of the volume is created but the cut and the fabric alone. The perfect final detail is the series of dots that you see scattered over the sleeves and bodice of the dress. These run past the waist and circle the upper portion of the skirt. They are various sizes and some are made from circles of tiny silver sequins while others are a iridescent pale blue sequin. The blue ones catch the light and range from silver to an ice blue. It's incredible. There are also some that are made from the finest little crystal beads. Inside the dress is completely finished to couture standards with every seam hand finished. I have taken some detail shots for you to see the fine workmanship inside. It is an incredible piece and just beautifully made. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition 

The bodice is unlined and the skirt is fully lined with a built in underskirt in a black silk taffeta. Built in paniers around the hip area that I have photoed for you. It closes with a back fine zipper and the skirt snaps into place with silk covered snaps over it. Hidden set zippers at each wrist. Hand finished throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. There may be the occasional sequin or crystal missing on the dots but no bare spots.  Made to Haute Couture standards with a tremendous amount of detail put into its construction.

Sleeves: 24"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 58" from top of shoulder to front hem, 60" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3677

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

Early Louis Feraud pieces are highly collectible and in their day they were sought after. Women like Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot were huge fans of the label. From the sixties through to the early eighties the Feraud label was known world wide for pieces that incorporated gorgeous graphics and cutting edge designs. This dress is unlabeled but came from the estate of a woman whose closets were filled with these labels. It has all the hallmarks of being by Feraud but has no label. Regardless of its origins it its extremely well made and a very dramatic and bold dress that will definitely turn heads. 

The dress is an amazing testament to the demi-couture level construction techniques that have been used in its construction. The bust is fitted to the body and is covered in a black lace. The top edge is scalloped which gives it a pretty finish. The entire bodice is then detailed with clusters of large and glossy black sequins that form beautiful oversized floral shapes. Little straps curve over each shoulder and I think you could easily tuck those in and wear this as a strapless dress if you preferred since it is fully supported and structured inside. On the interior there is a built in intricately boned corset that runs all the way around the interior for support. On the exterior the waist is detailed with two black bows that are made from wide silk satin ribbons. The waist is nipped in and gives you shape despite the tremendous volume of the skirts below. The skirt is a masterpieces. It is constructed from a black and white silk that has that huge dot printed over it. The top layer o the skirt is meticulously shaped and set on a stunning curve. Great swoops of fabric are draped to runs down the top of each hip at the sides. At the front the panels of silk swoop and curve upward to meet in the centre of the skirt. This allows a bit of leg to show when you walk, move or sit. It falls longer at the back and pleats are set all around the waist to help give it volume. Underneath the outer skirt is an attached and built in inner skirt made from a stiffened netting. This inner skirt is cut sleeker through the hips and then flares out into a crinoline to help hold the volume and shape of the outer skirt. It is absolutely gorgeous. Excellent condition with a note below 

The interior of the bodice is made up of the boning and a lingerie weight lining. The dress closes with a back zipper and the skirt snaps into place over it. The skirt is lined in a white silk organza and then there is a built in crinoline as shown and described above. There are some faint water marks along the back hem and some grubbiness to the inner back hem and edges where it hits the ground. Lots of hand finishes and made to demi-couture level. 

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner crinoline: to 20"
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 47" from waist to longest point of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3676

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