This is an incredible set that dates to the time period when Marc Bohan was head of the Christian Dior atelier. It is a beautiful and early example of the work being produced by Christian Dior in this time period. This is from the Christian Dior-London label and it was considered to be demi-couture from this time period of Dior's history. Pieces with this label where made for the London based Dior shops and the designs were based on the Paris collections. They were produced with many of the same high standard finishes that the Haute Couture pieces incorporated. The line was overseen by John Langberg who was the Artistic Director of Christian Dior London. Langberg would tweak the Paris looks of the house to meet the needs of Dior's London clients. All under the eye and approval of Mr. Bohan. It is exceptional and an excellent investment piece as well. Dior prices continue to skyrocket and finding early and stunning examples like and in this condition is getting harder and harder to do. 

This suit still feels perfectly on point for a modern girl which shows you just how well great design holds up even after 50+ years. The skirt is exceptional. It is cut in a sleek little flare that skims over the hips and then flares out with hidden flat inverted pleats at each side. The actual width around the botton hem stops just short of a full circle skirt. This is all achieved by the cut because there is no pleat work done around the waist. This would have taken a tremendous amount of fabric to achieve and wouldn't even be done in modern production outside of Couture. Around the waist the silk lies flat and neat and is very flattering. When you stand still the skirt lays flat and smooth but when you move you get an incredible burst of movement and volume. The skirt is suspended from a sleeveless top made out of lining fabric. This is a technique that you no longer see done because of the extra fabric it used and longer zipper requirements which also added to the costs. At this point in time though it was the proper way to have a skirt hang perfectly and be the most comfortable for the wearer. Then over that goes the little top that closes at the back with a zipper. It is cut to perfectly fall just over where the skirt underneath begins. It is cut with the slightest of curving in at the waist. It is beautifully constructed and it is cut to fit and flatter the body. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are capped and simple. I love that there is no collar. It just simply cut with a wide set high scoop at the neckline. A large bow has been set off to one side at the back and partially snaps over the zipper. At the front it is gathered in slightly towards the middle and there is a little strip of fabric there that suggests that it is being held in place by that strip. It is genius and meticulously tailored. The fabric deserves its own mention as it is a very high end silk with a twill like finish. The colour is a beautiful bright pink fuchsia combined with white and it is stunning to see in person. If you are looking for a statement set this is it. It is simple, chis and elegant, yet extremely glamorous because of that stunning colour and silk fabric choice. Excellent condition

Both pieces are fully lined in an ivory silky rayon. The top zips to close at the back and the skirt with its attached lining also zippers to close. A bow snaps into place over the zipper of the top. There is some minor shattering of the inner lining of the top under the arms but they are clean and fresh otherwise and the lining is very stable. Please see the final shot after the label 

Top
Slightly dropped shoulders: 16"
Bust: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 17" from neck to hem

Inner Dress/skirt
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 25" from waist to hem with 4" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3847

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 exceptional silk taffeta dress is by Marc Bohan for Christian Dior. It is from the Fall 1985 collection. In the 'Dior Catwalk' book, they include a write up from WWD that said the collection felt; 'young at heart, naughty and smart-chic'. They went on to note that many of the pieces on the collection were designed so that the 'hips are wrapped for attention and the knees are revealed'. The dress is a wonderful example of that young feel he was after and it is certainly a dress that is a reflection of its era. It is also a stunning example of his work during this time period. The dress is made even more special since we found a runway shot of the twin of the dress. For the runway it was styled with a lace mask and a pin nestled in the ruffled shoulder. It is an exceptional dress. 

The fabric of this dress is fantastic and no matter how great it looks in the photos you will love it even more in person. It is made out of a black silk taffeta whose underside in a silver pewter that has a bit of a metallic feel to it. This creates an incredible effect with the ruffles that cover the dress. As they move and flip over themselves you see the silver grey colour and the effect is fabulous. The fabric is light in weight and despite the elaborate construction of the dress is not at all heavy once it is on. Inside the dress has light boning through the bodice to give you some support. The bodice is cut with a modified sweetheart neckline and it is meant to hug the body. It is elaborately gathered and fitted around the bust with all of the gathered folds coming in to the seams that run over the bodice at the front, back and sides. These emphasize your curves and it make the dress very flattering once on. There is a huge and elaborate ruffle that curves around and under the arm and covers the one shoulder while the other is left bare. This gives the dress this fabulous shot gf glamour. More ruffles completely cover the skirt. These ruffles are set all the way around the skirt in a series of vertically placed silk panels. Each panel has been individually set onto the skirt to create the exaggerated ruffled effect that you see. The way they are set onto the skirt allows each piece to sit off of the skirt to create that fabulous volume. I really fluffed them up for the photos and the silk taffeta choice helps to hold the shape that you place it into while still being soft and not stiff. It is gorgeous and I love that we found the reference photo so you can see just how fabulous it is one. The dress appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a side set zipper. The interior of the bodice is boned for support. It appears to have never been worn, or worn very little.

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 21.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3841

Reference Photo: Fall/Winter 1985-86 Christian Dior Runway.

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 recently sold the near twin to this coat and am happy to have one more for you. These are the only two I have ever seen like this. This one has a slightly different collar and has a bit more grey tones through the cream parts. It is a stunning example of the fur pieces being produced at this point in Christian Dior's history. It is made out of a sheepskin that has been brushed out so that is is soft and fluffy. You can see in areas where the undercoat is very curly. The color is a combination of creamy ivory mixed with a pale caramel that has an almost pink cast to it in some areas. You can also see some deep grey hairs here and there on this one too. It is a little more pastel feeling in person then how it photoed. The fur is very soft soft and very fluffy. It is done in rows of fur that are tightly set up against the next row above and below. The collar on this one is a little neater then the other one I had and wraps around the neck to create a gorgeous frame around the face. These were almost certainly made to order which would have allowed the client to make small changes to it like the shape of the collar. It is cut in a classic pea coat style with a flared bottom. There is a fur hook at the neck and pockets sit along the horizontal row on each hip. The sleeves are cut straight and full. It is a stunning choice for the girl who believes that vintage fur is a sustainable choice. Excellent condition with a minor note below to review.

Fully lined in a deep taupe silk that is embroidered with the Christian Dior name throughout and with the former owner's name - Clarissa. There is one fur hook at the neck and the clip part of one further down but no loop on the other side. Pockets on each hip. There is slight wear at some of the common points of contact. The edges of the sleeves, collar, pocket tops, the inner edge of the coat, but all are minor. Please see the photos provided. It is fresh back from the cleaners. 

Sleeves: 22.5"
Shoulders: approx 15-16" but no inner defined seam
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# C565

Reference Photos: (1) Models in Christian Dior fur coats, L'officiel Magazine, 1971.  /  (2) Christian Dior Coat from The MET Collection.  /  1960s-70s Christian Dior Coat from The Met Collection Online.

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 is an incredible dress that would be from when Marc Bohan was head of the Dior atelier before he retired in 1989. It is a beautiful example of the work being produced by Christian Dior in this time period. In the book Dior; Catwalk, the notes on the fall collection state that the collection was placed 'under the sign of opposites' and that he had looked to the work of Abstract Expressionist painter Jackson Pollock for inspiration. Pieces were adorned in drip embroidery and motifs and then he did a series of long sheath dresses that were 'accessorized with 'Pollock jewels" in jet and multi colour stones'. In the book there is a photo of a long velvet dress with a jacket over it and I wonder if that is a glimpse of the back of the twin of this one. This may have been one of the simple 'sheath like pieces' that were shown with jewels rather then the embroidery you see on the other dresses in the photo. The dress is a true Haute Couture piece and has the appropriate numbered label intact.

The dress is made out of a soft textured silk velvet in a jet black. Using a velvet that has this added texture to it is an incredible choice as the dress catches the light in different ways as you move and it really makes it come to life. The cut is simple and sleek with a low front neckline that dips from an angle created over each shoulder. It slightly curves down to the centre and then the fabric is softly gathered down the centre to the waist. This leaves it with a  slightly bloused over feel over the the nipped in waist. The sleeves are cut long and they slim down as they reach the wrists. There is a slight volume built in at the outer part of each shoulder. On the inside I see hand made silk cases that at one time had light padding in them but the padding has been removed at some point to give it a softer shape. You could easily have some padding put back in if you wanted a stronger shoulder.  Inside the bodice is a more fitted and boned inner silk corseted piece that holds you in place while the silk velvet simply drapes softly over that outside. The skirt is cut to feel sleek and simple and falls to the floor with just a touch of gentle widening as it reaches the hem. A vent runs up the back so that you can walk. It is a beautiful and dramatic piece despite its simple lines. It is meant to be slightly more voluminous through the top and then slimmer through the skirt as was the fashion at the time. Excellent condition with a very minor note below.

Fully interlined in a fine black silk satin and then has a built in bodice made of black silk. The inner bodice is boned and closes with its own zipper as photoed. The exterior dress closes with a back painted metal zipper. Each sleeve has a zipper at the cuff. Appropriate numbered tag present with couture number 19469. Silk hand made pads that have no padding inside each shoulder as described above. Slight damage to the silk on either side of the zipper on the inner corset. Please see the photo after the label shot. 

Sleeves: 23"
Soft shoulders: to 16.5"
Inner bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam with room for up to a B cup
Inner waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13.5" from shoulder to waist
Length: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3611

Reference Photo: F/W 1984 Christian Dior Couture Runway Collection as shown in the book 'Dior; Catwalk'.

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 Fall 1958 season was Yves Saint Laurent's second collection for the house of Dior. It was titled the 'Line Courbe - Silhouette en Arc' which translates to Curved Line - Arched Silhouette. In the book 'Dior Catwalk'  they have abnb excerpt from the original show notes that explain the inspiration behind the silhouettes on the show. They stated that 'The structure of this season's fashions is inspired by one of the fundamental lines of architecture, curved convex lines... the definitive curve of the well-marked rounded shoulder line, the softened curves of skirts and the semi-circle of Palladio's arcade as key characteristics.' Vogue said that the proportions 'were the newest look in Paris. This show is also spacial because it was only one of three shows in the entire Dior history (the first in 1954 under Christian Dior himself and the third decades pater for a cruise show), that after it was show in Paris it was then brought in its entirety to the Blenheim Palace. There is was presented to raise funds for the British Red Cross and the collection was presented to Princess Margaret and guests at Blenheim Palace. It was also the piece from the collection that season that was chosen for the cheeky ad campaign. In the campaign a model in the coat holds a a minature version of herself on her palm wearing the coat. The coat also appears in the book 'Dior: Yves Saint Laurent 1958-1960' which is a coffee table sized book that is part of a series on each of the designers for Dior. The book series celebrates the houses 70th anniversary. The coat is in exceptional condition and it is an extraordinarily beautiful piece of fashion history. Yves Saint Laurent was at Dior for only a short time period; creating only six couture collections while there, which makes piece from his reign especially rare and an important part of not only Dior's history but of Yves as a designer as well since this would represent some of his very earliest work.  

The coat is made from a heavy, deep blue silk with a satin finish. The coat would have be considered to have been a ‘Petite Theatre’, a more formal evening coat, during this time period. A neat rounded collar wraps in a curve around the neck and closes just off to the side. This sits above a double row of buttons. The buttons have been hand made and covered in the same silk as the coat. Each button slips into a perfectly made button hole and all the work is done by hand. Pockets are hidden along the curving seams that are inset sightly towards the front of the coat so that the vertical line stays clean and simple. The back has tremendous volume and this fullness is created by a soft inverted pleat that opens from just under the back collar and extends down to the hem. Besides the volume this creates it also directly relates to the shapes that Yves intended the pieces in this collection to have. From the side, this gives it a bit of caped back feel and would have layered perfectly over the fuller backed skirts of the dresses in this collection. The silk that has been used is of the highest possible quality and the colour is an even darker shade of blue in person then how it photoed here. It appears to have been worn very little and is in outstanding condition. The proper numbered Haute Couture label is present and the coat is made entirely by hand to the standards demanded of Haute Couture. This is an exquisite example of Yves Saint Laurent's very earliest work with as a couturier and as the head of Dior. It is an outstanding piece of Haute Couture from one of the most important houses of our modern era. Excellent condition

Fully lined in hand set blue silk. It buttons to close at the front with silk covered buttons and has two hooks inside to secure in place. Hand done buttons and proper button holes. Pockets are hidden at each hip along the seams. The coat looks to have been worn very little if it all. The coat is meant to fit slightly oversized so should fit a variety of sizes. The proper Haute Couture label is present and it is numbered. Done with Haute Couture construction techniques.

Sleeves: 16"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 16"
Bust-hips: open
Length: 38.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3601

Reference Photos: (1) Christian Dior ad, 1958.  /  (2-3) "Dior: Yves Saint Laurent 1958-1960", pages 108-109, published by Assoulin. 

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 exceptional dress is by Marc Bohan for Christian Dior and it is a wonderful example of his work during this time period. It is not perfect but I believe its flaws could be reinforced. Please make sure to read the entire description and review the provided photos before purchasing. Its an exceptional piece and offered at a dramatically discounted price as a result of its small flaws.

It was in the late 1960s that Bohan was doing these wonderful metallic detailed dresses for Dior and the results were stupendous. The red silk chiffon base is as light as a feather and there are literally yards and yards of fabric used to make this dress. Woven through the silk is a winding flower and vine design that is entirely made form a gold lurex thread which gives the dress its metallic finish. The gold is used from neck to hem and catches the light as you move. The neckline is high and the bodice is set above a empire waist that is detailed with a wide red silk ribbon that is attached and hooks to close at the back. This is balanced by long sleeves that has a bit of volume to it above the cuffs. The skirt is fabulous and has a tremendous amount of fabric it, falling to the floor from under the red ribbon. It also has a extremely large shawl scarf piece that is made form the same fabric and I think you could easily use some of the fabric from that to reinforce the flaws. The flaws are as follows. There is stress and small tears to the fabric at the seams under each arm and near the seams. I see some very small starts of this near the seam of the top of the shoulder. There are a couple of large areas on the fabric of the skirt that also show small tears and weakening. Please review all photos provided that are shown after the label shot and read any extra details concerning condition below. Otherwise it is in great condition and presents very well

The skirt is fully lined in a red silk with the sleeves left unlined. It closes with a back painted metal & nylon zipper and hook & eye just above the zipper of the low back. The ribbon belt hooks to close. Each sleeve buttons to close and one button is missing. Hand finishes. Please read above concerning weak areas of the fabric. There may be additional teeny tiny areas I missed. The scarf could be used to reinforce the weak areas or even to recreate and replace them as it is huge. This would easily be priced for $3500 if perfect so is a tremendous bargain for the person willing to put in a little work on it. It is sold as a final sale

Sleeves: 25"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam of inner lining
Bodice: 11" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Shawl: 94" x 43"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3151

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 held this in my archives for several years now and I think that it is a stunning example of the fur pieces being produced at this point in Dior's history. I am no expert on furs but believe this it is mink. The color is a rich deep chocolate that is so dark that at first glance it almost appears to be a black. The fur is supple and soft and very shiny. It is applied on to the coat in series of matching rectangles that each measure approx 5" x 7" and you get a bit of a border where each fur piece meets another. This gives the coat an added bit of texture and a subtle pattern. It is cut in an almost trench coat style with a more structured, flared bottom to it then a soft trench would have. Big, unusual silver buttons run in a double row down the front. Slanted slit pockets sit on each hip and and it has its original matching tie belt that you can cinch to give the coat shape. The sleeves are cut straight and full and the collar is a classic notched wide collar.  It has been properly stored and cared for and appears to have been worn very little if at all. No splitting, issues or shedding. Excellent condition with a minor note below to review.

Fully lined in a black silky satin and closes with the buttons down the front and has an attached tie inside. Slip pockets on each hip and one hidden along the inside edge at the front. Matching tie belt. I see no bald spots or shedding, the pelts are supple, soft and shiny. there is slight wear at some of the common points - edges of the sleeves. the inner edge, but it is very minor. For a vintage fur from such an important designer, I still rate this as near excellent. The fur has no odd odor, is still supple and is stable with no signs of excessive shedding that would indicate that it is breaking down. 

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 44" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# C484

I have a small collection of historically important, key designer labelled vintage furs, fur trimmed & feather 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. All fur coats, fur trimmed & feather pieces are final sale

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