This dress came with tags from the StarWares auction and was part of an auction several years prior to her passing. Even without the Hollywood connection it is a drop dead gorgeous Ungaro dress and with the recent revival of all things eighties feels surprisngly fresh once again. I have had a similar dress to this in the shop before and this is one of my favorite designs by him. It is utterly fantastic in every possible way and manages to be dramatic, sexy and classic all at once. It is superbly fitted and almost corseted through the torso where the silk is gathered in perfect soft drapes. The shoulders are cut high and square and the sleeves begin fuller at the top pf the arm and then narrow to a zipped cuff. I love the square off front with the angled inset sleeves and the sexy cut out detailing at the back. The fabric is 100% silk inside and out and has a fantastic yellow dot print on black. It is very well made with hand finishes and could have been custom made in this particular fabric just for Joan. The wrapped panel of fabric that ends in a bow on the hip gives it a bit of a forties vibe. A really stunning dress. Excellent condition

The dress is fully interlined in black silk chiffon and closes with a back painted metal zipper and a button at the top back neck. Shoulder pads, lightly boned through the bodice and hand finished. Note that on the proper sized girl it will close completely - it was too small on my mannequin to do so hence the gap mid-back

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 15-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 20.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS

Item# DD2318

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 truly one of those extraordinary Haute Couture pieces that every collector and vintage lover needs to own in their collection. Everything about this piece showcases the restraint of couture and the mastery of fabric and technique. It is as chic and wearable now as it was when first made. It is entirely made by hand, including the fabric - you can clearly see the hand work done to set the lining. Haute Couture is the very pinnacle of the fashion experience and I would hazard to say that vintage versions are even a little more special then modern ones.

The two piece set made of a beautiful embroidered open work lace with sequins hand applied to highlight the floral parts of the design in the lace. When worn together the feel is that of a simple, well cut suit that could be worn for cocktails or evening (though a modern girl would even wear it for day). The jacket works equally well as a stand alone piece as it does as part of the set. I love the body skimming cut and shorter sleeve - this feels fresh and modern. It gives the set a lightness and airiness that a full sleeve would take away from. The skirt is constructed to skim over the hip with a slight flare as it nears the hem. The fabric is very light in weight and backed in a silk dyed to match the light pastel silver grey tone perfectly. No shortcut was taken in the construction and it is a stand out piece in every possible way. However much you think this looks fabulous in the photographs it is infinitely better in person. Excellent condition with one small condition note below.

The jacket and skirt are both fully lined in a hand set silk of very high quality. The jacket closes with hidden set silk covered snaps at the front. The skirt closes with a hand set, painted metal zipper and flat hook and eye at the back. There is a small faintly darker area on the back lower third of the skirt to the left. I have attempted to capture it in the photo here and it is mentioned for accuracy only - it in no way deter or change the value of this magnificent example of Ungaro's Haute Couture work. Finished to Haute Couture standards and entirely made by hand. Haute Couture tape label present under label #H598- 8(or3)-75

Top
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 21" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2478

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 top is so pretty and romantic. It is made from a scarf weight silk that has a striped worked through the fabric. Between the stripes the fabric is fairly sheer so feels very light and transparent. The body of cut loose and easy. The sleeves are cut with a slight fullness and each cuff is finished with a ruffle of silk. This picks up on the high cut collar that is also finished with a ruffle. At the neck of the collar is a attached ascot that gives the top a touch of rock and roll glamour. Flat, glossy yellow buttons are the perfect finish. Excellent condition.

Unlined and buttons down the front. Each cuff buttons to close.

Sleeves: 26"
Shoulders: 13.5"
Bust: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# S783

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

Many people do not know that Emanuel Ungaro took a position with Balenciaga in 1958 and in 1960 he became the chief designer of the house, staying there until 1964 before he briefly went on to Courreges before opening his own couture atelier in 1965. The house has fallen from its former glory of the sixties through to the eighties, but in its heyday, the label was a force in the world of Haute Couture. By the 1970s his brilliant use of print and color combined with soft fluid tailoring made him a darling of the jet set. This gorgeous little day dress is a beautiful example of the more conservative end of his range in cut, but it still has that pop of a print that he was known for. It is made of a fine printed silk with a mod feeling print that covers its entire surface. It can be worn for the day or for cocktails with proper accessorizing. I love the refined cut and those full, balloon cut sleeves. The fabric is very light in weight and backed in a fine silk that gives the dress a very sensual feel once on. No shortcut was taken in the construction and it is of course, entirely made by hand. The neckline is high and yoked with the shoulders and bodice softly gathered. A fabric tie runs around the waist so that you can wear it loose  and easy in more of a shift shape, or you can tie them in to cinch it for added shape. The skirt has two little slant pockets that sit on each hip. However much you think this looks fabulous in the photographs it is far better in person and on a body. Excellent condition with one small condition note below about the lining.

Fully lined in a hand set silk of very high quality. It closes with a hand set, painted metal zipper and hook and eye at the back. Each cuff has a fine hand set zipper and hook & eye. The belt is partially attached and snaps into place where it is not. Note that the exterior has no flaws whatsoever, but there is a small amount of shattering under each arm to the lining only. It is stable enough to wear as presented. Finished to Haute Couture standards and entirely made by hand. Haute Couture tape label present under label #H205-5-74

Sleeves: 25" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 28" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item#DD2522

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

Besides its Haute Couture origins, this Emanuel Ungaro set has the added modern provenance of being worn to Madonna's birthday party in Italy by stylist B. Akerlund. It has also been photoed for creative purposes with all those reference photos included here. 

A brilliant mix of bright, primary colors have been used to create this wonderful couture skirt and top set. Both pieces are made from high quality silks that have subtly different weights and finishes to them. The top is more of a soft draped silk, while the skirt is made from a silk taffeta to give it more shape and volume. The finishes on the silk also are different and become a part of the design itself. The top has a subtle floral design woven into the silk and the skirt has dots. The top is a deep red silk cut loose and easy with billowing sleeves that button at each cuff. The front plunging keyhole is edged and highlighted with gold cord and has inset bands of silk. The green taffeta skirt has a cinched and banded waist done in a bright yellow silk. It  extends out into extra long, attached ties that are wrapped and tied around the waist. On the skirt there is an attached front panel of fabric in a play on an apron,  that has a beautiful painted scene. Perhaps inspired by Paul Gauguin? The contrast of the jeweled colors and the painted panel on the skirt give it a wonderfully couture folk art feel. Excellent condition with one small item to note below.

The skirt is backed in a white, fine silk organza and closes at the waist with a zipper and flat hook and eye at the waist. The top is unlined and slips over the head. Both pieces are completely made and finished by hand as per the standard of haute couture. The top is labeled and the skirt has the interior cross stitch that couture pieces of this time period have to indicate the front. There is an area of very slight discoloration on the back of the skirt skirt and a water mark that falls under the apron that you do not see when it is on. One small smudge on the sleeve. All photoed

Shoulders: no defined seam
Sleeves: 26"
Bust: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: open
Length: 25" from neck to waist

Skirt:
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD1181

Reference photos: (1-3) Photographed for creative purposes by Nikki Ormerod, Styling: Nadia Pizzimenti, Hair & Makeup: Ashley Readings, Model: Constance from Plutino Models. (4-6) B. Akerlund and Madonna from B's instagram account.

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

My client was a couture client of Ungaro's during this time period and this was one of her few RTW purchases. You can clearly see the reference to the longer version that walked the couture runway that was worn by Iman. I love the shorter version equally as much and the craftsmanship on it is wonderful.

The dress is one of the best Ungaro pieces I have come across. It feels shockingly modern and you can clearly see where many of the modern day designers have gotten their inspiration from the past few seasons. It is made out of a black silk satin that is trimmed in a black lace. Onto that lace are hand applied sequins that give it the perfect little shot of glitz. The shoulders are exaggerated and padded and the sleeves below have tremendous volume until they reach the cuffs. Each cuff is a full XX" ling and are fitted to the arm with a row of metallic thread knot buttons to close. The dress wraps and snaps into place and I love how the lace is set around the waist to draw the eye on and make it appear smaller. The dress is lined but only tot he upper portion of the lace at the hem so that it has a touch of transparency.  Its fabulous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a combination of snaps and hook and eye at the waist. The cuffs button to close. Inner waist stay hooks to close. Padding at each shoulder

Sleeves: 28.5"
Shoulders: 16" but padded and over-sized
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist stat: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 22" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3046

Reference Photo: (1) Iman for F/W 1988 Emanuel Ungaro Haute Couture. / (2-4) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon

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

This is a fabulous little Emanuel Ungaro dress with the prettiest floral print running over its surface. It somehow manages to be dramatic, sexy and yet pretty and sweet all at once. Ungaro started out as a designer who did very structural and conceptual space age pieces but by the time he started his ready to wear line, Ungaro Parallele, in 1968 he was already starting to soften his look. By the late seventies and early eighties, when this dress is from, his designs had become softer and more body conscious. The dress is superbly fitted without having to be  structured inside to achieve that feel. The sleeveless bodice is cut high and narrow  and angled in towards the high neckline. I love the the soft draped feel of the collar and how this extends into two long ties that you can leave draping down the back as I have done here or tie in a bow at the front or side. The waist nips in and the skirt is cut with a slight fullness through the hips and then narrows as it reached s the hem. The back is fantastic and buttons to close from the neck to the hip. A vent at the back of the skirt allows you to walk. It has it a bit of a forties vibe to it and is very pretty. My client often wore it with the green YSL belt pictured which is also available to purchase in the shop. Excellent condition

The body of the dress is lined in a black silk chiffon and it closes with a series of buttons down the back. Attached tie at the neck.

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 27" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3066

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