The twin of this dress is held in the permanent archives of The Metropolitan Museum. It would not surprise me to find out that these were the only two samples of this dress in existence. True Haute Couture pieces were never produced in any significant quantities. The dress is as wearable now as it was when first made and feels very modern. It is entirely finished by hand and is from the time period when the house was run by Hubert de Givenchy himself. This is a wonderful and well documented piece showcasing Givenchy's work during this time period. I have included the dress that the MET has in the final shot here for your reference

The dress is made of a deep blue grey silk crepe. It is cut with a strong nod to the classic Grecian silhouette that leaves one shoulder exposed and bare. The construction details throughout the dress are exquisite. The bodice has been gathered by hand to create a series of soft pleats that run from the shoulder to the waist. These are set on a curving angle to follow the cut of the neckline as it works it way up towards the shoulder. The draping and soft pleat technique adds a beautiful detailing to the bodice of the dress. The waist is defined by a slim gold leather cord that wraps and ties to add shape. The skirt falls below this to the floor gently widening out a touch as it nears the hem. A second panel of fabric is draped over the skirt and set so that it angles softly down one side mirroring the angle of the shoulder. Slipping over this is a short cape that is made from the same fabric. It is cut on an angle to point down the front and the back and gives the dress a beautiful flowing feel. The colour is richer and deeper in person and on an actual body the entire dress really comes to life. Excellent condition with a few small notes below to review.

The dress is fully lined in a hand set blue silk of very high quality. There is a wide waist stay that hooks at the inner waist. It closes with a hand set, side painted metal zipper and from the waist down there are hidden set snaps that close the fabric of the skirt over the zipper. The bodice is lightly boned and there are small bust pads that are handset inside the bodice. The cape is unlined and slips over the head to wear. There are some light snags in the fabric here and there and some small areas pf darkening on the skirt overlay - the snags are most noticeably on the back of the skirt near the bottom - these are seen most when it is laid out flat but once on the color and placement make all of them negligible. Please see the two images after the label shots. All the interior work is done by hand to Haute Couture standards. Proper Couture tags on both pieces. Haute Couture tape label #55417

Dress
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder strap to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Cape
39" from neck to longest point of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2767

Reference Photo: 1973 Givenchy Evening Dress from The MET Collection.

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

While researching this stunning dress I found the photo I included here of a dress from 1971 that the same lines and ruffle details. Based on the other work Mr. Givenchy was doing during this time period it makes perfect sense that this would be from that year's collection. In addition, I found a numbered tape inside the seam of the skirt and it may very well denote a special or custom order.

At first glance the fabric appears to be a metallic silk brocade, but as you go closer you realize it is even more special then that. It is actually a fine and very light weight woven netted lace with a blue metallic lurex thread running through the design. The play of the metallic thread against the non-metallic bits adds its own texture to the already textured lace. The fabric has just a touch of transparency to it and I love the unusual deep deep blue of it that has just a touch of purple to make it even richer in feel. Once you get past the sheer brilliance of the fabric you begin to notice the workmanship that has gone into constructing this. The bodice is cut to skim over the bust from the rounded neckline and then it cinches in at the waist. The dress comes with its original belt that can cinch the waist in more. The sleeves are long and are finished with a ruffled the wrist that creates a beautiful little bell shape. The skirt falls to the floor from the waist and gently widens out as is nears the hem. It is finished with a wide ruffled detail that ties on the ruffle on each cuff. It is stunning and even better in person. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The bodice is unlined and the skirt is fully lined with a blue silk organza. It closes at the back with a fine metal zipper. Inner waist stay hooks to close. The belt closes with hooks. There is the teeniest of marks along the inner edge under the seam at the inner arms but they do not show through. Please refer to the photo after the label shot. There is a numbered tape along the inner skirt seam that I also photoed. Note that if you required more length it would be possible to move the ruffle down as it is set higher up the skirt rather then at the very edge of the hem. I think you could get a good 6" more in length. The sleeves are set the same way.

Sleeves: 24.5"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 40.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3167

Reference Photo: Jours de France Issue 844, 1971. 

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 Givenchy Haute Couture dress is as chic and wearable now as it was when first made. It is entirely finished by hand and would have been made under the direct supervision of Hubert de Givenchy himself. Haute Couture is the very pinnacle of the fashion experience and this is a wonderful example of his work.

The dress is a stunning affair made of a brown silk chiffon that has dots covering its surface. Each dot is made form a metallic lame thread woven through the silk and these vary in color from gold, to silver to copper.  This gives the dress a beautiful glow in the light as you move. The construction details are wonderful. The bodice has been pleated by hand to create a series of vertical pleats that run down the center of the dress at the front and the back. On the sides of the dress the fabric is left unpleated and this small detail adds tremendous texture to the dress. The shape is loose and easy so it can be worn by almost any body type. You could also add a belt to change the shape if you wished. It falls to the hem in a column of light silk. The sleeves are soft and full above their buttoned cuffs and the collar is accented with a squared off mink fur collar. No shortcut was taken in the construction and it is a stand out piece. Proper Haute Couture label and numbered tape. Excellent condition.

The dress is lined in a hand set brown silk with the sleeves unlined. It closes on the interior silk lining with a hidden hand set, painted metal zipper that is hidden under the edge of the pleats at the back. The sleeves button to close.  Finished to Haute Couture standards and entirely done by hand. Haute Couture tape label #59349

Sleeves:  approx 25-26" but there is no set shoulder seam
Shoulders: approx 15" but there is no set shoulder seam
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner lining waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner lining hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 51" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML, maybe a MED if the bust works

Item# DD2936

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.

This Givenchy coat is made from a very unusual fabric for its time period. The fabric is structured and almost feels like a cross between a canvas and a neoprene. This gives it an unusual feel to the finished texture. It is hard to describe but when you have it in your hands you will agree that it is very unique. I feel that perhaps its been waterproofed and this is what is giving it this finish. Regardless of what it is, the fabric choice is what gives it its structured feel and shape. It is covered in an abstract taupe print on a and white backdrop and this print runs over the entire coat. The lines of the coat are quite classic with a neat, notched collar and straight sleeve. It closes at the front with large silver metal tones buttons on a double row. It skins over the bust and hips and then flares out to the hem. It is extremely well made with a deep brown silk taffeta inside and hand finishes. The buttonholes are properly finished. It is absolutely gorgeous in person and even better than it looks in the photos. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a brown silk taffeta. Proper finished buttonholes and interior buttons to keep it perfectly in place when buttoned. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Hand finishes. Tagged a vintage 38 but has a more generous cut

Sleeves: 22.5"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# C414

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