• This beautiful and rare coat is from the Fall 1952 Lanvin Collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Antonio Castillo.
• True Couture examples from this era are extremely rare and this is a fantastic piece showcasing the Haute Couture work being done by the house of Lanvin during the years that Antonio Castillo headed the atelier.
• Castillo started off his career at the houses of Paquin and Piquet. He also designed accessories for Chanel. He quickly became known as one of the most promising designers to emerge after WWII and that reputation was part of why he was chosen in 1950 to become the head designer at the House of Lanvin.
• The press at the time lauded him, along with Balmain, Dior and Balenciaga, as the new generation of the Paris Couture designers. During his time at Lanvin the house was known for simple and elegant lines that women bought in droves. 
• I love the reference photo of its near twin styled with a belt, gloves and matching hat to show you how it can be worn belted as well. 
• The coat would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier.
• It is beautifully tailored with a double row of buttons at the front and a curving cut.
  
• The simple cut hides precise seams and a masterfully tailored cut. It is constructed with the absolute minimal seam work to create the curves that fall over the body.
• It skims over the upper bodice and then comes in slightly at the waist. From there is flares out over the hips and is quite wide by the time it gets to the hem.
• The collar is neat with a notched front and each sleeve ends in a turned up cuff with a row of button detailing.
• The front bodice has an inset and detailed seam design with a double row of blue buttons set inside that areas that run down the front to the waist.
• A half belt is attached at the back and you could add a belt over it to emphasize the shape even more.
• The fabric is amazing with an ultra soft finish to it. I believe it is an Alpaca or perhaps a type of cashmere and it is extremely luxurious. The fact that it is dyed that amazing blue makes it that much more brilliant.
• It is even better in person and the fabric has to be seen and felt to truly be appreciated. This fabric choice allowed Castillo to be able to sculpt the exact shape that he desired.
  
• I love the sculptural effect the coat has once on and that beautifully full lower skirting. The construction is exquisite. It is an outstanding piece of fashion history in every possible way and the colour is exceptional.
• The coat is fully lined in a hand set black silk taffeta and closes with the buttons down the front. Finished to Haute Couture standards and entirely done by hand. The Haute Couture numbered tape label is present under the main label and is numbered 15.418. 
• There is no size tag present because it is true Couture. Please go by the measurements list listed below.
• Excellent condition.

Sleeves: 22" and are 13" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 45" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5823

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this dress was a part of the presentation for the Resort 2012 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Alber Elbaz.
• The dress is made of an ivory cotton lace with silk net edging that falls beautifully over the body. 
• The bodice has a soft and romantic feel as it glides over you. The shoulders are wide and curve into a shallow scoop at the front. I love how he chose to edge the neckline and openings for the arms with that little bit of silk for a pretty contrast.
• The lace skims over the bust and is cut more generously around the waist. This helps to keep the silhouette soft and pretty. If you did want a more defined shape you could easily add a belt or silk ribbon around the waist that could be as elaborate as or simple as you wished it to be.
• The lace skims past the waist and then the skirt is set over top of the lace of the bodice in a very deliberate way that makes the seam there a part of the design. The workmanship is exquisite where they meet and I love how the fabric of the skirt has been gathered into little ruffles that curve all the way around you.
• From there it falls over the hips and down to the floor in a beautiful drape of lace. The fabric is light and soft and there is an additional layer of silk chiffon underneath so that it feels amazing against the skin. 
• All of the fabric that was gathered in around the top of the hips is allowed to expand and give you the fullness of the skirt so that you get this pretty sweep of fabric around you when you move.
• It is extremely pretty and romantic in feel.
• The dress is fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon. It closes with an exposed bronze colour zipper at the side. It is in its original length. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
• Tagged a Lanvin size 38
• Excellent condition

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-seam at top of hips: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 17" from top of shoulder to dropped waist
Total length: 68" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5646

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• This is a gorgeous Demi-Couture dress from 1970s Lanvin.
• Made under the creative direction of Jules-Francois Crahay 
• Jules-Francois headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984. He has been noted as one of fashion’s 'great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugely desirable and influential.' His time at the Lanvin label is one of my personal favourites for the house.
• The Lanvin label is numbered and the dress has been made to demi-couture standards.
• This dress is made from a fine blue silk tulle that has a floral pattern embroidered over its surface in the same blue. The lining is done with a deep purple silk and this gives it this very unusual colour that lies somewhere between a deep blue and a deep purple.
• Onto the top silk net there is an exquisite floral design done with a metallic gold thread. That same gold thread also circles around the lower skirt in two horizontal panels done in a open chain link design. More of the floral netting separates those panels.
• The result is even better on person as the gold feel more prominent. I love how the gold catches the light from every angle.
• The bodice skims over you and the sleeves are long. Each sleeve has a bit of puff above the elastic cuff.
• The waist is cut more generously and you could add a ribbon or a belt to cinch it in.
• The skirt skims over the hips to the floor and widens out as it nears the hem. The added panels of gold on the skirt help to give the skirt support and help hold its shape.
• Fully lined in a purple silk chiffon through the top and a purple silk through the skirt. It closes with a back hand set zipper and there is elastic in each cuff. Hand finishes and hand finished inner seams.
• The label is numbered.
• There is no size tag present and the bias cut of the lining and the net give it a little give so I have put the comfortable range of measurements where it will give a bit. 
  
• Excellent condition 
  

Sleeves: 26"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3925

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.