• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1979 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Roy Halston.
• I have seen this dress made in only three colour ways to date and with this one have now had all three on the shop; this deep green, gold and brown version, a blue and gold, and a version that has a lighter green and gold combination. 
  
• The dress is from his main couture line and these would have been made-to-order in his workshop during this time period.
• Halston defined how woman dressed in the 1970s and his dresses in particular were tremendously flattering to the body.
• This is an amazing couture Halston dress and a very rare and special find.
  
• It is feather light and you are barely conscious of wearing anything. The fabric is a very fine light gold, light brown and green silk lurex lame that moves and drapes beautifully.
• It is entirely cut on the bias above and below the elastic waist and utilizes his signature minimal seaming. 
• The neckline is scooped and there is a little keyhole at the back below the hook there. The sleeves extend out from the waist with no seam around the arm and then they narrow down to their ends. This leaves the bodice loose and generous over you.
• There is elastic set around the waist so it is very easy to fit. The dress also comes with its original matching tie belt in the same fabric. The belt is shaped more like a cummerbund with a wider panel that extends into smaller ties on each side. This lets you wrap and shape it around you and cinch in the waist much as you wish. You can leave the ties at the front or the back.
• The skirt falls from there and slightly widens out as it nears the hem and there are pockets on each hip.
• This is a rare example of Halston at his very best and is a rare example of when he chose to use a print over a solid colour.
• The is unlined and slips on with an elastic waist. It hooks at the back of the neck above a keyhole. It comes with its original belt and is hand finished throughout. Its easy fit should allow it to work for range of sizing.
• There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: approx 25" and are open through the upper arm
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: open with no true side seams
Elastic waist: 12-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 17" from neck to waist 
Total length: 63" from neck to hem but may come up a bit on once on and belted, there is just under 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD5367

Reference Photo: Fall 1979 Halston

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 dress is from 1977 and was most likely a made to order custom or bridal piece.
• It was made under the creative direction of Roy Halston
  
• When researching we found the examples shared here that are almost identical to this dress but without the extra added panels that create the spiralling ruffles.
• This is a beautiful ivory dress that showcases the minimal seaming that Halston was so famous for.
• The dress is made of a heavier weighted silk charmeuse that is cut like the reference photos show through the body but with added panels and seams that go around and cascade down the lower skirting.
• It is completely cut on the bias so it drapes phenomenally over the body. You simply slip it over your head and it drapes over you to accommodate the body underneath. This makes it easy to fit and very easy to wear.
• The sleeves are long and extend out directly from the body of the dress with no seaming around the arm. Each narrows to its cuff where there is a handmade silk covered button and loop.
• The neckline is cut wide across the neckline and has a subtle draping at the centre of the neck at both the front and back of the dress. It is a very pretty detail.
• It glides over the body skimming over the bust, waist and hips to the floor. The vertical ruffles are set on an angle so that they cascade down to the hem. When you move these swirl around the lower part of the dress and create gorgeous movement around you.
• Working with this fabric is incredibly difficult and it is a testament to his skill to create such a seemingly simple but complex pattern.
• The dress is fully lined in a second layer of the same fabric which adds to the technically difficultly of the pattern and rich feel of the silk. It has no closures and slips on to wear. Each cuff has a silk covered button and loop to close.
• There is no size tag and the bias cut will allow it to have it some give. Please go by the range of measurements listed below. The colour is slightly more ivory in person. I see some minor marks and scuffing here and there on the silk of the bottom ruffles. I shot one so that you can see. It is very minor but mentioned for accuracy. The length may come up once on because of the bias cut.
• Excellent condition.

Sleeves: approx 23.5" and are 16" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 62" from top of shoulder to hem. 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD5201

Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1977 Halston.  /  (2) Fall 1977 Halston.  /  (3) From the book "Halston: An American Original"

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 dress dates to the late 1970s
  
• The Lillie Rubin label was the name of a chain of boutiques that sold mainly evening wear under their own label and they carried other labels as well. Pieces often had both the Lillie Rubin shop label and the designer label. So it is always a mystery when you find one with only the one label on whether or not it's by a more famous designer.
• The base fabric is a light ivory silk that is cut on the bias so that the dress drapes over you to skim and highlight your curves without having a super tight fit. 
• The bodice crosses over itself at the front and is meant to be more loose and generous in feel. I love how one side is finished in rows of sequins and beads and then the other side has a more elaborate floral beaded pattern on it.
• The waist is brought in and seamed for shape and then the rest of the dress just flows over you over you. This makes the. cut of the dress very flattering and an easy silhouette to wear.
  
• Highlighting the waist area is a wide angled panel that narrows in on one side. This is a clever detail that adds the illusion of a smaller waist. I love that the beads have been purposefully set to follow that shape.
• The dress falls to the floor from their with a slit running up one side so that when you move you get a flash of leg.
• Long vertical rows of iridescent ivory sequins have been placed so that they slightly overlap each other as they run down the length of the dress. Sitting beside each sequin row are vertical rows of ivory tube beads that are also an iridescent ivory. 
• I love how all of the extensive beads and sequins catch the light from every angle with your slightest movement.
• The arms and neckline are perfectly finished with an edged band of the same beads run in the opposite way.
• The dress is unlined and closes with a side set zipper. I see some slight stretch to a seam that I have shot for you, and there is a tiny dark mark on a couple of sequins that I also have shot for you to see.
• There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below.
• Excellent condition

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 14" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 56" from top of shoulder to hem, with 1.5" turned under. The slit is 20.5" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5452

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 would date to the late 1970s.
• It was made under the creative direction of Roy Halston.
• I recently had a red version of this Halston IV line dress in the shop and it instantly became one of my favourites. I love it even more in this ivory.
• The design is so simple but at the same time it has so much impact with its low plunge front and sexy feel created by the easy wrap design.
• The cut of this dress is perfectly in line with what he was doing with his main label during this time period.
• The base fabric is a synthetic ivory jersey that has the added bonus of being easy to care for and travel with.
• The dress feels very sexy but in an easy-to-wear kind of way.
• It slips on and closes at the waist with hidden hook and eye.
• The way that is wraps insecure into place keeps you fully covered but still allows for the skirt to open to show your legs when you walk.
• The dress has its original extra long tie belt in the same fabric that you can wrap and tie around you to cinch in the waist as much as you want.
• The dress falls to the floor from the waist and the skirt widens out slightly as it nears the floor.
• The top is spectacular. It is cut to skim over you to the waist and the front wraps over itself. The sleeves begin just above the waist and are cut wide and straight. That makes them very full and they sit beautifully on the body.
• The dress is unlined and wraps and hooks to close as described above. It comes with its original sash tie belt. The dress could be easily adjusted by moving the hooks at the waist if needed. The measurement below is where they presently are. You could easily have them moved up or down at least a couple of inches either way.
• Tagged a vintage Halston Small
• Excellent condition

Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: no true side seams
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam and you can cinch in further with the belt
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Total length: 62" from neck to hem
Sash: 92" end to end and 10" wide

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5450

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 set is from the Spring 1974 YSL Rive Gauche collection
• It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
• We found several reference photos of other pieces that appeared on the runway that have the same print. The print is also documented in one of the books on his work. The twin of this may also have been presented on the runway but there is not full documentation of these earlier collections.
• I love that it is a set made up of two pieces. It looks like a full dress when worn together but you still have the versatility of being able to mix and match each piece with things you already have in your wardrobe.
• The colours in the silk chiffon are amazing. The silk has held the colour extremely well and they are as crisp and vibrant as the day it went on the shop floor. 
• Yves was a master at choosing the fabrics that were the perfect compliment to the prints that he used. This dress is no exception to that rule with its riot of bright blue and red flowers covering its surface. The choice of the silk chiffon make both pieces feather light and allow the skirt to float around you when you move. 
• The bodice is cut to skim over you with a loose and easy feel that is close to a box cut. It buttons at the front with matching silk covered buttons. The collar is neat and extends out into an attached tie at the neck. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves go to just around the elbow. Each one is cuffed and full above their cuffs so that they puff out around your arm. I have shown the top both tucked and un-tucked so you can get an idea of the cut. I love the slight transparency that the top has with its single layer of silk chiffon.
• The waist of the skirt is finished with a small band for shape and then it curves out to be more loose and generous over the hips. From there it falls to the floor. It flares out quite a bit as it nears the hem and one side of the hem is cut slightly shorter than the other. You see this often in his work from this time period. It allows for a little bit added movement and it seems to have been a bit of a signature for him during this era. 
• The top is unlined and the skirt has a lining of a nude silk chiffon. The top buttons to close and each cuff buttons to close. There is an attached tie at the neck of the top. The skirt closes at the side with a flat hook and eye at the waist and a zipper under that. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
• The top is tagged a 38 and the skirt is tagged a 40
• Excellent condition

Top
Sleeves: 16" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust-waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom seam: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 21.5" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13" from waist to hem
Hips: open
Total length: 43.5" from waist to the longest side of the hem, 40.5" to the shortest

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5448

Reference Photos: (1-3) Spring 1974 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche.  /  (4-5) From the book "YSL Lexicon".

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 the actual runway sample piece that walked the runway for the Spring 1978 Philippe Venet show.
• It was made under the creative direction of Philippe Venet.
• The dress has it proper Couture tag and its handwritten tag designating its show number and the model. I love that we found a reference photo so you can see how fantastic this dress is once it is on an actual body.
• Philippe Venet apprenticed to a local tailor who was authorized to make Balenciaga designs. In 1951 he moved to Paris and became a cutter to Schaparelli. From there he met Hubert de Givenchy and in 1962 joined his atelier where he was the head cutter. In 1964 he opened his own Haute Couture label with Givenchy's blessings and support. His work tended towards minimalism and clean lines. His business was never as large as Givenchy's which allowed him to be more hands on for a longer period of time. Couture pieces from him are very rare and hard to find. 
• The fact that it is the actual sample piece makes it even that much more special.
• Its construction is at the level of a runway sample. So you do see some slight roughness in some of the seams, even though everything is completely done by hand. This is appropriate for a couture runway sample.
• Both pieces are made from the palest possible mint green silk. The colour is magical and as good as it is in the photos, it is better in person.
• The dress is two pieces. There is an inner dress which I have photoed on its own so you can see it's construction. This is suspended by tiny straps that curve over the shoulders and then crisscross at the back.
• The back is left bare and exposed. The V at the back is set slightly off centre and it follows the pretty angle of the hem. To make this work, the zipper has been set slightly off-side at the base of that V rather than in the exact centre.
• This inner dress glides over the body in a beautiful bias cut that has a more generous cut waist, curves over the hips and then falls to the angled hem.
• Over this goes a loop panel fabric that is attached at one shoulder and then falls down and over the inner dress. The closed side of it is what causes the dramatic swoop and drape you see.
• I love that you can wear this overlay on either side and it creates two different looks. If you wear it on the same one shoulder look side, the whole looks takes on the feel of a more one shoulder dress. If you wear it on the other side you get this interesting cross-over effect at the top and at the hem.
• This really gives you three dresses in one because you can wear the inner dress on its own and then depending which shoulder you wear the outer piece you get two distinct looks from that.
• This is very rare piece of documented Venet with the extra fashion history of knowing that it was the actual runway piece.
• Both pieces are unlined and slip on to wear. There is a hand set zipper at the back of the dress as described above. It is entirely made by hand. There are some small marks on the dress here and there. Everything is minor and it is wearable as is. I have added several shots so you can see. It is not perfect, but it is 100% sound and wearable as is. All of the flaws are minor. Its easy draping cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes.
• There is no size tag present, so please go by the measurements listed below
• Excellent condition

Inner dress
Bust: 15-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 58" from top of bodice to the longest point and 42" to the shortest.

The overlay
It slips on to wear and will fit any size because of its open cut down the side. It is 61" from the top of the shoulder to the longest point.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD5446

Reference Photo: Spring 1978 Philippe Venet Haute Couture.

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 Givenchy dress dates to the mid-late 1980s, maybe early 1990s
• It was made under the creative direction of Hubert de Givenchy.
• In 1952, Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris and quickly rose to fame as one of the grand couturiers. 16 years later for the 1968-69 season, he added a ready-to-wear line of clothing and accessories called 'Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique'. The line was initially sold in the United States exclusively through Bergdorf Goodman stores and was eventually available at other retailers as well. The line was high end and extremely well made. He launched this line to expand his customer base and it made to appeal specifically to his non-couture clients. This label continued until 1992.
• This dress has the Givenchy Boutique label without the Nouvelle added and as far as I am aware this label was usually reserved for special orders that were made in the atelier and then shipped to the client without any Paris fittings. 
• You can see that in the many hand finishes throughout the dress. This level of construction can be considered Demi Couture from this time period.
• The dress is made out of a beautiful silk brocade that has pink and copper flowers woven throughout the fabric. The pink and slightly coral parts of the flowers are done in a more matte thread and then the copper and gold parts are done with a metallic thread. As a result the flowers almost seem to glow off of the silk. It is an incredible vintage fabric.
• The top of the dress has a low squared off neckline at the front that is made from a black velvet. It curves up and over your shoulders and has the same squared off opening at the back.
• At the front it dips slightly at the centre and placed exactly in the middle of that dip is a large black bow of the same velvet that has stiffened netting inside to help hold its shape.
• The sleeves are gorgeous. Each shoulder is shaped into a high cap. To help support the bit of a rise above the shoulder there is a stiffen thicker grosgrain ribbon that is pleated and stitched into place along the edge of the inner shoulder to add support.
• The sleeves are cut so that they curve over your arm and narrow down slightly to a zippered wrist.
• The top is meant to be more fitted and create a more empire feel.
• The dress is shaped through the waist area with vertical darts to bring the fabric in and create the curve that you see.
• The skirt falls to the floor from there and it flares out quite dramatically by the time it reaches the hem. I love how the width of the lower skirt perfectly balances the shape through the upper bodice.
• It is spectacular and the cut and design are phenomenal. This is classic Givenchy for this time period.
• The dress is backed in the same velvet where it goes over your shoulders and then the bodice and rest of the dress are lined in a black silk chiffon. It closes with a back zipper and there is a zipper at the end of each cuff. Hand finishes throughout and very well made. 
• There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 24" and they are 16" around the upper arms
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 12" from top of shoulder to where the velvet ends under the bust
Total length: 57.5" from top of shoulder to front hem, 59" to the back hem with 2" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5429

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.