This dress was a dress that was made for the shops, but you can see the same lace detailing used in the runway dress shown for Look 41 for the Fall 2017 show. It is interesting to see lace used throughout this collection because it coincided with the same time that she was working on the wedding dress for Kate Middleton. Vogue praised her for this show saying that for the first time she fully articulated her own point of view. This may not have been a piece that walked the runway, but it is a stand out piece nonetheless. 

This is an exquisite dress that is made of black silk netting and then the dress is lined in a black silk through the body. This gives it enough weight to hold the shape of the dress but it still feels magically light once on. The design that covers the dress has been meticulously done by combining a netted lace base with black cording that highlights the design worked into the lace. This gives the design a slightly raised 3D effect off of the netting. The designs forms these gorgeous patterns and it is the kind of piece that the more you look at it the more you see. I took several detail shots so you can get an idea of the workmanship. The sleeves are long and they are left unlined so that the pattern really shows against your skin. The shoulders are soft and the neck is scooped. It skims over the bust, past the waist and over the hips. There is no seam at the waist. Instead it is cut so that two little triangles extend from the back and are wrapped into the waist. Once you turn around you see that they are extended from a full see-through back that is scooped low. It is almost shocking once you turn around and see that slightly transparent but still covered back. The lace set on this back area is different from the rest of the dress so you also get this fantastic contrast there. The skirt falls to the floor from there and it is in its original uncut supermodel length. I love how the width of the skirt flares out and it is quite wide by the time it reaches the floor. The extra fabric around the hem also gives you this beautiful movement when you move. Truly an extraordinary piece from the Sarah Burton era. Excellent condition.

Lined in a black silk as described above. It closes with a hidden set back zipper and each cuff closes with a hidden set zipper. Tagged a modern McQueen 38

Sleeves: 23.5" and are 10.25" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14" 
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63.5" from neck to front hem, 66" to the back

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4877

Reference Photo: Fall 2017 Alexander McQueen, Look 41.

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 dress that Sarah Snook wore to attend the Director Guild Awards in March 2022. This amazing sequin dress is by Bob Mackie from his boutique line and it is gorgeous. Mackie was best known for dressing Cher and for his signature glamour. He worked for both Edith Head and Jean Louis prior to entering costume design and he began by co-designing with Ray Aghayan. That led to his incredible journey in designing for stars like Cher and Diana Ross for many years before launching his own label. His work always has that touch of the best of Hollywood glamour.

This is such a gorgeous dress. Its simple cut combined with that heavy sequin coverage add up to an incredible piece. Plus it is fabulous to have the added modern provenance after having Sarah Snook wear it. The dress has an incredible pattern done in sequins that make the entire dress catch the light from every angle. The sequins are all a glossy black and they are set in vertical rows. In between vertical sections of four, and four and a half inches in width, he left long bands of the fabric without sequins and then also did that same thing cutting across the dress so that he could create a slight check pattern that runs over the dress. It is subtle but adds the perfect amount of detail. The sequins within each created rectangular 'box' have been applied to slightly overlap the next sequin in line so you get a liquid effect. The dress is strapless with a slight curve to the neckline. The front neckline is cut straight across and the bodice kept simple. It is cut to fit over the bust and the waist is cinched. Inside is a hidden cupped and boned corset to keep the dress in place. The dress skims over the hips and the fabric there has stretch so it is easy to fit. The skirt falls to the floor and widens out as it nears the hem with a little flare to the lower skirt. The back is cut longer then the front for a bit of a trained feeling behind you. It has a very classic Old Hollywood movie star feel to it. This is a dress that you just slip on and it is perfection. Excellent condition.

The bodice has a built in inner corset that is cupped and boned. The rest of the dress is unlined. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. There is a wide stay under the bust and at the inner waist that hooks to close with four hook options. Tagged a vintage Bob Mackie 6.

Bust: 17-17-5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to inner waist
Total length: 53" from top of bodice to front hem, 56" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4876

Reference Photos/Video: Sarah Snook in this Bob Mackie at the Director Guild Awards, March 2022.

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 the actual runway sample from the Fall 1975 collection and you can see how fantastic it is on the body by the reference photo we found. Like the ivory coloured one already in the shop, the bead work on this dress was done by hand by Madame Gandini, who did beading for many of the Couture houses of the day. John's business is all done on a made-to-order basis. That means the majority of pieces you will find are a one-off, or if there are similar pieces, very few of each piece exist. This personal attention to each dress is clearly seen in the workmanship of his pieces. His work is very expensive and beaded pieces like this sold for over $10,000 even in the 1970s. If you convert that to modern dollars you get to about $68,000. Having this actual runway samples that John pulled from his own archives to share with you is just amazing. 

This is an amazing dress that has been densely beaded by hand. The base of the dress is a black silk chiffon and then onto that are thousands of glossy black glass tube beads laid out in vertical rows to fully cover every inch of the dress. The dress has weight to it with all those beads and it is almost 10 pounds off the body. Yet once on, the weight is distributed over you perfectly. The impact of all those beads from head to toe is stunning in the light. The cut is kept simple so that the bead work can take centre stage. The bodice has a high collar and the beads are set there in a slightly different pattern for a bit of added detailing. The dress falls from the shoulders to skim over you all the way to the floor. There is just a suggestion of the waist and then it skims back out over the hips. The sleeves are long and they also have that same slightly different bead work to detail each cuff. The skirt widens out just a touch as it nears the hem and there is an extremely high slit up the back. You don't get as much sense of it in these photos but once on the body this really adds a high flash of bare leg as you walk away. It is insanely sexy. As good as this dress looks in these shots once it is on an actual body is eve better. It is completely made by hand and it is stunning. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk chiffon and it closes at the back with a metal and nylon zipper. Hand finished throughout. There is perhaps the occasional bead missing here and there but no bare areas. Numbered sample tag on the inner hem.

Sleeves: 22" and 10" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from neck to hem
Slit: 30.5" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4404

Reference Photos: Fall 1975 John Anthony Runway.

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.

These net dresses and separates are among the most coveted of all Giorgio Sant Angelo's designs. They are almost impossible to find anymore and are much prized by their fans when one appears. Out of all the bandage and fitted dress out there over the decades these stand out as being some of the very best. This one is from the Spring 1990 collection and pieces were sold separately once they hit the stores so you could mix and match. You can see here in the runway pictures the various ways that the different pieces were worn.

This is a two piece set that is extremely stretchy and once on it is body conscious to the extreme. Both pieces are made out of a top layer of a fine stretch netting in a very bright and vibrant pink. Under that is a stretch jersey layer in an almost neon tangerine colour that acts as the lining. The bodysuit is cut like a bathing suit that you just pull on to wear and then you step and pull the skirt on over that. The gathered mesh allows you to make the skirt as high up the thigh as you dare or leave is as long as it will extend down. At its full length it will go to about mid-thigh or just below depending on your height. At it shortest you can hike it up to be micro mini in length. Both pieces are gathered heavily along the sides for extra ruching and the bodysuit has an extremely high side cut at the legs. I love that when you wear them together it looks like it is a one piece dress because of the gatherings on both pieces. You can also choose to mix and match them with other things in your closet. It is amazing and looks to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition.

Both pieces slip on to wear. They are almost impossible to measure as it literally will stretch to fit up and down. The measurements below are the relative measurements when laid flat and pulled. They will accommodate a range of sizes when off the body they look like something a child would wear, but they stretch.

Body Suit
Bust: up to about 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: up to about 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: up to about 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: its full length off the body is approx 28" from top of shoulder to bottom seam but it stretches to accommodate the body underneath it

Skirt
Waist: up to about 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: up to about 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: its full length off the body is approx 19" from top of shoulder to bottom seam but it stretches to accommodate the body underneath it

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4875

Reference Photos: (1) Joanna Rhodes in Giorgio di Sant'Angelo, photographed by Arthur Elgort for Vogue, December 1989.  /  (rest) Spring 1990 Giorgio di Sant Angelo.

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 walk the runway for the Fall 1987 season. It is absolutely sensational and I am very pleased that we found photos of it on the runway so you can see how dramatic and amazing it is on the body. He could really push the envelope with some of his designs and this particular dress is a nod back to some of the work that he was doing in earlier decades but in that best of the 1980s kind of way. I love that about it.

This is not a dress for somebody who does not want to stand out. I think the person that will wear something like this has a certain way of moving through life and doing her own individual thing. The dress is utterly fantastic. It combines a brilliant pink silk that has a secondary pattern running through it that catches the light from every angle. Onto that is a black floral pattern that covers the pink. He has used this through the body of the dress and for the very bottom part of the skirt. The rest of the dress is made from a sequin detailed lace with black ribbon that has been applied over that for this wonderful layered effect. The texture that all these things together achieve is fantastic and I love the way it catches the light. The neckline is cut wide across and the shoulders are soft. The arms are unlined so you see a peak of skin between the net lace, sequins and ribbon detailing. More of the lace goes across the top of the bodice at the front and back. For this part of the dress he gave it a backing of black silk organza so you have just a touch of transparency. The pink is set in just at the top of the bust and it is gathered along that seam for extra detail. Those gathers also allow for the dramatic volume that you see through the body of the dress to the top of the hip. Under that is band of the black and there is elastic running through the top of the hip so that you can adjust it up or down and change the length of the dress. The very bottom part of the skirt is a little soft and flirty band of the pink silk. It is fantastic and a very rare and special piece of YSL history. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk through the body and the lower lace panel. There is black silk organza behind the upper bodice and then the lowest part of the skirt and the sleeves are unlined. It closes at the back with a zipper and each sleeve zips to close at the wrist. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a vintage YSL 40.

Sleeves: 27" and they are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: open
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 36" from top of shoulder to hem and can be adjusted to sit shorter

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4874

Reference Photos: Fall 1987 Yves Saint Laurent.

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 very rare runway documented Givenchy Couture dress from the Spring 1998 ready-to-wear collection "Rhinestone Cowgirls". It is the twin of the one that walked the runway. This is from the small period of time that Alexander McQueen was the Creative Director for the house. At just 27 years old he succeeded John Galliano as head designer in 1996. In 2001 his contract ended and he departed, telling the press that his creativity was constrained. His appointment had been tumultuous from the start. Hubert de Givenchy had describe his appointment as a "total disaster” and McQueen had shot back that the founder was “irrelevant”. Of course now in hindsight we see his collections for the genius that they were. It also showed his ability to design Couture. He said in later interviews that he walked away from the label with a greater knowledge about the process and techniques of couture, which benefited his own label afterwards. 

In the 'Givenchy Catwalk' book they note that the collection was heavily influenced by Westerns and said that "the hairstyles were inspired by the 1970s, especially Farrah Fawcett's iconic look with thick hair and flicked out ends. Dresses and suits made out of dip, lambskin, covered with flames and star motif created with insets of fabric appliqué." This is one of the most recognizable dresses from the collection and its photo also appears in that same book.

This dress is remarkable. It is strapless and the body of the dress is beautifully seamed. The upper edge of the bodice is finished with a dusty pink suede and the inner bodice is boned and shaped to hug the person wearing it. It is held in place by that inner corset and then it skims over the waist and down to the hips. I love how the skirt is set into the hip with a series of curved scalloped designs. This allowed him to do long vertical panels to make up the skirt. There are eight of them in total and each one spans out to be a full 25" across by the hem. That makes the bottom of the skirt incredibly full and if you lay it out flat, it is more than a full circle skirt. To emphasize the fullness of the skirt he had the model hold the skirt up and flick it around her as she moved. You can see in the photos here that when you are standing still you do have some idea of the fullness that the skirt has but this is really a piece that it is when you have it on and you see it moving that the amazing amount of fabric in the skirt gives it an entirely new dimension. The bottom of the skirt has been inset with the same dusty pink suede in the flame motif that ran so prominently throughout the show. I laid the dress out with the skirt extended so that you can get an idea of just how much fabric is in there. This is an amazing piece of both Givenchy and Alexander McQueen's history. Excellent condition with a note below.

The bodice and body to just past the hip is lined in a black silk. The skirt is backed in black. The dress closes with a hidden set side zipper and the inner bodice is boned throughout with a built-in corset to the waist. A waist stay hooks to close. The suede shows some very slight minor fading and light grubbiness here and there. There is a small area on the bodice where the black has slightly lightened to have a reddish tint and there are a couple areas on one part of the skirt that has done the same. Please see the photos after the label shot. Tagged a vintage Givenchy 40

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 13.25" flat across from side seam to side seam. Note that the outer waist is up to 15" so you could adjust the corset if you needed more room.
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to inner waist of corset
Total length: 56" from top of suede edge of the bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4872

Reference Photos/Video: (1-5) Spring 1998 Givenchy Runway.  /  (6) From the book "Givenchy Catwalk: The Complete Collections" by Anders Christian Madsen.

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 Geoffrey Beene dress was showcased in the Met Museum's exhibit 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashiont' and that  dress resides in their permanent collection. This was already one of his most iconic dresses and it is now even more so after the exhibit and being included in the accompanying book. The dress is heavily documented and was photoed extensively the year that it debuted. It is an extraordinary dress

The cut of the dress is so perfectly simple. It is made out of a black very light wool jersey that has an almost soft t-shirt feel to it. The dress is unlines and the jersey has perhaps the slightest bit of transparency in certain lights, which only adds to its sensuality. The sleeves are long and sleek. Each one ends in a hidden set zipper and their edges are finished in a black silk ribbon. That same black silk ribbon edges the neckline. The dress is cut to skim over you at the front with slight shaping through the waist. It curves back out over the hips and then falls to the floor where it widens out. At the back, you see that bare expanse of skin which is what makes the dress so famous. It hooks at the back of the neck and then it curves out and around to a very low dipping back. Insets of a pale silk chiffon curve down and into the sides of the hip seams to give the illusion that you are even more bare than you actually are. Where are those inserts end, the seams extend down and curved to the front where they run down towards the centre hem. This clever bit of seaming helps to shape the dress around you and continues that curved feeling that the open back gives. It is quite genius. One of the most iconic dresses ever made. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear. It hooks at the back of the neck. Ribbon finished inner seams and hidden set zippers at each cuff. Tagged a vintage Beoffrey Beene 8. I see two teeny tiny repairs near the centre back seam. The jersey has stretch through the body and the comfortable range of the measurements are below 

Sleeves: 24” and 14-16" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15”
Bust: 17-20” flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-16” flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-22” flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 61” 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4871

Reference Photos: (1-5) Fall 1989 Geoffrey Beene (credits unknown)  /  (6) Model in Geoffrey Beene for Mirabella magazine, 1989, photographed by Michael O'Neill.  /  (7) Part of The MET Collection online.  /  (8) Image from the book "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" that accompanied the MET Exhibit of the same name.

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 book 'Givenchy Catwalk' says of this collection that "the new collection was heavily influenced by the fashions of the 1940s and was the height of sophistication." Several pieces walked the runway that season that had these Trompe L'oeil ribbons adorning their silk surfaces. The book notes that "the exclusive bow and ribbon prints on some day wear outfits reference the motif that had made Elsa Schiaparelli's name in 1927, but it was after dark that these features truly came into their own. In the evening were large ribbons tied into bows or loosely draped, decorating the bust like a tie or nipped in the skirts of extravagant colourful designs." This dress, or a very near version of it, was shown on the runway under a white jacket nipped in at the waist. We have also included a photo from the book that shows some of the other designs from that season that featured these sequin bows as well. It is a beautiful piece.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4870

Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1979 Givenchy Haute Couture.  /  (2) Spring 1979 Givenchy Haute Couture Looks from the book "Givenchy Catwalk: The Complete Collections" by Anders Christian Madsen.

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.

Vicky Tiel was backed by Elizabeth Taylor as a young designer after working on the costumes for 'Whats New Pussycat'. After a stint with a partner she launched her self named label in Paris in 1970. She as one of the very early boutique owner/designer that offered a ready-to-wear option in Paris. That said, her clothes often walk a fine line between ready-to-wear and couture in terms of their construction and techniques used. By the mid to late seventies her style had developed into the ultra sexy and feminine clothing that she is now known best for. By the eighties and into the nineties, she had a cult celebrity following. This is a stunning example from 1984 of just how gorgeous and dramatic her work could get. 

The dress has the added modern provenance of being worn by both Julianne Hough and by Liz Gillies. We have included some of the photos from those two events and they show you just how fantastic this dress is once on the body.

The dress is made of a metallic gold lame fabric that gives it an extra shot of glamour. The fabric is quite light in weight so despite the elaborate construction of the dress is not heavy to wear. It is just heavy enough to hold the intended shape fabulously. The bodice is cut in a strapless rounded sweetheart finish that is very flattering. It is elaborately gathered and fitted around the bust with hand placed and gathered folds. Hidden inside is a built in under the lining internal structure with light boning so that the dress stays perfectly in place when it is on. The boning extends at each side, down and around the hips, which helps to hold the hourglass shape around the body. It is genius. The waist is nipped in but without any seam to break the gorgeous gathers that go across the dress. It curves out and over the hips and then under that the skirt falls in a straight long pencil silhouette with a vent up the back to allow you to walk and move. The gold glimmers in the light and it is one of the best Vicky Tiel dresses that I have ever had in the shop. It is so sensual and sexy and is even better once it is on an actual body. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silky rayon and closes with a painted metal and nylon zipper at the back. Boning through the bodice and sides as described above. Tagged a vintage Tiel 38. 

Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam w up to a B-small C at the front
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 51" from top of bodice to hem with about 1.5" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4868

Reference Photo: (1) Vicky Tiel in Town & Country magazine, December 1984.  /  (2) Julianne Hough in this dress at the NYC Ballet Spring Gala, 2023.  /  (3) Liz Gillies in this dress, November 2023.

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 jacket is from the debut solo collection of Bill Gibb for the Fall 1972. In the book, Bill Gibb: Fashion and Fantasy, they note that the theme of the collection was the natural world and you can see that in this suit. The book quotes fashion journalist, Suzy Menkes saying that "this is Bill Gibbs great day... for the first time showing a collection all his own. It marks the beginning of his career as a designer of the jet set." Twiggy said to Gibbs backstage "they were incredible, I loved every one, I want them all... is it possible to have one to wear tonight?". At this moment in Bill Gibbs history he was the star of fashion set. The jacket is spectacular and I love that versions are held in the permanent collection of museums. We also included several references where this or similar pieces were shot that season.

The jacket has an incredible cut to it. The collar is exaggerated and wide. The sleeves are amazing. They are full with a slight cap at the top of the shoulder and then narrow down to the wrist. The cuffs have a small split up the middle and are held closed with a metal button. The jacket has a seam set just above the natural waistline and it buttons to close above that with flower embossed silver metal buttons. Vertical panels sit all the way around the bodice from front to back. Silver painted chrysanthemums sit on either side of the buttons and a double panel of the same runs down the back. On each side of the bodice is a bee done in the same muted silver paint on brown leather and these have been cut out and applied onto the jacket. There are four of these in total, two at the front and two at the back. The bee went on to become one of his signatures. Those painted designs were all done by Sally MacLachlan. The lower part of the jacket is equally as fabulous. It skims over the hips to flare out to be quite full by the time it reaches the hem. There are eight panels of leather that have been sewn together. Each panel was painted with trailing vines of flowers running down their lengths. And there are pockets at the front! It is fantastic. Presents as excellent condition with a couple of small notes below.

Fully lined in a light taupe silky rayon. The jacket buttons to close at the front. Hand finishes. The leather of the jacket has a slight stiffened feel, that all of these particular jackets seem to have as they age. There is some slight wear and scuffing to the edges here and there and on the top of one shoulder. There is minor wear and marks on the lining. Three of the front button loops have been reattached at one of their ends. The jacket was cleaned but there is still a slight vintage smell to it. Priced with all taken into consideration balanced with its rarity. It is an incredible collectors piece. Tagged a vintage UK 10

Sleeves: approx 23.5" and 16" around the upper arm
Inset shoulders: 12"
Bust: approx 186" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist at seam: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 42" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4866

Reference Photos: (1) 1972 Bill Gibb Coat in the V&A Collection.  /  (2) Bill Gibb Coat in the Collection at MUDE - Museu do Design e da Moda.  /  (3) Models in clothing by Bill Gibb, The Daily Telegraph, December 1972.  /  (4) Model in Bill Gibb for Vogue, September 1972.  /  (5) The Cover of "Bill Gibb: Fashion and Fantasy" by Iain Webb.  /  (6) Vogue, September 1972.

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.

Bill Blass became the head designer at Maurice Rentner in 1959 and soon after that his name started to appear on the labels. In 1970 he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. These Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner pieces are some of his earliest and you will find many of them, like the twin of this coat, in museum collections throughout the world. A version of the coat was also shot on Verushka that year. It is amazing. 

This is the second time that I have had one of these Bill Blass coats in the shop. The base of the coat is a dark brown velvet that gives the jacket a rich opulent feel. Onto the velvet is an intricate hand done design in a muted silver thread. I love how the silver subtly catches the light from every angle. There is piped and padded detailing added to the collar, the end of each cuff and down the front of the coat. The padding also continues all the way around the hem. This added detail is not just a pretty finish to the design it also structurally helps to hold the shape of the coat. The shoulders are shaped but soft. The sleeves are slightly cropped and each is cut wide and full. It closes down the front with a series of hidden snaps  and the simplicity of design that this gives the coat is what allows that beautiful fabric to take centre stage. Rows of silver tube beads are set in a braided pattern edge all of the piped parts of the coat for the perfect final detailing. It is a beautiful vintage piece. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in a matching brown cotton and closes at the front with silk covered hand set hidden snaps. Pockets along the seam on each hip. Hand finished throughout. I see some light wear on some of the silk covering of the snaps. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Sleeves: 19" and is 14" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 39" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4864

Reference Photo: (1) 1968 Bill Blass coat from the Indianapolis Museum of Art Collection.  /  (2) Veruschka in Bill Blass, Vogue, September 1968.

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

When we looked for photos of this dress we did found these incredible shots of Margo Robbie from 2019 in a dress that was attributed as being the twin of this one. The dress has that classic high quality that we expect from a Chanel mixed with the perfect eye and grace that Karl had. The exact thing that we love to see when collecting pieces from his many years at Chanel.

Everything about this dress has that chic Chanel feel that makes many of Karl's designs forever classics. Even with its simple cut, once in hand and you see how well it is made, it feels very Chanel. It is beautiful in person and the simple lines of it make it the kind of dress that you can wear multiple times with the styling and accessories you add making it feel different each time. It is made of densely woven black knit. On the bodice there is a subtle diamond pattern woven into the knit that gives it the perfect amount of added texture. The denseness of the knit through the body give the dress a slight 'bandage' effect so that it gives you shape and support. The dress falls from one shoulder and then the neckline curves around and under to the other side. I love that this leaves one shoulder exposed and bare. It hugs the body over the bust, around the waist and it is shaped to curve over the hips. The knit extends down and past the hips and then the lower skirt is inset into it in a series of little jagged points that is reminiscent to the way that you see dresses from the 20s and 30s. The skirt under that is also a knit but the pattern changes. The knit there has cut outs and a pattern that combines a very dense weave with a looser feeling weave. The design is set horizontally and this allowed him to make the skirt extremely full and open. There is a ton of fabric in the lower skirt. It still falls in a smooth line when you are standing but when you move, you really get the sense of all that gorgeous fabric around you. It is that perfect easy minimalist dress, but very flattering and with the added impact of being a Chanel. The dress is new with its original tag still attached and its original Chanel packet that has extra yarn/thread inside. Excellent condition

The dress has no closures and slips on to wear. Tagged a Chanel 40. The easy cut and slight stretch of the dress should allow it to fit on a variety of sizes. The measurements given below are the comfortable range when the dress is laying flat. 

Bust: 14.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 61" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4863

Reference Photos: Margot Robbie in Chanel by Art Streiber for Glamour Russia, August 2019.

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 featured prominently in the 2016 exhibit at the Museum of FIT. This dress is often referred to as the fairy castle, or skeleton castle dress, because of the print that runs over the front of the dress. It is an interesting dress in that it is instantly recognizable as a McQueen piece, and yet it was not one that was featured on the runway. Despite being a museum exhibition piece, and one that is very well known, it was a piece produced for limited production in stores. He also produced an all black version of this dress, that you will see more often, but this printed version is far more rare. We have had that all black version as well and it was worn by Alix Earl to the Grammys before it was purchased. Besides the exhibition photo of the twin of this dress, we have included some photos of Alix in the all black version for you so that you can see how amazing this will be on the body. It is truly one of the more iconic McQueen pieces.

No matter how good you think that this dress looks like in photos or in its all black version on Alix, it is even better in person and moving. The dress is made out of a black bias cut silk that has a stunning grey scale scene printed over its entire front. I love that you literally feel like you are wearing a piece of art when you wear this dress. The dress is cut completely on the bias so it just glides over the body. It skims over the bust with a draped front that falls in a soft fold. The back is incredible and it is scooped down into a low draping that leaves a good portion of your back bare. From there  it skims past the waist and hips to the floor. The silk follows your curves and highlights the body underneath without it being too tight and fitted. Once past the hips the dress flares out as it nears the bottom so that it has beautiful movement when you move. The back is cut slightly longer than the front so you get a beautiful sweeping feel behind you. The dress is in its original uncut supermodel length. The design on the front features a castle that has winged skeleton fairies and leaf bare trees sweeping up and over it. The design is all printed into the silk to add the perfect amount of detail to the otherwise perfectly simple dress. It is just amazing. Excellent condition with a very minor note below

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. The measurements given below are the comfortable range when the dress is laying flat. Being bias cut the length may come up a bit once on the body and it should fit a range of sizes. There is a tiny area of thinning near the back hem on the outer fabric and I do see some scuffing and a couple tiny holes on the inner lining. Please see the photo after the label shot. Tagged a vintage McQueen 42

Bust: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 64" from top of shoulder to front hem, 67" to the back

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4862

Reference Photos/Video: (1) 2007 Alexander McQueen Gown on display at the Fairy Tale Fashion Exhibit at The Museum at FIT January, 2016.  /  (2-4) Alix Earle in Alexander McQueen from Shrimpton Couture, at the Grammys, 2024.

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 gorgeous dress is from Mr. Valentino's final show before he retired. Its twin in a pale green walked the runway for Look 75 and we were very happy to find both runway shots and video for you to  see just how great the dress is on. Vogue said this last collection was; 'Crisply puncturing the potential for a predictable end-of-era wallow in sentiment, Valentino played it as an upbeat, fast-paced whirl of breezy, pretty, drop-dead gorgeousness that blew any lingering sense of ladylike stuffiness to the winds. If there's a problem, it's only being spoiled for choice. What to pick from the head-spinning plethora of dresses on offer?' This was one of my favourites of the show and I think it is even better in the more versatile black.

I love the contrast between the two types of silk used for the dress. It adds that little extra flash of interest when you see it. The dress falls from one shoulder and then drapes down and over the body to the floor. The shape is created by vertical seaming that run from shoulder to hem. The softer silk parts are bias cut and allow the dress to skim and drape over you so that is shows every curve but is not overly fitted. The seaming is intricate and beautifully done. A single shoulder panel curves over your shoulder and runs across the bust to the other side. There is a large bow set at the front of that shoulder and then a second bow sits just below the hip on that same side. The bodice curves down into the side panel on the bow side, draping down and along the curved panel that cuts across the body and extends down into the skirt. The waist is shaped by the vertical seaming. The skirt flares out and is quite wide by the time it reaches the hem. It sweeps around you as you walk and even more movement is created by the slit that runs from the hem to that pretty little bow. The dress is even better in person. It is an gorgeous example of his work and looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

The bodice is lined and then the rest of the dress is unlined. It closes at the side with hidden set zipper. In its original uncut length and looks too have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a vintage Valentino 8

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from top of shoulder to front hem
Slit: 25" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4493

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2008 Valentino, Look 75. Model Laura Blokhina.

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 Fall 2005 ready to wear show was called 'Propaganda' and for the pieces sold from her personal collection in the recent Christie's auction they referred to some of the information from the Vivienne Westwood Catwalk book which I will share here; With "Propaganda‘ Vivienne Westwood, more than perhaps any other fashion designer, understands the power of a garment to communicate a meaning and a message…The message was writ large: PROPAGANDA, in block lettering worked into multitudes of garments. The inspiration was an essay by Aldous Huxley, ‘Propaganda in a Democratic Society’, asserting – Westwood stated – that the world suffers from three evils: ‘Nationalist Idolatry’ in place of religion; ‘Non-Stop Distraction’; and ‘Organised Lying’. Headbands also bore the word ‘Branded’, reference to Canadian author and social activist Naomi Klein’s book, No Logo. Again, Westwood was challenging orthodoxy through her designs.’ --Alexander Fury, Vivienne Westwood Catwalk"

The collection also featured a segment of pieces that were a mix of stripes, silks and tulles in a variety of colours. The near twin of this set walked the runway and I love that we have video so you can see how fantastic this is on the body. The dress on the runway seems to have had a half skirt made of the white tulle that tied into place over the skirt. I think if you wanted the full on look, you could easily have that re-created. It is gorgeous worn without as well and perhaps a touch more wearable this way too. This might even make for a beautiful set for a bride who doesn't want to go the traditional route.

I love the soft dusty ballet pink silk striping combined with the ivory and soft green cotton striped fabric. The corset has one of her trademark flattened front bodices that is boned and shaped so that it angles towards the centre waist inside. It closes at the back with a zipper and then the silk buttons over itself so that the zipper closure is completely hidden. The top angles down on one side and she has inset a panel of white tulle from shoulder to the long point of the hem. Combining both the pale green striped pattern with the pink silk stripes over the bodice creates this wonderful contrast. The skirt is equally as remarkable. Again we see her play with the pink striping and the green, mixing them together in that perfectly Westwood way to create interest and shape over the body. I love that the zipper is set on an angle at the back of the skirt to follow the pattern instead of creating a vertical line across all of those angles. The skirt is meant to fit more snug around the hips and then flares out tremendously into a pointed hem around you. Under that layer you see a multi-length finish of tulle. Five layers of tulle are wrapped around you and sit over top of a heavy cotton muslin inner skirt for support. It is all constructed to have this incredible fullness and movement. I also took a close-up of the pink striped fabric so you can see the beauty of the secondary floral pattern that runs through the pink striping. No matter how good it looks in the photos the mix of colour and extraordinary patterning that the pieces have is just phenomenal to see in person. Both pieces appear to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

The corset is lined in a combination of the green striped fabric and stretch lingerie netting. It closes with a zipper at the back and then buttons over the zipper as described above.  The front of the corset is fully boned, and the sides have stretch lingerie net. The skirt is lined in a pale pink silk above the cotton muslin lower portion of the skirt. It closes with an angle set zipper that follows a seam and a button at the waist over that. Both pieces are tagged a UK10 US6

Corset
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 15.5" from top of bodice to shorter side and 30" to the longer

Skirt
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 45" from waist to longest points of the tulle of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4861

Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2005 Vivienne Westwood.

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 one of three spectacular and extremely rare Dior pieces by John Galliano from the 2008 Resort collection. This dress is the twin of the dress that walked the runway for Look 60 and it is a very rare piece to find. Vogue said that the collection was done "in an electric-bright palette.. and channelled Barbara Hutton's sixties—a glittery, lame, paisley, and leopard-print world of muumuus, bikinis, capri pants, trapeze dresses, cat-eye sunglasses, and scarf-wrapped hats. It bordered on camp... and Kitschy or not, there was no denying the workmanship that went into crafting the large collection." I love having the runway photos that give you an idea of how fantastic this is on the body. It is absolutely brilliant and a true jewel.

Just as a side note and to give you an idea of the cost of these beaded pieces by Dior, the coat that I have from this collection has its original price tag and in 2008 it was US$16,775 and it is the simplest of the three pieces design wise. Even though that is only 16 years ago, the inflation value of that in 2024 dollars is about $25,000. And that is not even taking into account the value that John Galliano adds to the equation!

The fabric of this dress is incredible. It is a brilliant blue silk brocade that has a floral pattern running through it that is made from a silver thread woven into the silk. The bodice has been heavily detailed with silver sequins, beads and rhinestones. It is incredible to see. The design runs over the entire dress and the dress seems to almost glow from within as a result. The silver thread has been done in such a way that it feels like it sits within the base a bit which gives the design this fabulous bit of extra texture. The blue has a very rich and vibrant feel to it and in person the entire dress has a more luminescent effect to it then how it photoed. I know the person who buys this will be very pleased once they see this one in real life. The bodice is strapless and it is cut to curve around the bust with an built in cupped, wired and boned inner corset. The inner dress begins just below the bust with a natural waist that curves in by the cut alone. There is no seam there to break the eye. It is shaped from there to curve out and over the hips. From there it falls to the hem, slightly narrowing in as it reaches the floor. A slit at the back allows enough room to walk. Over this is a huge over skirt that is set in to that seam under the bust with a little flared peplum that wraps all the way around you. The over skirt is incredibly full and billows out around you as you walk. It is cut and open down the centre at the front so that you have incredible movement like you see in the runway video. Above that the entire bodice is detailed with silver beads, sequins and prong set rhinestones. These are set on top of the floral pattern of silver underneath and are densely applied for a touch of a 3D feel. It is stunning. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is also drop dead gorgeous and even better in person. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a blue silk. There is a full built in netted corset with lightly padded underwire cups and boning. The corset closes with its own set of lingerie hooks and then the dress closes over that with a hidden set zipper. There are little loops inside the bodice that you could add straps if you wish. Fabric could be stolen from one of the inner hems to make them. If having them is important to you, let me know when you purchase and I can have those made for you before shipping the dress. Tagged a vintage vintage Dior FR40, GB12, IT44, US8

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam with room for up to a B-maybe small C cup at the front
Seam under the bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 54" from top of the bodice to inner hem and 55" to the hem of the over skirt, with approx 2" turned under both hems

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4858

Reference Photos/Video: Resort 2008 Christian Dior Runway, Look 60.

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 one of three spectacular and extremely rare Dior pieces is by John Galliano from the 2008 Resort collection. This piece is particularly interesting because it can be worn as a coat like it was presented on the runway or as more of a caftan dress if layered over something underneath. On the runway it was shown as a sort of half dress/coat over peg leg trousers. Its twin help to open the show and walked the runway for Look 2. Vogue said that the collection was done "in an electric-bright palette.. and channelled Barbara Hutton's sixties—a glittery, lame, paisley, and leopard-print world of muumuus, bikinis, capri pants, trapeze dresses, cat-eye sunglasses, and scarf-wrapped hats. It bordered on camp... and Kitschy or not, there was no denying the workmanship that went into crafting the large collection." This one is new with tags and was never worn.

Just as a side note and to give you an idea of the cost of these beaded pieces by Dior, this coat has its original price tag and in 2008 it was US$16,775 and it is the simplest of the three pieces design wise. Even though that is only 16 years ago, the inflation value of that in 2024 dollars is about $25,000. And that is not even taking into account the value that John Galliano adds to the equation!

The fabric of the coat is beautiful. It is a brilliant turquoise blue silk faille that has a paisley pattern running over it in green and paler shades of blue mixed with small pops of white. The entire upper bodice and sleeves have been heavily detailed with clear and coloured crystals that catch the light brilliantly and add to it sixties feel. The beads and rhinestones go all the way across the upper back and around to completely cover the shoulders. There are five rows that wrap around the  neckline and then there are long marquis shaped medallions made out of the same clear and coloured rhinestones that sit under that. When you look at the design closely, you can see the care that has been put into making sure the pattern is uninterrupted over where it passes over seams or around that inverted pleat at the back. Another five bands circle each cuff on the sleeves and more medallion sit above that. It is just spectacular. The coat / dress hooks at the top of the neck and then there is a hidden panel where it snaps closed to just about the top of the hips. From there it is open with no closures to the hem. The shoulders are dropped, and the cut is loose and easy all through the body. It is meant to feel slightly oversized. There is a seamed inset that runs around the top of your shoulders and then there are two little faux flat pockets on each side at the front. Each faux pocket sits above an inverted pleat that runs all the way to the hem and then there is another inverted pleat that runs down the middle of the back. It already widens out substantially as it falls to the floor and this extra pleating gives it even more volume. It is like he took a sixties hostess piece and exaggerated it to the extreme. The sleeves are very wide and full and each falls to just below the elbow. The caftan is lined in a brilliant turquoise silk and this flash of the solid blue colour is fantastic when you move. You can wear this so many ways. It works over something light and easy almost like a dress. You could wear it over pants like it was worn on the runway, or use it as a light evening coat. You could probably add a soft or structured belt to add shape if you wished and add even more to its versatility. I love that you can wear this in so many ways. This is very special and are rare piece of John's history and time at Dior and it is also very beautiful. Original Dior packet with extra beads included as well as the original price tag. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a turquoise blue silk and hooks to close at the front as described above. You could add more hooks so that it closes more down the front if you wished. Its easy and open shape should allow it to fit a range of sizes. The occasional missing stone but there are extras in the packet and nothing that you would ever notice unless inspecting closely. Tagged a vintage Dior FR40, GB12, IT44, US8

Sleeves: approx 21 from top of natural shoulder and are 16" around the upper arm
Dropped shoulders: 18.5"
Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Total length: 55" from top of shoulders to hem with approx 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4857

Reference Photos/Video: Resort 2008 Dior Runway, Look 2. Model Tanya Dziahileva.

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 one of three spectacular and extremely rare Dior dresses by John Galliano from the 2008 Resort collection. This version is one produced for the shops in limited quantities and it is the only one of the three whose twin did not walk the runway. It is based on the runway Look 60 and it is made out of the same amazing fabric as the twin of that look that I also have today. This one is just more body conscious. Vogue said that the collection was done "in an electric-bright palette.. and channelled Barbara Hutton's sixties—a glittery, lame, paisley, and leopard-print world of muumuus, bikinis, capri pants, trapeze dresses, cat-eye sunglasses, and scarf-wrapped hats. It bordered on camp... and Kitschy or not, there was no denying the workmanship that went into crafting the large collection." I love having the runway photos that give you an idea of how fantastic this is on the body. It is beautiful

Just as a side note and to give you an idea of the cost of these beaded pieces by Dior, the coat that I have from this collection has its original price tag and in 2008 it was US$16,775 and it is the simplest of the three pieces design wise. Even though that is only 16 years ago, the inflation value of that in 2024 dollars is about $25,000. And that is not even taking into account the value that John Galliano adds to the equation!

The fabric of this dress is incredible. It is a brilliant blue silk brocade that has a floral pattern running through it that is made from a silver thread woven into the silk. The bodice has been heavily detailed with silver sequins, beads and rhinestones. It is incredible to see. The design runs over the entire dress and the dress seems to almost glow from within as a result. The silver thread has been done in such a way that it feels like it sits within the base a bit which gives the design this fabulous bit of extra texture. The blue has a very rich and vibrant feel to it and in person the entire dress has a more luminescent effect to it then how it photoed. I know the person who buys this will be very pleased once they see this one in real life. The bodice is strapless and it is cut to curve around the bust with an built in cupped, wired and boned inner corset. Just below the bust there is a wide band of the same fabric that has been hand gathered in and around you for added detail and shape. The natural waist below that curves in by the cut alone. There is no seam there to break the eye. It is shaped from there to curve out and over the hips. From there it falls to the hem, slightly narrowing in as it reaches the floor. A slit at the back allows enough room to walk. The entire bodice is detailed with silver beads, sequins and prong set rhinestones. These are set on top of the floral pattern of silver underneath and are densely applied for a touch of a 3D feel. At the back there is a large bow that sits over the zipper and its ties extend down to conceal the closure down your back. Even in the areas that are hidden by the way the panel sit or the bow sit, all of the fabric underneath is still properly finished with the bead work underneath. It is stunning. I also love that this one has detachable straps so you can wear the dress with or without them. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is also drop dead gorgeous and even better in person. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a blue silk. There is a full built in net corset with lightly padded underwire cups and boning. The corset closes with its own set of lingerie hooks and then the dress closes over that with a hidden set zipper. The bow at the back snaps into place over the zipper. Hand finishes. Tagged a vintage vintage Dior FR36, GB8, IT40, US4

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam with room for up to a B-maybe small C cup at the front
Seam under the bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 55" from top of shoulders to hem with approx 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4856

Reference Photos/Video: Resort 2008 Christian Dior Runway, Look 60.

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.

Each piece that John Anthony made was on a made-to-order basis, which means that each piece is the only one that exists, or in the very occasional circumstance that there are similar pieces made, only a very limited amount of pieces were done. All of the pieces I currently have in the shop come directly from John's archive. 

He is one of the great American couturiers and he was known for his sharp tailoring and striking evening wear. He launched his atelier in 1971 and he quickly rose to fame, winning a Coty award in 1972 and then again in 1976. This is the original sample of this piece from his archives. We found a series of photos of pieces with the same bead work so you can get an idea of how beautiful they are on the body.

The dress is made out of a feather light deep brown silk chiffon. Glass tube beads are set in vertical rows over both pieces and all of the beads have been applied by hand in perfect little rows onto the silk. I love how they catch the light from every angle. Both pieces have a simple and easy cut so that they are easy to wear and are very flattering on the body. The neckline is scooped and closes with a hook and eye at the back of the neck above a keyhole. The sleeves have the same bead detailing and then they fall in a straight cut to the wrist for a touch of fullness. The bodice is cut to skim loosely over you to the waist. The waist is finished with elastic which lets the silk pouf under a touch. The skirt has a banded waist and falls to the floor under that. It flares out a touch as it nears the hem. It has a high slit on one side for a flash of leg to show. They are gorgeous when worn together. The work has all been done by hand and the workmanship is fantastic. They fall like a dream once on the body. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Fully lined in a second layer of nude silk chiffon. The top closes with a hook and eye above a keyhole at the back of the neck and has elastic at the bottom seam. The skirt closes with hook and eye at the waist and a zipper under that. A tiny area of missing beads here and there but nothing major. Please see the photo after the label shot. The sample tag is stitched inside the cuff of one sleeve.

Top
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom seam: 14-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 45" from waist to hem
Slit: 27" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4571

Reference Photos: Fall 1981 John Anthony Ready to Wear Advance Preview.

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 remarkable dress is the twin of the one that walked the runway for the Fall 1986 Rive Gauche collection by Yves Saint Laurent. I was so pleased to find a shot of it on because it really shows you just how much it comes to life when worn. He did several variations of this look for that season and this deep brown velvet with its leopard print within the velvet is one of my favourites. I am obsessed with his work and this one is so well known, especially since other designers have copied it (most notably Gucci when they did a green version of this dress). It is a pleasure to have it in the shop.You can see that they belted it on the runway and you could certainly add a belt to add more shape to this one as well.

This gorgeous dress is made out of a brown silk velvet with a leopard print done in a different finish of velvet within the fabric. This pattern gives the velvet an extra depth and richness, and also catches the light as you move. It is stunning. It drapes absolutely beautifully over the body. It is really an outstanding fabric. The bodice is set into a deep V that crosses over itself where it is set into the waist. Without a belt it has a more deeply plunged feel but you could cross it over a bit more and have a sash or belt hold it more closed if you wished. In a classic Yves shape, it drapes loosely over you at the front with a touch of extra fullness. The waist is seamed and cut slightly on the more generous side. The top of each shoulder is gathered and the sleeves start out very wide and then narrow down to a zippered cuff. The skirt falls to the floor in a pretty sweep of fabric. Extra fabric has been gathered down the centre of the front for a little added detail. It makes it so glamorous and it gives the dress a bit of a wonderful 1940s feel too. It is a gorgeous dress and a wonderful piece of his fashion history. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a side set zipper. Each shoulder has very light padding and each cuff has a hidden set zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a vintage YSL 42. 

Sleeves: 23.5"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" across lowest seam at very top of hips, open under that
Bodice: 17" from top of shoulder to slightly dropped waist
Total length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4855

Reference Photo: Fall 1986 Yves Saint Laurent Runway.

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 the closing look of the Fall 2019 collection and it is a fantastic piece from Clare Waight Keller's time as Creative Director for the house. Clare described the collection as “The Winter of Eden” and in the Vogue review of the collection the evening pieces in particular were of note; "thanks maybe to her Couture work and her string of red carpet wins, Waight Keller has a lot to say about after-dark sparkle which she handled with a good deal of meticulousness. She also played around with volume, tapping a double breasted corset jacket with a deep flounce of crinkle taffeta and a black gown with an exuberantly poufed sleeved midnight blue bolero in the same demonstrative fabric". This is the dress mentioned in that review and once it went to the shops it was sold separately from the bolero that you see on the runway. I personally prefer it on its own, as did my client, who bought it without. The dress is new with its original hang tag and has its extra thread and sequin packet. It also has its original price tag of $11,520USD. I think Givenchy has since gone beyond that in price point but still a staggering number.

The dress is amazing. It is made out of a fine wool that has a touch of a texture to it. Long triangle shaped silk chiffon panels are set into the skirt to give it the shape that you see and then the entire dress has been finished with a design made from silver beads, silver metal thread and tiny silver sequins. The bodice is kept almost sculptural in cut. The neck is scooped and there are no sleeves. It skims over the bust and it is shaped to come in slightly at the waist. From there it begins to flare out into the volume of the skirt to the floor. The skirt is in its original uncut length and the dress was never worn so it is pristine. As you look at it closer you realize that the dress is made from panels that are all pieced together side-by-side vertically and this starts right from the shoulders. Each is cut on a curve to create the shape around the body. A fantastic example of meticulous tailoring. There are ten of them in total that wrap vertically around the body and extend all the way to the hem. Each panel was then covered in a pattern that suggest flowers on long trailing branches. The applique work ends at different points along the panels with some reaching almost to the hem. I love the unexpectedness of not having them all perfectly end at the same point. The silk organza inserts are a full 30" across at their base and then they narrow to tiny points as they run up the dress in between the wool panels. They end at around the top of the hip. I shot the dress laying out more flat as well so you could get an idea of how much fabric and volume is actually through the skirt. When you are standing still you do get that sense of volume but it is when you move that you truly get the sense of the yards and yards of silk that are hidden in the skirt. Truly phenomenal and an extraordinary piece of the label's history. Excellent condition 

The skirt is lined in a black silk and it closes with a hidden set back zipper. Tagged a modern 36 but generous in cut. New with its original tags and has its extra bead, sequin and thread packet and original price tag. 

Bust: to 17.5" from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips:to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 65" from top of the shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4853

Reference Photo/Video: Fall 2019 Givenchy, Look 64. Model Juliane Gruner.

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 dress is from the Spring 1977 Bill Gibb collection. In the book, 'Bill Gibb: Fashion and Fantasy' they quote him as saying "for next season, I am going to do semi-sport, separates like a little boy with shorts, something I've never done before... women want to get into pretty clothes" It goes on to describe the invitation for the show as 'a barefooted girl, wearing a simple empire line dress in a garden, surrounded by a garland of flowers' and of the show itself...'Gibb presented one of his most delicate looking collections, combining his cute boyish styles with pastoral illusions… embroidered cheesecloth and broderie anglaise. Even though he called this his flowers and lace collection, Gibbs discerning eye insured the look never became two sugary sweet by punctuating the collection with splashes of black. He said "I like a dress to have great richness. There are many ways to do this like a black cat printed on the hem of a starkly white dress, or I use black and white next to a coloured pattern fabric... It is incredibly effective". We are also very pleased to have found a photo of the dress on the runway. It is an incredibly rare and gorgeous little dress.

Bill Gibb is one of my favourite designers and I am always extremely pleased to be able offer an item from him as they are very hard to find. The really good ones especially, never mind when one is documented like this one is. It is also a gorgeous dress in its own right. I love that this showcases exactly what he said above about using black as a means to contrast and add "richness". It is a dress that in someways is simple but it has huge impact. The halter is made out of a black silk that has a pink ribbon defining all of the seams and edges. The ribbon extends out from the side of the bust to curve up and over your shoulder attaching at the edge at the back. Where the front scoops down into a V ribbon also extends out from there and these ones tie behind the back so that the ends trail down against your bare skin. Using the ribbon to define the seams visually creates six panels around you. Each of those has been hand detailed with tiny silver pink beading, opaque white beads and pink embroidery to form little flowers to perfectly fit into the theme of the collection. It is the prettiest detailing. The halter falls into a V at the front and then the ribbons cross over themselves and there is a open keyhole under that to the waist. At the back, the vertical edges sit several inches apart from each other to add even more to the bare and open feeling it has. The skirt is equally as amazing. It is made out of a white cotton inner skirt and then has an attached over skirt that does not fully meet at the front. The interior skirt is finished with a wide layer of cotton lace at the hem and then the attached top layer starts with a ruffle at the waist. It has five more layers of ruffles as it travels to the hem. The skirt is incredibly full. An interesting little detail is that the inner skirt has pockets and this allows you to put your hands into those pockets and hold the outer skirt away to the sides. This will give you more of the feel that you see on the runway photo. This is an extraordinary little piece and could not be more rare. Excellent condition.

The inner skirt acts as the lining and the halter is lined in an ivory silky rayon. It closes with the tie at the back of the neck and then hook at the back of the waist and has a zipper below that. Pockets on the inner skirt. Sized a vintage Bill Gibb UK 10. 

Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to top of the band at the waist
Total length: 48" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4850

Reference Photos: Spring 1977 Bill Gibb.

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.

McQueen's Fall 2006's collection was called The Widows of Culloden and it was dedicated to his muse and friend Isabella Blow. The Alexander McQueen site says of this collection: "The inspiration here is highly personal – the designer’s own heritage – which goes at least some way towards explaining the exquisite hand-craftsmanship that goes into each piece as well, of course, as bird head-dresses and McQueen tartan. The collection is luxurious and romantic but melancholic and even austere at the same time. The silhouette – all nipped waists, bustles and exaggerated hip lines – is designed to exaggerate a woman’s form and each piece is unique, a one-off couture creation with emotional content intended to be handed down from generation to generation like the most precious of heirlooms." This was also the show where Kate Moss made the famous glass box closing look. Vogue described that feat by saying; "Only Alexander McQueen could provide the astonishing feat of techno-magic that ended his show. Inside an empty glass pyramid, a mysterious puff of white smoke appeared from nowhere and spun in midair, slowly resolving itself into the moving, twisting shape of a woman enveloped in the billowing folds of a white dress. It was Kate Moss, her blonde hair and pale arms trailing in a dream-like apparition of fragility and beauty that danced for a few seconds, then shrank and dematerialized into the ether." They went on to talk about the collection saying; "The quality of the performance—and the extraordinary workmanship in the clothes that preceded it—was a timely reconfirmation of McQueen's unique powers as a showman-designer, and a far cry from the more straightforward presentations he¿s given the last few seasons. For this collection, he delved into his past, revisiting his Scottish family roots and refining the contents of the rampaging tartan "Highland Rape" show with which he began his career in London in the early nineties. Shorn of its original rawness and anger, the result was a poetic and technically accomplished tale that involved romantic images of Scottish fantasy heroines wandering glens and castle halls in vaguely Victorian tartan crinolines, bird-wing or antler-and-lace headdresses, feathered gowns, and pieces made from brocades that might have been dragged down from ancient wall-hangings." I have also included a shot from one of the McQueen book pages that tells more on the show. This was one of his most extraordinary shows and this dress is the twin of Look 32 worn by Freja in that show. It is fabulous. 

This is an incredibly rare piece of McQueen history and may even make a dress for a bride looking to go the non-traditional route or as part of a wedding weekend. And of course it is something that any McQueen collector would be thrilled to own.

I love this dress. It is basically an elaborate silk net tulle piece that sits over an inner ivory silk chiffon lining. Over that he has added embroidered lace panels in black that have all been placed by hand. The dress is incredibly full and voluminous. The bodice is meant to skim over you and the neckline of the tulle overlay is set scooped under the neck. There is a scooped bodice built in underneath that has been stiffened for shaping. Having the net extend up and to the shoulder allowed him to also place the embroidery up and over the shoulder, giving the illusion that it is somehow suspended over you from a distance. The trailing panels of black embroidered flowers contrast beautifully over the deep ivory netting underneath. The waist is seamed and set just above the natural waist line. The embroidery trails past the seam to soften the line. The waist is cut on the more wide and generous side which helps to create the shape he wanted the dress to have. The skirt has yards and yards of tulle with two more layers under the top layer and over the inner silk lining. The embroidery work is even more spectacular around the skirt going all the way around you. I love how it becomes very dense and heavy by the hem and then it trails upwards towards the bodice. It is incredibly beautiful and the pictures do not convey how magical it is in person. It feels like wearing a magical cloud of tulle. Alexander McQueen was incredibly gifted and this dress really shows the extent of his talent. It was one of my favourite dresses at the show. Excellent condition with a small note below

Fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon and closes at the back with a button at the back of the neck and a hidden side zipper under the waist line. I see a couple small breaks in the netting and it looks like there are some minor repairs done near the waist seam. I have photo them all and I've been very picky because it presents as perfect once on. It's beautiful.

Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 43" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4851

Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Fall 2006 Alexander McQueen, Look 32. Model Freja Beha Erichsen.  /  (4) From the book "Alexander McQueen" by Abrams and edited by Claire Wilcox.

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 dress is from the Fall 2012 Valentino collection and at this time both Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli were acting Creative Directors. It was a dress that was highly sought after and we found examples of the great Franca Sozzani wearing one along with Mo Abudu in another. Vogue raved abut this collection saying in part: "Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli's design signature by now is familiar. Their simple, covered-up, almost prim silhouettes act like a canvas for the embroidery and beadwork of the Roman house's atelier.... Resort found them scaling back not an inch on the detailing, yet the effect was more folksy than flamboyant. ...The workmanship is close to couture." And indeed this dress feels so very special with its embroidered head to toe detailing. 

The dress is almost startling in its beauty. The entire exterior is an open weave embroidered fabric that would have all been pre-planned for so that the end result has the pattern set to lay as perfectly over the dress as it does. This sits over a black net and then there is a built in black silk inner lining so that it is wearable. You can see in the collection photo, and of the one of Franca especially, that in both those cases the dress was worn without the lining. You could certainly remove the lining and wear it this way if you wished and just wear the proper undergarments to be able to do so. Even with the lining in place the dress has the illusion that you are bare under the embroidery. The embroidery is stunning. It is like wearing a garden with flowers, birds and butterflies scattered over you from head to toe. Every line of the dress is perfection. The neckline is scooped and the shoulders are soft with no padding. The sleeves are long and narrow down slightly to the wrist. Each sleeve is unlined so that you see a hint of skin through the netting. Once on the body the dress skims over you to the waist. The waist is defined by what looks like a band of roots or branches. You see that same detailing at the hem and at the end of each cuff. From the waist it falls to the floor widening out gently. On the skirt the pattern is allowed to be uninterrupted and fully show all the way around you and it is a thing of beauty to see. All of the embroidery is laid out on that open weave backdrop and it gives the entire dress this fantastically textured beauty that is hard to truly describe until you see it in person. It is spectacular and a wonderful example of the level of work being done at Valentino during this time period. Excellent condition 

Fully lined in a combination of black netting and a black silk as described above. It closes with a back hidden zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a modern Valentino 42. 

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15" and the upper arm is 12" around
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from neck to the top of the band at the waist
Total length: 58" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4847

Reference Photos: (1) Resort 2016 Valentino, Look 7.  /  (2) Franca Sozzani in Valentino during Couture Fashion Week, July 2015.  /  (3) Mo Abudu in Valentino at the Toronto International Film Festival, Sep 2016.

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 dress has no label in it but we did find its runway reference photo dating to the Spring 1981 collection by Dior from the Marc Bohan era. It is a stunning dress. 

I absolutely love the cut of this dress. This is one of those dresses that is so well-made you could wear it either way around. I think that the keyhole is meant to be worn at the back but when I put it on the dress form I preferred it open at the front so that you get a bit of skin showing. I shot it three ways; first with the keyhole at the front and open so that the ruffled shoulders fall a little bit wider, then with the keyhole at the front and hooked closed and finally with the key hole at the back and hooked closed. I love that this gives you different ways to wear it. When you have it in hand, you can decide which way works best on you or change it up each time. The dress also dramatically changes depending on whether or not you wear it with the sash around the waist and again I have shot it with and without the sash. I love a versatile piece. The dress is made out of a feather light black silk organza layered over more layers of silk through the skirt. A breathtaking floral print has been screened onto the silk and sweeps down the entire dress. The flowers are done in bright primary colours of coral, pink, yellow, purple and green and add the perfect amount of colour to the dress. It is breathtaking. The choice of this silk gives it just enough structure to hold the shape but still keeps the dress extremely light in weight. The bodice is cut to skim over the torso and the neckline is extraordinary. All the way around the neck there is a ruffle that has five layers of the organza stacked on top of each other with the top and bottom layer having the floral print. These create the most fantastic framing around your shoulders and neck. The bodice is cut to skim over you and the  seam at the waist is set a little bit below the natural waist. I have added a sash that you can use to cinch the waist in even more. The skirt is very full. It flows to the floor in a cascade of silk. It has two more layers of organza underneath the top layer. For these photos I have not added any additional underskirts but you could easily add a crinoline if you wanted even more fullness. The dress has a fantastic romantic feel. Excellent overall condition with a small note below.

The bodice is lined in a silk chiffon and the skirt has two more layers of black organza. It closes with a side set painted metal zipper and a hook above the keyhole. There is some wear and slight fading around the waist that is covered by the sash once on. Please see the photos after the label shot. The organza sash belt is not original to the dress but will be included. Hand finishes.

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist at slightly dropped seam: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 17" from shoulder to waist at slightly dropped seam
Total length: 57" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4848

Reference Photo: Spring 1981 Christian Dior.

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 shown for Look 40 for the Resort 2017 presentation. The entire collection was an explosion of flowers and handwork went into many of the garments. Astounding considering that it is RTW. Vogue explained that "Clothes like these are a very far cry from humdrum commercial fare to fill the gaps in stores between seasons. With Burton’s softening touch, they transcend the source material to become very special, non-disposable items a woman might want to keep forever." It is a terrifically beautiful dress and it is even more interesting for the fact that she made two versions of the dress for the collection, one on black net and the other on ivory. We found reference photos of Lily Collins, Emily Blunt and Bee Schaffer all wearing one that year and all looking phenomenal in it. 

This is an exquisite dress this is covered with an intricate design made out of tiny beads and sequins in a beautiful array of colours. The base is made of black silk netting and then the dress is lined in a black silk chiffon through the body. This gives it enough weight to hold the shape of the dress and to support the weight of the added embellishments but it still feels magically light once on. You rarely see this level of handwork on a modern piece unless you step into the world of couture and it is a joy to see this dress in person. The design that covers the dress has been meticulously done by using a combination of sequins and beads. Many of the sequins are set slightly on their sides and this gives the design a slightly raised 3D effect off of the netting. The designs forms flowers and birds within that gorgeous pattern and it is the kind of piece that the more you look at it the more you see. I took several detail shots so you can get an idea of the workmanship. Cut wise it is an easy dress to wear. The sleeves are long and they are left unlined so that the pattern really shows against your skin underneath the netting. The shoulders are slightly capped and the neck is scooped. It skims over the bust, past the waist and over the hips. There is no seam at the waist. Instead it is cut to slightly come in and the pattern also draws your eye inwards. The skirt falls to the floor from there and it is in its original uncut supermodel length. I love how the width of the skirt flares out and it is quite alive by the time it reaches the floor. The pattern also changes to pick up the grid work on the bust and tie the whole dress together. The extra fabric around the hem also gives you this beautiful movement when you move. Truly an extraordinary piece from the Sarah Burton era. Excellent condition.

Lined in a black silk chiffon as described above. It closes with a hidden set back zipper and each cuff closes with a hidden set zipper. The ease of the cut and slight bias of the netting should allow it to fit a range of sizes. Tagged a modern McQueen 42.

Sleeves: 24.5" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15" 
Bust: 17-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 67" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4849

Reference Photos: (1-2) Resort 2017 Alexander McQueen, Look 40.  /  (3-5) Lily Collins in Alexander McQueen at the 19th Costume Designers Guild Awards, 2017.  /  (6) Katherine "Bee" Schaffer, in McQueen, and Anna Wintour at the 2018 Evening Standard Theatre Awards.  /  (7) Emily Blunt in Alexander McQueen for The Girl On The Train world premiere, October 2016.

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.