Thea Porter combined exoticism, embellished ornamentation and luxurious fabrics in her pieces and her work was a phenomenon during her day. She dressed many of the most fashionable woman in the world. Eliazabeth Taylor was a noted fan, as was Sharon Tate, Faye Dunaway, Brit Eckland and many, many more. Her legacy continues to this day and great examples of her work are harder and harder to find. In 2015, the Fashion and Textile Museum in London showcased her work in the exhibit "Thea Porter 70s Bohemian Chic" and over a dozen pieces were pulled from my archives for that show and for the accompanying book. This is a more recent acquisition to the shop and it is one of the best I have seen.

This is an astonishing, high glamour dress that combines elements of both her Faye dress, named after Faye Dunaway and the iconic Gipsy dress. Both of these were made in various versions from 1968 onward. I suspect that this one was custom made for a client, or perhaps was just yet another unique version of one of her dresses dreamed up by Thea herself. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful Thea dresses I have seen in person. The color alone makes it a stand out, never mind the extensive embellishments. The bodice is made from a panel of antique brocade - here it is a pink and gold floral brocade that is very beautiful. This is finished with a combination of silver and gold metallic piping that highlights the neckline and runs down the front to the waist. The sleeves are incredibly full and are made from a deep fuchsia silk chiffon that has a slightly ribbed finish to it. These billow out above elastic ends and are very voluminous. Below the waist there are two layers of silk. The innermost layer is the same silk that was used to make the sleeves. Over that lies a top embroidered silk layer and it is this layer that makes this dress especially wondrous. It is a brighter pink silk Sari fabric that has been heavily embroidered with real silver metal thread and matte silver sequins. This fabric was most likely vintage even at the time of making the dress and both the quality of the silk and the workmanship are extremely fine. All of the work is hand done. The skirt is very full and there are yards and yards of the silk used in its construction. The hem is left to lie at different lengths all around its edge. In person the dress is even better. The  combination of that vibrant deep fuchsia pink mixed with the metallic silver and gold have more impact in real life and the full effect of the dress is astonishing. Excellent overall condition with some notes to review below.

The bodice is fully lined in a purple silk and the skirt is made up of two layers of the silk as described above. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. The elastic in the sleeves may be slightly stretched out but they are fine as they are. I would not change them. I see a small vertical repair to the silk near the top of one shoulder and there are some small splits and areas of weakness to the silk there that will need to be reinforced at some point. There are two long areas of repair to the hem. I see some slight fading to the silk around these areas as well. With the volume of fabric in these areas, once on you would never notice any of these. They are all decently done and the silk seems stable but the areas around the repairs should be handled with care to not do any further damage. Her silks were very fine and this tends to happen to her pieces as they age. Please see the photos following the shot of the label. Note that this dress is sold as a final sale.

Sleeves: 25"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to longest points of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3234

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

This garment has been checked over, steamed out and it is sold in clean. as found condition.

This is likely the early work of Elinor Simmons before her name went on the labels. She designed for the Malcolm Starr label from the early 1960s to 1972. You can see her influence in this classic feeling Malcolm Starr dress with its almost sculptural lines and elaborate beading, sequin and rhinestone embellishments on the bodice.

The dress itself has a simple and long A-line cut with a sleeveless bodice and a wide scooped neck. At the back, it is also scooped but this is set far lower so that the upper back is left bare. The entire dress is made out of a satin finish silk of very high grade. This has been dyed a shocking, vibrant pink that is far better in person even then how it photoed here. Onto that is a beautiful hand done detailing that completely covers the bodice of the dress across the full front and the back. Gold toned tubes beads are mixed with seed beads and prong set rhinestones in a dense 3D application. These catch the light wonderfully and the final effect is quite beautiful. The upper portion of the dress skims over the bodice with a high set waist line. The skirt comes out from under the seam at the waist, gently widening out as it nears the floor. It is cut supermodel length which is not always as common in pieces from this era. The fabric choice really holds the shape of the dress beautifully and the color is wonderful. It is really a lovely dress. Excellent condition.

Fully lined through the bodice in a fine silk dyed to the same color and the skirt is lined in a white muslin. The dress closes with a back painted metal zipper. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. Note that color is a bit deeper then how it photoed. The elaborate rhinestone, sequins and beads on the upper bodice are all set by hand. There is an additional 3" turned up under the hem.

Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11.5" from shoulder to seam under the bust
Skirt: 47" from seam under the bust to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3233

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

American couturier, James Galanos, made gowns with a level of craftsmanship that left even France’s most esteemed couturiers astonished that an American could equal their craft. The immaculate construction of a Galanos gowns are amazing. His price points were high, but his clients were more then willing to pay for the quality of what they received. He was a master cutter and he used proper couture techniques to create his pieces. Galanos was particularly known for his evening wear and this is one of the most glamorous pieces I have ever seen from him. It is truly extraordinary and I have never seen another like it.

This dress needs an actual body in it to really come to life. As gorgeous as it looks in my photos, it will look even better once on. The fabric is amazing. It is a black silk net that has little explosions of gold and silver covering its surface. Each of these three dimensional 'dots' is make from silver and gold tinsel lame that has been set into the net and tufts out from it. These are densely applied over every inch of the dress and each would have been done by hand. The way that these catch the light and make the entire dress glint is wonderful. The dress is cut in a classic baby doll with a high thin bodice that sits low on the bust and is suspended from the shoulder by two thin straps covered in the 3D tinsel florettes. The bust is then detailed by a band of of hand applied matte gold sequins set just underneath the bust. The skirt explodes out from under that in a  full and voluminous curve to the floor. Once on an actual body, the effect of this volume is even more pronounced. Under the top netted layer is a base of gold knit lame that adds to the metallic feel of the dress. I love how the bottom hem is finished in the same band of gold sequins that sit under the bust, even though you just barely glimpse them through the netting that lies over the inner skirt. It also comes with a matching jacket made of the same gold and silver detailed netting. This is cut loose and wide through the body with no front closures. Each sleeve of the jacket is cut wide and full. It is an extraordinary set. Excellent condition

The bodice is lined in a nude silk organza and support is added by shaping seams and grosgrain. The body of the dress is lined in a olive toned, fine silk. It closes with a back painted metal and nylon zipper. The jacket slips on with no closures.

Dress
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Under bust seam: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11.5" from top of shoulder strap to lower edge of the sequin waist band
Skirt: 46" from lower edge of the sequin waist band to hem

Jacket
Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 22" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3234

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

Vitaldi Babani founded the Babani atelier in Paris in 1894. Originally they imported art, furniture, embroideries, silks and exotic goods from China, Japan, India, and Turkey. By 1910 they were producing their own label garments. The designs were heavily inspired by the wares they were importing and they often incorporated some of the antique textiles that they were bringing into Paris. They were known for the exoticism of their designs and the heavy embroideries and high craft that was put int their garments. In 1928, Katherine Hepburn famously wore a white crushed velvet Babani dress with antique gold embroidery for her 1928 wedding to Ludlow Ogden Smith. This is a rare and wonderful dress by the House of Babani and it is remarkable in both its condition and its design.

The base of the dress is an inky black silk velvet that has the same weight and feel of the Fortuny's I have seen from this period. Which would not be a stretch given that the Babani company had a license to retail textiles and garments by the Venice-based designer. To have used some of those velvet's for their own label would not have been out of question. The shape is very loose and easy. It follows the tubular fashion of the day with the middle portion of the dress almost curving outwards a touch. On the body it looks tremendously modern and oversized. Even a small framed girl could wear this and just carry it off in a different way then someone closer to the garment's actual measuremnts. Onto the black velvet is an elaborate and intricate geometric design. This has been created by using thick gold metallic cording to create the outer edgings of the design. The inner parts of the design are then filled with a thinner gold thread. All of the thread has that feel of being made out of actual metal. This is an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of rare fashion history from one of the most elusive of labels from this period. Excellent antique condition 

The dress slips on and is fully lined in a fine black silk. It has no closures. All of the embroidery work is present and fully intact. I see some waviness to the velvet under the arms where it has been worn and slightly folded over time. There is perhaps an area or two where the pile of the velvet has gone into a slightly different direction but there are no true flaws overall. For a garment of this age and this rarity it is in excellent antique condition

Bust: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 43" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3225

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

This garment is sent in clean. as found condition

This wonderful dress would date to the late teens or perhaps the early 1920s. Dresses of this age are rarely 100% perfect and this one does have some small areas that are starting to show weakness, but overall is still very strong even after all of these years. It is a wonderful example of the workmanship that was being done during this time period.

The dress is made from a fine silk chiffon that has been covered in a dense pattern of glossy black jet tube and seed beads mixed with larger glass jet beads. The design is very extensive and is set over the entire surface of the dress. The execution of the design is very well done and it is quite beautiful. The bead work covers both the front and the back of the dress and the hand work involved would have taken hours and hours to finish. The dress is cut in a classic flapper tube shape with a high set neck and a long body with no defined waist. The silk chiffon top layer sits over an inner silk satin which is what has give the dress its stability and longevity. I love the romantic touches of the wispy bits of silk chiffon that finish each sleeve and care set to curve around the arm. Floating panels of chiffon sit on each hip and give the skirts a slight volume at the sides. Circled around the dropped waist is a heavily embellished belt that is made of large black glass beads that ends with a long tassel of beads hanging down one hip. This is then caught up and finished with a silk and velvet pink flower for a pretty pop of color against the black. It is incredibly beautiful and entirely made by hand. Excellent antique condition.

Lined with the inner silk satin dress under the chiffon overlay. The dress slips on to wear. The shoulders at the seams are starting to show signs of aging - please see the photos provided - you could reinforce them but I have left the dress as found and all original. There may be other areas of weakness here and there as well but I don't see any readily apparent ones. The bead and jet beads seem to be entirely present with perhaps the occasional one missing around the edge of the neck. The attached belt detail that wraps around the waist has no hook - I have twisted it in place for the photos. I think once the new owner gets it you should add a hook or secure it where it sits best on you. Some small areas of shattering on some of the inner silk petals of the flower. Even with these small defects the dress is remarkably sound and shockingly beautiful. It is almost 100 years old and is considered to be in museum quality condition.

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41 from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# E485

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 dress is very tiny in size but has big impact. The girl who is lucky enough to fit this will find that it is an absolute dream to wear. It is the kind of dress that is just waiting to go out, have fun and dance the night away. It is cut to fit and hug your curves in a way that is extremely flattering and sexy. The shoulders are shaped and padded. Both the front and the back are scooped and plunge quite low so that you get a bare expanse of skin showing. I had to pin this on my dress form because of its tiny size but on an actual body the the front and the back feel lower then how they look on the form. It is very flattering and I love how the back is more of a cut out. It's not apparent in the photos but at the top back of the neck the fabric curves around and across the neck and hooks into place so its held securely onto you. The surface of the red silk base is finished in a dense covering of red beads mixed with gold beads and sequins. These have all been sewn on by hand. The design that is created by the gold areas especially really add to the curves and lines of the dress. Each sleeve has its own fabulous design at its cuff for the perfect finish. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a red silk and closes with a back zipper and hook and eye at the back of the neck. Padding in each shoulder Each cuff has a hook & eye to close. The beads are hand sewn onto the silk . The only size tag is one that says it is 'petite'

Sleeves: 20"
Wide set shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11.5-12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 53" from neck to hem
Front slit: 19" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3222

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

Harvey Berin opened his self-named label in 1921 and by the 1940s his label was considered to be a leader in American fashion. The pieces were actually designed by Karen Stark, his wife's sister, though it is said that all designs had to meet with Berin's approval before going into production. The dresses were made with high end finishes and were often based on the Parisian couture designs of the season. By 1952 Stark had won a Coty award. This dress is one of the best I have seen from the label and is extraordinary.

The dress is absolutely wonderful and could easily stand side by side with any of the couture dresses being produced in this time frame. The base fabric is a pale ivory with just the barest touch of blush to it. It then has a beautiful floral and leaf pattern worked into the silk that is made from a nude toned netting. The weave of the netting varies and these variations become a layer of the design itself. Over these fabrics the dress has been densely beaded with thousands and thousands of little white glass seed beads. These are applied by hand in a dense scattering cover over the main silk part. More beads are worked into dense ropes that follow the edges of each leave and flower. More beads are used to make up the inner design of the flowers and leaves. The heavy profusion of beads makes the dress feel that is has a good solid couture feeling weight to it. The cut is kept simple to off-set that amazing design. The straps are cut wide and curve over each shoulder. The bust is fitted with a sweetheart neckline at the front and a simple scoop at the back. The waist nips in and the skirt flares out to be very full under that. I put a light crinoline under it for the photos and I think you could go even fuller if you wished. In person the dress has far more impact and beauty then the photos could ever convey. You will honestly be floored when you see it in person. The color is a more true ivory-nude and the dress has more depth and a 3D effect in real life. It is wonderful and would perhaps even make a fabulous wedding dress for the bride looking for something non-traditional. Excellent condition with a couple of tiny items to note below.

Fully lined in a pale pink silk and closes with a side set painted metal zipper. There is a teeny tiny area of the slightest of darkening to the fabric under one arm and a couple of tiny storage spots. Nothing that I feel detracts in any way. I have photoed the areas and you can see then after the shot of the label. Hand finished throughout. There is a 4.5" hem turned up and it appears that someone has turned it up at some point already and this prior shortening takes up about 2.5" of the total

Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 29" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3218

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

In 1962 Capucci opened his first atelier in Paris and took the fashion world by storm. In 1968 he went back to his native Rome and opened his atelier there. By 1972 his work was presented in a museum in Rome at the Museum of Etruscan Art. A remarkable achievement for a living designer. He exhibited again in 1990 and in 2005 he founded the Roberto Capucci Foundation to preserve his numerous drawing and archives. His pieces tend to be highly architectural and the ones you see in exhibits border on not being wearable, so it is a treat to find a beautiful and highly wearable example of his work.

From the late 1970s comes this fabulous little deep blue chiffon dress that is cut to flow and drape over the body. The neck is cut wide to give a glimpse of the upper shoulders and the sleeves flow from there in an expanse of volume and fullness to above the buttoned wrist. The skirt has yards and yards of chiffon and flows to the floor in a pretty, light expanse of fabric. The back and bodice are especially pretty with their pin tuck lattice design that is detailed with a little clear beads where each pin tuck crosses over the other. It is lovely and a rare example of a hard to find designers work. Excellent condition

Fully lined except for the sleeves and closes with a back zipper on the interior fabric and snaps on the outer. Each cuff closes with a hidden snap under a silk covered button detail. Hand finished inside and hand applied beads.

Sleeves: 24" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2753

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

This is a remarkable coat or full length dress, that was constructed with a level of hand work that is getting harder and harder to find. The photos do not come close to doing it justice. It is not 100% perfect but its construction and beauty far out weigh its few flaws. The exterior is extensively covered with a beautiful crewel embroidery technique that is done by hand. Despite its age the colors are still fresh and vibrant. The design work is exceptional. Dense embroidery work form beautiful bouquets of flowers that circle all around the hem, cover the upper back and run down each sleeve. The collar is a soft rounded notch collar and this is embroidered with flowers that then trail down the front. The hand embroidered design is a pattern of soft flowers and leaves in a variety of pastels, an unusual color choice against the red, but one that works. The base is a fine and light deep red colored wool and I love the sweeping cut of the lower portion. Every detail is perfect down to the hand embroidered buttons. You can wear this as a spectacular evening coat, or because it does do fully up you can wear it on its own as a dress, or keep it as a boudoir piece. It is exquisite and a testament to the great craftsmanship and highly skilled technique that is rapidly being lost. Presents as excellent condition but has a couple of small flaws noted below.

Fully lined in red silk and closes with those amazing button and loops at the front. I see a dark discoloration on the back of one sleeve and some light marks where it was folded for many years and faded slightly, these go all the way around and are less visible in real life then how they photoed. Please review the last two photos for these areas. I have also included detail photos showing the hand work on the embroidery. The red is a touch more vibrant in person.  Please remember that pieces of this age will have a natural patina and should not be expected to be absolutely perfect (though this is close).

Sleeves: 18"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 38" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# C512

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

This is a wonderful dress from the fifties that is beautifully feminine and romantic in feel. It is so rare to find these really outstanding fifties pieces any more and I am extra appreciative when they come into the shop. The fabric that has been used for the base is a lightweight soft cotton mix. It is almost surprising to see such a light and supple fabric used for a structured dress like this. It is all the work on the inside that give it the lines that you see. The skirt is cut to be very full. It has a built in underskirt that is made of a starched/stiffened muslin that is then finished with a layer of tulle along the bottom for volume. I then photoed it with an additional crinoline underneath of that layer so you can get a true sense of the volume that is there. You could even go fuller if you wished. If you chose to wear it with no crinoline you would still get a lot of volume and movement. The structure through the bodice comes from the extensive ribbon embellishment. This has been hand applied onto the fabric so that is completely covers the bodice to the waist and then tapers off into pretty tendrils as it trails down and over the skirt. The ribbon on all of these places panels has been shaped and made by hand out of an ivory crinkle ribbon and then the panels hand sewn into place onto the dress. Ivory silk cord is stitched around the tendrils of the skirt so they have a more finished feel. The applique work runs over the full front and back of the dress and add a beautiful 3D element to it. The waist is nipped in and the bodice is sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline at the front and a dipped back. This is a really outstanding example of the work being done during this time period. Overall excellent condition with some very minor notes to review below.

The bodice is lined with the same blue fabric as the exterior and the skirt has a built in skirt as described above. The dress closes with a side metal zipper. Note in person the blue is slightly more a true baby blue and the ribbon has a slightly more ivory tone to it and it not a true stark white. There is a very slight storage spot on  the ribbon on the top of one shoulder (see the very last ohoto) and perhaps some slight grubbiness to the ribbon along the edges here and there but this is more a cause from time and natural patina. I am being extremely picky. The hand work in the dress is easily seen from the back. The crinoline used in the styling is not include.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 46" from top of shoulder hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# E661

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 extraordinary 1920s flapper dress was completely made by hand and is very feminine and beautiful. It is a wonderful example of the level of craftsmanship being utilized during this time period. It has survived the passing of time exceedingly well with only some minor flaws. The base of the dress is made from a fine light cotton and it is this fabric choice that has allowed it to remain strong and sturdy over the years. The color is a pale dusty blue that was almost impossible to capture and in real life it has a prettier, more unique feel to it that I think is just lovely. Onto this is an intricate design made of glass tube and seed beads that covers every inch of the dress. The main portions of the blue have a dense sprinkling of little semi-transparent white tube beads. Rows pf raised pink and gold flowers flow down the dress on both sides and a band of gold bead work defines the waist. The skirt has more of those glass seed  bead flowers scattered around the hem. The placement of each and every bead is by hand and it is amazing to think of the time it would have taken to create this extensive design. The combination of soft and romantic colors and the density of the beads is absolutely fantastic. I also took a shot of the dress laid out flat so you can see how the skirt is cut with extra fabric worked around each hip to give the skirt extra flare. Overall great antique condition with some notes below to review

The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear with no closures. The fabric appears to be strong and is wearable with the care it would deserve to be worn with. It is not 100% perfect but still in wonderful antique condition. There are some areas where the beads on the main body are missing. Because of the color of the dress and the color of the beads in these areas its actually not that noticeable. There is some faded discoloration from storage on the bodice. I have photoed the worst of the areas. Note that the shots before the photo of the dress laid out flat are the detail shots of the bead work, and the shots after the laid out dress photo is of of the flawed areas.You can see some of the discoloration in the other photos as well. Even with these defects the dress is remarkably sound and shockingly beautiful. It is almost 100 years old and is considered to be in museum quality condition.

Bust: 17" from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16.6" from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 37.5" from shoulder to bottom hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# E660

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

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 gorgeous twenties dress combines a rich, golden tone ivory silk velvet with an inset panel of silk chiffon in the same rich color. The front panel where the silk chiffon is inlaid, has been heavily embellished with beads and faux pearls. The execution of the design is very well done and it is quite beautiful. I love the way the back panel of the dress is set so that it falls in one single long line. This is created by having the back set over the inner structure of the dress and simply hooking into place once on. The velvet then wraps around the body to the front with bead work at the waist holding the velvet perfectly in place. The hand work involved in the front design would have taken hours and hours to finish. There is a wide and elaborate band of beading at the center low waist and from that hang a long, double sided, multi strand beaded tassel. These drop right to the hem of the dress and create wonderful movement. Behind this, the silk chiffon has an elaborate, trailing design of little flowers. These are all hand done and made from glass beads, pearls and rhinestones. The dress is cut in a classic flapper tube shape with a long body with no defined waist. The silk velvet top layer sits over an inner dress that gives it some hidden structure, This inner dress is no longer perfect all along where it closes underneath the back panel but this cannot be seen at all once it is on. It could perhaps still be worn as is very carefully, or the inner part could be replaced, or even removed altogether. I love all the romantic touches and feel that this could potentially be a beautiful wedding piece for a girl looking for a more twenties feeling wedding dress. The exterior is in absolutely remarkable antique condition. It is incredibly beautiful and entirely made by hand. An amazing collector piece and beautiful example of the time period. It is far far better in person then how it photoed - more rich feeling and has a softer, more romantic feel in person as well.  Excellent overall antique condition.

Has an elaborate inner dress comprised of silk netting, tissue silk and silk chiffon. The dress slips on to wear with no closures from the waist seam down. It has a series of snaps and hooks from the waist up.  The fabric at the back of the inner bodice has deteriorated badly. I have taken a photo of it on the mannequin and if you turn the layers inside out its even more shredded on one inner layer then how this looks. That said it is very sound still as the netting is there and that is strong. The structure is all there. I see one small tear to the chiffon but it is stable and not readily apparent when in due to the placement and the many layers of chiffon. There is the occasional weak spot to the silk chiffon that lines the outer silk velvet but again the velvet itself is remarkably strong and stable. There may be other areas of weakness here and there as well but I don't see any readily apparent ones. The bead and jet beads seem to be entirely present with perhaps the occasional one missing in that front design. Even with these small defects the dress is remarkably sound and shockingly beautiful. It is almost 100 years old and is considered to be in museum quality condition.

Inner bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 45 from shoulder  to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Item# E659

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

Richard Blackwell launched his label in the late 1950s and even at that time his dresses sold for between $800 and $1000 (or up to $10,000 in the modern terms). He dressed many of the big stars of the day including Jane Russell, Dorothy Lamour and Jayne Mansfield. I love finding his pieces and this dress is wonderful. The cut of this dress is kept fairly simple so that the bead work on it can shine. The front is cut with a high, straight across cut neckline and then the back is scooped. Through the body it is cut in more of a sheath silhouette. The dress skims over the torso and glides in for just a touch of shape at the waist. The skirt below that is also kept fairly simple with a slim cut pencil shape. Over the entire dress is a looping design that is made entirely of rows of gold & silver beads that were hand placed and set to create the design that you see. They have a slight raised 3D effect and give the otherwise simple dress a shot of glamour. It also gives it a bit of a showgirl feel I think and I love the final effect as it adds a touch of glitz but without being too flashy. Excellent condition with one small note below to review. 

Fully lined through the body in an ivory colored silk and closes with a back painted metal zipper. The embellishments are hand placed and sewn. There is the slightest touch of yellowing to the fabric at the middle of the back. Please see the photo provided of that area after the shot of the label. Hand finished throughout

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 38.5" from top of straps to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3208

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

In 2007 it was Matthew Williamson that was the Creative Head for Pucci and this particular dress was a stand out that season. Vogue's review of the collection said in part: "It's for the kind of young and ravey party girls who look to Zoe for tips, ideal for being papped in from beach to nightclub, Ibiza to Bali, Saint-Tropez to South Beach....As you'd expect from a British designer who's made it his business to hang with It girls, Williamson treated Pucci to a dose of what's going on in the London club scene...He took Pucci archive prints and punched them up into the brightest turquoise, aqua, peach, purple, orange, and electric blue, styling them with mirrored cutout wedges, sixties enamel disc pendants and giant cuffs"

This was Look 15 on the Runway show and it feels as fresh now as it did then. Williamson's time at Pucci may have been short, but there were definitely stand out pieces from that period of Pucci's history and this dress is definitely one of them. On the runway a silver collar was styled with it and  layered over the neckline - an easy trick to duplicate if you loved that more sixties feel. The sixties influence is readily apparent in this dress. That halter is the exact cut of pieces of original Pucci I have had and sold. Williamson took that archival cut and then made it shorter and covered the surface with sequins. It is also elaborately beaded with 3D detailing in twisted ropes of pink and green. The beading is set as a giant medallion at the front and details the neck, hem and sides. Big stones are set in the design and the closer you get the more you fall in love. The ivory, iridescent sequins that cover every other inch of the surface catch the light beautifully. The dress ties around the neck and is easy to wear through the body as it is fairly straight in its cut with just the suggestion of indentation at the waist. The dress is new and has never been worn. It still has all of its retail tags attached. Excellent condition. 

Fully lined in a white silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. All original tags attached and was never worn. Tagged a US 8, IT 42, UK10

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 40" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3206

Reference Photos: (1) Emilio Pucci Spring 2007 Runway, Look 15. Model: Sasha Pivovarova.  /  (2) Karmen Cass for Emilio Pucci Spring 2007 by Inez & Vinoodh.

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

This is a wonderful dress from the fifties that is very striking and beautiful. All of the applique work you see has been placed and sewn by hand. The cost to replicate a dress like this today would be astounding. The exterior fabric is unusual in that it is an extremely fine black netting. This fabric choice has just enough weight to it to give the dress some structure and body, but is also very light and adds to the floating feel of the dress. Built under this is a more fitted bodice and the skirt has several layers of tulle between that top layer and the inner lining. The skirt is cut to be very full and you could easily add a crinoline underneath so you can get even more volume than what you see in the photos of the dress on its own. Even shown without a crinoline the dress still has a lot of volume and movement to it. Hand applied onto the dress from shoulder to hem is an enchanting design created by hand applied embroidered lace. This curves over the front and side of the dress in a beautiful trailing design. It also wraps around the waist and covers the upper back. It has been placed by hand to perfectly follow the curves of the dress and than hand stitched into place. Detailing each of the lace flowers are an edging of glossy iridescent finished ivory sequins topped with a glass bead. This adds the perfect subtle glimmer and highlights the lace even more. The waist is nipped in for shape and the skirt if full. Above that sits a shaped interior bodice that is a looser fitting overlay. This is a really outstanding example of the work being done during this time period. Excellent condition with some minor notes to review below.

The bust and skirt both has built in bodice and interior skirts made of a black silky rayon. The skirt has two additional layers of tulle between the top layer and lining. The dress closes with a back metal zipper. There is a very slight darkening to the lace on one spot at the side and perhaps a touch of darkening to the lace at the back. I photoed both areas for you and these are shown after the label photo. I see on pinhole to the netting by the hem but it is strong and stable and very minor. There is what looks like tape reside inside the dress under the label. Note that is does have straps on the interior lining but I feel that they were added later to hang the dress as they are cut very short. I tucked them in for these photos. All very minor and I am being extremely picky. The hand work in the dress is easily seen from the back as shown.

Interior Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam, with a good C cup of space at the front
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 26" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# E657

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

The label on this dress instantly gives us a date of between 1970-1974. 1970 was the year Janice Wainwright launched her own label and after 1974 her labels only carry her name, not the full ‘Janice Wainwright at Forty Seven Poland Street,’ that we see here. These four years are what has forever defined Janice and her work. She excelled at these embroidered pieces and the Art Deco & Nature inspired designs that she loved flourished and became one of her signatures.

This dress is a beauty. Her caftans and dresses by her during this time period and of this quality are among my very favorites of her work. As mentioned above, it has the added bonus of having the coveted, earliest Janice Wainwright at Forty Seven Poland Street label. The dress is made up of a black stretch jersey that is set on angles tiers so it feels like it spirals around the body. This gives it a loose and easy feel when you wear it even though underneath it is a little more fitted then how it appears. The sleeves are cut out from the shoulders with an almost caped effect that also gives them a touch of a kimono feel. To further highlight the upper portion of the shoulder and sleeves she has added her signature embroidery. Rows of color mixed with giant embroidered flowers runs extensively across the top of the dress. I love that the panels in between the resulting rectangles of embroidery have been finished with a sheer chiffon rather then the opaque jersey. This means that you get a touch of transparency over each arm and it breaks the black of the rest of the dress. The front and back is cut in a high V that the embroidery accentuates. The body of the dress under the tiers is a long sheath with no real defined waistline. Silver sequins, each placed and sewn by hand, highlight the design at the top for the perfect finish. It is beautiful. Excellent condition

The inner dress under the tiers acts as the lining. It slips over the head to wear. The fabric does have some stretch.

Sleeves: 16" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to approx 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55.5" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3193

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

During the 1980s, Jenny Lewis "dazzled the fashion world with her exquisite Chinese silk gowns, elaborately embroidered, and her beaded and sequined dresses that recalled the gay abandon of the Twenties. Her rise in the fashion world was meteoric, and her shining creations, which cost almost as much as a Paris gown, were worn at the best parties in town. At the height of her career, Lewis starred at  fashion shows in Harrods, & Harvey Nichols attended by royalty the Governor of Hong Kong and the London elite. “My collection was the main focus of all the windows & my beaded dresses were the focus of the finales. I stood there thinking “these are my nights, my England,” recalls Lewis."

This is a gorgeous little jacket that displays what was loved about her work and is quite beautiful. The base of the jacket is a black silk and then onto this is that incredible design that you see. Iridescent beads and sequins are hand placed over the entire jacket and down each sleeve. The entire jacket is hand done and covered in the beads and sequins. The upper shoulders are densely covered and this carries around the back. On each side of the front and on the back are mystical creatures entirely executed from bead work. It appears to have never been worn, or worn very little and is a real little beauty. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk that is hand set. It closes with tiny silk covered snaps tone that run down the front. Light padding in each shoulder

Sleeves: approx 22"
Shoulders: they extend slightly beyond the natural shoulder and are approx 16"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 22" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S843

Quote credit from jennylewisartist.wordpress.com

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

George Halley started at Charles James who said of the young designer that he 'was a genius at draping'. By the time Halley opened his own atelier in 1966 he was well on his way to fame. He won the Coty Award in 1968 and his work is on par with couture. He is one of my personal favorite designers. In 2015 I included him in my list of 'The 10 Designers to Add to Your Vintage Collection' for Harper's Bazaar, saying; 'If you want old school glamour and to feel like Hollywood royalty, look to this under-the-radar label outside of vintage circles... A Coty Award winner in 1968, Halley was one of the great American Couturiers and his work always feels grand and elegant. Think polished silk and fused velvet's and embellishments that have a touch of the Grand Old South to them. Silhouettes to look for are his sweeping ball gowns and hostess gowns. Rich fabrics and rich colors are used with a master's hand. Feathers, crystals, hand painted fabrics and fine workmanship are all things to expect from a George Halley gown. Slipping one on instantly makes a girl feel special and important. These are the showpieces and while you should expect to pay for the quality and beauty of what you get they are absolute jewels'. The best of his work are the pieces that show his love for Old Hollywood glamour combined with his love for over-the-top opulence. Women's Wear Daily called him 'a designer in a lovely world of his own'.

This gown is really quite extraordinary and almost outrageous in its level of opulence. It is constructed to couture standards and the workmanship and quality of materials used in its construction are amazing. The impact of the color combined with that refined and elegant cut are just wonderful. A George Halley design always starts with his fabric and embellishment choices and here he has gone above and beyond. The skirt is made from rich silk with a satin finish in a purple lavender color. It is set higher up the bodice just under the bust and has tremendous volume of fabric. An added, attached silk organza underskirt helps to hold the shape and fullness you see but most of it is created by the deep inverter pleats that sit at the back and the soft wide gathers at the front. I love the huge soft bow that sits at the front. This is attached to a band of matching silk that is attached partway around the waistline and then snaps into place on the other half, meeting and hooking into place under the bow. The hidden details are exquisite with each snap covered in silk and set into place by hand. The bow draws the eye up and assists in creating that beautiful silhouette. The bodice is a work of art with a floral design made entirely of heavy glass crystals, beads and rhinestones. These are set by hand and follow the pattern of the pale lavender lace underneath. The bodice has a high neck whose collar is densely applied with hand placed jewels. The beautifully cut sleeves widen as they near the wrist and each has its own densely beaded finish. In person the color is softer and has less of a contrast then how the light has made it feel. The crystals catch the light when you move. It is very heavy because of the dense glass bead work on the bodice but once on, somehow feels extremely comfortable. This is a remarkable gown that would be impossible to replicate in our modern work. This is almost certainly a one-off and a wonderful find. Excellent condition with two small notes to review below.

The dress has an attached inner stiffened organza skirt and the outer skirt is interlined with a matching purple silk. The bodice is fully lined in a hand set inner cream silk and layer of nude silk sits between that and the outer embellished lace layer. It closes with a hand set back zipper, The bow is partially attached and on the part that it is not sewn into place, it closes with hand set silk covered snaps around the other half of the waist and then hooks into place under the front bow. Each sleeve has a hand set zipper at its end. There are two small breaks in the netting close to each other on the back of one shoulder, see photo after the label photo. There is also a variation to the color under the folds of the pleats on the skirt, the silk is a darker shade of purple all along and under each fold. You do not see this when it is one as it is hidden under the folds. The color is also very soft along the transition and very even so it looks deliberate in many ways. Neither of these notes detract and the gown is extraordinary and very beautiful.

Sleeves: 14"
Shoulders: 23"
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 47.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3152

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 elaborately sequin and bead covered dress is even better in person.  The workmanship on it is outstanding with a dense, hand applied application of large black paillettes, smaller sequins, beads and curving ropes formed from a 3D application of seed beads that break up the design. These cover every square inch of the fabric and have been meticulously placed by hand onto a black stretch knit base. Once on it hugs the body in a way that is very flattering. The dress has a very simple cut. It is basically a chic sheath silhouette with a slightly nipped in waist, a barely there suggestion of a cap sleeve and a V neck. The back is also finished with a V cut but it is cut to dip lower then the front does. The skirt is cut long and lean. The hand work down on the dress gives it a 3-dimensional quality as they are set raised up from the knit. Glossy black flowers are formed from the combination of the various beads used and thick ropes of twisted black seed beads loop and curve through the design from top to bottom. Everything has a high gloss finish and I love the way it gleams in the light. It is also a great wearable size and the knit base makes it feel fantastic once on and extremely comfortable to wear. Excellent condition.

The bead work and sequins are hand applied onto a soft knit base that I believe to be cashmere or a cashmere mix. It closes with a back metal zipper. The edges of the slit are finished with a black silk panel of fabric but it is otherwise unlined. The knit gives it quite a bit of stretch and the measurements give below are the comfortable range lying flat. You may be able to get a bit more then that if needed.  It has the high end department store, Neusteters, label in it but no longer has its ioginal designer label present

Bust: 18-22" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-17" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-22" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist seam
Skirt: 37" from waist to bottom hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# E416

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

Look 44 on the Fall 2006 Runway was worn by Natasha Poly and I have included that reference photo here so you can see how the dress will look on the body. Michael Vollbracht  was the designer of this collection and he told Vogue that he was looking to 'channel' the spirit of the label's namesake. Mr. Vollbracht only designed for the label from 2003 - 2007. I think this was one of the prettier pieces he designed while there and does indeed have that Blass feel to it. The dress is strapless with a more fitted inner dress that hugs the bodice and skims over the hips before gradually flaring out as it nears the hem. The hem of this inner dress is finished with a wide pleated detailing that gives a little extra texture though the top layer and also helps to add weight to hold the shape. Over this is a synthetic net layer that has a huge floral design covering its surface from bodice to hem. The flowers are made up of a black cord and a matte satin and this combination gives them a pretty 3D raised effect off of the netting. The back of this top layer is cut longer to form a small train and the netting also helps to give it a more ball gown feel with the extra volume created. There are little loops and buttons on the back so you can lift the skirts off the floor if you wish. It appears to have never been worn. Excellent condition

Fully lined and closes at the back with a zipper. The net layer closes over the zipper with a series of hidden snaps. The inner bodice is lightly boned and there is an inner waist stay that hooks to close. Fully lined in a silk. The exterior fabrics seem to be a combination of silk and synthetics. There are little loops and buttons on the back so you can lift the skirts off the floor if you wish. Tagged a modern 4

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to inner hem, 48" to back train if left unbuttoned and down

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3140

Reference photo: Fall 2006 Bill Blass runway, Look 44, Model: Natasha Poly

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 stunning and rare gown was designed by Bob Mackie. Mackie was best known for dressing Cher and for his undying love of opulence and bead work, both of which he incorporates heavily into the best of his designs. He worked for both Edith Head and Jean Louis prior to working as a costume designer and co-designing with Ray Aghayan. That led to his incredible journey in designing for stars like Cher and Diana Ross for many years. In some ways he and his creations defined their careers and that era of glamour. I think he secretly always designed for the big screen and the bygone glamor of Hollywood as his work is always over the top and extravagant.

This is an amazing gown that is heavily beaded and extremely sexy and flattering once on. The base of the gown is made of a black silk chiffon that has hundreds of vertical bands made of blue and black beads laid out in curving rows that follow the lines of the dress. Mixed into this are huge pink Orchids that curve up the front of the dress, highlight the lower half and sit on each sleeve. There are also flowers on the neckline and even on that dips out an past the scoop of the back so that the beaded flow sits on your bare skin. These are made up of beads and sequins in a mix of pinks and purples. Iridescent green tube beads form long trailing stalks and leaves. This combination of the glass tube beads and sequins give the gown an extra layer of texture and glamour as every inch of it catches the light and sparkles. As a result the dress is very heavy off the body because of that extensive bead-work, and yet once on the body it lies and drapes in a way that it is balanced and not at all unwieldy. The bodice is cut to skim over the chest with a wide cut neckline. The sleeves are cut wide and straight so that there is enough area to really show off the orchid design that trails down and around each sleeve. The back plunges in a V with that overlay flower that sits off on your skin as mentioned above. I love how the waist is gathered in by hand across the back just slightly so that there is a bit of shape created but at the front its left with no stitching added so that the front remains a ling unbroken sheath. The skirt is incredible and is cut with a high curve so that one side falls to full length and then other curves up to show the leg. The effect of this is far more dramatic and fabulous on a real body and it really shows off the legs. If you even remotely love it in the photos you will dance when you see it in person as it is so, so, so much better in real life. Extremely well made and made to demi-couture standards. It is so well made I think you could even wear it with the V to the front and it would still work. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk chiffon crepe including the sleeves. It closes with a hand set back zipper. Hand finished throughout. Incredibly heavy as it is fully beaded from top to bottom with glass beads but feels balanced when on and comfortable. Perhaps the occasional bead missing but nothing that detracts - I see a couple missing beads at the back near the hem and a bit of a row on the back of the curved hip side. You would never notice this when the dress is on.

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14.5
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to longest point of hem. 16.5" from waist to highest point of the curved side

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3127

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