I am very pleased to begin presenting a collection of Bill Blass pieces from a woman who was a close personal friend of Mr. Blass for many years. Many of these pieces were custom made or tweaked specifically for her and all of them are in exquisite condition, having been stored and cared for properly over the years. These are rare and hard to find example of his work from the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Some may be the only version of its kind that were made. The family would also like it to be known that their portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to charity. 

I absolutely love this dress. It is an amazing example of the work that Mr. Blass was doing in the late 1970s, early eighties time period. It is an amazing find with its sleek lines and those wonderful over-sized pockets that sit on each hip. It still feels shockingly modern in a very minimalist kind of way. It is made from a remarkable, baby soft, plush black cashmere that feels like heaven to the touch. This fabric choice has enough of a weight to it that it holds the shape wonderfully and feels so very high end once on the body. I love the squared off bust-line and skinny straps in a matching fabric. I think that if you wished you could even wear this one strapless and it would work amazingly. The front has two big pocket for that classic American ease his clothing has. The Washington Post once stated that "Seventh Avenue thought of Blass as the king of American fashion and his work has always been portrayed as quintessentially American". The dress is cut to supermodel length and the lines of it make it feel even longer. Everything about the cut is done to give the girl wearing it one long and beautiful silhouette. At the back the zipper is hidden along the offset side seam and there is a slit at the bottom part of that same seam that allow for just a touch of leg to show as you walk away. Its simplicity is part of its appeal and it looks amazing once on. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a hidden set zipper along the back, offset side seam. It comes with a matching cashmere scarf/shawl that is photoed separately. Very well made with hand finishes and ribbon edges inner seams. Tagged a vintage 12 and the fabric is slightly cut on the bias so it has a touch of give once on the body.

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem
Slit: 17" up from hem
Scarf: 13.5" x 54"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3254

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

I have had a version of this dress in the shop before and I think I love it a little more with each version I find. This one has an attached wrap tie belt in the same fabric that helps to give it added shape. I love these metallic lurex knits from the seventies and when a designer like Bill Blass got his hands on some the results are just magical. The dress is cut long and lean and the design that runs over its surface is a swirl of taupe and chocolate mixed with gold thread so the entire dress has a subtle shimmer. The bodice of the dress has a simple, high rounded neckline. This flows over the bust to nip in at the waist where the wide attached belt in the same fabric acts like a sash to wrap and cinch in the waist. The skirt flows to the floor under that and is cut so that it gently widens out as it reaches the hem. The sleeves are cut so that they widen slightly as they reach the cuffs and they are the star of the show. Each cuff ends in an explosion of drama. Two types of feathers are mixed with gold tinsel strands that all woven together and hand dyed to pick up the colors of the fabric. Really an outstanding piece and beautifully constructed. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a deep ivory cream silk and closes with a hand set back metal zipper. The sash detailing at the waist is attached around the front to the sides and then extends into long ties that wrap to cinch the waist in as much as you wish. There is a good 4" of fabric turned up at the hem if you needed more length. The cut is meant to be looser through the body and then bright in with the sash. If you are not terribly broad across the shoulders a larger size might be able to fit this one as well

Sleeves: 23" to actual end of sleeve, approx 29-30" including the feathers
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist seam under sash
Skirt: 41.5" from waist seam under sash to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED, Maybe a small shouldered LRG

Reference Photos: (1-2) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.  /  (3-4) 1973-1977 Bill Blass Ensemble from Kent State University Museum.

Item# DD3160

I have a small collection of historically important, key designer labelled vintage furs, fur trimmed & feather pieces stored away in my archives that I will be slowly posting on the site over the next couple of years until I have none left. I will no longer be buying furs for the shop moving forward and have not purchased anything for several years now. I feel like times have changed and while there still is a place for vintage furs for some, including collectors and historians, many modern girls are choosing other options. Many of the pieces in my collection are representative of the designer during a set time period in history that was different then our modern outlook. I have decided that the best course to handle this controversial issue is to let the pieces I have go rather then sit in a cold storage unit. All fur coats, fur trimmed & feather pieces are final sale

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

This 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

This dress is from the early 1990s and the 1992 collection featured a ton of dresses with this boy short interior finish under a series of minis. The dresses from this year were as well known for their prices as they were for their brevity. Elle reported that year that his collection was 'extraordinarily pricey with cardigans run around $1,400 and dresses between $2,500 and $3,500'. In a 10 page spread that season, Azzedine speaks of his 'delights in the space-age fabric he used for his Spring 1992 collection (he calls the NASA-developed material "Relax" for its purported ability to act as a screen against microwave emissions)'. Azzedine produced two versions of this dress for this collection. At first glance they look very similar. I have the other version in the shop as well at the moment. The other version has a silver grey colored thread that circles the hem. This version is its more couture counterpart, and uses a real metallic thread and hand spaced mirrors to finish the hem of the skirt. 

The dress is made from Alaia's iconic black stretch knit. The neckline is set wide and scooped and finished with the scalloped edging that he was using during this time period. The knit has structure built into it and once on the body, it helps to shape and mold the body underneath it while never seeming too tight from the outside. The upper portion of the dress, including the sleeves, are done in a solid, flat weave knit. The skirt is set low on the hip  and is semi-sheer with a grey knit finish for contrast. Onto this knit are hand set glass beads that run on little individual horizontal rows stacked up each vertical knit row. Little paste mirrors are set by hand in between each row. Each mirror is held in place by silver metal thread. I love the fullness of the skirt and the movement it has. Under the skirt is a boy short bodysuit that snaps into place to keep you from being scandalous and provide coverage. A rare and special dress from one of the greats. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The inner boy shorts snap to close. The fabric does have stretch. There is the slightest bit if shininess around the fabric and seam under each arm. Tagged a vintage Alaia Small.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16.5-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27.5" from shoulder to inner snaps of shorts with some stretch available if needed, 31" from shoulder to bottom hem of skirt

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3001

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 early 1990s and the 1992 collection featured a ton of dresses with this boy short interior finish under a series of minis. The dresses from this year were as well known for their prices as they were for their brevity. Elle reported that year that his collection was 'extraordinarily pricey with cardigans run around $1,400 and dresses between $2,500 and $3,500'. In a 10 page spread that season, Azzedine speaks of his 'delights in the space-age fabric he used for his Spring 1992 collection (he calls the NASA-developed material "Relax" for its purported ability to act as a screen against microwave emissions)'.

The dress is made from that now iconic, black stretch knit. The neckline is set wide and scooped and finished with the scalloped edging that he was using during this time period. The knit has structure built into it and once on the body, it helps to shapes and mold the body underneath it while never seeming too tight from the outside. The upper portion of the dress, including the sleeves, are done in a solid, flat weave knit. The skirt is set low on the hip  and is semi-sheer with a grey knit finish for contrast. I love the fullness of the skirt and the movement it has. Under the skirt is a boy short bodysuit that snaps into place to keep you from being scandalous and provide coverage. A rare and special dress from one of the greats. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The inner boy shorts snap to close. The fabric does have stretch. Tagged a vintage Alaia Medium.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28" from shoulder to inner snaps of shorts with some stretch available if needed, 31.5" from shoulder to bottom hem of skirt

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2976

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

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 dresses from 1992 were as well known for their prices as they were for their brevity. Elle reported that year that his collection was 'extraordinarily pricey with cardigans run around $1,400 and dresses between $2,500 and $3,500'. In a 10 page spread that season, Azzedine speaks of his 'delights in the space-age fabric he used for his Spring 1992 collection (he calls the NASA-developed material "Relax" for its purported ability to act as a screen against microwave emissions)'. Striped versions of the dress here were featured both in the Alaia exhibit at the Groninger Museum and accompanying book 'Alaia- Azzedine Alaia in the 21st Century,'.

The jet black knit that the dress is made out of hugs and shapes the body. The knit has structure built into it and once on the body, it helps to shapes and mold the body underneath it while never seeming too tight from the outside. The neckline sits low across the bust to suggests and give a nod to the cut of a Victorian corset. I love the off shoulder strap detailing that leaves the peak of the shoulder bare while a second strap curves around the top of the shoulder to meet the neckline. The upper edge of the neck is finished with his signature scalloped edging that he used during this time period. This little detail gives it a pretty and feminine touch. There is no defined waist  to the dress, it simply glides over the bust and down to hug the hips. It is utterly amazing and sexy as hell. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a hidden set zipper up the back. Tagged a vintage Alaia medium. The fabric does has some stretch

Bust: 15.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 33.5" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2336

Reference runway photo: fashionanthology.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.

This more recent Azzedine Alaia knit dress is one of his classic silhouettes and will always be in style. The fabric combined with his signature pleats used to create the shape through the body and skirt are instantly recognizable as his work. The dress is made from his iconic, black stretch knits and this one has a slight ribbing texture running through it. The knit has structure built into it and once on the body, it helps to shape and mold the body underneath it while never seeming too tight from the outside. The dress has three distinct textures woven into the knit. The shoulders and upper bust are a solid, flat weave. Through the waist there are raised, vertical rows that act like a corset to shape the body. Those rows then expand, flare out and become perfectly spaced knife pleats that give the skirt fullness and movement. A stunning piece from one of the greats. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a hidden set back zipper. Tagged a modern Alaia 38. The fabric does have some stretch.

Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 15.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 36" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2817

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

Rachel Zoe wore a dress from this same collection when she debuted her windows for Tiffany. Her version had a full sleeve but this version is more of a cocktail dress with a simple sleeveless bandeau style bodice and a strap that wraps up and around the neck. I love the gathered design that is created by the bands that circle the dress from top to bottom. The ones around the bodice are the same fine knit fabric as the base and the ones that circle the skirt are made from his signature chenille. Inside, it has a built in inner bodice so there is no need for foundation garments. I love the deep burgundy color. Excellent condition.

Unlined through the body with a fully lined and finished inner corset at the bust area that is boned and has built in cups. This inner corset closes with its own separate zipper. The exterior dress closes with a side zipper that lies over the inner corset zipper. The very bottom hem feels slightly padded and each of the horizontal strip has an internal elastic built into it. The original retail on this dress was well over $5000. All the measurements have some stretch if needed except for the length and bust (unless you remove the corset).

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner corset waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx15" from top of neck strap to waist
Skirt: 22" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD1900

Rachel Zoe pictured in an Azzedine Alaia dress for the unveiling of her Tiffany windows.

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

On the 2008 Resort runway for Chanel this was shown in a longer, graphic black and white, but was produced in this shorter all-black version. Diane Kruger later wore the twin of the version I have here to the Chanel Haute Couture collection, giving us a fabulous reference of how amazing this looks on a real girl. It is made from a stretch bandage fabric in black with different finishes used for each part of the dress. The bodice is made from strips of the fabric woven into a basket weave pattern. Straps button into place so you can change how they sit if you wish. Through the waist the pattern is set vertically and the knit has just a touch of transparency to it for a hint of sexiness. The skirt swings out from this beautifully fitted shape in a a "faux" pleat - the lines that give the illusion of pleats are actually worked directly into the knit. It's fabulous and absolutely gorgeous on.

Nicole Phelps of Vogue said of this collection in her review: "The spectacle Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel staged on Friday night at a Los Angeles airfield was so audacious, so over-the-top, it elicited a standing ovation before the first model hit the people mover. The designer, who took over Grand Central station in New York last May and commandeered a fleet of buses in Paris the year before that, chose a Santa Monica plane hangar for this year's resort extravaganza...."Airports and flying have become a nightmare," Lagerfeld had said backstage a few minutes earlier. "L.A. is about the dream of private jets and beautiful cars and glamour. Cruise collections are about the dream of freedom." 

Unlined and tagged a Chanel 36. It still has the plastic that held the hang tag through the label and has never been worn. The fabric is meant to stretch and hug the body.

Bust: 13.5-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 10-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 45.5" from natural neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2871

Reference Photos: Resort 2008 Chanel, Look 10. Model: Irina Lazareanu.  /  Diane Kruger attending the Chanel Haute Couture Show in Paris, January 22, 2008.

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

These long, slim dresses made of pure cashmere wool were a Halston staple and were designed for that chic modern woman to wear while entertaining at home or in an intimate setting. The wearer was able to move and be superbly comfortable, never worrying about getting wrinkled or being inappropriate or uncomfortable. Really these were one of his signature pieces and every chic woman had to have one. Variations were recently featured in the Museum at FIT exhibit "Yves Saint Laurent + Halston: Fashioning the 70s" In their notes on some of his work they mention these cashmere pieces:

"Halston’s use of historical elements to create new collections was sparing. Rather than re-interpret the designs of those who came before him, he made subtle allusions to those designers whose work he most admired. He was inspired by body-revealing activewear and the sinuous, bias-cut gowns of Madeleine Vionnet from the 1930s, while primary influences from the 1940s included the cashmere sweater sets of Mainbocher and the ingenious ties and closures employed by Claire McCardell"

The dress is full length and cut with long slim sleeves and falls form the shoulders in a column of red cashmere to the floor. The color is amazing - a true red that will flatter most skin tones. Versatile and beautiful, it is an amazing and rare piece of fashion history. Note that this is not perfect but does present very well. Please review condition notes below.

Unlined and slips on to wear. It is made from hand-loomed 100% cashmere made in Italy. There has been some old repairs done to the fabric. It could probably be re-woven properly and the value would instantly double. It could be worn as is and the larger area easily hidden under a belt. Please review the photo provided. This is priced at half the current market value with these small flaws present as is. The fabric does have stretch and due to he forgiving cut will fit a variety of sizes.

Sleeves: 25"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 16.5-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2723

Photo: The Museum at FIT, permanent collection

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

Made of a deep burgundy knit with fine threads of gold worked through the fabric, this bias knit dress has a subtle glimmer in the light that is just fabulous. It is completely cut on the bias so shapes itself to your curves as soon as you slip it on. The main body and complete back of the dress is done in a fine ribbing while the body has a puckered, gathered feel that is remarkably like a later theme used by Prada in one of their shows. This is the mainline label so the knit was more then likely very high end and innovative at the time. I love how it creates a long lean line and if you wanted to add more shape the knit is light enough that you could easily belt it. It is a touch too large on my mannequin so on a girl who is the proper size to fit this it will fall even better. A great and early example of his work. Excellent condition.

Unlined and slips over the head to wear. The bias cut knit will fit a variety of sizes. Off the body it is of course very skinny and slim but is meant to stretch over the body so the range of measurements given seems quite large.

Bust: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from shoulder to hem (will come up when on the body depending on how much it stretched width wise)

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD2343

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

Love this sexy little knit dress by Missoni. It is a sleek sheath of fluid, fine knit that is topped by a triangle style top and criss cross straps at the back. The back is left almost completely bare and it weighs ounces! The knit has metallic thread woven through it so the dress has a subtle glimmer. It skims and clings over the body but in a forgiving way, helped by the angled print that draws the eye in and the amazing cut! Excellent condition

Lined in the signature nude lingerie weight nylon that Missoni lines their garments in. Note that the tag was lost but it is guaranteed to be Missoni. Slips on to wear

Bust: to 16" comfortably flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: " from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: " from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS- SML

Item#DD1405

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

A rare and fabulous sexy plunge dress by Rudi Gernreich that is in an unusual and subdued, for Rudi, basic black. One sees such wild graphic designs from him normally that a black dress is almost more interesting in his case! And what a fantastic dress it is! Made of a lightweight wool knit, the bodice is very sexy rounded shoulders, cap sleeves and a front plunge that scoops right down to the empire waist! The waist is cut full and loose so it infinitely comfortable for the wearer to have on. The skirt flows from the waist to just above the floor. It has enough fullness to give it a sleek yet full shape that perfectly balances the deep V front. Collectible and wearable - it is Rudi Gernreich at its best. Excellent condition.

Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from top of shoulder to empire waist
Skirt: 41" from empire waist to hem

Unlined and slips on the wear. There are snaps and a hook & eye that begin at the waist band on the front

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD946

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