Prettiest Resort 2019 Cult Gaia 'Cosette' Draped One Shoulder Dress w Open Waist Cut Outs
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was featured in the Cult Gaia Lookbook for the Resort 2019 collection.
- It was made under the Creative Direction of Jasmin Larian Hekmat.
- Hekmat founded the label in 2012 and it is based in Los Angeles. The label's name comes from mixing 'Gaia' (the goddess of Mother Earth) with 'Cult' which she meant to reflect the idea of a community built around organic design, nature and the power of femininity.
- The label names their dresses and this one was called Cosette. It was produced in several colours, one of which was this gorgeous pinky coral that is noted on the tag as being the 'bubblegum' colour.
- The dress is made so that it all falls from a single shoulder on one side to create a beautiful drape down and over the body.
- The bust angles on a slight curve up to a wide gathered shoulder. This extends out to become a part of the dramatic caped panel that falls all the way to slightly past the floor. It leaves the other shoulder bare and exposed.
- The dress drapes and skims over the bust and curves in at the waist. From there it curves back out over the the hips.
- At the waist there is a large open cut out circle on both sides that goes from the waist down over the outer hip. To hold this in place around you there is an elastic strap in the same colour that loops around you. The strap is removable so if you prefer the circles completely wide open you can wear it that way as well. It is very sexy.
- The open cutouts already add drama to the dress and then that cascading panel down the one side adds even more to the extraordinary beauty of the dress.
- The panel that is attached to the shoulder curves and cascades over the arm and all the way down the body. As the panel falls down the side of the body it extends just past the hem.
- On one side of the skirt there is a high side slit so that when you move or sit you get a flash of bare leg.
- It is absolutely the most flattering dress once on the body and it has beautiful movement.
- The dress is fully lined in matching fabric. It closes with a hidden side set zipper and the band that slips around the waist hooks to close. The band is removable. I see a very faint mark the front but the dress is new with tags and was never worn. Please see the photo after the label shot. The colour is perhaps a touch more pastel than how it photographed.
- Tagged a modern Cult Gaia medium
- Excellent condition with the minor note above.
Bust: approximately 18" flat across from side to side with no true seam on the side with the draped panel.
Elastic band around waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to hem and the slit is 32" from the hem up.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5735
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.
versace
Exquisite Spring 2008 Versace by Donatella Versace Runway Look 52 Coral Pink Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was shown for Look 52 for the Spring 2008 Versace collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Donatella Versace.
- This was part of the closing look of a series of bright candy coloured dresses Vogue's review of the show said that "Versace for spring was one of those idea confirming shows were a designer picks out a latent trend and coheres it into critical mass before your very eyes. This season in Milan it took Donatella Versace to get hold of drapey, flowy, goddessey dressing and make it look hot, easy and believable. Her beautifully constructed silk jersey dresses ran the gambut from day to night in a rainbow of colours with each piece gorgeous in its own right.... proof that Donatella Versace is at the top of her game."
- The dress is made from gorgeous pinky coral silk chiffon used for the main portion of the dress and this is combined with a silk chiffon panel that runs down from one shoulder. The silk used is feather light so feels magical once on.
- The dress is gathered up and into the bodice where it has been tightly gathered horizontally across the bust. A band that has tiny flat pleats stacked on top of each other runs across the top of the bodice and is set on an angle underneath.
- A tiny strap circles up and over one shoulder and then a wider chiffon strap curves over the other. The band that runs around the top of the bodice extends out to wrap around the outside of the arm.
- That silk chiffon panel that curves over the shoulder falls into a long panel of silk chiffon that widens out substantially as it nears the floor. It is cut to go to just past the hem of the dress and it creates beautiful movement around and behind you as you move.
- From the angled band that sits under the bodice the dress simply drapes and skims over the waist and hips.
-
The lower skirt is full and open with tons of silk chiffon. Underneath the top layer of chiffon there is a matching colour jersey layer which makes it all incredibly comfortable to wear. The back of the skirt falls slightly longer then the front. This combination of cut and fabric allows for fantastic movement around you as you move.
- The dress is lined in a matching silk through the bust and a stretch silk jersey through the skirt. It closes with a combination of a hidden side zipper and hook & eye. There is a lightly boned partial inner corset piece under the bust. The inner corset has its own zipper. I see some very minor tiny marks on the inside lining near the hem and near the bottom edge of the draped panel. Both are very minor but mentioned for accuracy.
- Tagged a vintage Versace 40.
- Excellent condition with the minor note above.
Bust: the front bust will cover up to 16.5" flat across the front with no true side seams. The band that circles around to the outer arm is 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 14.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12-13.35" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: 16-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11" from top of shoulder to the top of the inner corset under the bust. 15.5" from the top of the shoulder to the waist of the inner corset.
Total length: 61" from top of the shoulder to front hem, 66" to the longest point of the back hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5737
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.
etro
Spring 2018 Etro by Veronica Etro Runway Look 3 White Cotton Gauze Dress w Embroidery & Sequins
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Spring 2018 Etro runway and was shown for Look 3 on the runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of Veronica Etro
- Vogue reported that the collection "displayed the really excellent cutting of Veronica's dresses. She doesn't need to drain her designs and gorgeous pattern to achieve gorgeousness."
- Even the stills from the runway gives you a wonderful idea of how fantastically this dress will move in real life. On the runway it was paired with a jewelled piece that was worn to follow the V of the neck.
- The dress is made out of layers of a light in weight cotton and silk mix gauze that is incredible. A base colour is a soft ivory, and then there is a secondary white print worked into the fabric. Added embroidery and sequin embellishments on the embroidered patterns are done to form a beautiful multi-layered pattern over the entire dress.
- The shoulders are soft and set wide across to the edges. These curved down into sleeves that narrow slightly to the wrist and are finished with a tiny lace trim. I have shot them at their full lengths but you can see on the runway photos they were worn scrunched to the elbow for added ease.
- The neckline come down in a soft curving V and cotton panels on the bust are gathered into twisting knots along the centre point.
- The skirt sweeps out from under the bust and from there it begins to expand outwards to the hem. By the time it reaches the hem it has quite a bit of volume. The back is cut slightly longer than the front so you get a beautiful sweep and movement when you move.
- The lower tier of the skirt is cut to be wider around to create more volume and movement in the skirt. It is set into the skirt above with more lace.
- The final perfect detail is the elaborate floral embroidery work that covers the entire dress in a matching thread. Onto many parts of the embroidery are added sequins that give the entire dress a beautiful texture from top to bottom.
- This is an absolutely stunning dress that is wonderfully constructed.
- The dress is lined in a layer of the same cotton gauze. The sleeves are unlined. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. I see a small mark that gets hidden in the folds of the skirt, grubbiness at the edges of the hem and there is a tiny stress area to the fabric at the top of one shoulder. Please see the photos after the label. Its easy cut should allow for a range of sizes.
- Tagged a modern Etro 38
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: approximately 23" and they are just under 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: approximately 14"
Bust: to 17.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approximately 14" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 58" from top of shoulder to front hem, 60" to the back
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5732
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.
giambattista valli
Fairy Tale 2010s Giambattista Valli White Dotted Silk Tulle Wedding Dress w Full Layered Netted Skirt
I Have a Question
- The dress is 2010s Giambattista Valli
- It was made under the creative direction of Giambattista Valli .
- This is one of those ultimate princess, cupcake, fairy tale wedding dresses made with the fantastic execution that Valli is known for.
- The entire dress is made out of a dotted tulle and choosing this fabric keeps it light in weight while still being able to create the fantastic volume that the dress has. The dress is more of a true white.
- The bodice is strapless and there are two tulle panels that extend out from where they are attached at the back waist.
- Since the panels are only attached at the back waist you have the ability to style them in several ways. They can be twist over the front and wrapped back around the neck where it hooks to close.
- They could also be wrapped around the waist for a true strapless feel.
- Inside the bodice there is full built-in corset that is lightly boned so you have full support for wearing the dress.
- I love how tulle is wrapped horizontally over the bodice and then the skirt is set vertically. This combined with the dots in the netting create a subtle visual interest
- The waist nips in and then the skirt expands outward from there.
- I love the drama and volume that this creates through the skirt. Multiple layers of crisp white tulle are stacked on top of each other and this is what holds the volume.
- It has a very ballerina princess feel to it and is absolutely gorgeous.
- The dress is fully lined in a silk organza underneath the tulle layers in the skirt. It closes at the back with a zipper and the panels have hook at their ends to hold them in place. The inner bodice is lightly boned for support. It appears to have never been worn.
- Tagged a modern Valli 44
- Excellent condition
Bust: to a max of 34-35" all the way around
Waist: to 14.4" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 8" from the top of the bodice to waist
Total length: 48" from top of the bodice to the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
DD5733
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.
mary mcfadden
Stunning 1970s-80s Mary McFadden Couture White Pleated Dress w Attached Braided Belt
I Have a Question
- Mary McFadden patented her Fortuny inspired pleating technique just a couple of years after launching her label in 1973.
- This is from her higher end couture line that had a more limited production and was sold at higher end shops.
-
Mary was known to say frequently that there was no greater beauty than pleated cloth on the human body and she said when she developed her 'marii' fabric that her aim was to have it 'fall like liquid gold on the body, like Chinese silk.'
- The dress is made from a beautiful white synthetic silk charmeuse that she sourced from Australia. This was her signature fabric and it was then pleated in McFadden's proprietary pleating technique.
- The shoulders are shaped with light padding and the sleeves fall from their narrowing slightly to their wrists.
- The neckline at the front comes down in a V and there is a matching V at the back. The bodice is made to appear as if it is crossed over you however it is all seamed and attached so nothing will move when you wear it.
- I love how one side at the front has three tiers of ruffled pleats that are stacked over to each other to just above the waist. The other side on the front and the back have a more simple finish.
- Following the neckline on the side that has the stacked layers is an attached braided tie that curves up and over the shoulder, runs down the back on the same angle and then meets itself at the waist on the side.
- The rope extends out from the waist and is very long. This lets you wrap it around the waist to add more shape. and still have a long length to let hang down the side.
- Each end has long tassels in the same fabric for the perfect dramatic finish.
- A band of the same fabric wraps horizontally around the waist and widens out on the same side as the ruffles over the top of the hip.
- The skirt falls to the floor from in a long column. It widens out slightly as it nears the hem and the vertical pleating help add to the illusion of extra height to the person wearing it.
- I also love that the skirt is cut very long which is a rare thing to find in her work. As she progressed in her career she preferred to design pieces that ended at the ankle so you could see the shoe underneath. Her full length pieces are a bit rarer.
- The dress is fully lined through the bodice in a matching white silk and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a side set zipper. Hand finishes. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 25" and they are approximately10-15" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14-15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from top of the shoulder to top seam at the waist
Total length: 63" from the shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SMl-MED
Item# DD5734
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.
givenchy
Fall 1982 Hubert de Givenchy Haute Couture Runway Silk & Silk Velvet Dress w Feather Detailing
I Have a Question
- Due to new customs regulations this dress can only ship to a Canadian address. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this or need assitance.
- This dress is from the Fall 1982 Givenchy collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Hubert de Givenchy.
- I believe this is the actual runway sample that walked the runway. The only photo that we have been able to find to verify its presence on the runway is one from the back but it is still a photo that shows that it is a runway piece.
- It would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
-
The dress is unlabelled and it is made by hand in the same level other of his runway samples that we have had in the shop.
- The bodice and sleeves are made from a black velvet with a flat pile finish. I love how it is cut to sit off shoulder and leave a bare expanse of skin across the top of your shoulders. Two little straps curve over the top of the shoulder to hold it perfectly in place and then the sleeves drop so your upper arm is bare.
- The neck line and the very top of each sleeve have a finish of black feathers that add an amazing feel to the dress.
- The sleeves have been tacked into place along the edge of the bodice and they have an elastic running around the top edge for an easy fit.
- The bodice comes in for shape around the waist and then curves back down to the top of the hip.
- The skirt is spectacular. It comes out from the bottom seam of the top and explodes outward around you with incredible volume
- The skirt is made out of a fine black and silver-grey striped silk that has a pretty red metallic dot woven through its surface. It is the perfect subtle touch of colour and contrast.
- The way the feathers fall around the sleeves and upper bodice is just incredible. They also create slight movements when you move. This is a superb example of his Couture abilities.
- The bodice of the dress is fully lined in a black silk and the skirt is lined with a black silk organza. It closes with a back zipper and each sleeve zippers to close at the wrist. It is finished a level appropriate to a runway sample and all of the work is by hand. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
- There is no size tag present given that it is Couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 17" from their open top to the end and the elastic stretches from 8-10" around
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of bodice to seam at the top of the hips
Total length: 59" from the top of the shoulder to the front hem and the back extends another 4 " past that. There is an additional. 5" of silk turned under the hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5730
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.
givenchy
Spectacular 1970s Givenchy by Hubert de Givenchy Black Chiffon Dress w Colored Rhinestones
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the early-mid 1970s.
- It was made under the creative of direction of Hubert de Givenchy.
- In 1952 Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris and quickly rose to fame as one of the grand couturiers. 16 years later for the 1968-69 season, he added a ready-to-wear line of clothing and accessories called 'Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique'. The line was initially sold in the United States exclusively through Bergdorf Goodman stores and was eventually available at other retailers as well.
- The line was still high-end and the clothing very well made. He launched this line to expand his customer base and it was made to appeal specifically to his non-couture clients.
- The fabric is a beautiful light weight black silk chiffon that has two layers of the chiffon for the top and a slightly more opaque layer of silk inside the skirt. I love the slight play on transparency between the top and skirt that this gives.
- The cut of the dress is incredible and very easy to wear.
- The neckline is a simple scoop and the shoulders are soft. The sleeves are fabulous. Each is cut to be very full so that they balloon out over their zippered cuffs. The sleeves have no lining and I love how the silk has been gathered around both sides of the zipper.
- The cut of the bodice is meant to feel more loose and easy. It simply skims over you to the band around the waist.
- Stacked layers of elastic have been run horizontally around the waist to add shape. The elastic there also makes it extremely comfortable and easy to fit.
- The elastic around the waist allows you to wear it lower down so that you get the full length of the dress or you can pull the elastic as high up under the bust as you want so that the top blouses over the waist and it shortens the length of the dress.
- The skirt falls from under that and opens out slightly as it nears the floor. A shallow slit runs up one side from the hem.
- As an added detailing there are hundreds of multicoloured rhinestones that have been fused directly onto the silk chiffon. They are placed both above and below the elastic that runs around the waist and are set in vertical rows that end at different lengths to create the pattern that you see.
- As good as it looks in the photos I feel like the impact of the rhinestones is even greater in real life. It really adds an extraordinary pop of colour with all the different colours of rhinestones.
- The quality of the fabric is beautiful and the workmanship in this dress is fabulous. It really showcases just what a genius he was that he could create such a simple piece with such a masterful hand.
- I love the play on transparency the dress has and the dress in person is even prettier than how it photoed here I think.
- The dress is fully lined except for the sleeves which are a single layer of chiffon. It closes with a back zipper and the waist has elastic. Each cuff zippers to close.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: approximately 25" and they are full and open around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: approximately 17" flat across from side to side
Elastic waist: will stretch to to 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14" from top of shoulder to the top of the 7" band around the waist
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5729
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.
valentino
2010s Valentino Roma Strapless Purple Jersey Dress w Built in Corset & Extended Front Ruffles
I Have a Question
- The Valentino Roma label launched in 2000 to take the place of the Miss V line. It was sold at a price point that was a bit more accessible then their main line and was meant to be available in more shops then the main line would be. The pieces were still very well made. This one caught my eye simply because of how gorgeous and sexy it is. It is a stunning dress with beautiful lines.
- It is made out of a synthetic purple stretch fabric that almost has the finish and feel of a very light in weight swimsuit fabric. This lets it fall fantastically over the body while keeping shape and structure.
- The dress is strapless and the upper bodice has a soft rounded shape to it. The silk is draped over the bust to give the feel of a bandeau and it is gathered in along the centre. Inside there is a full built in boned corset that is shaped for support.
- It is cut to skim over the body in a way that it drapes softly over you but still highlights your curves to past the hips to suggest an hourglass feel.
- The skirt falls from there and widens out slightly as it nears the hem. There is a slit up the front that is very high so that you get a flash of leg when you walk or sit. This also gives it incredible movement when you move.
- The final perfect detail is the long vertical panels that have been done in the same purple fabric as the rest of the dress. These begin as a twisted knot at the front bodice and then the two panels fall in a ruffle down the full length of the dress to the floor. Where the dress is slit at the bottom the ruffles continue on each side of it. This little extra and pretty detail adds that perfect finishing element of romance and femininity.
- The dress is unlined with a built-in black corset that is lightly boned that closes with its own side zipper and then a second zipper sits over that to close the exterior dress. Lightly boned through the inner bodice. An attached inner waist stay hooks to close.
- Tagged a Valentino 42/6
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56.5" from top of bodice to to hem
Slit: 30" from the hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5728
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.
guy laroche
Outstanding 1990s Guy Laroche Haute Couture Open Waist Purple One Shoulder Silk Dress
I Have a Question
- This is a phenomenal Guy Laroche true Haute Couture dress.
- It was made under the Creative Direction of Guy Laroche.
- It would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The dress is a rich royal purple in colour and the silk that it is made out of is of extremely high-quality.
- The bust extends up to curve over one shoulder and then swoops down and becomes a part of the back panel of the dress. This leaves the other shoulder bare and exposed.
- It skims over the bust and is attached to the waist seam on only one side.
- This creates an open cut out on the other side and I love the juxtaposition of the bare shoulder with the bare expanse of skin showing on opposite sides.
- The side that is open has a little tie bow at the top of the hip for added detail. The zipper is set underneath directly under that. This side falls on a slight downward angle to play on the angles of the top.
- A second bow sits on the closed side of the waist with the silk all gathered in towards that bow. It is just fantastically beautiful.
- From there the skirt falls to the floor and slightly widens out as it near the hem. There is a very high slit up the same side as the cut out at the waist.
- When you walk or move you get a fantastic flash of bare leg. It is very sexy but at the same time manages to stay very elevated and chic.
- The dress is fully lined in a purple silk chiffon. All of the inner work is done by hand to haute couture standards. It hooks to close at the top of the shoulder and at the side of the bodice above the cut out. There is a zipper and hook combination at the side. An inner silk waist stay hooks to close. I see a tiny line of stitching between the base of the zipper and the top of the slit. I think at some point the slit was higher and someone closed it. It would be easy to reopen. It otherwise appears to have been worn a little if at all.
- There is no size tag present as it is true couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from the top of the shoulder to the waist
Total length: approx 62" from top of shoulder to hem, with just under 1.5" turned under
Slit: 30" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5727
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.
john galliano
Fall 2003 John Galliano Bias Cut Silk & Silk Chiffon Dress w Draped Panels & Side Cut Out
I Have a Question
- The dress is from the Fall 2003 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- This dress is from John Galliano's own label and is an incredible example of his work from this time period.
- For this season he had emphasized a glamorous hourglass shape mixed with nods to pinup girl lingerie style dressing. These bias cut dresses always showcase his love of the 1930s and 1940s and you can see that influence in them.
- The dress is made out of a deep dusky purple silk that has a slight bit of texture to it. It is completely cut on the bias in that signature cut he does so well.
- The dress falls from a delicate strap that curves up and behind the neck and then it drapes down and over the body to the floor.
- The bias cut of it allows the dress to skim and drape over you so that it shows every curve but is not overly fitted.
- The fabric has been pieced together with dropped and angled panels throughout to create the beautiful shape that you see.
- At the back the strap meets behind the neck and then drop down the centre of the back and panels of silk are suspended from it. These curving panels can be worn either down and under the arms or you can drape your arms through them.
- The dress glides over the body past the bust, waist and hips and then flares out as it reaches the hem.
- It buttons to close down the side with a row of his signature buttons covered in the same silk and then on the other side the fabric is gathered in and up into a wired circle. The circle is open in the centre and the panels that gather into the circle have been cut out and opened so that it forms the shape of a flower trailing over one hip.
- Silk lining backs the cut outs at the hip but I have seen this dress in another colour where someone had that part of the lining removed so you see bare skin and it looked great.
- The dress is fully lined in a slightly deeper purple silk crepe and closes at the side with a series of silk covered buttons. I see perhaps a tiny pull in the fabric here and there which happens with this fabric and a teeny bit of shininess here and there from pressing near seams. Very minor and mentioned for accuracy. The bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes with it just draping more in a smaller frame
- Tagged a FR42, GB14, US8.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 63" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD5726
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.
valentino
Fall 1982 Valentino by the Original Mr Valentino Purple Silk Strapless BubbleDress w Rainbow Detailing
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Fall 1982 Valentino collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of the original Mr. Valentino.
- This is a very rare and unusual dress from the Valentino boutique label.
- Michelle Harper wore its twin in 2011 and you can see it in the foreground of the photo of an exhibit of his work at the Met Museum. Its twin was shot in black that season as well.
- Valentino launched his ready-to-wear label in 1962 just two years after opening his first couture salon in Rome. In 1970 he expanded and opened a boutique in New York.
- His ready-to-wear was done to give everyone access to the Valentino experience. He often based the boutique designs from his main couture label and in the early days pieces were remarkably close in quality and the line between the two labels was often blurred. This is a beautiful example of that.
- The dress is made of a beautiful weight silk in the perfect shade of purple mixed with those rainbow coloured bands at the top of the bust and around the inner hem. The silk has just enough weight to hold the shape that you see, but still feels light on the body.
- I love the unusual lines that this dress has and how despite its bold silhouette it is still easy to wear and very flattering.
- The dress is strapless and the neckline is set in a peak at the front with the four coloured stripes set on angles that slant down and then curve around the back. The silk is seamed to fit around you and really emphasize the shape through the bust and waist.
- It curves over the very top of the hips from there and then the skirt falls out outwards in the most dramatic poof under that.
- The skirt is a masterpiece. It is gathered softly into the waist and then it expands outward in that fantastic shape that you see. At the bottom it is brought in and under and there are four more matching bands of coloured silk in those rainbow colours.
- When this is on and you move you are going to get the most incredible movement of the skirt.
- There is tulle in between the outer layer and the inner silk lining in the skirt that helps to keep the skirt its structure and shape so it does not collapse around you once you are standing still. And it has pockets.
- The dress is fully lined in a light purple silk. Light boning through the bodice and the inner silk portion of the bod closes with a row of hook and eye. The dress zips to close over that. The skirt has a black silk chiffon lining and this closes with its own hook and eye inside at the waist. The rest of the skirt is lined in a black silk organza and there is tulle in between the exterior layer and the organza. I see a tiny bit of change of texture where the silk has been pressed over the inner tulle here and there. It is very minor and just mentioned for accuracy. Hand finishes.
- Tagged a vintage Valentino 10
- Excellent condition
Bust: has a maximum of 33" available space inside the bodice
Inner waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9.5" from side of bodice to side of waist seam
Total length: 55" to the longest point of the back hem and the front is 46" to the shortest point.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5725
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.
christian dior
Rare Fall 2007 Christian Dior by John Galliano Runway Look 43 Purple Hammered Silk Top Skirt Dress Set
I Have a Question
- The twin of this set walked the runway for the Fall 2007 show for Look 43.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- Galliano repeated the same design through the upper bodice for Look 18.
- In the book 'Dior Catwalk' they note that the Collection "managed to translate the intricate Japanese inspired references and techniques of Galliano's previous Haute Couture show for ready-to-wear, from origami folding and gravity defying pleats to elegant draping, tiered skirts, striking headpieces and bright colors." Women's Wear Daily hailed the collection as "a brilliant blockbuster, a glorious celebration of the grand and glamorous."
- Once worn together you get the feel of a full length dress but it is a two piece set with its original belt included. Both pieces are made out of a dusky purple hammered silk that has incredible drape.
- The top slips on and zips to close at the back. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are cut long and on a curve a traditional tailoring technique to follow the shape of the arm. Each sleeve is cut a little longer than a normal sleeve so that when they are on the body they can be bunched up along your arm just slightly or worn slightly over the top of the hand depending on your arm length.
- The sleeves are cut to curve outward from the body of the top with gusseted seams underneath forgoing the traditional arm seams. This means extra steps during the garment assembly that you rarely see anymore outside of Couture.
- The neckline comes down in a shallow V and then the silk is gathered up and into the intricate fold at the front.
- A hand dyed to match snakeskin belt is used to cinch in the waist. The buckle of the belt is finished in deep purple rhinestones.
- The skirt skims over the hips and there is an extra panel of fabric that puddles and drapes down one side. It runs from just below the hip down all the way to the floor.
- Under that extra added panel is an incredibly high slit that goes to the top of the thigh. The skirt flares out as it nears the floor and the hem has a touch of an asymmetrical feel to it with the side with the panel falling longer past the hem than where it starts on the inside portion of the slit.
- On the runway you can see the high slit as the model moves and this skirt has that same detail.
- This is an exceptionally rare set and an outstanding example of his work for this collection.
- The top slips on with a hidden set short zipper at the back of the neck. The belt has a rhinestone encrusted buckle and the skirt closes with a side hidden set zipper. There is a teeny bit of lift on the edges and wear marks on the belt that are minor and if I hold the skirt up to the light I see a tiny bit of vertical thinning marks under the waist and here and there around the ham of the skirt. They do not show through to the front at all and I am being very picky. Both pieces otherwise appear to have been worn very little if at all.
- Both pieces are tagged a vintage Dior FR40, GB12, IT44, US8
- Excellent condition
Top
Sleeves: approx 26-27" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom seam: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 20.5" from neck to hem
Skirt
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 49" from waist to the shortest part of the hem, 54" to the longest
Slit: 36.5" from the shortest part of the hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5724
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.
gucci
Spring 2020 Gucci by Alessandro Michele Runway Look 64 Purple Cut Out Tunic Dress w Patent Trim
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway as Look 64 for the Spring 2020 Gucci show.
- It was made under the creative direction of Alessandro Michele
- Its twin also appeared in editorial shoots and on Tamu McPherson that year adding to its documentation.
- The dress is made out of a soft purple silk and wool that holds the shape perfectly without being too heavy to wear. This is mixed with a black patent leather trim.
- The neckline is cut high and finished with the black patent trim. I love the little unexpected contrast that this adds. You see the same black patent trim edging in the bottom of each sleeve.
- The shoulders are soft and the sleeves fall out from there and become very wide by their ends. Each one measures a full 20" around their bottom openings.
- At the front right under the collar there is a pretty cut out that is done to feel like the petals of a flower. These are completely open so that they add an unexpected flash of bare skin.
- The dress flows loose and easy from there to the hem. As it drapes over the body it expands outwards on that same flared line that you see on the sleeves.
- That easy tunic, caftan feeling cut, makes the dress very easy to fit on a variety of body shapes and is so comfortable once on.
- The dress is fully lined a soft purple silk and closes with a hidden set back zipper. It's original hang tag is attached and it was never worn. I see one pin head size dot on one sleeve and a tiny touch of wrinkles in the patent where it naturally folds. Both are very minor but mentioned for accuracy.
- Tagged a modern Gucci 40
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 23.5" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 17.5" 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
Total length: 54" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5723
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.
givenchy
Spring 1982 Givenchy by Hubert de Givenchy Strapless Pink Silk Dress w Floral Appliqued Bodice
I Have a Question
- A version with similar floral finishes walked the runway for the Spring 1982 Givenchy collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Hubert de Givenchy
- In 1952 Hubert de Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris and quickly rose to fame as one of the grand couturiers. 16 years later for the 1968-69 season he added a ready-to-wear line of clothing and accessories called 'Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique'. The line was initially sold in the United States exclusively through Bergdorf Goodmans and was eventually made available at other retailers. The line was high end and extremely well made.
- This part of his brand was created specifically to appeal to his non-couture clients who wanted to be able to purchase a piece of the Givenchy dream.
- The label continued until 1992 when it was retired and re-branded as the Givenchy Couture label.
- The dress combines a brilliant pink silk skirt with a more fitted strapless bodice. The bodice on this one is so pretty. The base of it is a slightly off-white silk that has a white netting covering it. That is then covered with the prettiest little silk flowers in a range of soft pastel colours mixed with pops of pink and purple.
- The flowers cover the bodice all the way around from the front to the back. They have been laid out flat beside each other and only the centres are sewn down onto the fabric so that the petals sit off the fabric and move slightly with the smallest bit of air.
- The skirt is full with the silk layer on the top and an inner silk chiffon layer underneath. The colour is a brilliant pink that perfectly picks up in the pink flowers in the bodice. It is set into the waist in soft folds so that it really has fullness and movement when you move.
- The dress comes with its original green silk covered belt that you wear with it for an added pop of colour.
- The dress is fully lined in a ivory silk though the bodice and the skirt is lined in a pink silk. Light boning in the bodice. There is an inner waist stay and another under the bust and both hook to close. It closes with a metal side set zipper. There is a touch of grubbiness along the edges of the bodice around the arm areas and the flowers have softened over the years. There is some grubbiness and slight fading to the edge of the skirt hem and I see one tiny hole in the silk. The belt shows some fading and wear. Please see the photos after the label shot. Everything is minor overall and the dress presents beautifully.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Great condition
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to the inner waist
Total length: 54.5" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5720
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.
oscar de la renta
Spring 2004 Oscar de la Renta Runway Look 39 Strapless Pink Silk w Black Embroidery & Beads
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for Look 39 of the Spring 2004 Oscar de la Renta collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Oscar de la Renta
- In the review of the show Vogue said in part; "It’s virtually impossible not to get swept up in Oscar de la Renta’s confident vision of the luxurious life. The designer played to all of his strengths for spring, showing more of the pretty dresses, chic suits, and slim coats that have made him a touchstone of relaxed, modern elegance....Judging from the cuts and colors of this collection, de la Renta has Palm Beach on his mind." and for the evening pieces it was noted that; "Turning up the volume for evening, de la Renta progressed from a long, cool pour of pink charmeuse, to a giddy yellow satin strapless dress covered in nosegays of silk flowers, to embroidered and embellished showstoppers guaranteed to make it a memorable night—red carpet or not."
- This dress is absolutely dreamy. It is made out of the perfect pale pink silk that has been finished with a combination of black embroidery and black bead work that covers the entire dress.
- The dress is strapless and the neckline has a soft rounded shape to it. The silk is shaped over the bust to give shape and curves. Inside it there is a full built-in corset that is cupped and shaped for support structure.
- All of the panels that make up the dress are set vertically and he has use these to create the shape that you see. As it skims over the bust the panel panels narrow to create the shape through the waist. I love that there is no horizontal line to break the eye or the pattern that covers the dress.
- The skirt is spectacular. Here you see the true genius of Oscar. The panels that start at the top of the bus and narrowed into create the shape of the waist now expand into incredibly wide panels all the way around you. Each is over 30" wide by the time it reaches the hem and there are eight of them in total. This gives the skirt incredible volume that shows best when you move.
- Built in underneath that outer skirt is a second layer of the same silk. That layer has a stiffened edging all the way around it's ham and also is finished with a black chiffon ruffle that peaks out from underneath the top skirt as you move.
- The volume and lightness of the silk allows the skirt to move around you beautifully when you walk or move. When this is on and you are walking the effect that this creates is absolutely gorgeous. You can easily see that in the runway reference video.
- The final perfect detail is the extensive black embroidery and beadwork that covers the dress and highlights its shape and curves. I love how it is done in a deliberate pattern that follows the curves of the bodice and narrows in at the waist, giving the illusion of an even tinier waist.
- Dangling jetted beads circle all around the top edge of the dress and beads are worked through the embroidered pattern on the bodice. More embroidery is applied to each panel so that it circles around the entire skirt. When you move you glimpses of just how beautiful the embroidery is.
- This little extra and pretty detail adds that perfect finishing element of romance and femininity. This is Oscar at his very best and it is a tremendously beautiful dress.
- Fully lined in a pink silk with a full built-in cupped corset inside the bodice. The corset closes with its own zipper and then the dress closes over that with a back set zipper. An inner waist stay hooks to close. The dress appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage ODLR 12
- Excellent condition
Bust: 19-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to inner waist stay
Total length: 55.5" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5722
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.
stella mccartney
Resort 2016 Stella McCartney Runway Finale Look 34 Silk Dress w Gold Metal Collar & Ruffled Hem
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was the finale dress shown as Look 34 for the 2016 Resort Stella McCartney collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Stella McCartney.
- This was one of the most heavily documented dresses of both the collection and the season. It was worn for editorials, on the red carpet and for television appearances.
- Vogue specifically noted the "citrus-hued, ankle grazing trapeze dresses." saying of that the models who wore these dresses at the end of the presentation "you couldn't have found a woman in the crowd who didn't want to be them or at least look like them for the night"
- This dress was sold out and wait-listed worldwide. Very few were produced.
- I love the bright colour that the dress has been done in. It is incredibly difficult to capture the actual colour in a photo and I think it is even better in person as it is a touch paler then how it photoed here.
- The dress is made out of a single layer of feather light silk that verges on a chiffon. This gives it just enough weight to hold its shape fantastically but the lightness of the silk creates masses of movement around you when you move.
- This combined with the brilliant seaming and cut is what gives the dress its exuberant volume and shape.
- Both the front and back neckline are gathered up into little pleats that sit at the base of the neck. To hold the pleats together there are little gold beads placed on matching tiny silk straps that wind their way through the pleats. This little unexpected touch of gold is striking.
- The ties that go through the neckline extend out on either side and you tie them on the top of the shoulder. This allows you to wear the dress as high up or low as you wish. You can see in the reference photos that sometimes the neckline is dropped quite substantially from where I have it in my photos and the ties are what allow you to do this.
- The sides of the dress dip down into sharp little angles leaving a bit of skin to show at the sides.
- The waist has a generous cut and it is meant to feel more loose and easy. It is really a piece that is easy to fit and should work on a variety of body types.
- The silk falls from underneath the neckline and skims over the body expanding outward to a generously cut seam that sits below the hip. The fabric under that seam then gets progressively wider as it near the hem.
- A wide ruffle of fabric circles all around the lower hem with a wide band of stiffened netting hidden inside to help hold the shape.
- The silk of each tier is gathered into the seam above and below it and this also helps to add to the volume and create that incredible trapeze shape.
- The amount of fabric through the body of the dress and skirt combined with the lightness of the fabric is what lets it billow and move around you in the most spectacular way. And it has pockets.
- This is an absolutely stunning example from that season and it is a very collectible piece.
- The dress is unlined and it slips on to wear. It ties on either side of the neck as described above. There is perhaps a tiny bit of grubbiness along the edge of the hem but it otherwise is pristine. The extremely open cut should allow this to fit most frames. It will just drape more on a smaller frame.
- Tagged a modern Stella McCartney 40
- Excellent condition
Bust-Hips: open
Total length: approx 63" from neck to hem as it is tied here. It could be made longer if you let the ties drop at the top of the dress.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA
Item# DD5719
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.
valentino
Spring 2020 Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli Coral Orange Dress w Ruffled Sleeves & Full Body
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2020 collection as Look 76.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli.
- This was one of the most heavily documented dresses of the collection and there is an outstanding number of references as it was shot and photoed everywhere. This dress was sold out and wait-listed worldwide. Very few were produced.
- Vogue said that the show felt like "a long gulp of fresh air and optimism centred on something known." They noted that "in technical terms Piccoli's aim for spring was casualizing the voluminous couture silhouettes he had established over the past few staggeringly well received seasons... The collection was joyful, touched on a myriad of occasions and lifted hearts." It ended with a standing ovation.
- I love the bright colour that the dress has been done in. It is incredibly difficult to capture the actual colour in a photo and I think it is even better in person.
- The dress is made out of an almost parachute feeling fabric that holds its shape fantastically. This combined with the brilliant seaming and cut is what gives the dress its exuberant volume and shape.
- Both the front and back are deeply plunged and everything is kept perfectly in place on the body by the way that it is cut.
- Circling all the way around the arms from the top of the shoulder to the seam under the bust are incredible sleeves that are made from the same fabric. The fabric has been folded over and onto itself to create a double layer. This is what gives them their ruffled volume and airy feel.
- The waist has a generous cut and it is meant to feel more loose and easy. It is really a piece that is easy to fit and will work on a variety of sizes.
- The skirt is spectacular. It falls from underneath the seam of the bust and expends outwards with four stacked tiers. Each tier gets progressively wider as it nears the hem and the very lowest tier falls out and behind you for a dramatic sweep of fabric. The fabric of each tier is gathered into the seam above and below it and this also helps to add to the volume.
- The amount of fabric in the skirt and the lightness of the fabric is what lets it billow and move around you as you move. And it has pockets.
- This is an absolutely stunning example of his time at the label and it is a very collectible piece.
- The front triangles are backed with another layer of the same fabric and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a hidden set side zipper.
- Tagged a modern Valentino 40
- Excellent condition
Bust: each triangle covers to 6.5" flat across from side to side with no true side seams
Waist: 14-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to front hem and the back extends another 11" past that
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5718
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.
halston
1970s Halston Couture by Roy Halston Bias Cut Silk Dress w Flared Sleeves & Keyhole Back Slit
I Have a Question
- The dress is from mid-later seventies and during this time period his main line dresses were made to order custom pieces.
- It was made under the creative direction of Roy Halston
- This is a beautiful dress that showcases the minimal seaming that Halston was so famous for.
- The dress is made of a light in weight ivory silk. It is completely cut on the bias so it drapes phenomenally over the body. You simply slip it over your head and it drapes over you to accommodate the body underneath. This makes it easy to fit and very easy to wear.
- The sleeves are long and extend out directly from the body of the dress with no seaming around the arm. Each flares out at its cuff adding a pretty added detail.
- The neckline is scooped and it hooks to close at the back of the neck. This closure sits over an open keyhole slit. I have shot all of the photos of the dress with the keyhole at the back, but it is so well-made that I think you could spin it around and wear it to the front if you wished.
- It glides over the body skimming over the bust, waist and hips to the floor. There is a low dropped seamed that sits just over the top of the hip. For some of the photos, I tied a velvet ribbon just above this to highlight the waist. You could also goop a ribbon along that seam and have the top blouse over and shorten the skirt. I love that you have several styling options with this one.
- Working with this fabric is incredibly difficult and it is a testament to his skill to create such a seemingly simple but a complex pattern in reality.
- The dress is unlined with no closures and slips on to wear. Hand finishes throughout. The ribbon is not original to the dress but will be included. I see one light mark on one shoulder. Please see the photo after the label shot. The sleeves have an ironed seam running down their tops. All very minor but mentioned for accuracy.
- There is no size tag and the bias cut will allow it to have it some give. Please go by the range of measurements listed below. On a smaller frame it will just drape more.
- Excellent condition.
Sleeves: approx 20" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Dropped seam: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 62" from top of shoulder to hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5713
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.
alexander mcqueen
2010-2011 Alexander McQueen Strapless Ivory Silk Dress w Hand Embroidered Flowers & Train
I Have a Question
- This gown dates to the 2010-2011 season.
- It was made (or completed) under the creative direction of Sarah Burton.
- The dress certainly would have been released when Sarah had taken over the reins of McQueen. The date of the hang tag does have it falling right in that window where Alexander could have had a hand in its design and then by its release it would have been under Sarah's era. It is a phenomenal example of how beautiful that the McQueen aesthetic can be.
- The dress combines an ivory silk for the exterior and then the skirt of the inner dress underneath has been densely embroidered. It is a beautiful combination.
- The bodice is strapless and there is internal structure to hold it in place around the body including a cupped inner bust and boned hidden inner corset. The silk on the exterior has been placed over the bodice in flat pleats that are set on a slight angle and then open up into the skirt.
- The inner skirt is made from an added panel that has been embroidered in a soft pastel palette with just a hint of a metallic feel to it. It depicts flowers in soft golden taupe with pale blue and greens.
- The outer skirt curves up and around that inner panel and there is padding set into each hip to hold the shape.
- The skirt is draped over the padding of the hip and curves down to the floor to become an extended train at the back.
- At the centre of the back there is a wide folded panel of silk that is set vertically. It snaps into place over the back zipper and then extends outwards to become part of the skirt. All of the seaming is hidden underneath so the illusion of the panel simply flowing down into the skirt is perfectly maintained.
- The workmanship is exquisite and shows the extreme high tailoring that the McQueen label is known for. This is a very rare piece and would have been made in limited quantities.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching ivory silk with a full built-in corset that extends to the top of the hips. There are wired cups in the bodice and it has hidden boning throughout. There is hidden padding through the hip as described above. The panel at the back snaps into place with silk covered snaps and then the dress closes with a hidden set zipper under that. The inner corset closes with its own zipper. I see some minor grubbiness at the hem but the dress is new with tags and was never worn.
- Tagged a vintage McQueen 44
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner bodice: 18" from top of bodice to the hem of the inner corset
Total length: 28.5" from top of bodice to the front hem and the skirt is approx 93" long to the longest point of the back hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5712
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.
halston
1977 Halston Couture by Roy Halston Ivory Bias Cut Silk Sleeved Dress w Spiral Paneled Skirt
I Have a Question
- The dress is from 1977 and during this time period his main line dresses were made to order custom pieces.
- It was made under the creative direction of Roy Halston
- The examples shared here are almost identical to this dress but without the extra added panels that create the spiralling ruffles.
- This is a beautiful dress that showcases the minimal seaming that Halston was so famous for.
- The dress is made of a heavier weighted silk charmeuse that is cut like the reference photos show through the body but with added panels and seams that go around and cascade down the lower skirting.
- It is completely cut on the bias so it drapes phenomenally over the body. You simply slip it over your head and it drapes over you to accommodate the body underneath. This makes it easy to fit and very easy to wear.
- The sleeves are long and extend out directly from the body of the dress with no seaming around the arm. Each narrows to its cuff where there is a handmade silk covered button and loop.
- The neckline is cut wide across the neckline and has a subtle draping at the centre of the neck at both the front and back of the dress. It is a very pretty detail.
- It glides over the body skimming over the bust, waist and hips to the floor. The vertical ruffles are set on an angle so that they cascade down to the hem. When you move these swirl around the lower part of the dress and create gorgeous movement around you.
- Working with this fabric is incredibly difficult and it is a testament to his skill to create such a seemingly simple but a complex pattern in reality.
- The dress is fully lined in a second layer of the same fabric which adds to the technically difficultly of the pattern and rich feel of the silk. It has no closures and slips on to wear. Each cuff has a silk covered button and loop to close. The colour is slightly more ivory in person. I see some minor marks and scuffing here and there on the silk of the bottom ruffles. I shot one so that you can see. It is very minor but mentioned for accuracy.
- There is no size tag and the bias cut will allow it to have it some give. Please go by the range of measurements listed below. On a smaller frame it will just drape more.
- Excellent condition.
Sleeves: approx 23.5" and are 16" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 62" from top of shoulder to hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD5711
Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1977 Halston. / (2) Fall 1977 Halston. / (3) From the book "Halston: An American Original"
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
yves saint laurent
Fall 1985 Yves Saint Laurent Runway & Ad Campaign Blue Silk Jersey Tasselled Corset & Skirt Set
I Have a Question
- The twin of this set walked the runway for the Fall 1985 YSL collection
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- It was the look that was chosen for the ad campaign that season and it was featured prominently on the runway.
- I have seen this set produced in this blue, a purple, and a black. This one is done in a deep blue and it is just outstanding.
- As good as it looks in these still shots, it is even better in real life because it is really when you are moving that these pieces live up to their full potential. An incredible amount of silk jersey has gone into the making of the skirt and corset.
- The bodice has four heavily draped and gathered panels that are gathered into boned vertical lengths on each side as well as down the centre front and back of the corset.
- The inner stays shape the top around you and hold it in place. Besides the four main stays there is also hidden boning in between each of those, the front ones helped shape it around the bust and the ones in the back help to shape it.
- It is cut on a curve on both the top and the bottom so that it fits perfectly over you and creates that sexy hourglass shape.
- Then at the base of each of the four main vertical seam that in case the stays, he has put a 6 inch tassel. These are very well made and have a more substantial feel. When you move these move with the sway of your body, and just as an incredible detailing.
- The final piece of the set is the skirt and it is as equally remarkable. The skirt is made out of single layer of the same blue silk jersey as the top. It has a band around waist and that band has elastic inside of it, so it is incredibly easy to fit and comfortable to wear.
- There are more yards of silk in the skirt then it appears at first glance. The fabric is so light and fine that when you stand still it falls in a pretty column around you without adding bulk. You still get a hint of the fullness that it has but then when you move the fabric that is actually there allows the skirt to move fantastically around you.
- No matter how good it looks in the photos the mix of the restraint of the corset with the lightness of the jersey in the skirt and then the movement of the tassels is just phenomenal.
- The corset is fully lined in a blue silk. There is an inner waist, say that hooks to close and then it zips to close at the side. The skirt slips on with elastic around the waist. I see some slight patina to the silk inside the corset. It is minor but mentioned for accuracy.
- Both pieces are tagged a vintage YSL 44
- Excellent condition
Corset
Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom hem: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 16" from top of bodice to hem and the tassels fall another 6" past the hem
Skirt
Elastic waist: 13-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 44" from top of bodice to waist
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5710
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.
christian dior
Spring 1972 Christian Dior by Marc Bohan Haute Couture Off Shoulder Blue Silk Dress w Ruffled Cuffs & Hem
I Have a Question
- This Christian dress is from the Spring 1972 Haute Couture collection
- It was made under the creative direction of Marc Bohan
- In the book 'Dior Catwalk' it notes that the New York Times exclaimed, that "romance, contemporary style, is the provision look for spring." It goes on to declare that Bohans collection for Dior was the best of the season in Paris. "Mark Bohan succeeded in bringing back the fable elegance without becoming historical. There's no pinpointing of the 1930s or 1940s. The clothes look really contemporary".
- I love that we have reference photos so you can see how the dress looks like once in the body.
- The dress would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- It is made out of a beautiful lightly starched blue silk gazaar that is woven on the bias. This is a difficult technique to achieve and allows the dress to retain its more sculptural structure and shape while keeping the dress light in weight.
- It is cut to sit fully off the shoulders to leave a bare expanse of skin showing.
- Each sleeve is cut to just above the elbow and has a beautiful five inch ruffle flaring out all the way around.
- It skims over the bust and curves in a touch at the waist. The shape is all achieved by the immaculate cut of the fabric.
- Inside there is a full boned inner corset that extends down to the top of the hips. The silk glides over top of this perfectly.
- From there it curves back over the hips and then widens out beautifully to the hem. The entire hem is finished with an eight inch wide ruffle that picks up on the detailing of the sleeves to perfectly tie all of the elements together.
- As good as this dress looks in the photos it is even more beautiful in person.
- The dress is lined in a hand set blue silk organza. The inner corset closes with its own zipper and there is an inner partial waist stay that hooks to close inside the corset. The dress zips to close over that at the side. All of the work is done by hand to Haute Couture standards. It has its proper numbered Couture tag inside.
- There is no size tag since it is true couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 9.5" and they are 11" around the upper arm
Inner bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to It has its proper numbered Couture tag inside. It has its proper.12.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 55" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5709
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.
thierry mugler
Exceptionally Rare Fall 2001 Thierry Mugler Runway Golden Taupe Silk Dress w Removable Collar
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Fall 2001 "Les Fauves" Thierry Mugler collection
- It was made under the creative direction of Thierry Mugler.
- The Fall 2001 show was Mugler's final ready-to-wear show making it that much more historically significant.
- I purchased this from a client and having trying to get this out of their hands for years now. The person they bought it from got it directly from an employee at Mugler. The piece is unlabelled and very few of these were made.
- I love that we have reference photos from the runway along with the video that shows you how it moves as you walk.
- In this collection the women who walked the runway represented women as a predators. Dangerous but at the same time controlled and elegant.
- In a Numero editorial they called Mugler "one of the most important fashion designers of the modern era" saying that "with Mugler femininity is in your face and assumed 100%." Nathalie Bondi of the Montreal Museum of fine arts said that his work was "Extravagant, sexy and sometimes irreverent 'his fashion conjugates with the superlative. With Mugler fashion became art.'"
- In that same article, they declared a list of his nine "Cult Collections" and included the Fall 2001 ready-to-wear show in that list calling it a "ferocious farewell".
- This is the year that Thierry Mugler decided to end his fashion activities. Later the designer would say "Fashion was a very emotional and artistic vehicle in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, the look was extremely important... but it's not like that anymore. I pushed fashion to its limit, but today creation is limited by money, marketing."
- The dress is made out of a heavy golden toned silk that wraps into place around the body. The entire collar is made from what I believe to be a faux goat or long hair sheep that has been hand dip dyed all along its edges to get that change of colour.
- The collar follows the deep V at the front. The V is slightly curved to follow the curves of the body. My dress form tends to be short through the bodice, so please go by the runway photos to see how it fits as far as how deep it lies
- I love that the collar is actually buttoned into place so you can choose to wear it without the collar effectively giving you two dresses in one. This also allows for ease of cleaning since it can be removed.
- Straps curve up and over the shoulder and the inside is formed by his signature angled and curved insets that shaped the dress around the body.
- At the side, those panels curved down and out over the hips to give the dress more of an hourglass feel to exaggerate the shape of the body.
- The dress wraps over itself at the front and snaps into place with his signature snaps that he used so often during this time period.
- The skirt falls under that, curving over the hips and then narrowing into the hem at the front. The wrap of the closure allows for some dripping at the front while the back stays more smooth and sleek.
- The wrapping also lets your legs show as you walk, which you can see in the runway references.
- Everything about the dress is absolutely spectacular and I love how the entire dress feels like it slightly glows in the light because of the gold toned silk.
- This is a spectacular and very rare example of his work from this era.
- The dress is fully lined with the same silk and the inner seam work is so well done that you could almost wear this dress inside out. It closes with two series of hidden set snaps around the waist. The collar can snap on or off. I see some small marks near the hem both inside and out. Please see the last detail photo. You could adjust the snaps a touch up or down if needed.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the one minor note above
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam.
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Plunge: 15" from top of shoulder to base pf the plunge
Total length: 58" from top of shoulder to the longest point of the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5707
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.
christian dior
Incredible Fall 2010 Christian Dior by John Galliano Runway Look 30 Ruffle Front Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this incredible dress walked the runway for Look 31 for the Fall 2010 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- Vogue's review stated that Galliano's Fall ready-to-wear for Dior was "Equestrian-themed, a follow-on from the daywear strand of the acclaimed Couture show in January. This was to be a brisk albeit slightly perfunctory trot around the circuit of Galliano's longtime favourite 18th century."
- In the book Dior:Catwalk they noted that Galliano had baptized the collection "The Seduction of the Libertine". The collection notes read "Riding in from the hunt that began at the Haute Couture, Dior discovers intrigue and inspiration in gallant riding habits as it goes from the stables to the seductive style and verse of those infamous romantics, the 18th century Libertines"... "This season Dior takes up the heroic spirit of the French romanticism." said Galliano.
- This dress is deceptive in it simplicity. It is completely cut on the bias and this gives it incredible curves once on an actual body. It almost feels like you are wearing nothing because of the soft sand colour and the lightness of the silk chiffon.
- The bodice crosses over itself and there is a silk chiffon ruffle that follows the neckline. This wraps around you and buttons behind the neck. Panels extend out from the top that are cut wide and edged in a ruffle. By tying those around the front of the neck you get that beautiful ruffle falling down the front as seen here and on the runway.
- The bodice skims to the waist and the waist is seamed but with a slightly more generous feel. If you really wanted to add shape you can cinch this in quite substantially.
- The back dips low to leave a bare expanse of skin to show.
- The top layer of the skirt wraps over itself as it attaches in around the waist and there is a substantial amount of silk used for the skirt to give it it's extensive draping. Under that is a second inner silk layer in the same colour. A slit runs up the side of the inner layer.
- The entire bottom of the skirt has round cut outs in various sizes that circle all the way around the lower skirt. Each of the cut outs are finished with a heavily applied embroidered edge done in a matching coloured thread. This gives the bottom of the dress extraordinary texture and detail.
- This is an incredible and rare documented runway piece.
- The dress is fully lined in a second layer of the same silk chiffon. A row of his signature matching silk covered buttons and loops runs down the side to close the dress. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a Dior FR36, GB8 IT40, US4
- Excellent condition
Bust: the front bust has open sides and is cut quite generously to fit a variety of bust sizes and shapes
The underbust area where the sides begin is cut on the bias and can range from 16-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: 20-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 17-18" from neck to waist but meant to blouse over a touch
Total length: approx 70" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5705
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.
yves saint laurent
Exceptional Spring 1980 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Red & White Print Silk Organza Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Spring 1980 YSL collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- This dress and the various prints it was made in were integral to that season's collection. Several versions were photoed for various editorials and were included in the ad campaign that year.
- The dress is made out of a feather light red silk organza that has a beautiful white curving print that runs over the entire dress from top to bottom.
- The red is a beautiful clear deep colour that flatters more skin tones.
- The neck line is set wide across so you can wear it off of the shoulder for a bare expanse of skin to show. A wide 8" ruffle follows the entire neckline and has the prettiest flounce all the way around.
- The bodice skims down to a low dropped waist that is cut more generously through the middle. The dress comes with a matching silk tie belt that you can cinch in the waist as much as needed.
- The skirt is set into a slightly angled seam around the waist and the seam comes up slightly at one side. Tiny gathered pleats are set in all along the seam and this gives the skirt incredible volume.
- The skirt falls shorter at the front and longer at the back. If you were to lay this out and open the skirt out it is more than a full circle around. That volume combined with the lightness of the fabric gives you incredible movement when you move.
- This is an absolutely stunning example of his work during this time period and one of my favourite pieces I have ever had in by him.
- The bodice of the dress is lined in a silk chiffon. A second layer of silk chiffon that skims over the inner body to just past the inner hip was added to make it more opaque. I have left it in because it does make the dress easier to wear but it could be removed very easily. It closes with a side set zipper and has its original tie belt.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 45" from top of shoulder to front hem, 58" to the back
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5703
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.
james galanos
Gorgeous 1970s James Galanos Demi-Couture Silk Chiffon Dress w Vivid Pink Flower Print
I Have a Question
- The label on this dress date it to the 1970s period.
- It was made under the creative direction of James Galanos.
- In 1951 a 27 year old James Galanos launched his first label called Galanos Originals. By 1954 he had won a Coty award and the Neiman Marcus award.
- His ready-to-wear line was made close to couture standards and with a level of craftsmanship that was on par with the French couturiers. He was truly one of the great American designers and his work is held in all of the major museums around the world.
- This is an outstanding Galanos. It is extremely well made with a very high level of construction techniques.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful floral printed silk chiffon. The base is black and then the print is a deep, beautiful pink with pops of green for the leaves. The print forms large flowers mixed with smaller floating petals that cascade over the entire dress.
- The neckline is scooped and the sleeves are angled slightly towards the neckline. The shoulders are soft, and the sleeves are fuller near the shoulder and then narrow to the wrist.
- The bar skins over you and the waist feels like it is cut slightly more generously.
- The skirt curves out over the hips and widen out as it near the floor for pretty movement. This one the skirt has been wrapped around from the back and meets at the centre and the silk forms two panels that have the illusion of being nodded at the waist and then cascading down on either side of the centre line. Everything is closed in and under that centre point but it gives a pretty detail down the front that is just fantastic to see.
- The workmanship on the dress is absolutely stunning and the vast majority of it is all done by hand. This is an easy to wear and very pretty dress by one of the great American designers that is done to a demi-couture level
- The dresses lined with a black silk, except for the sleeves that have been left unlined. It zips to close at the back with a hand set zipper. Hand finishes throughout. The dress appears to have worn very little if at all.
- The dress has no size tag so please go by the listed measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 22" and they are 13" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: approximately 14"
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 56" from top of shoulder to the longest point of the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5701
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.
mr blackwell
Prettiest 1970s Mr Blackwell Custom Black Jersey Dress w Bright Print & Sequin Detailing
I Have a Question
- This dress dates to the late 1970s, maybe early 1980s.
- It was made under the creative direction of Richard Blackwell.
- The Mr Blackwell label was launched by Richard Blackwell in the late 1950s and even at that time his dresses sold for between $800 and $1000 which in modern dollars converts to up to $10,000 a dress. He dressed many of the big stars of the day including Jane Russell, Dorothy Lamour and Jayne Mansfield.
- His custom label was pieces that were made-to-order and were one-of-a-kind pieces that were fitted to a specific client in the couture tradition.
- During the 1960s he became the first in history to present a collection during a television broadcast and he is also the first to be attributed making for his line available for plus-size women. This is a beautiful example of his work during this point of his label.
- The dress is made out of a very pretty brightly printed black jersey that holds the shape and volume very well.
- The dress has a fairly simple silhouette. The inner dress is meant to skim over the body all the way to the floor, and then there is an attached piece around the neck line that falls over the upper shoulders.
- The front is set a bit wider across the neck and then the back scoops down into a V to add an unexpected flash of bare skin
- A little extra shape is added by the matching tie belt that is made out of the same fabric. I have topped it into a bow that sits just under the edge of the cape for these photos. You could easily wear the dress without it or change it for a wider more substantial belt.
- The there are no sleeves on the inner dress. Instead, the single layer of matching jersey is attached around the edge of the neckline. It is just under 15" in width at its widest point and it drapes over your shoulders and down the top of the arm. This continues all the way around front to back to give you that lovely cape effect that you see.
- Under the cape, the dress is meant to skim over your bust, waist and hips. Once past the hips it widens out slightly to the floor.
- The perfect finishing detail is the addition of hand set sequins that sit over the print of the cape portion of the dress. On the lighter colours they are a clear sequin with an iridescent finish, and on other colours they chose sequins to match the colour underneath. This lets the dress have a subtle glimmer in the light.
- The dress is fully lined in a black stretch jersey and it closes at the back with a zipper. Hand finishes throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Cape: is just under 15" it's widest point
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 58" from top of the shoulder to the hem with approximately 3.5" turned under the hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5700
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.
chanel
Rare Fall 1986 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Runway Blue & Gold Silk Strapless Dress w Removable Sleeves
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1986 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
- The reference photos and video of the dress on the runway showcase just how amazing the dress is on.
- I have also included a reference photo of Bella Hadid who famously wore a white and black version of the dress in 2022.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful blue silk that has a gold metallic stripe running through it. This gives the dress the structure to hold the shape while keeping it light-in-weight once on. The all blue portion of the skirt between the bodice and hem is made out of a netted fabric.
- The bodice is strapless and there is built-in inner boning for support. The boning continues down the sides and to the lower seam.
- Soft horizontal gathers are set over the full length of the bodice and I love how this creates extra visual interest with the gold stripes.
- The waist curves in and then curves back out over the top of the hips.
- The skirt falls from there with a pretty fullness. The upper portion of the top layer of the skirt is made of the netting and then there is a 12' band of the striped silk around the lower part of the skirt
- That top layers sits over a second layer of netting underneath and then there is a blue silk layer under that.
- I love that they have folded that bottom panel of silk under so it is completely backed by the same silk inside. It adds a bit of extra structure and helps to hold the shape of the skirt.
- The striped silk that finishes the bottom hem perfectly ties the components of the dress together. The silk on the bottom panel is set with the stripes on an angle and you will notice that the sleeves have also been set on an angle while the bodice is horizontal. It is the small details that are so spectacular in Karl's Chanel.
- At the back of the bodice there is a tightly spaced row of gold metal Chanel buttons that have little Chanel perfume bottles engraved into them. There are twelve in total.
- The sleeves are incredible. They are separate pieces from the dress. To wear them you slip them over your arm. They have stiffened tulle inside the part that puffs out which helps to hold that shape with a more fitted sleeve underneath that runs down your arm. Each sleeve ends in a point to cover the top of your hand.
- This is a spectacular and rare piece of Chanel history.
- The bodice of the dress is lined in a deep blue silk and the skirt is lined as described above. It closes with a back set zipper underneath the row of gold metal buttons embossed with a Chanel perfume bottle. There is an extra spare button sewn into the lining inside. The sleeves have tulle inside to help hold the shape and elastic on the upper arm while the lower cuff zips to close.
- Tagged a vintage Chanel 38
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: approx 30" long. The elastic at the top will stretch to fit around the upper arm
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: to 21.5"flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of the bodice to the seam
Total length: 52" from top of the bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5696
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.
nina ricci
Resort 2008 Nina Ricci by Olivier Theyskens Runway Look 28 Bias Cut Blue & Black Dress w Feather Detailing & Train
I Have a Question
- Note that due to new regulations this set can only ship to a Canadian address. If you need further assistance on this please get in touch.
- The twin of this dress was Look 28 for the Resort 2008 Nina Ricci presentation
- It was made under the creative direction of Olivier Theyskens
- I love that we have runway reference photos and you can see how beautiful it is on Chanel Iman. It is a highly collectible piece and is a very special dress from the Olivier Theyskens era at Nina Ricci.
- In Vogue's review they stated that "What makes Olivier Theyskens such a compelling designer is the way his collections tend to riff on and grow from what came before. For resort the ex-Rochas front man continued to explore things he established at his first Nina Ricci show in March. There were more of the twisting around the body evening dresses... he pieced spirals together with patchworks of fabric for an elegant and ultimately more subtle effect than the ones produced by his fantastical fall creations." The said that the collection was "romantic, and rebellious at once, not unlike Theyskens himself."
- The dress is completely cut on the bias and you just slip it on to wear. It drapes over the body in a way that highlights your curves and yet is not tight fitting anywhere.
- Panels in both a black and a deep blue are set vertically on angles over the entire length of the body. The cut has a strong nod to the bias cut couture pieces from the 1920s and 1930s.
- Both the front and back are set in a V at the neckline for a bit of skin to offset the use of the fabric through the rest of the dress.
- The dress skims beautifully over the bust, waist and hips. Once past the hip area the lower skirt begins to flare out dramatically.
- The back is cut to sweep around and out behind you. Yard and yards of bias cut fabric make up the lower skirt and train. This creates the most beautiful movement around you as you move. Even in the still photos from the runway you get the feel of motion in the way the dress falls over the body.
- The very top of each shoulder has been finished with hand dyed black feathers. These are handset over the top of the arm to fall delicate over the top of your shoulders and upper arm. I love the extra drama and movement that the feathers create.
- This is a spectacular and rare dress from his time at the label. All of his work is highly collectible.
- The dress is unlined with hand finishes throughout. The dress is in its original uncut length. It has no closures and simply slips onto wear. The bias cut gives it lots of room through the body so it should fit a variety of sizes. On a smaller frame it will just drape more. I have put the comfortable range of measurements below. I see some light scuffing on the fabric. Very minor. Please see the photo after the label shot.
- Tagged a vintage Nina Ricci 40.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 67" from top of shoulder to the shortest part of the front hem and the back extends another 19" beyond that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD5697
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.
valentino
Pre-Fall 2015 Valentino by Pierpaolo & Piccioli & Maria Grazia Chiuri Blue Silk Dress w Butterfly Print
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Pre-Fall 2025 Valentino collection.
- In 2015 Valentino was headed by both Maria Grazia Chiuri and PierPaolo Piccioli.
- Vogue said that "Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli signed up the British textile designer Celia Birtwell, the ex-wife of the late Ossie Clark and the woman behind his floral prints in the 1970s, as well as the Italian pop artist Giosetta Fioroni as collaborators this season." In the collection the butterfly print was seen in several pieces.
- Other pieces made out of the butterfly print were worn to events that fall and we include the reference photos here just to have an added point of provenance on the print.
- This is one of my favourite Valentino dresses I have had and it is even better in real life.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful lightweight silk that has a blue and black tone-on-tone butterfly print that covers its entire surface.
- The butterflies in the print are large and varied. They are set so that they overlap each other to create a beautiful design over the entire dress.
- The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are cut fairly straight all the way down to their cuffs.
- The neckline is set high and long ties extend out at the back. I have tied it in a bow behind the neck but you could also wrap it around to the front if you wished and have the ties hanging or wrap it multiple times to create a wider neckline.
- The dress skims over the bust and drapes easily over the body to the waist. The waist is cut slightly more on the generous side. You could belt it if you wanted to add more shape.
- The skirt falls from there with closed pleat work wrapping around the upper hip. These open up from there and the skirt expands outwards all the way to the hem.
- The excessive amount of fabric used through the skirt give it a ton of movement when you walk and move.
- The lightness of the silk and the way that it lays over the body allows it to move spectacularly over you and pick up the slightest bit of air as you move. It really is even more stunning in person.
- The dress is unlined and closes with a hidden set back zipper. The tie at the neck is attached. Each cuff closes with a small button. The dress has its original tags still attached and was never worn.
- Tagged a vintage Valentino 40
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 24.5" from the shoulder and they are 10' around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Total length: 62.5" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5698
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.
halston
Rare 1976 Halston Couture Iconic Well Documented Front Tying Bias Cut Black Velvet Strapless Column Dress
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 1976 Collection
- It was made under the creative direction of Roy Halston.
- These front tie dresses are one of the most iconic signature pieces from Halston. It was heavily documented that season and remains one of the most beloved silhouettes of all the pieces he designed.
- Halston created several of these dresses in different colours that season. They tended to be mainly produced in a bias cut silk or a hammered bias cut silk and rarely in velvet. Even the silk versions are hard to find now and finding one in a black velvet is very rare.
- It is said that before even putting scissors to fabric, Halston already had a mental image of how he wanted to dress to look. He believed that evening pieces should be as easy-to-wear and comfortable as day wear but absolutely elegant at the same time. When these dresses were shown for the first time in 1976 the press dubbed them as being "clean and and yet still with sex appeal".
- This is from the main Halston label and these were pieces were custom-made or made to order at this point in the brands history.
- The dress is strapless and ties at the front of the bust. This creates a little discreet keyhole under the tie. It also allows you to adjust the fit by how loose or tight you tie it.
- The cut is very forgiving as it skims over the bust, comes in slightly at the waist. and then curves back out over the hips. It is not meant to be super fitted. This is a dress that is very easy to fit. On a smaller frame it drapes more and the bias cut will allow it to move to accommodate if you need more room.
- From there it continues to skim over the body all the way to the hem widening out slightly as it nears the floor.
- The seaming is all set on an angled curve that wraps around the body. This means the entire dress is made out of one piece of black velvet. Do not underestimate its simplicity. Creating the dress in this way is actually quite complex and a technical challenge. Without seaming at the sides, the shape of the dress completely relies on the way it drapes, making it a much more difficult task and complex problem to have it fall over the body as perfectly as it does.
- Personally, I think this might be one of the most iconic little black dresses to have ever been created. It's a highly collectible piece for the Halston collector.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk and slips on to wear with a tie at the front that you can adjust for fit. I see slight change in the pile of the velvet where it ties at the front from being tied. This is a natural occurrence and is not considered a flaw but mentioned for accuracy.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Bust: approx 17-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam with the ability to adjust the size at the front because of the tie
Waist: 15-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56" from top of bodice to hem with approx 2.5" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD5692
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.
yves saint laurent
Spring 2013 Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane Strapless Black Silk Dress w Scooped Front Hem
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2013 YSL collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Hedi Slimane and this was his debut collection for the label.
- The two closest looks that were shown on the runway that had the same/similar style of skirt were Looks 38 and 45 on the runway. We included both of those so you get an idea of how this falls once on the body.
- The bodice is strapless with a double panel of black silk that wraps around the entire bodice splitting at the back on either side of the zipper. The inner panel is fitted to the bottom and then the other one floats over that and is attached only around the upper edge.
- Inside there is a full built-in corset made out of black lingerie stretch netting that is lightly boned. It hooks to close at the side under the exterior zipper and has an attached waist stay that hooks to close. This is what holds the dress in place around you.
- From the the seem directly under the bodice panel the dress falls to the floor. It is pleated into that seam at the centre of both the back and the front and this helps to give it added volume and hold it slightly away from the body.
- It skims over the waist and curves back out over the hips. It flares out with more volume around the legs and then narrows in words towards the hem.
- At the front, it is caught on a upward curve that makes the front portion of the dress more of a mini dress length. That cut out is cut on a beautiful curve down and around to the hem at the back and at the back it is completely full length.
- It is perfectly minimalist and yet has a definitive nod towards the time period where Yves favoured the same cut through the skirt.
- The dress has a full built-in boned inner corset that closes with its own zipper and hooks at the waist. The rest of the dress is unlined. It closes at the side over the inner corset with a hidden set zipper.
- Tagged a modern YSL FR36
- Excellent condition
Bust: 30-32" around the interior, including the cups
Inner waist: to 12.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 8.5" from top of bodice to inner waist
Total length: 56" from waist to back hem and 28.5" to the shortest part of the front hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5690
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.
valentino
2000s Valentino Roma Brillaint & Vibrant Pink Silk One Shoulder Dress w Draped Front Panels
I Have a Question
- The Valentino Roma label launched in 2000 to take the place of the Miss V line. It was sold at a price point that was a bit more accessible then their main line and was meant to be available in more shops then the main line would be. The pieces were very well made.
- This dress caught my eye simply because of how gorgeous the colour is.
- It is a stunning dress with beautiful lines that is made out of a vibrant pink silk.
- The dress is technically a one shoulder dress although the detail on the side that drapes over the opposite shoulder gives it the appearance having coverage on both side sides
- The strap that does go up and over the shoulder extends out from the bodice from one of the wrapped over panels at the front. It curves up and over the shoulder, widens out near the top of the shoulder and then narrows back down to insert into the back.
- I love how the back scoops low to expose bare skin.
- On the side opposite to the shoulder strap it extends out into two draped panels. They are large enough that you can have them sit on your shoulder or you can have it draped down more like the end of a tie of a bow. From there it curves inwards to create shape through the waist.
- It curves back out over the hips and falls to the floor gently widening out a touch as it near the hem. There is a slit at the back for a little bit of a kick when you move.
- Inside the bodice there is a built-in inner structure to give some added support and the fabric itself has some structure so that it holds a shape around you.
- It very much has the feel of an old Hollywood but done in that brilliant and highly saturated pink colour.
- The dress is fully lined in a lighter pink and closes with a zipper at the back. The inner bodice has its own set of hooks to close with an attached inner waist stay. There is light boning hidden inside the bodice. I see a slight colour change along one side of the dress that continues down around the hem. You can see a very soft change in saturation in the shots and I tried to capture it in the photo after the label shot. It is extremely light and feels like the light is catching the fabric in a different way. Priced accordingly and sold as found.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the note above
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approximately 14.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 59.5" from top of the shoulder to hem and the slit at the back is 19.5" from the hem up.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5687
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.
oscar de la renta
Spectacular Spring 2005 Oscar de la Renta Runway Look 53 Strapless Pink Silk Dress w Full Skirts
I Have a Question
- The near twin of this dress walked the Spring 2005 ODLR runway for Look 53.
- It was made under the creative direction of Oscar de la Renta.
- I love having video and the reference photos so that you can see how it moves.
- The skirt on this dress falls longer then the runway version and it is swept up slightly to one side.
- Vogue said that his collections "are a delight to the eye: flawlessly executed, poised, and urbane with just the right balance of mature charm and youthful exuberance" and this dress in particular was noted when they said "When it comes to evening wear no one knows more about giving women what they want... a cooly elegant strapless dress with an undulating puff skirt? In Oscar's world there's no such thing as the wrong choice."
- The dress is made out of the perfect deep fuchsia pink silk. It is strapless and the neckline curves around and over the bust dipping in the middle. The strapless silhouette leaves your upper back bare and exposed.
- Starting at the waist area the silk is draped from the centre of the back and wraps around the waist and over the top of the hip on either side. It is then gathered over itself at the centre front. I think this detail is beautiful.
- Inside there is a full built-in corset that is cupped, boned and shaped for support.
- The skirt is spectacular. Here you see the genius of Oscar. The skirt has a ton of volume to it that shows best when you move. It is made out of a cascade of pink silk with a second layer under the top layer. At the front, both layers are cut shorter and then they sweep around to the back.
- The skirt becomes wider and more full as it nears the hem. At the back it falls longer then the front so that you get this pretty curve from the side view along with a fantastic sweep of skirts from the back. There is a second inner layer that falls lower on the leg and it has a bit of an asymmetrical feel.
- All of the volume is created by the yards and yards of silk used and the addition of a pink silk organza lining which helps to hold air between the two layers and keep the volume.
- When this is on and you are walking the effect and movement that this creates is absolutely gorgeous. This is Oscar at his very best.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching pink silk organza. The interior corset closes with its own zipper at the back and then a second hidden set zipper closes the dress over that. The inner corset is fully boned and cupped. An attached inner waist stay hooks to close. I see a tiny bit of stress to the seam just under the zipper that is very minor but mentioned for accuracy, and perhaps some grubbiness around the hem, again very minor but mentioned for accuracy.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at top of the hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to inner waist stay, 19.5" to the seam at the top of the hip
Total length: 80.5" from top of the bodice to longest point of the back hem, 43" to the shortest point at the front
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5688
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.
thierry mugler
1990s Thierry Mugler Pink Silk Organza Halter Dress w Full Lower Skirts & Sequin Detailing
I Have a Question
- Note that due to new regulations this set can only ship to a Canadian address. If you need further assistance on this please get in touch.
- The dress dates to the 1990s maybe into the 2000s.
- It was made under the creative direction of Thierry Mugler.
- Thierry was a masterpiece of draping and cut and this is a fantastic example of that. It is cut with Mugler's masterful eye and attention to detail.
- The dress is made out of a deep pink silk organza. The front modesty panel is finished with a combination of beading, silver sequins and prong set rhinestones.
- Wide straps curve up and around the neck and hook at the back. This extends out into wide triangles that run down the front with a plunge that goes to the waist. Set in behind the plunge is a highly detailed modesty panel that is covered with silver beads, sequins and rhinestones for a little added flash. At the back the upper back is left bare and exposed.
- The modesty panel is attached into place between the front bodice but it could easily be removed if you wanted the dress to have a full plunge to the waist.
- The waist is cinched in and angles upwards towards the centre of the front. It curves and drops around and down at the back for a flattering line.
- The skirt curves over the hips to below the knee. The seam that the lower skirt is set into matches the same upward curve as the waist at the front and then the same downward curve of the back waist at the back.
- Below that, the lower skirt flares out dramatically all the way around you. There are yards and yards of fabric in the lower skirt to give it beautiful volume and movement when you move.
- I love that the back of the skirt has extra fabric built-in so that it falls longer than the front. This gives you a fantastic sweeping feel behind you as you walk.
- The fabric of the upper portion of the skirt is covered with an extra layer of the chiffon that has been gathered and manipulated to feel like flowers. Each flower has a sequin and bead at its centre with a little flare of pink feathers all done in the same colour as the dress.
- This is a fabulous example of his work and it is absolutely gorgeous.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching pink silk and closes with a back hidden set zipper. There are moulded cups inside each halter that are tacked in and could be removed if extra room is needed. The skirt has multiple layers to hold the volume.
- Tagged a vintage Mugler 38
- Excellent condition.
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam with larger B-C cups
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15" from neck to waist
Total length: 66" from neck to front hem and the back extends another 11" beyond that
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5689
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.
pierre cardin
Rare 1978 Pierre Cardin Haute Couture Black Silk Chiffon Dress w Huge Balloon Sleeves
I Have a Question
- This gorgeous Pierre Cardin dress is from the 1978 Haute Couture season.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pierre Cardin.
- The dress would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- This is a fantastic Haute Couture dress by Pierre Cardin that shows the breadth and depth of his talent. It is also an interesting insight on the volume and play on proportion being done during this time period.
- The dress is made out of a very black silk chiffon that is feather light in weight. It gives the dress phenomenal movement around you once on the body.
- The design is simple and has a minimalist feel but is still striking and dramatic. As good as it looks even in these photos it will only truly come to life once on the body.
- The neckline is squared off on both sides with the back dipped slightly lower. It is cut wide across to show the collarbone and if you want the sleeves worn up on the shoulder it will sit right on the outer edge. If you choose to wear it off of the shoulders, the top of the sleeves drape down the arm and leave your shoulders completely bare.
- I love that you have the option of wearing the sleeves either way as it really changes how sensual and bare the dress will feel.
- Inside the bodice of the dress there is a strapless soft cupped bra made out of nude stretch lingerie fabric.
- The silk chiffon falls from the shoulders and skims over the bust, flows past the waist and hips and then it widens out a touch as it nears the floor.
- The easy flowing cut of the dress makes it easy to fit and wear.
- Under the top layer of black silk chiffon there is a layer of a dark brown silk chiffon. This keeps the dress from being fully transparent and at the same time it creates the illusion that the dress is more transparency than it actually is as the two colours play against each other.
- The sleeves are phenomenal. They are cut on a curve and are gathered into a silk piped wrist finished with a little bow made of the same piping.
- Once on they balloon out fantastically above your wrists. They are one of the most exaggerated balloon sleeves that I have ever actually seen. They are quite brilliantly executed.
- It is an incredible dress and a rare example of his couture work from this era.
- It is remarkable piece of Haute Couture and a true piece of fashion history.
- The dress is fully lined with a layer of dark brown silk chiffon. It slips on to wear and the inner bra hooks to close. It appears that a extension piece was added to the bra at some point and it would be easy to adjust the fit on that if needed. I have included the measurements of the outer dress for you as well as the inner bra. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- The dress has no size tag since it is true couture. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 24" to the actual wrist and then the sleeve extends another 10" past that when hanging loose. They are 17" around the upper arm.
Inner bra: tagged 34-35B and is 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam, the outer dress is to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 58" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5684
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.
yves saint laurent
Spring 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Strapless Dotted Silk Net Dress w Rhinestone Detail & Full Lower Skirts
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 1987 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
- I have included reference photos of similar dresses used for the ad campaign and shown on the runway so that you can get an idea of how great this dress will be on the body.
- The 1987 collection is one of my all time favourites and I am very pleased to have this wonderful example from it in the shop.
- The dress is made from a black silk base with a layer of dotted black silk netting applied over the bodice in horizontal bands. This choice in fabric gives the dress its structure and shape so that it holds the shape around you once on.
- The bodice is strapless and cut on a soft curve across the neckline. It is lightly boned on the inside to hold the dress perfectly in place. It curves in over the waist and then curves back out over the hips. From there the lower skirts flare outwards to the hem.
- The lower skirt is quite full and makes an incredible statement. It has a fishnet style lace for its top layer. Under that is a layer of dotted lace to subtly tie in the lace of the bodice. Under those layers two more layers of the fishnet lace to give it its incredible fullness.
- On the bodice the lace is separated by five wide bands made out of a black silk ribbon that give a beautiful and rich feel to the dress. I love the contrast between the texture of the silk and the dotted netting.
- Each ribbon is stacked to run from the very top of the bodice to the lowest seam above the skirt. Each ribbon is gathered into a little folded bow and has a round metal circle attached that is finished with glossy black glass rhinestones. There are five of those big jewelled pieces in total and they add the perfect amount of glitz to the dress. The combination of the silk ribbon, the dotted lace, the jewelled circles and that stunning full lower skirt is just gorgeous to see and it is even better on the body.
- The dress fully lined in a crisp black cotton and closes with a side set zipper. The inner bodice is lightly boned and shaped. I see some minor repairs in the netting of the skirt. You only see them if you are looking for them because of the amount of fabric in the skirt and the black layers. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a 40.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from the top of the bodice to the inner waist, 24" to the bottom of the lowest seam above the skirt
Total length: 47" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5685
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.
james galanos
1970s James Galanos Couture Floral Print Silk Chiffon Dress w Beaded Butterfly Detailing
I Have a Question
- The label on this dress date it to the 1970s period.
- It was made under the creative direction of James Galanos.
- In 1951 a 27 year old James Galanos launched his first label called Galanos Originals. By 1954 he had won a Coty award and the Neiman Marcus award.
- His ready-to-wear line was made close to couture standards and with a level of craftsmanship that was on par with the French couturiers. He was truly one of the great American designers and his work is held in all of the major museums around the world.
- I think this is one of the best Galanos' pieces I have ever had in the shop. It is extremely well made with a very high level of construction techniques.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful floral printed silk chiffon in a mix of soft pastels. The print forms large flowers that cascade over the entire dress.
- There is a full inner bodice made of the same printed silk chiffon. This inner piece has straps that curve up and around the shoulders with a scoop at the front and back. Blousing over that is a fuller cut, single layer of the silk chiffon. It has long sleeves that narrow to the cuff and the most incredible beaded butterfly that is completely made by hand adorning the front. It is spectacularly beautiful.
- The waist nips in and the dress comes with a matching silk covered leather belt.
- The silk is gathered into the waist seam on one side so that it wraps around you. There is a high slit hidden underneath the wrap over on one side and another matching high slit on the other side so you get an unexpected flash of bare leg when you move or sit.
- The workmanship on the dress is absolutely stunning and the vast majority of it is all done by hand including the butterfly at the front.
- The inner bodice that sits under the top acts as the lining and then that is lined with another layer of nude silk chiffon. The skirt is made of two layers of chiffon. It zips to close at the back with a hand set zipper and the outer bodice hooks to close at the back of the neck. Each sleeve ends in a little zipper. I see a tiny pinhole just above the butterfly at the front and some very minor repairs - one near the neckline of the back and some near the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot.
- The dress has no size tag so please go by the listed measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the notes above.
Sleeves: 23" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Inner bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 62" from top of shoulder to the longest point of the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5683
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.
valentino
c. Resort 2020 Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli Ruffle Detailed Silk Chiffon Floral Caftan Dress w Tie Belt
I Have a Question
- We believe this dress is from the Resort 2020 Valentino presentation.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli.
- Vogue said that 'Pierpaolo Piccioli had his Resort collection photographed in Rome’s Orto Botanico, a green oasis in the center of the city with giant bamboo stands and towering palm trees.'
- This is one of my favourite Valentino dresses I have had and it is even dreamier in real life.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful lightweight silk chiffon that has a joyful floral print over its entire surface. It comes with a matching pink inner dress worn underneath to act as the lining for the dress.
- The flowers of the print are large and combine the most gorgeous tones from mixing pinks and greens.
- The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are full above their wide cuffs. They are a single layer of the silk chiffon and this gives them a beautiful delicate feel.
- The dress skims over the bust from a scooped neck and drapes easily over the body to the waist. It expands outwards all the way to the hem so has a very caftan feel if you choose to wear it without the matching tie belt.
- The matching tie belt is made out of the same printed silk chiffon and you can cinch in the waist area as much as you wish for added shape.
- Ruffles made out of the same silk start at the dropped shoulder and run vertically down the front all the way to the top ruffle on the lower skirt. This adds the prettiest extra detailing.
- The skirt flows to the floor from there and it is extremely full. The excessive amount of fabric used through the skirt give it a ton of movement when you walk and move.
- At the bottom hem are two stacked ruffle layers that add even more movement and detail.
- The lightness of the silk and the way that it lays over the body allows it to move spectacularly over you and it will pick up the slightest bit of air as you move. It really is even more stunning in person.
- The inner pink slip dress is meant to be worn underneath and the dress itself has no lining. The inner dress slips on to wear and has some stretch. I put the comfortable range of measurements below for it. There is elastic around the back upper hem of the inner dress. The outer dress closes with a hidden set back zipper. Comes with its original matching tie belt in the same chiffon. Each cuff closes with small button. On a smaller frame it will just drape more. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Valentino 46
- Excellent condition
Outer Dress
Sleeves: 26" from the drop shoulder and they are 15' around the upper arm
Shoulders: 18"
Bust: to 21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 25.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to the front hem in the back extends another 6"
Inner Slip Dress
Bust: 17-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 25-30" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 62" from top of shoulder to hem
Sash: approximately 120" x 6"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-XL
Item# DD5681
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.
cucculelli shaheen
Exquisite 2020 Cucculelli Shaheen Collection 9 Strapless Hand Embroidered Carnelian Constellation Dress
I Have a Question
- This is the Carnelian Constellation dress from Collection 9 by Cucculelli Shaheen
- It was made under the creative direction of Anna Rose Shaheen and Anthony Cucculelli.
- This collection was called the "House of Mysteria". The label keeps their collections open for purchase indefinitely since everything is a made-to-order, one-of-a-kind, with additional customization available. To order this dress on their website with no further customization is US$14,975.
- In the description of the dress on the website they note that it takes 858 hours of hand embroidery to complete this dress.
- The website also notes that their "constellation series has an option to be fully customizable and platinum gold silver or other metallic thread work on any colour base. We take the location and timing of any event, wedding, birthday, anniversary, special night, etc., and fully customize a star map embroidery for the skirt and or cape. Additional emblems, initials, and personal details may be added as well. We typically do placements for 10 PM on the date, so you can look up in the night sky and see your star as above."
- The dress is made out of a netted tulle in a deep coral red carnelian colour.
- Onto that is their signature constellation designs. They use a combination of platinum and crystal seed beads mixed with crystals and the tiniest tube beads.
- The thread work mixes a metallic thread with a matching carnelian coloured thread. The metallic thread used on this one is a muted gold colour. I love how this and heavy embellishment catches the light from every angle.
- The bodice is strapless and inside there is a built-in cupped and wired inner bodice to hold you in place. It is meant to be fitted around the bodice and then cinches in at the waist.
- The skirt falls from under that and there is an incredible amount of fabric in it. Underneath the top layer net are layers of silk organza and silk Georgette. This keeps it light in weight but gives it incredible movement around you when you move.
- The hand work on this dress is what brings it over the top and commands it's original high price tag at retail. The entire dress has been completely covered in that constellation motif that is so incredibly beautiful.
- Different astrological signs are embroidered and scattered through the skirt as well as star maps. The application of bead-work sequins and little rhinestones is extremely heavy over the entire dress. It is stunning.
- This is an incredible and very beautiful dress.Every detail is perfection right down to the hand embroidered label.
- It is made to a level that should be considered Demi Couture.
- The dress is fully lined in a silk georgette with silk organza layers in the skirt as described above. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. The internal corset is made out of stretch lingerie netting and is lightly boned. The corset has its own hooked closure. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
- There is no size tag present since these are made to order. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam. If you include the rom for the cups it is a full 36" around
Waist: 12.5-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approximately 9" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 56.5" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5675
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.
ronald amey
Spectacular 1970s Ronald Amey Demi-Couture Printed Silk, Silk Chiffon & Cut Velvet Dress
I Have a Question
- The label in the dress dates it to the 1970s.
- It was made under the creative direction of Ronald Amey.
- In the 1960s and seventies if you wanted to wear something with a dramatic flare then you chose the work of Ronald Amey.
- He was known for his original use of fabrics and colours and his dresses were priced in the thousands even back then.
- His career was very short-lived. From 1959-1969 he designed under the label Burke-Amey. Joseph Burke, his partner, took care of the business side of things. In 1970s he bought out Burke and renamed the company Ronald Amey where he continued to produce his dramatic clothing until the label closed in 1976. This gives us a very precise window for the date of this dress.
- His clothing was high in quality and he incorporated many couture level details into their construction. All of his pieces were sewn in-house at his New York atelier and I consider them to be demi-couture level.
- One of his signatures was to combine prints, fabrics and detailed embellishments in interesting, unusual ways and this dress is a wonderful example of that. This is an absolutely beautiful dress and I think that in person it is even better.
- The neckline is high and the cut velvet detailing on it runs wide across the tops of the shoulders and down into the bodice in the fantastic pattern you see. The bodice is cut to curve and skim over the body and then it comes in at the waist with a more generous feel.
- The shoulders are soft and the sleeves extend out from the top of the shoulder. Each sleeve is cut to be full above the cuffs. The cuffs are finished in that same cut velvet used on the bodice and I love the iridescent facetted round buttons that define each cuff.
- From under the seam of the bodice the skirt falls to the floor. It is gathered in around the waist and then widens out as it near the hem.
- The mix of fabrics on the dress is spectacular. The cut velvet mixes an earthy mustard on a brown silk chiffon base. All of the edges where that is used are finished with a gold metal braiding. Under that on the bodice is a floral silk chiffon with pops of turquoise and purple.
- The skirt is made out of a heavier silk that has a gorgeous abstract floral print. The fabric has painted silver and gold parts to highlight the print and you can feel the paint sitting on top of the fabric.
- The very bottom of the hem is edged in a printed black band. Under that on the inner hem is another band of printed colour. You may be able to let that band down if you wanted more length and for that to show. Even if kept turned under it is an incredible and unexpected flash of colour when you move or sit.
- It is a phenomenal dress that showcases how beautifully patterns can be mixed. He was a genius at this and known for his mixing of unexpected prints and patterns and fabrics.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk throughout including the sleeves. It is entirely hand finished and closes with a back zipper. Each cuff has three dome buttons and hand made silk loops. The dress appears to have been worn very little if at all. The dress is even better in person.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: approximately 24" and they are 14.5" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from neck to waist
Total length: 58.5" from neck to hem and the hem under 4" wide
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5669
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.
christian dior
Fall 2008 Christian Dior by John Galliano Bias Cut Silver Silk Halter Dress w Flower Detailng
I Have a Question
- This dress is from Fall 2008 Christian Dior collection.
-
It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- The fall 2008 show celebrated the 1960s and marked the launch of a new handbag called the '61. Galliano said of the show "I am always looking for heroines who make me dream". In the book Christian Dior: Catwalk they note that "his muse is included actress, model and Warhol superstar, 'Baby' Jane Holzer, as well as Raquel Welch, and of course Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate." "They inspired a Christian Dior collection Galliano called 'pure glamour,' one that worked the joyful high-voltage side of restraint in near perfection." said Women's World Daily.
- The dress is made from a soft silver coloured silk. The silk is a beautiful weight and is just heavy enough to keep the shape that he wanted without it feeling too heavy.
- Straps extend outward from the middle of the neckline and curve over the sides of your neck. They angle down to connect into the centre of the back.
- The bodice is shaped with a bit of a slightly stiffened lining over the bust. The fabric is softly pleated to angle in towards the centre.
- At the centre of the front, part of the silk extends out and is twisted to form a flower.
- From under the seam of the bust it falls over the body with a more generous feel. The silk all cut on the bias for beautiful movement.
- It is gathered and pleated on one side under the bust. This is repeated on the same side at the back. From there it flows with a more generous cut over the waist and hips.
- The very bottom portion of the skirt widens out as it nears the hem so you have fantastic movement when you move.
- The fabric at the hip on the opposite side of the pleating has been gathered and twisted to form two large flowers.
- It is exquisite and a fabulous example of his work during this time period.
- The dress is fully lined in the same silver silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. I see a couple of very small, very faint marks underneath the bust area near the pleats. They are very minor, but mentioned for accuracy. Please see the photo after the label shot.
- Tagged a vintage Dior FR40, GB12, IT44, US8
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 62" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5666
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.
christian dior
Spring 2006 Christian Dior by John Galliano Blue Bias Cut Silk Chiffon Dress w Silver Sequins & Beads
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2006 Christian Dior collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- Galliano began his own label in 1984 and he was instantly a bit of a 'boy wonder' in fashion. He was British Fashion Council Designer of the Year in 1987, 1994 and 1995. In 1991 he made his Paris catwalk debut. In 1995 he was asked to head Givenchy and then went to Dior in October of 1996.
- His work, especially the bias cut pieces that he did, have a feeling of the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and they are beautifully cut.
- They marry Old Hollywood with the minimalist spirit of the nineties and early 2000s and the results are stunning.
- This is an amazing example of his work from the Spring 2006 season and it is gorgeous. We believe that some of the detailing is based on / loosely inspired by the opening look of the Couture 2006 collection. We have included a photo of that dress for you and you can see similar bead work through the skirt of that dress that has similarity to the pattern of the beads on this dress.
- The dress is made out of a deep blue silk crepe chiffon that has a slight bit of texture to it and a slight grey undertone.
- It is completely cut on the bias. The dress falls from the shoulders and then drapes down and over the body to the floor. It is very beautiful. The signature bias cut that he often did allows the dress to skim and drape over you so that is shows every curve but is not overly fitted.
- The seaming is highly reminiscent of the work you see from the twenties and thirties which became another of John's signatures.
- The fabric has been pieced together with both curved and angled seams through the bodice and lower skirt to create the fantastic lines of the dress that you see.
- Wide straps extend out from the bust to curve over your shoulders. The front is set in a V and the fabric is gathered across the front of the shoulders.
- I love the angled cut of the front bodice where he has pieced the two side of it together. These are set into a high curving seam that highlights the waist but still stays easy in cut.
- That seam curves around the back curving upwards there as well.
- The back is scooped into a low curved open expanse. The straps become smaller and run down the back to join into each side of the lowest part of that curve.
- An attached panel of silk drapes beautifully down the back in reference to the best of Old Hollywood.
- The dress glides over the body from there and flares out as it reaches the hem. The widening and length of the back hem is created with angled silk chiffon panels inset into the back skirt. It is an incredible feat of patterning.
- This creates a longer bit of a train at the back for a bit of a sweeping feel behind you.
- There is an incredible amount of fabric through the lower skirt which gives you so much movement when you walk.
- The entire dress to just past the knee is beaded with silver beads mixed with the tiniest silver sequins. These are laid out vertically over the dress in beautiful curving lines that cover the dress. They catch the light from every angle and take the dress to another level.
- His signature row of tightly spaced buttons run up one side.
- The dress is even better in person and on the body as the static photos cannot fully convey how a bias cut dress moves. They only truly come to life when worn.
- It has a matching silk inner slip dress that loop through a stitch so that they are attached at the top of the inner shoulders. You could easily remove this to get more room if needed. The bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes and we have provided the comfortable range of measurements for both it and the outer dress below. It closes at the side with a series of silk covered buttons. It looks to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a FR42, GB14, IT46, US10.
- Excellent condition
Dress
Bust: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 59" from the top of the shoulder to the front hem and approx 74" to the back
Inner slip
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner lining at hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD5662
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.
alex perry
Spring 2020 Alex Perry Runway Brilliant Blue Dress w Twist Front & to the Floor Caped Sleeves
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was presented for the Spring 2020 Alex Perry collection.
- It was made under the creative Direction of Alex Perry.
- Alexandros Pertsinidis is an Australian fashion designer who launched the Alex Perry label in 1992. His work has been featured on numerous the covers worldwide since then and is a favourite on the red carpet. It's been worn by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Lupita Nyong and countless others.
-
Mindy Kaling wore its twin to the 2021 SAG awards and Deepika Padukone was also seen wearing one. We've added reference photos of each, along with the runway presentation photo, so you can see how fantastic this is on the body.
- The dress is made from a brilliant royal blue crepe finish fabric is used for the entire dress including those incredible sleeves. The fabric choice gives it. a beautiful drape and is what lets it move so beautifully over the body once it is on.
- It is constructed so that it drapes and skims over the body perfectly. The skirt falls to the floor in a sweeping expanse of fabric. When you stand still it looks more like a sleek column but when you move you realize how much fabric is in there as it billows out behind you.
- The bodice drapes softly over you at the front and is twisted in a knot that meets at the waist.
- The shoulders are padded to give them a defined and shaped silhouette. Caped sleeves extend out from the shoulders to fall all the way to the floor to create this elegant and dramatic feeling over your arms.
- The fabric has enough weight that it stays in place when you are standing still but when you move you get a billowing effect around you with the sleeves.
- It is a fantastic dress and I love how it is so well documented.
- The dress is lined in a matching blue and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a hidden set zipper at the back. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a modern Alex Perry 8
- Excellent condition
Bust: 17-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from neck to waist
Total length: 63" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5660
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.
alexander mcqueen
Phenomenal Spring 2007 Alexander McQueen Black Silk Bias Cut Dress w Sweeping Skirts
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2007 Alexander McQueen collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Alexander McQueen.
- This is the all black production version dress of the printed dress that walked the runway for that collection.
- Elle Fanning wore is twin in 2022 and I love having the photos and video so you can see how phenomenal this is once on and moving.
- We have also added the video of the printed version so you can see more of how this moves once it is on the body.
- The dress is made out of a black on black patterned bias cut silk. The print is worked directly into the silk with a thatched feeling background and then there are flowers that are worked over the entire dress. I love how this picks the light up and really adds texture and movement to the dress once it is on.
- A ruffle follows the neckline and extends out over top of the tiny cap sleeve on that side. The other side is caught up with a little half bow at the front and then the strap gets thinner and curves over to attach into the back. I love how this creates a scoop at the front and the back.
- Once it is on an actual body it sits wider across and more like the photos of the one on Elle and of the runway version. My dress form has no chest so it sits lower than it will on an actual body.
- It skims over the bust, waist and hips in a beautiful bias cut that lets it fall over you and accentuate your curves.
- The skirt is phenomenal. He has set it into the dress in a series of upward curving peaks and then each peak tops a panel of silk that widens out substantially by the hem. This is what gives the dress its amazing movement and the phenomenal sweep of the lower skirt.
- There are yards and yards of silk making up that lower skirt. As you move you get a bit of trailing effect of the back skirt behind you.
- This is a very rare and very special McQueen piece and really shows you the extent of his masterful seam-work and how he could handle a bias cut piece as easily as his highly tailored pieces.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk up to where the skirt attaches and then the lower skirt is unlined. It slips on to wear with no closures. The bias cut will allow it to fit a range of sizes and I have put the comfortable range below. It is in its original uncut length and appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage McQueen 44
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 67" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD5656
Reference Photos/Video: (1-2) Spring 2007 Alexander McQueen, Look 34. / (3) Olivia Munn in 2007 Alexander McQueen for LA Magazine, March 2026. / (4-6) Elle Fanning in McQueen at the Babylon Premiere, December 2022.
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.
christian dior
Fall 1970 Christian Dior Haute Couture by Marc Bohan Minimalist Black Velvet Column Dress
I Have a Question
- This gorgeous dress is a true couture piece from the Fall 1970 Haute Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Marc Bohan.
- The book Dior:Catwalk noted that the Vogue proclaimed that "Any woman anywhere on earth would want to own these total feminine clothes"
- In the few photos that survive of pieces from this collection, it is interesting to note that he showed most of these shift dresses under capes, which would be a lovely combination even now.
- This dress would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The dress is made out of a jet black silk velvet that is extremely soft to the touch and has beautiful drape.
- I love the nod to classic minimalism that the dress displays.
- Straps in a matching black velvet curve up and over your shoulders and then the front and back have just the most gentle bit of a scoop across. Just enough to take away the harshness a straight line would have.
- It skims over the bust and is cut more generously over the waist so that it falls in a perfect shift or column feel around you. If you wanted to add more shape you could easily add a belt or corded rope tie.
- It flares slightly out over the hips and then the skirt falls from there widening out as it near the hem.
- The dress closes down one side with glossy black buttons and I love the deliberate contrast in texture that it has against the black velvet. That pop of shine of the high gloss of the buttons is the perfect subtle detail against the inky texture of the velvet.
- The buttons close the dress down one side to just past the hip and then the rest of that seam is completely open all the way to the hem. When you walk, move, or sit, you get a flash of bare leg all the way up that one side. It is almost startling to have that flash of bare skin against the column of black and I love this play between elegance and sexiness.
- It is a dress that appears to be so simple in shape but every seam and line of the dress was purposefully and masterfully executed and planned.
- This is an extraordinary example of his work during this time period and it is an absolutely stunning dress.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching hand set black silk and closes at the side with the row of buttons. All of the work is done by hand to Couture standards and it has its appropriately dated couture tag present. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
- There is no size tag present because it is Couture so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem and the slit is 29" from the hem up to the last button.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5655
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.
christian dior
Rare Spring 1999 Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Bias Cut Silk Dress w See Through Lace Insets
I Have a Question
- This spectacular dress is a very rare piece from the Spring 1999 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano
- For this show the Dior Catwalk book noted that "Galliano took a trip on the Trans-Siberian railway and drew inspiration from Russian avant-garde as well as the Chinese red army."
- A shorter version of this dress was shown in the show as well as a long version without the lace insets at the front. We have included reference photos of both so you can see how this will fit on the body.
- This is one of his signature bias cut dresses and it is absolutely stunning.
- The dress falls from two straps that curve up and over the shoulders. The front falls in a soft curving drape and then the back is scooped low to leave your upper back bare. The draped front is a clever way to add shape while still keeping the entire dress soft and with little formal structure.
- Behind the draped silk of the bust is a second halter cut bodice made out of black lace. As the front drapes down this lace peeks out from behind it.
- Set just underneath the bust is an angled panel of lace that is just over an inch and a half wide. This angles up towards the centre of the bust and then runs around the back.
- Another panel of lace highlights the seam that the lower skirt is set into and then the entire hem is finished with the same lace. I love how the placement of lace is done to highlight your shape.
- None of the lace used has any backing so that once this is on the body you get a glimpse of skin through all of the lace parts of the dress.
- The rest of the dress is made out of beautiful slightly textured hammered black silk. The silk is a heavier weighted silk and it is completely cut on the bias. When you put it on it simply drapes over you and highlights every curve without ever being too tight anywhere.
- It skims over the bust, waist and hips and then comes in slightly where the bottom lace is. The lower skirt flares out substantially under that and there are yards of fabric in that part of the dress alone. This gives you incredible movement when you walk and finishes the dress beautifully.
- This flowing hourglass shape was a Galliano signature and this one is absolutely spectacular.
- The inner lining under the lower skirt is finished with yet another panel of black lace and this peaks out from underneath the skirt to perfectly tie all of the elements of the dress together.
- The dress is an exceptional example from his very early days at Dior. A true piece of fashion history.
- The lace serves as the lining behind the draped front and then the rest of the dress is lined in a black silk except for behind the lace parts which are left unlined. It closes with hidden set side zipper. It is completely cut on the bias so there is a lot of movement and range to the fabric. It is an easy fit and the bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes I have put the range when laying flat in the measurements below. On a smaller frame it will drape more. I see a small scuff on the fabric here and there. Very minor and just mentioned for accuracy.
- Tagged a vintage Dior FR40, GB12, US8
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 13" from top of shoulder to lace under the bust
Total length: approx 65" from top of shoulder to hem. The length may come up a touch once on because of the bias cut.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5654
Reference Photos/Video: Spring 1999 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.
alexander mcqueen
2022 Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton Silk Chiffon Dress w Silver Bead Detailed Bodice
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the 2022 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Sarah Burton.
- we found a photo of the dress on so you can see how it works on an actual body.
- The dress is made from layers of an off-white ivory silk chiffon that floats beautifully over the body.
- Tiny adjustable straps curve up and over your shoulder to connect at the sides of the bodice and back. You would have the option to tuck the straps in and wear this as a strapless dress if you wished.
- The bodice is cupped and inside there are wired inner cups to hold the shape and give you structure and support.
- Onto the bodice is a beautiful and elaborate design made out of a braided silver thread, silver tube beads, and prong set rhinestones and beads in various sizes. These are set over the bodice to form a design of leafs and vines that swirl deep into each side.
- The silk chiffon falls from under there and flows all the way down to the floor. The movement the silk chiffon has is incredible. The fabric is very light in weight so that when you move it swirls around you.
- There are extra panels of the silk chiffon attached along the upper edge of the back. these fold inwards from the sides and i love how to silk is swept slight towards them. These fall to the floor to give a beautiful caped feel to the back.
- It is a very striking and romantic feeling dress.
- The dress is fully lined in an ivory silk and closes with a back hidden set zipper. There is a built-in inner corset that is boned and cupped. I see a tiny repair near the hem of the skirt and there is a little bit of very minor pulling here and there.
- Tagged a McQueen 42
- Excellent condition
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of the shoulder to seam under the bust
Total length: 64" from the top of the shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5647
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.
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