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.
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.
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
Reference Photos: Heather Graham at a Dior Party during the Marrakech Film Festival, 2008.
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
Reference Photo: Fall 2006 Dior Couture, Look 1.
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.
nina ricci
Elegant Spring 1989 Nina Ricci by Gerard Pipart Haute Couture Runway Deep Blue Silk Dress
I Have a Question
- This is a phenomenal dress whose twin walked the runway for the Spring 1989 Nina Ricci show.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gerard Pipart.
- I love that there are runway reference photos of the dress so you can see how it will sit once on the body.
- The dress is true Couture and was completely made by hand in the Paris atelier.
- It is made out of a deep blue silk that is very high-quality and it is lined by hand in a matching blue silk chiffon.
- The shoulders have hand done padding in them for some added shape and the sleeves are set wide into the body of the dress. They narrow as they fall to the wrist and the lower part of the outside seam is gathered to create a slight ruffled feel at the cuff.
- A panel of the same silk starts at the waist of one side and sweeps up in a curve to be gathered on top of the shoulder on the opposite side. Under that the bottom skims down to the waist area.
- The waist is shaped by the fabric being gathered in at the side and the way it is cut. If you wanted to add more shape you could easily add a belt.
- The panel that starts underneath the top panel extends down past the hip and does the same sweeping over the internal skirt. It curves up to the side to form an opposite curve to the one of the bodice.
- There is one more sweeping curve formed over the lower skirt. This one matches the direction of the curve of the top part of the dress. The way that it gathered in the side gives it a little bit more of a ruffled feel then the other two.
- I love this back-and-forth sweeping feel that the dress has. It almost feels like petals of a flower as they curve over you. On the runway, each of the three spots was highlighted with a flower. If you wanted to re-create that look it would be very easy to add removable flowers set on a brooch and you could use whatever colour you chose at the three spots.
- This is a beautifully made and elegant dress of the highest possible quality given that it's true Couture.
- The dress is fully lined in handset silk organza under the panels and a blue silk through the body. It closes with a back zipper. All of the work is done by hand. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present because it is true Couture. Please see the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 24" and they are 17" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 44.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5651
Reference Photo: Spring 1989 Nina Ricci Haute Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
lanvin
Gorgeous Resort 2012 Lanvin by Aber Elbaz Ivory Lace, Silk & Silk Netting Wedding Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was a part of the presentation for the Resort 2012 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Alber Elbaz.
- The dress is made of an ivory cotton lace with silk net edging that falls beautifully over the body.
- The bodice has a soft and romantic feel as it glides over you. The shoulders are wide and curve into a shallow scoop at the front. I love how he chose to edge the neckline and openings for the arms with that little bit of silk for a pretty contrast.
- The lace skims over the bust and is cut more generously around the waist. This helps to keep the silhouette soft and pretty. If you did want a more defined shape you could easily add a belt or silk ribbon around the waist that could be as elaborate as or simple as you wished it to be.
- The lace skims past the waist and then the skirt is set over top of the lace of the bodice in a very deliberate way that makes the seam there a part of the design. The workmanship is exquisite where they meet and I love how the fabric of the skirt has been gathered into little ruffles that curve all the way around you.
- From there it falls over the hips and down to the floor in a beautiful drape of lace. The fabric is light and soft and there is an additional layer of silk chiffon underneath so that it feels amazing against the skin.
- All of the fabric that was gathered in around the top of the hips is allowed to expand and give you the fullness of the skirt so that you get this pretty sweep of fabric around you when you move.
- It is extremely pretty and romantic in feel.
- The dress is fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon. It closes with an exposed bronze colour zipper at the side. It is in its original length. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
- Tagged a Lanvin size 38
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-seam at top of hips: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 17" from top of shoulder to dropped waist
Total length: 68" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5646
Reference Photo: Resort 2012 Lanvin, Look 39.
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
Divine Fall 1979 Yves Saint Laurent True Haute Couture Blue Silk Harlequin Print Dress w Ruffled Cuffs
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Fall 1979 Haute Couture Yves Saint Laurent collection.
- It was made under the creative direction Yves Saint Laurent.
- The 1979 collection was an a homage to Picasso and Diaghilev. Yves had been to an exhibit on Picasso costume and set designs for Diaghilev's ballet Russes. At the time he told French Vogue that he had been on a different path entirely for the collection but then he saw the exhibition and "my collection took on the structure of a ballet. I embroidered on Picasso, on a slightly soft cubism, on harlequin, the Blue Period, the Pink. It's best when in inspiration comes! You no longer have any doubt, you get on with it, you feel an immense joy!"
- You can see that inspiration of the harlequin especially on the pattern of this dress. We found several runway examples where he used the same pattern and added those here. It was a significant part of the collection.
- In the YSL folio that contains all the drawings from the collection, I saw that he had to use this particular print in several colours; a golden brown, a red, a white and black, and this magnificent blue. I have also included a sketch of the dress that is closest to this particular piece. Based on the drawings in my folio, it seems that this is most likely a one off done in collaboration with the client's request.
- The dress would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- It is made out of a beautiful fine silk that has a secondary pattern within the weave in the same blue and then it is printed with that black design leaving the blue to show between. The silk is of the highest possible grade.
- You can see the very beginnings of the classic Yves Saint Laurent sack dress to come in the cut and silhouette in this dress. These sack dresses played on volume and cut. As the years went by they got bigger and looser through the middle. This one is still on the edge of being a more loose-waist A-line.
- The collar is banded in the same silk and the silk is gathered in around it for a little added detail. The shoulders are soft and the upper portion of the sleeve is wider and set in a slight cap on the top of the shoulder. This narrows down to a cuffed wrist that ends in a ruffle made of the same silk.
- The cut through the body is loose and easy and it is almost tubular in feel with just the slightest bit of narrowing as it nears the hem.
- I love how this makes it easy to wear and that it gives you the option of wearing it loose or adding a belt to cinch it in and add shape around the waist.
- I have shot it both of those ways with an added black rope belt. The belt is not original to the dress but will be included.
- The perfect finishing touch is the little slits on either side of the skirt. These allow for movement when you move and gives you ease of walking plus a little bit of extra leg to show.
- This is a superb piece of Couture and is an early example of his work.
- The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear with a single button at the back of the neck above a keyhole. Each cuff buttons to close. It is entirely made by hand. The appropriate Haute Couture label is present.
- There is no size tag present because it is true Couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 23.5" they are 15" around the upper arm. The neck is 13" around. The cuffs are 6" around where the button is presently but could be opened and the button moved to get 7".
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 36.5" from neck to hem. Each side slit is 9" from the hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5644
Reference Photos: Fall 1979 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
thierry mugler
Fall 1995 Thierry Mugler Couture Runway Sculpted Body Shape Black Silk w Ivory Inset Dress
I Have a Question
- The near twin of this rare dress walked the runway for the Fall 1995 collection with an added cape.
- The dress was made under the creative direction of Thierry Mugler.
- A version of the dress was included for the "Thierry Mugler: Couturissime" Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum
- Mugler 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 very rare and special. It is spectacular on the body.
- The dress is made out of a black silk mixed with an ivory silk set on a combination of angled and curving panels down the entire front.
- A wide set curving V comes down the front bodice. An ivory panel circles the neck line and then follows the V into a point that plunges to the centre of the waist. A small black silk flower sits where the two meet. The flower is a removable brooch so if you prefer it without it is easily removed.
- I love how the parts on the bodice are a mix of curves and angles. The curving parts feel feminine and emphasize the shape of the body while the angles are more edgy in contrast.
- The sleeves come directly out from the shoulder with gussets underneath the arm and no set shoulder seam to break the eye. Each sleeve ends in a little turned up cuff of the same black silk.
- The waist is snatched in and the insets of ivory visually exaggerate the cinched in shape.
- The skirt has been cut to have a deliberate outward curve around the top of the hip. From there it flows down and over the hips and then narrows inwards as it nears the hem. A high slit up the back allows you to walk and lets a bit of a leg to show.
- A second inset ivory silk panel runs down the full front of the skirt from the waist seam. It mimics that same curving shape that we see through the hip and also narrows down to the hem of the skirt.
- The ivory parts that runs from shoulder to hem are all done to give the visual appearance of an exaggerated hourglass / wasp silhouette.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes with a back zipper. The flower at the waist is pinned on and is easily removed. It appears to have worn very little effort at all.
- Tagged a vintage Mugler 40
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: approximately 16" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: 18-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 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: 59.5" from neck to hem with just over 2.5" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5634
Reference Photos: (1-3) Fall 1995 Thierry Mugler Couture. / (4) Outfit on display at the "Thierry Mugler: Couturissime" Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum.
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.
richard tyler
Exceptional 2000s Richard Tyler Black Silk Dress w Gathered Inserts & Scooped Open Back
I Have a Question
- The dress is from one of the 2000s Richard Tyler Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Richard Tyler.
- Richard Tyler was the designer to wear in the 1990s and early 2000s. He won the Council of Fashion Designers of America New Talent award in 1993. In 1994 and 1995 he won the Council's Womenswear Designer of the Year award. Julia Roberts, Janet Jackson, and Sigourney Weaver were just a few of the stars who loved his work and his dresses made regular appearances on the red carpet.
- Tyler was known for his impeccable tailoring and finishes and at the time employed some of the best tailors and seamstresses in the business.
- The dress is made out of silk and is beautifully structured. It is cut to appear like it just drapes into place, but with its lining and infrastructure around the bodice area, it does have more structure than it appears at first glance.
- This gorgeous little number is in amazing condition and is cut beautifully. It is suspended from the shoulders by tiny straps that curve over and down the back.
- The dress is cut to follow the curves of your body but without being super tight.
- The neckline dips into a wide cut V at the front that allows the straps to sit at the edges of your shoulders.
- There are ruffled gathered panels that are set over the dress to highlight the cut and shape. You see this across the front bodice as they follow the curve, shape and angle down towards the waist, and then start their angled descent down the length of the full dress.
- When you turn around, the back has a low scoop that leaves most of your back completely bare and exposed. It is very sexy.
- The shape through the waist is cleverly created by those inset panels that curve over the body.
- From there, it curves back out over the hips and then falls to the floor. The skirt comes in slightly around the knee area and then the lower part of the skirt widens out substantially as it reaches the hem. Extra fabric has been worked through the back of the skirt where it is cut on a curve that is longer than the front hem. This gives you a sweeping feel as you walk away.
- There are added weights around the lower skirt and the piping that finishes the bottom hem has a touch of padding and weight to it. This has all been done to help hold the shape and volume of the lower skirt around you.
- It looks so simple on my dress form but this is a dress that is a bombshell piece once it is on an actual body. It is so good.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. There is vertical boning on the sides of the bodice to help hold it in place. Perhaps a tiny bit of grubbiness and wear to the edge of the hem but this is extremely minor and only mentioned for accuracy. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present, so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition.
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 61" from top of shoulder to front hem in the back extends another 6.5" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5632
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 1998 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Black Velvet Dress w Elaborate Black Sequin Detailing
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1998 YSL collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
- The dress is gorgeous and the fabric itself is part of what makes it so fabulous.
- The body and sleeves are made out of a inky black velvet that gives the dress some structure. Onto this is a band of heavily applied overlapping glossy black sequins. The effect of the sequins in contrast to the richness of the velvet adds depth and interest.
- This is a piece that shows his strong tailoring and detailed knowledge of how to cut a piece to best suit a woman's body.
- The shoulders are lightly padded and the sleeve extend out from there. They are a touch fuller near the upper arm and then narrow slightly to their ends.
- The addition of the sequins is just spectacular. They are set in a band that has four stacked rows of sequins that are more densely applied so that they overlap each other. They begin at the back of the neck, curve around to follow the view of the front and then sit side-by-side all the way down to the hem.
- I love the plunge of the front and how it can be adjusted to sit as high or low as you dare. A zipper runs up the centre front and you can zip it higher or lower. The zipper only goes partway and then there is a high slit from the ham up. You can see how it sits in the runway photos and how great it is once on.
- The waist is brought in through the seams at the sides with no horizontal line to break the eye.
- It glides over the hips and then widen out as it near the hem. The front slit helps to give it some width around you so it has great movement as you move.
- It is a phenomenal YSL from this time period.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk and it closes with the zipper at the front. Light padding in each shoulder. I see the slightest wrinkling in the velvet under the arms. Nothing beyond normal wear and mention for accuracy.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 19" with 1.5" turned under. They are 13" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15.5-16"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem. The slit is 28" up from the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5626
Reference Photos: Fall 1998 Yves Saint Laurent.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Spring 2007 Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Strapless Inner Corset Dress w Rhinestones & Beads
I Have a Question
- This is from the Christian Dior Spring 2007 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- Galliano often used inspiration from his Couture dresses when he looked to creating ready-to-wear pieces and vice versa and we have added a photo of the piece from the couture collection that has similar bead work.
- The bodice is strapless with an inner boned and cupped corset that holds the dress in place.
- A panel wraps around the very top of the bodice with a double pleat detail running around the very the top edge.
- Under that the dress is wrapped around to overlap itself and on one side there are stitched pleats that open up at about the waist area and then continue to the hem. On the side that wraps under that there are top stitched seams set on angles towards the outer edge of the dress. All of this seamwork and stitching is subtle but adds this very interesting detail when you see it as a whole.
- From there the dress simply skims and drapes over you to the floor. Because of its generous cut through the body it will be easier to fit and is extremely comfortable once on the body.
- It flares out slightly at the bottom to create a beautiful column over you. It is an incredible feat of patterning.
- Floral designs made of fabric covered domed bead are mixed with prong set rhinestones. More rhinestones are scattered down the body of the dress to about the hip. These were all added by hand and you can clearly see that on the other side of the dress.
- The dress is unlined and has an inner boned and cupped corset that hooks to close at the side. The dress closes over that with a hidden set zipper. Hand finishes. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Dior FR40, GB12, IT44, US8
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from top of bodice to inner waist
Total length: 58" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5610
Reference Photo: Spring 2007 Christian Dior Couture, Look 32.
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 Spring 2003 Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Silk Open Cut Out Bow Dress w High Slit
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2003 Dior collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- Vogue set of the collection that John Galliano "has rebranded the legendary Parisian house via high-octane couture shows that broach the wilder shores of creativity and are then filtered down to be instantly recognizable ready-to-wear pieces for Christian Dior addicts."
- I love that we have photos of Laetitia Casta wearing a gold version so you can see how spectacular this is on the body.
- To help visualize what this dress looks like on the body in black, we changed Laetitia's dress too black, which gives you a great idea of what the final result will be on.
- The dress is made from a bias cut black silk that has a slight texture to it that is beautiful. It is strapless and has an inner built-in and boned bodice to hold the dress in place around you.
- It's skim over the bus and he has used beautifully curved seaming to shape the dress in words at the waist, and then it curse back out over the hips.
- The back simply circles around to leave the entire upper back and shoulders bare and exposed.
- The skirt falls to the floor in a beautiful line. It is cut to curve over your hips and then flares out dramatically for the lower portion of the skirt. There's actually quite a bit of fabric in a lower skirt, and this allows it to move beautifully around you as you walk and move.
- Adding to the movement that the dress has is an exceptionally high slit that runs up one side all the way to just under the hip. This leaves an incredible amount of bare leg to show. It's just fantastic.
- Besides, that high slit, the star of the show on this dress is that incredible curved cut out that runs from the centre of the bodice on a graceful arc down to the hip.
- Interspersed along that cut out or four bows that are made of the same fabric. Each bow has been tied around the silk that connects the two pieces together.
- I love how there is an open, cut out between each bow all the way down that leaves that unexpected flash of skin.
- And then having a slit meet, the bottom bow at the side is just the perfect tie into it all. When you move and the slit opens and you see the leg everything just feels so perfectly designed in that absolutely perfect Galliano way.
- It is a really exceptional dress and is extremely sexy once on the body.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk chiffon with a lightly boned inner corset attached inside the bodice. It closes with a combination of a row of tiny silk covered buttons at the back that sit above a hidden set zipper that follows one of the curved seams. The inner corset closes with its own zipper. The bias cut and slight stretch of the fabric gives it some movement. I have given the comfortable range of the measurements while laying flat below.
- Tagged a vintage Dior US6, GB10, FR38.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam.
Inner waist: 13-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner bodice: 9.5" from neck to inner waist
Total length: 56" from top of the bodice to hem
Slit: 32.5" from the hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5611
Reference Photos: Laetitia Casta in Dior at Cannes Film Festival, 2003
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
Outstanding Fall 2000 Thierry Mugler Dusty Pink Metallic Dress w Rhinestone & Metal Collar
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress in a different fabric was seen on the runway for the Fall 2000 Thierry Mugler collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Thierry Mugler.
- The fabric is what makes this dress stand out. Mugler's choice of a dusty pink bias cut lame is perfect. It has enough weight so his intended drape down the front hold perfectly when you move.
- The light catches it in different ways as it glides over you so that you shimmer and sparkle from every angle.
- The cut has that nod back to the glamour days of Hollywood that you see in his best pieces.
- The bodice is shaped and formed to hug the bust. It is gathered in at the centre and then drapes outward. Attached along that centre line is a thick and very heavy gold metal chain that creates the strap that wraps up behind the neck.
- Set into each link of the strap is a large square cut glass rhinestone. It becomes like an attached piece of fine jewellry.
- The strap curves around the neck with a clasp at the back.
- The back dips down to reveal bar skin and I love this unexpected Flach when you turn around.
- Below the gathering at the bust is an extra panel of fabric that falls down the centre of the dress to the hem. Around that the dress glides over your waist and hips in an easy to wear and fit way.
- The perfect final touch is a high slit hidden in behind the front draping so that when you walk or sit you get an unexpected flash of leg.
- The dress is fully lined in a pink silk chiffon. Inside the bust is a full built in pale pink silk satin corset that is shaped and boned. The inner bodice closes with hook and eye and then the dress closes with a hidden set zipper over that. There are two rows of hooks on the inner bodice. Hand finishes. The chain closes with slip loop closure that is very high end. One rhinestone has been replaced at some point with a round rhinestone. It is near the back so you don't see it and it is not very obvious. Please see the photo after the label shot.
- Tagged a vintage Mugler 38
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12 -13" flat across from side seam to side seam at the inner corset. The fabric over the inner corset it is loose and easy.
Hips: open
Length: approx 58" from neck to hem and it extends another 3.5" at the back.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5598
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2000 Thierry Mugler.
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
Rare Fall 1999 John Galliano Soft Ivory Wool Sleeveless Shift Dress w Tiny Black Bow Detailing
I Have a Question
- This is a rare and early example of JohnGalliano's work from the Fall 1999 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- We have included several runway shots that we found that show the same fabric as it was seen on the runway.
- The dress is ultra soft to touch. It is made from a deep creamy ivory and then onto that are tiny little black bows made out of yarn. They form a grid in their centres as they weave through the underlying ivory and then the ends are allowed to extend out on both side sides. This is what forms the bow and also gives it the 3D feel as each end sits up and off of the fabric.
- The dress is done in a simple shift feel with no sleeves and an easy to wear cut. Long vertical seams curve over you to add shape. The bust is simple and set to curve over you. The waist is shaped to come in slightly. From there it curves back out over the hips.
- The skirt is a simple slim pencil shape that comes in very slightly at the hem. At the back extra fabric is hidden inside of an inverted vent. The fabric is pleated on both sides inside the vent. It gives a little unexpected flare at the bottom of the back skirt while you are moving.
- It is the perfect minimalist 1990s piece with a Galliano twist.
- The dress is lined in an ivory silk with hand finishes around the neck and arms. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged an early Galliano FR38,GB10, US4
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 37.5" from neck to hem with approximately 1" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5592
Reference Photos: Fall 1999 John Galliano, Look 12.
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
Fall 2000 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Runway Look 72 One Shoulder Printed Pink & Purple Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 2000 Chanel collection as Look 72.
- It was made under the creative direction Karl Lagerfeld
- Three versions of this dress in this print were presented on the Fall 2000 runway that season. The twin of this one was worn by Trish Goff.
- Vogue's review of the collection states in part; 'Fall 2000 was, overall, the season of the lady. One who had polish—and, likely, two homes and one eye on the fluctuating stock market. “With the Dow Jones and Nasdaq soaring and plunging like a late-sixties hemline,” wrote Sally Singer in Vogue, “it was perhaps inevitable that many designers would choose for fall 2000 to forgo fantasy and get back to basics—luxe basics, that is.”
- I think this was one of the best dresses in that collection and it is an absolute favourite.
- The dress is a stunning example of the work that Lagerfeld was doing during this time period.
- It has an easy sexy feel to it. It feels like the kind of dress that you just throw on and walk out the door in and feel fabulous.
- The dress is made from a feather light silk chiffon that has an amazing print combining pinks and purple that covers the entire surface.
- The fabric is draped and gathered over the body to create the very feminine silhouette. There is an inner purple lining that goes to just below the hip so that the silk has something to attach to and the dress is opaque enough to wear. Over that the silk is gathered in soft sweeps around the body.
- A curved panel of fabric attaches in along one hip and drapes down and around the hips. Another panel is attached at the top to drape over one shoulder.
- The panels are a single layer of silk so that they have an interesting play on the overlapping of the pattern as they float over each other.
- The part of skirt below the inner lining also has a touch of transparency that gives a glimpse of the shape of the leg underneath. It is cut on an angle to play on the asymmetrical feel of the dress.
- A slit runs up one side of the skirt so when you move it can catch the air and it move around you.
- The famous double C logo is worked through the print for the perfect finishing touch.
- The dress is lined in a purple silk chiffon through the main body of the dress and upper part of the skirt. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. Light boning on either side of the bust. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Chanel 40.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 6" from top of the bodice to the seam under the bus
Total length : approx 65" from top of shoulder to longest point on hem
Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5582
Reference Photos/Video: Chanel Fall 2000 Runway Collection, Look 72. Model: Trish Goff.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
Rodarte
Dreamy Fall 2016 Rodarte Runway Look 40 White Lace, Silk & Net Bias Cut Dress w Hand Done Detailing
I Have a Question
- The twin of the dress was presented as Look 40 for the Fall 2016 Rodarte collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Kate and Laura Mulleavy.
- 2016 marked the 10th anniversary of the label and in Vogue's coverage of the show they noted that "The best Rodarte collections - and this was surely one - come across like manifested daydreams. Lots of designers like to talk about tapping into the fantasy element of fashion, but Kate and Laura are perhaps the only ones whose clothes summon the ludic sensibility of kids playing dress up. The demented level of embellishment which here included ruffled leather, hand, cut floral paillettes, and mesh, and lace sequined and watery patterns, recalls a child's take on glamour with every available fancy piled on. That the Mulleavys manage the muchness with such grace is something of a miracle.... the hand craftsmanship, the romance, the touch of the macabre - those qualities were present in Rodarte a decade ago, and they are communicated as clearly now as they ever were."
- There is a lot of hand work in the dress and it is a part of the collections where they were doing a lot of the work in-house and the pieces were not so mass produced as they are now. The pricing for pieces during this era were also extraordinarily higher than what they currently can be, with the then pricing being up to and over the 20k mark.
- I love how heavily influenced by the 1930s and 1940s that this dress is. It has a decidedly vintage feel to its cut.
- The dress combines bias cut silk and netting with a fine lace that is laid out softly over the body but in a way that still gives soft structure. There are lot so beautiful added hand cut details, beads and appliqué.
- As good as it looks on the dress form, I am glad that we have so many reference photos so you can see how beautiful it is once it transforms onto an actual body.
- A ruffle of lace and netting highlight the wide set neckline. Small panels of netting drape softly down from each shoulder and are set more towards the back. These are detailed with hand cut outs and beads. At the back there is a small V for a touch of skin to show.
- I love how the inner dress creates that dramatic cut out effect that sits underneath the top layer of lace at the front. It really makes the dress feel dynamic and special and adds a subtle bit of sexiness.
- The dress glides over the waist and then curves back over the hips. There are more hand applied, hand done cut out appliques and netted beading details on one hip for added detail.
- The skirt is phenomenal. The skirt is split on one side right up to the flower at the hip. The inner part of the skirt is made out of a matching ivory silk that has a layer of soft tulle underneath so you get all of these layers around the slit that help to cover how high it is but still allowing it to open.
- A hand made rosette sits at top of the slit and then on the other hip there is another matching rosette. An inset panel made of netting that has two more handmade handset flower cuts added to it as it trails from under that rosette down to the hem.
- The topmost layer over all of this is a beautiful soft ivory lace that is just magical. I love how the ivory of the lace is offset by the more white leaf cut outs that are on the little cap sleeves and at the waist.
- The final perfect touch is a band of tightly gathered ruffled lace that goes all the way around the hem. There are yards and yards of fabric in the lower skirt.
- I think this is one of the most beautiful dresses that the duo have made throughout their entire career.
- The dress is fully lined in a combination of the netting and the ivory silk and nylon netting. It closes with a hidden setback zipper. It was never worn and all of the applique work is done by hand and set onto the dress by hand. There is an amazing amount of hand work in the dress. There is one small break in the netting on the innermost layer that does not show. It was never worn and is otherwise pristine. The colour is perhaps the tiniest bit more ivory than how it photographed.
- Tagged a modern Rodarte 6
- Excellent condition
Bust: 15-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 64" from top of shoulder to hem and the slit is 42" up from the hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5572
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.
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2016 Rodarte, Look 40.
christian dior
Important Fall 2006 Christian Dior by John Galliano Pale Silver Grey Version of Runway Look 41 Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress in red was Look 41 on the Fall 2006 Dior runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- He 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 bias cut pieces 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.
- The red version was used for the ad campaign that year and was worn by Kate Moss. It has become one of his most iconic dresses.
- We have had this dress in red in the past and it flew. I love having another in this soft pale grey colour. It is just dreamy.
- The dress takes inspiration from the bias cut couture pieces of the 1920s and 1930s. The seam work and simplicity of this dress is stunning to see and it is even better on an actual body.
- It is made from a beautiful silk velvet in a pale silver grey. A design that includes the Christian Dior name has been pressed into the velvet over the entire dress. This gives it this incredible added texture that you see in the photos.
- The dress is completely cut on the bias so that it flows over the body and skims its way over the bust, waist and hips as it falls to the floor.
- The neckline drapes down and there is a panel of silk chiffon tucked just inside the neckline at both the back and the front. This creates a bit of a swooping plunge that is slightly set to the side. Thin bands of a silver grey grosgrain ribbon run up the sides of the dress and around the waist. The velvet is gathered into the ribbon in various spots to create the asymmetrical draping.
- The skirt flows down to the floor from there, skimming over the hips and then flaring out as it reaches the hem. This gives you a ton of movement around the lower skirt when you walk or move. It also adds to the hourglass shape that the dress has.
- This is an amazing example of his work from Dior and it is gorgeous.
- The bodice is lined in a pale grey silk chiffon and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a hidden set zipper down one side. The bias cut fabric does have some stretch. There is a small mark on the inner silk chiffon and a couple tiny marks on the velvet near the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot. The measurements below give you the comfortable range the fabric has when lying flat. It is in its original unaltered length. The bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes
- Tagged a Galliano FR38, GB10, US6
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 16.5" from neck to dropped seam
Total length: 62" from neck to front hem, 64" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5549
Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 2006 Christian Dior, Look 41. Model Caroline Trentini. / (3) Kate Moss for the Fall 2006 Dior Ad Campaign by Nick Knight. / (4) Olivia Cooke at the 'House Of The Dragon' London Premiere, 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.
thierry mugler
Prettiest Spring 1999 Thierry Mugler Curving Pale Pink Dress w Front Iridescent Embellishments
I Have a Question
- This is the ready-to-wear version of the dres referenced here from the Spring 1999 Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Thierry Mugler
- The dress is cut with Mugler's masterful eye and attention to detail.
- The openings for the arms are cut inwards towards the neck and the neck line is set on a beautiful curve. All the seaming on the dress is set either vertically or on a curving angle so that it enhances and highlights the curves of the body.
- The bust and waist are created by the shaping of those beautifully curving vertical seams. I took a shot of the seams that curve over the hips as it is is really a part of what shapes the dress. Once on this emphasizes the curves of the body.
- It skims over the hips and then falls to the floor where the skirt widens out as it near the hem. The back hem of the skirt is cut on a slight downward curve so that it falls a little bit longer and gives a fantastic sweep at the back of the dress.
- The upper portion of the neck line is detailed with a double layered panel of nude mesh. Onto this is a fantastic design that combines iridescent clear tube beads with iridescent mother-of-pearl finished plastic pieces that vary in size. These are all set to curve outward slightly and are in different sizes. It is a really pretty effect.
- It is an extraordinary dress that is rare and beautiful.
- The dress is fully lined in the same fabric and closes with a hidden set back zipper. I see one tiny very faint mark on the fabric near the seam of the neck line. Please see the photo after the label shot. There is very minor grubbiness and a tiny bit of fading around the hem. I see a stitch at the very base of the mesh at the front where there may have been one more additional plastic piece. All of these are very minor but mentioned for accuracy. The colour is a bit more of a baby pink than how it photoed. It is in its original uncut length.
- Tagged a vintage Mugler 42
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 61" from neck to the front hem, 63" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5525
Reference Photo: Spring 1999 Thierry Mugler Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
john galliano
Outstanding Fall 2001 John Galliano Runway Look 41 Bias Cut Silk Chiffon Dress w Romantic Floral Print
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Fall 2001 runway for a Look 41 and was worn by supermodel Stella Tenant in the show.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- This is the actual dress worn by Caitlin Thompson to the 2024 Emmys
- Madison Headrick privately acquired the first example of this dress that we had in our archives and wore it as part of her wedding celebrations.
- Besides the runway photos, we have included photos of both Madison and Caitlin so you can see how spectacular this is on the body.
- The dress is made out of a floral printed ivory silk chiffon that is feather light in weight.
- Soft pastel flowers done in shades of pale, pink and soft greens run over the entire dress and add to the ultra romantic feel that it has.
- Ruffled cap sleeves curve over the shoulders and they are set wide so that they sit at the very edge of your shoulder. This allows the chiffon to cascade over the top of each arm.
- The bodice is extensively gathered around the bust to the sides and into a seam that curves down just above the waist. All of the seam work on the dress is a heavy nod to the Couture pieces of the 1920s and 1930s. John Galliano often use those dresses as inspiration and you can clearly see that in this piece.
- Gathered ties extend out from the sides of the bodice to wrap and tie around you. They are very long so you can get creative in how they are tied. They add a touch of whimsy to the dress and are also a clever way to add shape through the waist.
- The dress curves back out and over the hips and then narrow down slightly to about the knee.
- The lower skirt is set into a curved seam and the volume below that is amazing. There is a tremendous amount of silk in the lower skirting so that it moves and floats fabulously around you when you move.
- Little added tiered ruffles of silk have been added along parts of the patterned seams for yet another extra romantic touch.
- The dress is completely cut on the bias so moves beautifully over the body. It makes it easy to fit and comfortable to wear.
- This is a spectacular example of his work and one of the most romantic prints from him that I have ever seen. This is an important early piece that is highly collectible.
- The dress is fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon and slips on with no closures. The easy cut and movement in the fabric should allow it to fit a range of sizes. The dress is in its original uncut length. It appears to have been worn very little if at all
- There is no size tag present so please go buy the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 65" from shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5509
Reference Photos/Video: (1-2) Fall 2001 Galliano Runway, Look 41. Model: Stella Tennant. / (3-6) Caitlin Thompson wearing this dress at the Emmys, 2024. / (7-11) Madison Headrick in in its twin from us on two different occasions.
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
Outstanding Fall 2009 Christian Dior by John Galliano Bias Cut Metallic Silver Floral Print Dress
I Have a Question
- The dress is from the Fall 2009 collection and the same fabric was seen on the runway in other pieces.
- It was created under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- The show was inspired by 1920s and the 1920s Orientalism of couturier Paul Poiret and you can see that in the fabric of this dress and its nod to the metallic silk lames that were seen so prominently during that era.
- The dress is made from the most striking metallic silver & black fabric that has a subtle silver shimmer from head to toe. The photos capture the colour well, but it has a slightly more metallic feel in person that is really outstandingly beautiful.
- It is completely cut on the bias so that it falls and drapes beautifully over the body.
- The neck line is cut wide across and the shoulders extend slightly over the top of the arm. The bodice has angled darts that come out from the centre of the waist and it is cut to skim over you down to the waist area.
- The waist is shaped by a combination of the seam work there and the gathering at the front. After curving in around the waist it curves back out and over the hips.
- The skirt falls from there to the floor and I love how the bias cut narrows it in around the legs slightly and then the lower portion of skirt flares out dramatically. The back of the skirt is cut slightly longer than the front so you get this phenomenal sweeping feel behind you along with added movement as you walk and move.
- The way it is gathered in around the hips is a strong nod to pieces from the 1930s and 1940s. These are eras that John touched on quite often and that is showcased beautifully in this particular piece. There is a centre seam where all of the fabric has been gathered in towards to create shape and interest around the waist and the of the top of hips.
- The dress is in its original uncut length and just an incredible example of his work from time period.
- It is fully lined in black silk and closes with a back hidden set zipper. I see some faded marks to the interior lining around the hem. I think this is from storage. The exterior is pristine. When the dress is off the body, the inner lining hangs a bit past the hem but once it was on the dress form, it falls right. This is because of the bias cut of the inner lining - it doesn't shorten to match the exterior hem until there is a body in it.
- There is no size tag present so please go buy the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition.
Bust: 16-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 64" from shoulder to front hem in the back extends another 2" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5491
Reference Photo: Fall 2009 Christian Dior Runway, Look 35.
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.
adolfo
Incredible 1960s Adolfo Black Silk Chiffon One Shoulder Dress w Extensive Hand Bead & Sequin Detailing
I Have a Question
- This incredibally detailed dress dates to the 1960s.
- It was made under the creative direction of Adolfo Faustino Sardiña, who professionally known as Adolfo.
- Adolfo started his career under Balenciaga and, like Halston, he was a successful milliner before opening his own fashion house. He became know for his Chanel inspired suiting and beaded pieces.
- Adolfo often did custom work for his clients who ranged from the Duchess of Windsor to Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Gloria Vanderbilt and Nancy Reagan. He even won a Coty Award in 1969.
- The base fabric is a fine black silk chiffon over a black silk and then it is lined in a silk and then onto that are thousands of beads and sequins.
- The extensive bead and sequin work is set onto the silk in a gorgeous design that runs over the dress from top to bottom. The designs are clustered and the work sits up and off the silk for a slight 3D effect. All of the work is done by hand.
- It drapes and sits on the body in a very balanced way despite the elaborate work on it.
- The cut of this dress is a very flattering one shoulder silhouette. The one side curves up and over the shoulder and then from there it curves gracefully across the back. The shoulder strap is an extension of all of the design, so there is no break to the eye.
- The edges of the neck, down and around the one arm opening, and all the way around the hem are all finished with tightly, spaced bead work that is incredible.
- It skims over the bust and there is no seam at the waist. Instead, it is shaped to curve in slightly for shape and then it curves back out and over the hips.
- The dress falls to the floor from there and the skirt widens out a touch as it nears the floor. The hem is on a slight angle and as it curves up to the one side, there is a slit runs up one side for a flash of leg to show as you move or sit.
- I love the contrast of the silver white beads against the black. They catch the light with your slightest movement and from every angle. It is just a spectacular dress.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes with a side zipper. Hand finishes throughout. There is a tiny bare area between the beading on the shoulder and two small areas around the arm. Please see the photos after the label shot. Otherwise it looks as if it was worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition.
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 60" from top of the shoulder to hem and the slit is 22" from the hem up.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5489
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
Outstanding Spring 2000 Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Silk Bias Cut Dress w Low Back
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2000 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- This John Galliano dress is incredibly beautiful and it is a stunning example of his work. No matter how good you think that this dress looks like in photos it is even better in person and moving.
- The dress is made out of a hammered black silk that has a beautiful texture woven through the silk. I love how that the added texture it has catches the light as you move and adds an extra layer of visual interest to the dress.
- The dress is cut completely on the bias so it just glides over the body. It is made to perfectly fall over you in a sweep of bias cut fabric.
- It skims over the bust with a draped front that falls in a soft fold. Wide straps sweep up and over the shoulders and then extend down into the back.
- The back is truly incredible. It is scooped down into a very low open soft V that leaves most of your back bare.
- At the base of the scoop, it crosses over itself and has a bit of the same drape that you see at the front. It is so well-made that I think there is the possibility that you could wear it turned around back to front with the V at the front, depending on how it worked on your body and how daring you wish to be.
- The dress skims over the waist with a bit of a more generous feel. It continues past the hips and the bias cut of the silk lets it follows your curves and highlights the body underneath without it being too tight and fitted. Galliano was, and is, a genius when it came to this cut.
- Once past the hips the dress flares out as it nears the bottom hem so that it has beautiful movement when you move. One perfect angled seam runs down the front of a skirt for subtle detail and the very bottom of the lower skirt flares out slightly.
- A row of tightly spaced black silk covered buttons and loops run down one side to finish it with his signature detail.
- The dress is fully lined in a fine black silk and closes at the side with the buttons. It is all cut on the bias so the measurements given below are the comfortable range when the dress is laying flat. Being bias cut the length may come up a bit once on the body.
- Tagged a vintage Dior FR42, GB14, US10
- Excellent condition
Bust: 17-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5485
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.
emilio pucci
Fabulous Fall 2011 Emilio Pucci by Peter Dundas Runway Look 3 Green Print Corset Front Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was presented for Look 3 for the Fall 2011 Pucci collection
- It was made under the creative direction of Peter Dundas.
- Besides being shown on the runway it also made an appearance on the amfAR red carpet that season.
- I love that all the various reference photos and video give you an amazing idea of how gorgeous this is on the body.
- The dress is made out of the classic modern Pucci jersey that makes it extremely comfortable to wear but also perfectly defined your curves. The fabric has some stretch and it is lined in a black stretch silk so that it sits very flattering on top of the body.
- The front neck is scooped and is edged in a bit of ruffled raw edged silk for a pretty detail. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are long.
- Each sleeve zips to close around the wrist and are finished with that same pretty little ruffle detail.
- The front bodice is phenomenal. It has an inner boned corset piece that starts near the top of the shoulders and then comes down in on angle to the waist. This helps to flatten out the front and push the breasts up. It is a nod to a historical front corset and is very flattering once on the body.
- It skims over the bust and waist around this front corset piece and is brought in slightly to add shape around the waist area. From there it curves back out over the hips and falls to the floor.
- The bottom flares out quite a bit so you have some movement around you when you move. You can see that on the runway video. The back is cut longer than the front so you get a pretty sweeping feel behind you.
- This is a gorgeous example of Peter's time at the label.
- The dress is fully lined in a black stretch silk layer. The back of the corset part is lined in a black cotton mix. It closes with a back hidden set zipper and has hidden set zippers at each wrist. The jersey has some stretch and I have put the comfortable range of measurements below. Its easy fit and stretch should allow it to fit a range of sizes. It is in its original uncut length. It appears to have been worn very little, if at all.
- Tagged a more modern Pucci IT40, FR36, US6, UK8
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 26.5" and they are 9-11" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15-16" and are meant to sit a little wider across the shoulder
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 64.5" from top of shoulder to hem and the back extends 11" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5432
Reference Photo/Video: (1-4) Fall 2011 Emilio Pucci, Look 3. Model Daphne Groeneveld. / (5) Toni Garrn at the amfAR Gala in Milan, 2011.
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.
paco rabanne
Ultra Rare 1990s Paco Rabanne Haute Couture Metallic Silver & Coral Dress w Chainlink Top & Headpiece
I Have a Question
- This is a very rare Paco Rabanne Haute Couture set from the 1990s, maybe 2000s.
- It was made under the creative direction of the original Paco Rabanne.
- This is a very rare collector piece and is almost certainly the only one in existence. It most likely was a runway piece but it is very challenging to find runway documentation for his Couture shows from this time period. If we do come across it at some point, we will certainly send it to its new owner.
- The set is made up of three separate pieces and you can wear them individually or together.
- The inner dress is strapless and widens out substantially around the body as it falls, outward and down to the hem. The back is cut longer than the front so you get a fantastic swoop of fabric behind you as you walk.
- Inside, there is a built-in inner bodice to hold the dress in place. This is the only thing holding the dress in place since the fabric that lays over the inner bodice is cut to be extremely open and full as it falls down to the hem.
- The inner fabric of this piece is foiled silver fabric that has an black woven net with an orange woven applique set into the netting so that it that forms an organic pattern. This unique and innovative fabric is used for the entire dress part of the set. The fabric innovation that he was doing for his Couture shows really highlights how far he was pushing the envelope and how purely experimental his creations were.
- Slipping over the dress is a one of his signature chain-link pieces. It has a part cape / part top feel to it. It combines plastic silver links that have a rhinestone in each of their centres, with round circle loops that are hooked together, plus little orange plastic and gold pieces. All the pieces are hand linked together in a nod to his traditional metal chain link. The top drapes down over the bodice with an upwards curve at the front. At the back, it extends far longer to well past the small of the back, ending in a point that perfectly picks up on the shape of the back skirt.
- Each sleeve of the piece has been made to be very full and wide. They flare outwards at their ends and have an edging made out of with strands of the same pieces as the body of the top with an added little oval shape at their ends.
- The original hooded head piece complete the set. It is extremely rare to have the headpieces included. These were almost always made for the runway show only and is the biggest clue that this was most likely the actual sample piece. The little handwritten tag that says 49 that is attached under the label was probably the order number in the show, giving us the second clue.
- This incredible little headpiece simply slips over the head and is long enough that it covers the neck. All of the edges are finished with the same dangling embellishments you see edges of the on the top. An opening at the front allows your face to peak out but you are otherwise covered over your entire head. The beads are then all gathered into a 'knot" at the top. Once in place it gives the illusion that the headpiece and cap piece are all a singular piece of chain-link over you. It is incredible.
- The dress is completely made by hand and I believe that this is the original sample runway sample dress. Under the tag is a handmade tag that says 49 and I believe that is the Look number that would've been shown on the runway. The edges are all handed basted and this adds to the feel that this is the original sample because that is often how you see runway samples finished from this era.
-
The dress has a built-in inner corset and this is what holds the dress in place around you. This inner bodice is lightly boned and has built in cups and meant to be fitted. Because of the excessive drape of the exterior dress you would be able to add and increase the size of the inner corset and you would never see any changes on exterior nor would it have any effect. That inner piece zips to close at the back and there is an attached waist stay that hooks to close. The dress closes with a series of snaps over that. There are dappled markings on a silver interior that show through to and under the netting. I believe this is all intentional as it is evenly distributed over the fabric on the silver parts of the fabric. There are some small pulls and stressing to the netting here and there.
- There is no size tag present because it is Haute Couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Inner bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 11.5-12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 54" from top of bodice to the front hem and the back extends another 8" past that, with 1" turned under the entire hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML based on the interior corset only. The rest of the pieces are more accommodating to a greater range of sizes. Please read the notes above.
Item# DD5394
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.
simone rocha
Spring 2017 Simone Rocha Runway Look 6 Transparent Raincoat w Embroidered Tulle Backing
I Have a Question
- The twin of this coat walked the runway for Look 6 on the Spring 2017 Simone Rocha runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of Simone Rocha.
- Vogue said of the collection "when it comes down to it, Rocha's work always consists of a limited set of templates: trenchcoats, loosely fitted, lacy, semi sheer dresses, frills and florals, clear plastic heed shoes, and bags. This time, she used her utilitarian theme to bring in wrapping and tying, often leaving one shoulder of raincoat and jackets hanging off, and adding soft Crossbody sling bags on top."
- This is one of the pieces where she left one sleeve hanging off the model. It was shown on the runway layered over a dress.
- The fabric of this is fascinating. It is made out of a clear plastic raincoat fabric that has an ivory net backing. To hold the two fabrics together it is rolled and stitched at the edges but it also has a floral pattern embroidered through both layers. The final effect is this whimsical embroidered raincoat fantasy piece.
- The cut is pure Simone in feel with all of the exaggerated volume and pomp that you expect from her work.
- The collar around the neck is rounded and the as it runs down the length of the front it can be flipped back on itself with buttonholes placed down the front so that you can secure it in place. I have kept it buttoned for all of these photos but you could also undo them and wear it unbuttoned. They can also act double duty as different ways to close and style the jacket.
- The body is loose and easy with slash huge pockets built in around the hip. From there it expands outwards to become extremely full and open.
- It can be worn with all of that volume on full display, or you can use its matching belt to cinch in the waist and add extra extraordinary shape so that you have volume above and below.
- The sleeves are phenomenal. They are more like a mini cape than a sleeve. They come out from where they are set into the body of the coat and are completely open underneath. The hem of each sleeve is gathered in so that you get a very full poof above. I love that each sleeve has ties attached. Those ties are used to wrap around the arm and tie in place to create further shape.
- The entire jacket has a feeling of transformation because of the belt and ties at the arm and the way the buttons run down the front. You really have several options in the way that you can wear it.
- This would also make a phenomenal piece, not just for the collector, but as a piece for a bride looking for a unique cover-up.
- The coat is unlined and has a some transparency. It buttons down the front if you wish and the belt can be buckled or tied into place. The plastic has retained a touch of the dry cleaning solvent smell. It is not overwhelming, but I do want to mention it for accuracy. Because of the textile it would be impossible to not have this happen. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present but its open and generous cut should fit most frames. It will just feel more oversized on a smaller frame.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 25" and they are full and open through the upper arm
Shoulders: no true seam. They are meant to slightly drop on a smaller frame and can accommodate a larger one.
Bust: to 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Total length: 50" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD5391
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Spring 2017 Simone Rocha, Look 6. / (4) From the New York Times Fashion Week Photo Diary.
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
Spectacular Spring 2020 Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli Neon Orange Tent Dress w Outstanding Capped Sleeves
I Have a Question
- The dress is from the Spring 2020 collection and its twin walk the runway for 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 almost neon feeling orange 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 all cut and by taking into account all of the weight and fall of the fabric below. It is quite ingenious.
- Circling all the way around the arms from the top of the shoulder to the seam under the bust are the 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 volume and airy feel. I love that we have so many photos of this dress on so many different people so you can see how spectacular it all sits. They attach in just under the arm and after curving up and around the shoulder they attach down the back. It is almost like a stylized angel wing in the best possible sense of that idea.
- 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 fit a range of sizes. If you are smaller the waist is just going to drape down and off the lower back a touch.
- The cut and expanse of the skirt keeps everything in place so even though it has a plunge at the front and back it still feels safe to wear. I love the bare expanse of skin that shows at the back.
- The skirt is spectacular. It falls from underneath the seam of the bust in four tiers. Each tier gets progressively wider as it near 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 in the most spectacular way. 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 present
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-LRG
Item# DD5388
Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Spring 2020 Valentino, Look 76. / (5-6) Kathryn Newton at the SAG Awards, January 2020. / (7) Joan Smalls for Harper's Bazaar Spain, February 2020. / (8) Demi Lovato for Harper's Bazaar May 2020. Photo by Alexi Lubomirski. / (9) Naomi Campbell in British Vogue, March 2020. Photographed by Juergen Teller. / (10) Heidi Klum for Variety, March 2020. Photographed by Cliff Watts. / (11) Vogue US, March 2020. / (12-13) Marie Claire Italia, April 2020. Photographed by David Roemer. / (14) Binx Walton for WSJ Magazine, March 2020. Photographed by Gregory Harris. / (15) Priyanka Chopra in Tatler, May 2020. / (16) Sandra Oh for Elle Canada, June 2020. / (17-18) Phoebe Robison in Marie Claire, June 2020. Photographed by Tyler Joe. / (19) Maria Debicka by Jakub Plesniarski for Vogue Poland May 2020. / (20) Mojeh Magazine, April 2020. Photographed by Greg Adamski.
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
Outstanding Spring 2009 Nina Ricci by Olivier Theyskens Runway Look 12 Floral Printed Silk Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2009 Nina Ricci
- It was made the creative direction of Olivier Theyskens.
- In Vogue's review of the collection they said "Olivier Theyskens' collection for Nina Ricci was like watching the performance of a long piece of self-referential romantic poetry. It's a world of his own, and to fully appreciate it, you need to know what's gone before in his work: his love of Edwardiana and tailcoats; the fluttery, flyaway cutting; the delicate prints and the dusty, organic woodland-floor palettes he likes. Essentially, it was a single silhouette, with a high collar, leg-of-mutton sleeves, and skirts cut away to show long lengths of leg, clad in sheer black tights, walking on high-heeled pump"
- Theyskens said he was "inspired by dance and dresses that each evolved their own shape, short in the front and long in the back."
- Pieces from his time at the Nina Ricci label are an important piece of Theyskens history.
- The dress is made out if a hand dyed silk with a print that suggest flowers in soft pastels. It has a touch of a watercolour painting in feel.
- Under the top layer is a second pale pink tissue silk layer that is cut to follow the lines of the dress and it peeks out from behind the edges of the entire piece.
- The bodice is very feminine in feel. The pink tissue silk under layer is cut to give a touch of a ruffle feel all the way around the straps that curved up and over the shoulders.
- At the back there is a rounded soft scoop that leaves your entire back bare and exposed. The pink silk underlayer peaks out to create a touch of ruffle all around that scoop.
- Vertical seaming creates shape through the waist and then the dress curves back out and over the hips.
- The skirt is extraordinary. Depending on your height, it will sit just from mid thigh to above the knee. From there it is set so it has a slight ruffled feel all the way down the sides to the floor and then the back sweeps out behind you.
- The silk used is extremely light in weight so this moves fantastically. I love that we have reference runway stills and video for you to be able to see how beautifully it moves.
- This is an extraordinary example of his work during this time period.
-
The dress is fully lined in a pale pink tissue silk as described above and closes with a hidden set back zipper. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little.
- Tagged a Nina Ricci 36
- Excellent condition
Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 32" from top of shoulder to front hem, 85" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5379
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Spring 2009 Nina Ricci, Look 12. Model Taryn Davidson. / (4-5) From the book "She walks in beauty" by Rizzoli Electa.
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
Fantastic 1990s Gianni Versace Metallic Silver Stretch Jersey Dress w Front Plunge & Long Tie
I Have a Question
- The dress dates to the late 1990s-early 2000s time period of the Versace label.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gianni Versace.
- The dress is made out of of a fabulous metallic silver stretch lame that makes it incredibly easy to wear and fit.
- On the bodice wide panels curve up and over the shoulders. The shoulders are cut wide and sloped so that they sit slightly off the shoulder. There is a bit of padding underneath to hold the shape correctly on your shoulder.
- The front plunges all the way down to the waist. I love how the way the bodice is constructed. It looks like it has all been flung over your shoulders and ties into place at the waist. It looks effortless but this is actually all achieved by the way it is seamed and set.
- Where it meets at the front there is attached tie that loops over itself to create the suggestion of a knot and then that falls all the way down the front.
- The skirt curves out over the hips and the entire upper portion of the skirt at the front has been gathered into the centre seam. From the hem up to the base of all of the gathers is a high slit that allows a flash of leg when you walk or move.
- The silver catches the light from every angle to give it a liquid affect over the body and the stretch of the fabric makes it very comfortable, easy to wear and fit.
- The dress is unlined and slips on with an elastic waist. There is light padding in each shoulder. The stretch should allow it to fit ranger sizes. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Versace 40
- Excellent condition
Bust: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 54" from top of shoulder to hem
Slit: 20" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5369
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.
giorgio armani
Easy-to-Wear Spring 2020 Emporio Armani Runway Look 59 Grey Silk Organza Silver Sequin Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2020 Emporio Armani collection for the Look 59.
- It was made under the creative direction of Giorgio Armani.
- The collection was entitled "Air" and the pieces were soft. The show opened under a projection of a lightly clouded sky, and when the evening pieces walked the runway, it changed to a star filled moonscape. Appropriate given the silvers and greys of the final grouping of dresses. The sequins and paillettes on the dress catch the light beautifully and you can see that in the reference video.
- This was shown as a strapless piece on the runway. The straps that it was sent to the shops with are set inside the upper edge of the bodice so that they could easily be tucked in if you preferred it that way.
- The dress is made out of a textured silk organza that is beautifully light in weight but still has enough structure to hold the shape that you see.
- Onto the silk are little oval paillettes done in different shades of silver and pewter. Each is suspended from the dress by a little hole at their tops and as they progress down the dress they have a little beaded bit so that they hang off of the dress more. At the top of the dress they are so heavily overlapped that they almost stand up and off of the dress and then as they reach the hem they scatter out.
- A grey piping finishes the neckline and that is also what the straps are made out of. From there it skims over the bust and widens out around the waist for a easy to fit feel. It continues to widen out over the hips all the way to the hem.
- These were produced on a very limited basis and that is noted on the tag. It was priced at just over 6K at retail.
- The dress is fully lined in matching grey silky feeling fabric and it closes with a hidden set back zipper. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
- Tagged a vintage Armani 38
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 55.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5360
Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2020 Emporio Armani, Look 59.
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
Gorgeous Fall 2003 John Galliano Dusky Purple Bias Cut Silk & Silk Chiffon Dress w Draped Panels
I Have a Question
- This dress is from John Galliano's own label and is an incredible example of his work from this time period.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano
- This is a production piece that was not shown on the runway but would have been made in limited quantities for the shops.
- 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 to create a beautiful curving 'sleeve' effect over the arm.
- 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.
- The dress is lined in a crepe silk but you could choose to remove that lining and have that side be completely bare so that your skin showed through if you wished. I have seen this dress in another colour where someone did that and it looked great. It is an incredible feat of patterning.
- The photos cannot fully convey how a bias cut dress moves. It will only truly come to life when worn.
- 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 bit of shininess here and there from pressing near seams. All minor and mentioned for accuracy.
- Tagged a FR42, GB14, US8. The bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes with it just draping more in a smaller frame
- 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# DD5318
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.
roberto cavalli
Gorgeous Spring 2005 Roberto Cavalli Black & Gold Feather Print Bias Cut Silk Dress w Open Criss Cross Back
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2005 Cavalli collection
- It was made under the creative direction of Roberto Cavalli
- For that season Cavalli based everything shown on the 'Fashion Traveller' Theme and Vogue proclaimed that to mean "an eclectic throwing-together of hippie-ish trailing print skirts, ruffled cavalier shirts (worn belted at the hip as tantalizing dresses), and nineteenth century Sgt. Pepper-ish frogged military jackets."
- The dress is made of a black bias cut silk that is covered with a gold tone print. The print depicts golden feathers that curve heavily down and over the bodice and then gradually just become the gold parts that trail down and over the skirt.
- The feather print is very detailed and quite beautiful. I love how the pattern is set to accentuate the curves of the body underneath the dress and build on the cut of the dress itself.
- The dress is suspended from two tiny straps in the same silk that curved up and over the shoulders. At the back they cross over each other. The entire upper back is left bare and exposed behind the crossing of the straps and the front comes down in a wide V.
- The dress curves in at the waist with long curving vertical seams and then curves back out over the hips. Everything is cut on the bias and there are no horizontal seems to break the print or lines of the dress.
- The lower skirt flares out with quite a bit of fabric used for its construction. There are extra triangular panels built-in around the sides and back. These are what give the fullness to the lower skirt that you see and create its sweep. The back skirt is cut a little longer than the front so that you have a beautiful bit of fabric behind you as you move. The extra fabric also gives you wonderful movement as you walk.
- The dress is unlined and closes with a hidden set back zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a modern Cavalli 38
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to the shortest part of the front hem, 71" to the longest part on the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5289
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.
roberto cavalli
Outstanding Spring 2006 Roberto Cavalli Black Silky Jersey Corset Bodice Dress w Gold Hardware Detailing
I Have a Question
- This is the all black version of the Spring 2006 pink floral dress from the same collection that we currently have in the shop.
- It was made under the creative direction of Roberto Cavalli
- The twin of the pink version of this dress was worn by Noemie Lenoir in 2006 and we have included those reference photos in this listing because even though it is a different colour it still shows you just how phenomenal this is once on the body.
- The dress is made from a black silk feeling jersey that is draped over an inner black body suit that gives you the perfect amount of inner structure and holds the dress perfectly in place.
- That inner corset is lightly boned through the front and the bust area is shaped with inner padding and wire. The jersey on the exterior is draped into place over that and gathered over towards one side. At the base of where it gathers there is a decorative panel that has a tie running through it and little gold metal loops. You could use the ties to wrap around the waist or just let it hang down over the hip as I have done for these photos.
- A single layer of the jersey drapes down from there to form the skirt. The skirt is incredible. It falls to extend down long and dramatically on one side so you get a sweeping feel around you as you move. On the other side there is an inset triangle made out of a black chiffon that gives you the very slightest bit of transparency on that side.
- If you loved the dress in the flower print but are not a flower kind of girl. This is the version for you.
- The inner black bodysuit is shaped and made of a stretched lingerie netting to give you support and shape. It zippers to close at its side and then hooks to close at the bottom. The dress closes over that at the side with a hidden set zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner Hips: to 20" 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 the shortest part of the hem at one side and the back extends another 17" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5288
Reference Photos: Noemie Lenoir attends the 'Quand J'Etais Chanteur' premiere during the Cannes Film Festival, 2006.
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.
Rodarte
Prettiest Spring 2021 Rodarte Runway Look 20 Bias Cut Silk Pink Print Flower & Hearts Dress w Removable Flower
I Have a Question
- The twin of the dress was presented as Look 20 in the Spring 2021 Rodarte collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Kate and Laura Mulleavy.
- “Everything we do is about fantasy and dreams, but we are located in a moment, and we are a part of what is happening now,” said Kate. A fanciful gown, both designers agree, has little place in today’s world, so instead they channeled their efforts into clothing they would want to wear now “without distilling the ideas".... Vogue continued their review by noting that the floral story continues in the 1940s dresses they played with last season, now relaxed in shape with prints that radiate from the navel or appear in handkerchief-like grids.
- Its twin was worn by Anya Taylor Joy to the Venice Film Festival that year and Liz Gillies also wore one while in character for Dynasty.
- The dress is absolutely exquisite and really showcases the charm that the Rodarte collections have and why people love collecting them.
- With its pretty combination of white, pink and red this might also make a fantastic dress for a bride for one of her events around her ceremony.
- The dress is made out of the perfect white and pink bias cut silk that is a beautifully light in weight. It is very soft and supple and the bias cut lets it glide over your curves once it is on.
- Onto the white and pink base is a gorgeous print that features tiny pink flowers ad black bows nestled among green leaves and dots. These are set in large medallions that cover the entire dress.
- Tiny black silk straps curve up and over the shoulders. The front dips into a shallow V and the back also dips into a V that is set lower for a bare expanse of skin to show above.
- The bias cut lets the dress skim over your bust, waist and hips to fall to the floor. It flares out prettily at the hem and this give it beautiful movement when you walk.
- A little silk flower in a pretty pink sits at the base of the V of the front. The flower is detachable so you can move it to where it sits on you best.
- The dress is unlined and slips on to wear with no closures. The flower pins into place and is also labelled at the back. The dress is in its original uncut length. I see a tiny bit of grubbiness near the hem in a tiny hole near the seam at the back of the hem. It doesn't look like the dress was ever worn otherwise so this is probably from improper storage. Please see the photo after the label shot. The bias cut allows for some give so I have put the comfortable range while lying flat below. The length may come up a bit because of the bias cut once it is on the body.
- Tagged a modern Rodarte
- Excellent condition
Bust: 14-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 66" from top of the shoulder strap to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5276
Reference Photos: (1) Spring 2021 Rodarte, Look 24. / (2-4) Anya Taylor Joy at the Venice Film Festival, September 2021. / (5) Elizabeth Gillies in the show Dynasty, 2021. / (6) Model in Rodarte photographed by Kourtney Kyung Smith.
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
Flapper Inspired 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Easy Fit Brilliant Pink Silk Dress w Black Floral Lace Sleeves
I Have a Question
- The dress dates to the late 1980s and is mostsimilar to the pieces we see in the 1987 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- Yves could really push the envelope with some of his designs and this particular dress is a nod back to some of the work that he was doing in earlier decades but in that best of the 1980s kind of way. Its easy cut and open shape through the body is a strong nod to the pieces from the 1920s.
- The dress combines a brilliant pink silk with black floral patterned lace for the sleeves.
- The neckline is cut slightly wide across and the shoulders are soft. The neckline is bordered with a panel of the same silk and the fabric is gathered in along the edge on the front and the back. A buttons with two buttons at the back of the neck and this sits above a small keyhole slit.
- The sleeves are spectacular. They are made out of a very pretty floral black lace. The lace is unlined so you can see a peak of skin between the lace once the dress is on. I love that for the cuffs he used the same pink silk used in the body of the dress for a little contrasting pop.
- It skims loosely over the bust and waist and eventually joins a low set seam around the hip. If you wanted to wear the dress shorter, you could add a belt for a completely different silhouette. The very bottom part of the skirt is a little soft and flirty ruffle that is just under 9" wide and made out of the same pink silk.
- The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear. It closes with two buttons at the back of the neck. Each sleeve has a loop and button to close. Its loose and easy fit should allow it to work on a range of sizes. The pink is slightly lighter than how it photoed here. These are meant to fit slightly oversized.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition.
Sleeves: approx 25.5" and they are full and open around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-seam at hip: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 36" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5260
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.
celine
Iconic Spring 2017 Celine by Pheobe Philo Pale Red-Pink & Ivory Knit Sweater Dress w Exaggerated Ribbing
I Have a Question
- This is a dress from the Spring 2017 collection. It was not a piece shown on the runway but it was shown in the Lookbook for that season and has since become another of her iconic pieces.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pheobe Philo
- As with many of her pieces, this dress and the longer variation of it that were released, were loved by her loyal clients. We have included some photos for reference for you so you can see how this looks on the body.
- The knit has stretch so it is very easy-to-wear dress. This one is the slightly shorter length that has the added patchwork insets of extra colour at the sides. The longer length was a more monotone with the ivory hem. You can see the difference in the reference photos.
- The neck line is cut wider across the top and there is a slight seam that runs underneath the neckline where the striping has been offset for a little added detail. The sleeves are long and are slit at their wrist. There is a gusset set underneath each arm with the stripes set differently there as well.
- From there the dress skims over you to the hem. The stretch and ribbing allow it to expand and contract as needed as it follows the body. She has used seams to cleverly break up the stripes and change the direction of the ribbing. On one side there is an inset of a more densely woven knit that runs all the way to the hem for a block of extra colour.
- The front bottom portion of the hem and around partway to the back is finished with an ivory knit.
- The colours of the net are a pinky-red and an ivory. The way it has been knit creates a beautiful texture and colour over the entire dress.
- The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear with no closures. It has its original tag attached and was never worn. The easy cut and stretch of the knit should allow it to fit a range of sizes.
- Tagged a Celine large
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 26.5" from the drop show and are 8-12" around the upper arm
Dropped shoulders: approx 16"
Bust: 15-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 52" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD5253
Reference Photo: (1) Spring 2017 Celine Look Book. / (2-3) Irina Lakicevic at SS18 Paris Fashion Week, October 2017. / (4) Credit unknown.
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.
todd oldham
Incredible & Rare Fall 1995 Todd Oldham Runway Black Silk Creoe Dress w Large Crystal Detailing
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1995 show.
- It was made under the creative direction of Todd Oldham.
- In an interview with Fashion TV Oldham said that the Fall 1995 show "was the biggest collection he had ever done, it was more well rounded, and that he thought he liked it better than any collection he had ever done... It is rich without being alienating"
- Todd Oldham showed his first collection in 1981 and officially launched his label in 1989. In 1991 he won the Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent. By 1995 he was the darling of the media. His shows were extravagant and all of the reigning supermodels of the day walked his runways.
- Nothing from his label was being produced in great quantities and the more extravagant dresses like this one are extremely rare and hard to find because they were made in such limited quantities.
- The dress is made out of a black silk crepe that has a very slight ribbed texture to it. It has a sleek and simple feel to it that perfectly reflects the 1990s. At the same time it has a very elaborate crystal rhinestone detailing done for the straps that elevates the dress perfectly
- The upper bodice has attached silver metal linked chains that are flexible and have a series of hand set crystal rhinestones set side-by-side along the lengths of the chain and are held in place by prongs set on a mesh ribbon backdrop.
- The front sweeps up to the neck to a centre peak and the attached rhinestone chains wraps around the neck and then runs down the sides of the back to attach to back of the dress. The first chain is set along the top edge of the dress and runs closer to the neck before curving down the back. The second series of chains are set below that and follow the same line just a few inches apart. I love the crisscross shape that this creates at the front. You can see on the runway pictures how this sits on the body. It is interesting to know that there are no claps or closures. You have to put the dress on and then slip your arms through so that they sit on top of your shoulders.
- The chains are made out of big chunky glass crystal rhinestones that are very high quality. The pattern on each chain combines a large marquise shaped stone set between two stacked round rhinestones on either side. They are gorgeous.
- The dress skims over the bust and curves in at the waist. At the back the upper back is left bare and exposed.
- It curves back out over the hips and then the skirt falls to the floor and gently widens out to the hem. The bottom of the skirt flares out a touch and this gives it some extra fullness and movement as you walk
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes with a back zipper. There are little soft half cup sewn into the front bust area. Some of the ribbon backing of the chains has come loose where the glue has given out. It appears to sit properly once on regardless, but if you want my seamstress to look at this before sending let me know when you place your order. Please see the photo after the label shot. Hand work throughout.
- Tagged a vintage Oldham medium
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 61" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5226
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 1995 Todd Oldham Runway.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
yves saint laurent
Exceptional & Important Spring 1980 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Red & White Print Silk Organza Dress
I Have a Question
- Several versions of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 1980 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. Once these went to the shops many were produced with the front skirt made a little longer. Variations were photoed for editorials and pieces were included in the labels 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 gives the prettiest flounce all the way around you.
- Under that the bodice skims down to a low dropped waist that is cut more generously through the middle. The dress comes with its matching silk tie belt that you can cinch in the waist as much as needed. The belt is tacked lightly in place and knotted at the moment but it could easily be untacked and used as a proper belt to tie all the way around you.
- The skirt is set into a slightly angled seam around the waist that comes up slightly at one side. Tiny gathered pleats are set in all along the seam and that is what gives the skirt its 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 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.
- It is exceptionally rare to find this dress in this runway print.
- The bodice of the dress is lined in a silk chiffon. At some point someone added a second layer of silk chiffon that skims over the inner body to just past the inner hip to make it more opaque. I have left it as is because it does make the dress easier to wear but it could be removed very easily. It closes with a side set zipper and the tie belt is original to the dress.
- There is no size tag present so 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# DD5223
Reference Photos: Spring 1980 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. / Last Photo: Marina Schiano photographed by Chris Von Wangenheim for Interview Magazine Vol X N. 5
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
Incredible 1977 Halston Couture Heavy Weighted Ivory Silk Charmeuse Spiral Paneled Dress
I Have a Question
- The dress is from 1977 and was most likely a made to order custom or bridal piece.
- It was made under the creative direction of Roy Halston
- When researching we found the examples shared here that are almost identical to this dress but without the extra added panels that create the spiralling ruffles.
- This is a beautiful ivory dress that showcases the minimal seaming that Halston was so famous for.
- The dress is made of a heavier weighted silk charmeuse that is cut like the reference photos show through the body but with added panels and seams that go around and cascade down the lower skirting.
- It is completely cut on the bias so it drapes phenomenally over the body. You simply slip it over your head and it drapes over you to accommodate the body underneath. This makes it easy to fit and very easy to wear.
- The sleeves are long and extend out directly from the body of the dress with no seaming around the arm. Each narrows to its cuff where there is a handmade silk covered button and loop.
- The neckline is cut wide across the neckline and has a subtle draping at the centre of the neck at both the front and back of the dress. It is a very pretty detail.
- It glides over the body skimming over the bust, waist and hips to the floor. The vertical ruffles are set on an angle so that they cascade down to the hem. When you move these swirl around the lower part of the dress and create gorgeous movement around you.
- Working with this fabric is incredibly difficult and it is a testament to his skill to create such a seemingly simple but complex pattern.
- The dress is fully lined in a second layer of the same fabric which adds to the technically difficultly of the pattern and rich feel of the silk. It has no closures and slips on to wear. Each cuff has a silk covered button and loop to close.
- There is no size tag and the bias cut will allow it to have it some give. Please go by the range of measurements listed below. The colour is slightly more ivory in person. I see some minor marks and scuffing here and there on the silk of the bottom ruffles. I shot one so that you can see. It is very minor but mentioned for accuracy. The length may come up once on because of the bias cut.
- Excellent condition.
Sleeves: approx 23.5" and are 16" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 62" from top of shoulder to hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5201
Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1977 Halston. / (2) Fall 1977 Halston. / (3) From the book "Halston: An American Original"
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
rochas
Prettiest 2000s Rochas by Olivier Theyskens Blue Silk Floral Watercolour Dress w Ruffles & Velvet Trim
I Have a Question
- I purchased this many years ago and was told this was a dress made under the creative direction of Olivier Theyskens.
- Theyskens debuted at Rochas in 2003 at the age of 25 and stayed at the brand until Spring 2015.
- The dress has a beautiful Victorian feel to it and the fabric is gorgeous. It is very light in weight and feels like a fine silk organza mix. Onto it is a stunning washed watercolour feeling floral print that covers the entire dress. It is very pretty.
- A pretty ruffle circles the collar and ruffles continue down the front on either side of the buttons. The bodice is detailed with stripes of black flat pile cotton velvet and the buttons are covered in that same fabric. The seams are exposed and deliberately top stitched with a embroidered feeling thread. The sleeves are long and each ends in a wide cuff that has a little bit of velvet detail.
- It skims over the bust and waist and is cut to be more full and easy through the body. The bodice extends down past the waist to a seam that sits on the top of the hip. The skirt is attached above the seam with an exposed serging all the way around you.
- The skirt falls from there to the floor and it is wonderfully full. It is gathered in around the seam at the hip and then opens out as it near the hem. The lower portion of the skirt is covered in the same detailing that we see on the bodice, combining the velvet ribbon, exposed seams and ruffles, but on the skirt it is flipped horizontally to wrap around you. Underneath the skirt is lined in a black woven netting that helps to hold the shape.
- It is beautifully detailed and the design is properly and carefully thought out and executed. Its loose easy cut through the body make it an easy to fit dress. I think you could even belt this to create a completely different feel to the dress and add more shape.
- They bodice is unlined and has a touch of transparency to it. The skirt is lined in black netting as described above. It closes at the front with the black velvet buttons. Each cuff closes with a series of five hidden hook and eye. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 26.5" and are 11" around the upper arm
Inset shoulders: 12"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural hips: open
Bodice: 19" from top and shoulder to waist
Total length: 61" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5189
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.
I Have a Question
Bust: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 60" from neck to hem with the length adjustable by how tight or loose you tie it behind the neck
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5157
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
Amazing Spring 2002 John Galliano Black Bias Cut Logo Dress w Sweeping Back
I Have a Question
- This is a signature bias cut dress from the Spring 2002 collection by John Galliano
- Made under the creative direction of John Galliano
- There are no closures on the dress. It is completely cut bias and you just slip it over the head to wear and it just falls into place skimming over the body from head to toe.
- The cut of the dress has a strong nod to Couture pieces of the 1930s and 1940s decades that he continuously referenced in his collections.
- The fabric has a silk like finish and is a deep black. Various Galliano logos have been woven directly into the fabric in a different finish thread so as you move these catch the light. The effect is fantastic once it is on the body.
- The fabric obviously would have been custom designed by Galliano and made specifically for this dress
- It scoops down into a V at the front and the back with a band highlighting the entire neckline. It skims over the waist and hips from there and flares out at the lower hem.
- The back is cut longer than the front so you get this fantastic sweeping feel behind you. It is in its original uncut length.
- A high slit runs up one side for a flash of leg when you walk.
- Unlined and slips on to wear with no closures.
- The measurements have a lot of range because of the bias cut and no closure so I have given the comfortable range for all below when laying out flat. There is probably a little extra room beyond my measurements, but I do not like to over pull when measuring.
- Tagged a FR42, GB14, US8
- Excellent condition and it appears to have been worn very little if at all.
Bust: 16–19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14–17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18–21 " flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to front hem and then it extends another 8" past that at the back
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5080
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.
I Have a Question
- A shorter version walked the runway for Spring 2012 for Look 47
- Under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld
- The body of the dress is a pale pink knit whose design is set in little individual scallops that slightly overlap the one underneath. It is very intricate and beautiful
- The neckline is scooped and there are flowers made out of stiffened silk organza mixed with an iridescent fabric that also is stiffened. These are curled inward to form petals. There is a cluster of five flowers around the neck and then ten run down the centre of the front. More circle around the entire hem. The iridescent petals catch the light and add a beautiful dimension to the dress.
- The sleeves are made out of a ivory silk chiffon and each closes with a little domed Chanel button with the double C logo in gold. A third button sits at the back of the neck. Despite having the Chanel button I think that these sleeves may have been added at a later date or upon request of the client. It would explain why they still have the Chanel buttons but they don't look like they were integral to the dress by the way they are set into the arm. I have left it as found but if you did not like them they could easily be removed.
- The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear. It buttons to close at the back of the neck and on each cuff.
- Tagged a Chanel 36
- The button at the back of the neck has lost its little gold double C logo. I see a tiny little break in the silk at the top of one shoulder. It otherwise is an excellent condition.
Sleeves: 23" and are 13" around the upper arm
Bust: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 36" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5044
Reference Photo/Video: Spring 2012 Chanel, Look 47. Model Anna Selezneva.
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.
ralph lauren
Spring 2015 Ralph Lauren Purple Label Beaded Silk Net Dress w Low Open Back
I Have a Question
This beautiful dress was Look 49 on the Spring 2015 runway for Ralph Lauren. At the time it was released there was a editorial that noted that the bead work alone on this dress took over 900 hours. Princess Charlene of Monaco wore one in 2016 and Sarah Jessica Parker wore one in 2023. I ove that this gives you a fantastic idea of how this looks like on the body. The Purple Label from Ralph Lauren are the high-end demi-couture pieces the label creates. Ralph Lauren launched it in 1994 and the label was meant to be the pinnacle line for the brand. The dress is beautifully made.
The dress is made from multiple layers of silk tulle over an inner silk. The colour is a earthy deep golden colour. Onto the top netted layer is the extensive and elaborate bead and prong set glass crystals that are mentioned above that took over 900 hours to apply by hand. The design completely covers the bodice and sleeves and then runs down on panels on the skirt. The front neckline is scooped across and rhinestones have been prong set in an elaborate and dense design just under the neck line. These taper down and change to these to very fine beaded curving lines that run down to the waist seam. The sleeves are long and they are also entirely covered with more delicately done bead work. At the back you have an open V that plunges down the back and exposes a bare expanse of skin. The skirt is magnificent. It has multiple layers of the tulle with individual panels attached around the skirt. These panels have the same elaborate hand beading as the sleeves. The entire skirt is made from multiple layers of panels set vertically and separated from each other from the hem to about 23" up, so when you sit or walk a certain way you get a bit of flash of leg from underneath. This gives you incredible volume as well. I loved the dropped waist and you can see that the dress can be worn with a belt as they showed it on the runway, or without for a more 1930s feel. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a matching coloured silk and closes with a low set hidden back zipper. Each sleeve buttons to close at the wrist. The skirts are made of multiple layers of tulle with an inner silk panel. Tagged a modern RL 4
Sleeves: 24.5" and are 10" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 19" from top of shoulder to the seam at the top of the hips
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to longest points of hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5018
Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Spring 2015 Ralph Lauren, Look 49. Model Bruna Tenorio. / (5-6) Princess Charlene at the reception for Television Festival, Jun 2016. / (7-8) Sarah Jessica Parker at the New York premiere of And Just Like That Season 2, June 2023.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
I Have a Question
In 1952, Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris and quickly rose to fame as one of the grand couturiers. 16 years later for the 1968-69 season, he added a ready-to-wear line of clothing and accessories called 'Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique'. The line was initially sold in the United States exclusively through Bergdorf Goodman stores and was eventually available at other retailers as well. The line was high end and extremely well made. He launched this line to expand his customer base and it made to appeal specifically to his non-couture clients. This label continued until 1992. This dress is a gorgeous example from the time period. I love it.
The dress is a fantastical confection of dotted silk organza tiers that run from the top of the dress to the hem. The bodice is suspended from the shoulder with straps made of the same silk. Each strap curves over the shoulder and then the first ruffle of silk starts from around the top edge of the top. The neckline is cut fairly straight across on both the front and back. The ruffles continue down the entire length of the dress and each one gets wider than the one above it. There are eight ruffles in total and it is just spectacular. The movement that the ruffles create as you move is fantastic. The dress underneath is made from the same dotted fabric and it also follows that widening line of the dress all the way to the hem. The skirt falls to the floor in a dramatic sweep that widens out as it near the floor. This cut is incredibly easy to wear and flattering. I love how the silk ruffles move around you beautifully with the slightest movement. There is a little silk flower attached at the base of one strap that gives the dress a little extra pop of colour for the perfect finishing touch. Tons of hand finishing throughout. It is truly magical. Excellent condition with a minor note below.
Fully lined in a red silk and closes with a back set zipper and then each tier has tiny snaps to close each of the ruffles over the zipper to hide it. Tagged a vintage Givenchy 8. I see one tiny hole near the hem of one ruffle near the bottom. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all. Hand finishes throughout.
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner seam under the bust: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 58" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4935
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 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture 'Indian Collection' Ivory & Black Tunic/Dress
I Have a Question
The Spring 1982 collection marked the 20th anniversary of Yves' Couture house. In the book Yves Saint Laurent: Catwalk they note that the historical importance of his collection made him feel very anxious. He was quoted as saying "I am frightened of this collection. I am far more anxious than I was for my first collection. It is a reassessment of 20 years… It is the end of adolescence, the beginning of maturity. I really feel like a beginner." But of course, it was a masterpiece of a collection and raved about.
The collection was extravagant and was heavily influenced by India and the beautiful work done by Indian artisans. There was a play on proportions with wide shoulders and a narrowing at the hips. This tunic was one of the more simple pieces in the collection but it still has the touch of an oversized shoulder and the ease and elegance of a beautiful silk in its making.
I love that you can wear this as a tunic over something else. It was shown over a skirt and a modern girl could easily wear it on its own as a dress. It was shown belted with a silk sash in the advance photos for the collection and you could easily add a belt or ribbon if you wanted to have more shape. The shoulders are padded and set a little wide. The sleeves are cut wide through the upper arm and even as they narrow to the wrist, they are still wide set by the cuff. The cuffs and collar are done in a black silk and I love the contrast to the ivory of the body. It is meant to be worn fairly loose and easy to skim over your bust, waist and hips. It falls to about the knee or just above depending on your height. A slit runs up each side and you can see that he has lined the entire inside of the piece in that same black silk as the collar and cuffs. When you walk and move the slits let you to see that flash of black which ties the whole piece together perfectly. The silk is a rich and heavy weight that drapes beautifully over the body. This is a dress that really needs to come to life with a body in it and my dress form photos are nowhere near to doing it justice. It is completely made by hand and an absolutely beautiful, refined and easy piece of true Couture. Excellent condition with a small note below.
Fully lined in a handset black silk and closes at the back with a hand set zipper. Handmade padding in each shoulder. It is completely made by hand to Couture standards. Has it proper YSL numbered Couture label. There is one small mark near the elbow of one sleeve. Please see the photo after the label shot. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. On a smaller frame, it will just feel more oversized.
Sleeves: 22.5" and each is 20" around the upper arm
Exaggerated shoulders: 16.5"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 39" from top of shoulder to hem
Slits: 11.5" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD4913
Reference Photos: Spring 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Couture Advance Preview. Model Kirat Young.
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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