christian dior
Spring 2006 Dior by John Galliano Deep Blue Dress w Extensive Silver Beadwork
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John 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. This dress was a piece made for production for retail but it has all the things we love about his work presented in a beautifully chic and minimalist package. 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 the deepest possible blue silk crepe chiffon that has a slight bit of texture to it and more opaqueness than a standard chiffon would have. It is completely cut on the bias which is one of his signatures that we all love. 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 especially 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 piece 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. It is stunning. 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 is an incredible example of his work and looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition
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. Tagged a FR42, GB14, IT46, US10.
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# DD4884
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.
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The Richilene label was launched around 1970 and lasted to about 1990 or so from what I understand. It was a New York based label and was designed by Ilene Pacun and her husband Richard. The name came by combining their two first names which I only found out recently, and I thought was a cute little detail. They focused on party dresses for the most part and had a pretty wide range of options price wise. By the mid-1980s their prices ranged from about $200-$2000 and the higher and pieces were very well made. I can't help but think that this is a more attainable version of the famous 1986 Chanel with its removable sleeves. It has that same kind of vibe.
I absolutely love the cut of this dress. It is made out of a beautiful deep blue netting that has little dots worked through the tulle. The choice of this particular fabric gives it the structure to hold the shape but still keeps it fairly light in weight once on the body. The bodice is strapless and the neckline is cut fairly straight across all around you. There's inner boning for support and the boning continues down the sides on either side to help hold the dress in place. The waist curves in a bit and then the skirt is set in just at the top of the hip. I love how this gives the illusion of extra length through the body. The entire bodice has been heavily detailed with iridescent, deep blue sequence that are sat in a curving swirling pattern. They are heavily set so that they overlap each other and this allows them to catch the light in different ways to create a really pretty effect. Onto this are embroidered and beaded flowers that have petals set up and off the dress for a slight 3-D effect. These go all the way around the upper bodice. The skirt is very long and full. It flows to the floor in a cascade of that beautiful daughter in and there are five layers making up the skirt. The top two layers are the blue netting and then there is a organza layer under that that has a shimmering finish to it. Under that is a black layer of stiffen netting and then there is a final blue layer inside and under that. The very top layer has an edging of stiffen netting all the way around it, and that helps hold the shape and give it a pretty finish all of the volume you see in these photos are from the skirt and all of these built in under skirts. The final touch is of course those incredible removable half sleeves that you just slip on and wear high on the upper arm. They have stiff and tool inside, which helps to give them that puff, and then there is elastic at each end for an easy fit. I have pushed them up so they're very full, but you could also wear them a little more stretched out if you wished. The dress has a bit of a fantasy princess feel that I love. Excellent condition.
The bodice is lined in a deep blue muslin feeling fabric and the skirt is lined as described above. It closes with a back set zipper. The sleeves have a stiffen tool interior and elastic on each end so they just slip onto the arm.
Sleeves: each sleeve is up to 14 inches long and can be worn to be up to half that size in length. The elastic at each end stretches up to approximately 20"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist:12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at bottom of bodice: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: to 24"flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12.5" from top of the bodice to the seam at the bottom of the bodice
Total length: 53" from top of the bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4879
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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This is the actual dress that Sarah Snook wore to attend the Director Guild Awards in March 2022. This amazing sequin dress is by Bob Mackie from his boutique line and it is gorgeous. Mackie was best known for dressing Cher and for his signature glamour. He worked for both Edith Head and Jean Louis prior to entering costume design and he began by co-designing with Ray Aghayan. That led to his incredible journey in designing for stars like Cher and Diana Ross for many years before launching his own label. His work always has that touch of the best of Hollywood glamour.
This is such a gorgeous dress. Its simple cut combined with that heavy sequin coverage add up to an incredible piece. Plus it is fabulous to have the added modern provenance after having Sarah Snook wear it. The dress has an incredible pattern done in sequins that make the entire dress catch the light from every angle. The sequins are all a glossy black and they are set in vertical rows. In between vertical sections of four, and four and a half inches in width, he left long bands of the fabric without sequins and then also did that same thing cutting across the dress so that he could create a slight check pattern that runs over the dress. It is subtle but adds the perfect amount of detail. The sequins within each created rectangular 'box' have been applied to slightly overlap the next sequin in line so you get a liquid effect. The dress is strapless with a slight curve to the neckline. The front neckline is cut straight across and the bodice kept simple. It is cut to fit over the bust and the waist is cinched. Inside is a hidden cupped and boned corset to keep the dress in place. The dress skims over the hips and the fabric there has stretch so it is easy to fit. The skirt falls to the floor and widens out as it nears the hem with a little flare to the lower skirt. The back is cut longer then the front for a bit of a trained feeling behind you. It has a very classic Old Hollywood movie star feel to it. This is a dress that you just slip on and it is perfection. Excellent condition.
The bodice has a built in inner corset that is cupped and boned. The rest of the dress is unlined. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. There is a wide stay under the bust and at the inner waist that hooks to close with four hook options. Tagged a vintage Bob Mackie 6.
Bust: 17-17-5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to inner waist
Total length: 53" from top of bodice to front hem, 56" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4876
Reference Photos/Video: Sarah Snook in this Bob Mackie at the Director Guild Awards, March 2022.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
malcolm starr
Amazing 1960s Malcolm Starr by Elinor Simmons Red & Gold Thread Dress w Sequin, Beading & Crystal Detailing
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This is one of two remarkable dresses that I have today that are absolutely insane to see in real life. Each is so very good and they are not even photoing half as good as either is in person. The sheer amount of hand work to apply those thousands of sequins, crystals and beads needs to be seen in person to truly appreciate. This is one of those pieces that really showcases the higher end work that the label was capable of. The dress is the work of Elinor Simmons who designed for the Malcolm Starr label from the early 1960s to 1972. She excelled at these early heavily embellished pieces that the label became known for and this is an outstanding example of that. It is even more amazing in person and the photos cannot convey the impact and presence it has. It is gorgeous
The fabric on this dress is gorgeous and you would never see its equivalent in modern fashion unless you are looking at a couture piece. The base fabric is a red silk brocade that has a heavy shot of gold metallic thread running through it that gives the dress its golden glow from shoulder to hem. The bodice skims over the bust and the neck is cut into a curving V at the front. The back also curves into a V and it dips lower for a bare expanse of skin to show. The waist is seamed and set a touch higher under the bust. From there the skirt falls to the floor and widens out as it nears the hem to perfectly balance the shape of the bodice. The simplicity of the shape is what allows the extraordinary detailing that sits on top of the brocade to shine. Onto the red and gold thread silk brocade are thousands upon thousands of tiny silver sequins, gold beads, glass tube beads, paillettes, and pink and red glass prong set crystals that have all been applied by hand. These cover every square inch of the dress and give the dress an incredible 3D feel and shine. The hand work was all done in the British crown colony of Hong Kong, which, during this period of time, was doing some of the best hand work on the planet. The dress has weight to it but it is balanced so perfectly that it is not too heavy once on the body. It just feels like you are wearing something of substance and beauty. The entire dress has a beautiful and subtle shimmer from every angle. I love it. It is just a beautiful dress that showcases just how good hand work and detailing can be. Excellent condition.
Fully interfaced in a red cotton muslin to hold the weight of the bead work and then lined in a silky rayon through the bodice and a red silk through the skirt. It zips to close at the back. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. I see the tiniest bit of grubbiness along the inner edge of one arm. Ribbon edged inner hem and hand finishes.
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11" from top of shoulder to the seam under the bust
Total length: 54" from top of shoulder to hem with about 3.25" turned under
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4867
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.
malcolm starr
Incredible 1960s Malcolm Starr by Elinor Simmons Sequin Beaded Rhinestone Gold Dress
I Have a Question
This is one of two remarkable dresses that I have today that are absolutely insane to see in real life. Each is so very good and they are not even photoing half as good as either is in person. The weight and sheer amount of hand work to apply those thousands of sequins, crystals and beads needs to be seen in person to truly appreciate. This is one of those pieces that really showcases the higher end work that the label was capable of. The dress is the work of Elinor Simmons who designed for the Malcolm Starr label from the early 1960s to 1972. She excelled at these early heavily embellished pieces that the label became known for and this is an outstanding example of her work. It is even more amazing in person and the photos cannot convey the impact and presence it has.
I think that this might be the best Malcolm Starr dress that I have ever seen in real life. If the other one is great, this one is even a bit beyond that. The base is a gold thread lame fabric that is one solid gold colour. Onto this are thousands of cut out paillettes in a brilliant pink, pale sea foam and bright royal blue. These are mixed with pale pink and soft mint & silver sequins. There are gold beads and sequins, and then a heavy dose of green, blue and deep pink glass prong set crystal rhinestones. I don't think I have ever seen anything quite so elaborate and brilliant. The mix of all of these is astonishing to see. The intricate pattern covers every square inch of the dress and give the dress an incredible 3D feel and shine. The hand work was all done in the British crown colony of Hong Kong, which, during this period of time period was doing some of the best hand work on the planet. The fabric on this dress is gorgeous and you would never see its equivalent in modern fashion unless you are looking at a couture piece. The dress has weight to it but it is balanced so perfectly that it is not too heavy once on the body. It just feels like you are wearing something of substance and beauty. The bodice skims over the torso and the neck is cut into a low V at the front that ends just above the heavily embellished waist 2" band. The band is heavily embellished with more of the bead work, but here it is set horizontally, so that it wraps around the waist. The skirt falls to the floor and widens out quite a bit as it nears the hem to perfectly balance that shape of the bodice. I love how the entire dress glimmers in the light. It is a work of art and I have never seen another one like it. Excellent condition.
Fully interlined in a pale ivory cotton muslin to help support the weight of the dress and then it is lined in a pale ivory silk. It zips to close at the back. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Hand finishes throughout. Tagged a vintage Malcolm Starr 10. Note that there is no colour change in the dress. If the gold looks like it changes in hue any of the photos it is because of the lighting.
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from top of the shoulder to the top of the 2" band at the waist
Total length: 56" from top of the shoulder to hem with 2" turned under
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4869
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
oscar de la renta
Prettiest 2000s Oscar de la Renta Strapless Pink Tulle Dress w Extensive Beadwork
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This Oscar de la Renta dress is gorgeous and it is a definite statement piece. We believe this to be from the early 2000s and probably part of a bridal collection. It might even be a custom piece. His wedding pieces range from about $10000-$20,000 USD with the more elaborate ones like this tending to be in the upper range of that. Oscar launched his first bridal collection in October of 2002 and his wedding pieces have been worn by some of the most famous women in the world. He once said 'In the same manner that she fell in love with that man, I hope she's going to fall in love with that dress.' Countless brides have done just that. This gown is absolutely beautiful and if you are a bride looking for that very full princess feel and with the added pop of pink, this is the dress.
The skirt of the dress is magnificent. Underneath the top layer are two layers of a pale smoky greyish white tulle and then that tops nine layers of pink tulle. Then under that are three more layers of a stiffen white tulle. Incredible! The dress is strapless to balance out the incredible volume that all of those layers create. The neckline is embroidered and finished with muted silver gold thread and tiny little pink beads, mixed with clear iridescent beads. This is all attached to the dress with pink thread. Inside the bodice there is a full built-in hidden corset that is boned and has underwire cups hidden under the pink silk lining. It nips in at the waist for shape and then the skirt explodes out in volume under that. I did not add any additional crinolines to the dress for these photos. The very top layer of tulle is covered with a scattering of tiny silver sequins and little clear beads that are fixed in patterns over the bodice as well as the skirt. This allows the dress to sparkle in the light from every angle it is seen from. The top layer of the skirt is gathered into the waist and on the sides it is gathered more so you get a bit of interest and draping of that top layer of tulle. The hem has been finished with an elaborate pattern that picks up on what you see on the bodice. On one side of the skirt the hem and tulle have been gathered up and into a pink bow for the perfect little finishing detail. If you needed the dress to feel even fuller you could have the inner layers starched and you would get even more volume. I love the bareness of the shoulders the strapless silhouette gives you. It is the perfect balance to that full princess skirt. Gorgeous. Excellent condition with a minor note below
The bodice is lightly boned with wired inner cups under the lining for structure and support. The dress closes at the side with a hidden set zipper. Multiple layers of built in tulle and skirting as described above. I do see some tiny breaks in the net and you will see the occasional missing bead or sequin or loose thread.
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 50" from top of bodice to front hem, 52" to the back
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD4860
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
Extraordinary Cruise 2008 Christian Dior by John Galliano Look 60 Turquoise Dress w Crystals
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This is one of three spectacular and extremely rare Dior pieces by John Galliano from the 2008 Resort collection. This dress is the twin of the dress that walked the runway for Look 60 and it is a very rare piece to find. Vogue said that the collection was done "in an electric-bright palette.. and channelled Barbara Hutton's sixties—a glittery, lame, paisley, and leopard-print world of muumuus, bikinis, capri pants, trapeze dresses, cat-eye sunglasses, and scarf-wrapped hats. It bordered on camp... and Kitschy or not, there was no denying the workmanship that went into crafting the large collection." I love having the runway photos that give you an idea of how fantastic this is on the body. It is absolutely brilliant and a true jewel.
Just as a side note and to give you an idea of the cost of these beaded pieces by Dior, the coat that I have from this collection has its original price tag and in 2008 it was US$16,775 and it is the simplest of the three pieces design wise. Even though that is only 16 years ago, the inflation value of that in 2024 dollars is about $25,000. And that is not even taking into account the value that John Galliano adds to the equation!
The fabric of this dress is incredible. It is a brilliant blue silk brocade that has a floral pattern running through it that is made from a silver thread woven into the silk. The bodice has been heavily detailed with silver sequins, beads and rhinestones. It is incredible to see. The design runs over the entire dress and the dress seems to almost glow from within as a result. The silver thread has been done in such a way that it feels like it sits within the base a bit which gives the design this fabulous bit of extra texture. The blue has a very rich and vibrant feel to it and in person the entire dress has a more luminescent effect to it then how it photoed. I know the person who buys this will be very pleased once they see this one in real life. The bodice is strapless and it is cut to curve around the bust with an built in cupped, wired and boned inner corset. The inner dress begins just below the bust with a natural waist that curves in by the cut alone. There is no seam there to break the eye. It is shaped from there to curve out and over the hips. From there it falls to the hem, slightly narrowing in as it reaches the floor. A slit at the back allows enough room to walk. Over this is a huge over skirt that is set in to that seam under the bust with a little flared peplum that wraps all the way around you. The over skirt is incredibly full and billows out around you as you walk. It is cut and open down the centre at the front so that you have incredible movement like you see in the runway video. Above that the entire bodice is detailed with silver beads, sequins and prong set rhinestones. These are set on top of the floral pattern of silver underneath and are densely applied for a touch of a 3D feel. It is stunning. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is also drop dead gorgeous and even better in person. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a blue silk. There is a full built in netted corset with lightly padded underwire cups and boning. The corset closes with its own set of lingerie hooks and then the dress closes over that with a hidden set zipper. There are little loops inside the bodice that you could add straps if you wish. Fabric could be stolen from one of the inner hems to make them. If having them is important to you, let me know when you purchase and I can have those made for you before shipping the dress. Tagged a vintage vintage Dior FR40, GB12, IT44, US8
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam with room for up to a B-maybe small C cup at the front
Seam under the bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 54" from top of the bodice to inner hem and 55" to the hem of the over skirt, with approx 2" turned under both hems
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4858
Reference Photos/Video: Resort 2008 Christian Dior Runway, Look 60.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Incredible Resort 2008 Christian Dior by John Galliano Blue & Silver Brocade Dress w Beaded Bodice
I Have a Question
This is one of three spectacular and extremely rare Dior dresses by John Galliano from the 2008 Resort collection. This version is one produced for the shops in limited quantities and it is the only one of the three whose twin did not walk the runway. It is based on the runway Look 60 and it is made out of the same amazing fabric as the twin of that look that I also have today. This one is just more body conscious. Vogue said that the collection was done "in an electric-bright palette.. and channelled Barbara Hutton's sixties—a glittery, lame, paisley, and leopard-print world of muumuus, bikinis, capri pants, trapeze dresses, cat-eye sunglasses, and scarf-wrapped hats. It bordered on camp... and Kitschy or not, there was no denying the workmanship that went into crafting the large collection." I love having the runway photos that give you an idea of how fantastic this is on the body. It is beautiful
Just as a side note and to give you an idea of the cost of these beaded pieces by Dior, the coat that I have from this collection has its original price tag and in 2008 it was US$16,775 and it is the simplest of the three pieces design wise. Even though that is only 16 years ago, the inflation value of that in 2024 dollars is about $25,000. And that is not even taking into account the value that John Galliano adds to the equation!
The fabric of this dress is incredible. It is a brilliant blue silk brocade that has a floral pattern running through it that is made from a silver thread woven into the silk. The bodice has been heavily detailed with silver sequins, beads and rhinestones. It is incredible to see. The design runs over the entire dress and the dress seems to almost glow from within as a result. The silver thread has been done in such a way that it feels like it sits within the base a bit which gives the design this fabulous bit of extra texture. The blue has a very rich and vibrant feel to it and in person the entire dress has a more luminescent effect to it then how it photoed. I know the person who buys this will be very pleased once they see this one in real life. The bodice is strapless and it is cut to curve around the bust with an built in cupped, wired and boned inner corset. Just below the bust there is a wide band of the same fabric that has been hand gathered in and around you for added detail and shape. The natural waist below that curves in by the cut alone. There is no seam there to break the eye. It is shaped from there to curve out and over the hips. From there it falls to the hem, slightly narrowing in as it reaches the floor. A slit at the back allows enough room to walk. The entire bodice is detailed with silver beads, sequins and prong set rhinestones. These are set on top of the floral pattern of silver underneath and are densely applied for a touch of a 3D feel. At the back there is a large bow that sits over the zipper and its ties extend down to conceal the closure down your back. Even in the areas that are hidden by the way the panel sit or the bow sit, all of the fabric underneath is still properly finished with the bead work underneath. It is stunning. I also love that this one has detachable straps so you can wear the dress with or without them. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is also drop dead gorgeous and even better in person. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a blue silk. There is a full built in net corset with lightly padded underwire cups and boning. The corset closes with its own set of lingerie hooks and then the dress closes over that with a hidden set zipper. The bow at the back snaps into place over the zipper. Hand finishes. Tagged a vintage vintage Dior FR36, GB8, IT40, US4
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam with room for up to a B-maybe small C cup at the front
Seam under the bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 55" from top of shoulders to hem with approx 2" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4856
Reference Photos/Video: Resort 2008 Christian Dior Runway, Look 60.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
loris azzaro
1973 Loris Azzaro Couture Black Sequin & Silk Chiffon Insets Dress w Pointed Hem
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Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by his avant garde way of defining the body. His work was shockingly sexy for the times. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. The label had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. By the seventies and eighties he was experimenting with volume and proportions and new fabrics that at the time were all cutting edge. This is a stunning example of his work during the mid-seventies. When researching we found several examples of dresses from 1973 that combined the same jagged flame cuts with sequins. I have included some of those so you can get an idea of how great this looks on the body.
This is a gorgeous dress and it is a dress that will really come to life once on an actual body. The body of the dress is covered with densely applied black sequins. They make the dress shimmer beautifully as they catch the light. The sequins start at the shoulder run down the sleeves, over the bodice, waist and hips and then stop about mid-thigh depending on your height. The skirt is set into the sequins in pointed angled that reflects the points of the hem. The skirt part is made from 12 individual panels that are set side by side all the way around. Each panel is a single layer of black silk chiffon that is incredibly light in weight. When you move they move around you. Each panel has only been attached at the top so you also get glimpses of your legs between each panel as you move. It is incredibly sexy. The same silk chiffon is set into the upper bodice and then the back has a huge cut out that is filled with the silk chiffon that dips into a low scoop. It buttons down the back can you see a hint of skin between each button. I love the pointed finished all around the scoop at the back. It is fantastic once on. Excellent condition
Fully lined through the body in a black silk. It closes with buttons down the back and each sleeve has a zipper at the wrist. One of his signature strapless bras is attached inside the bodice which could be easily removed if you wish.
Sleeves: 23" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from top of shoulder to the longest point of hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4347
Reference Photos: (1-3) Marisa Berenson in a Loris Azzaro. October 1973. Photo: Michael Holtz. / (4) The cover of the book "Azzaro" for Assouline - Marisa Berenson and Loris Azzaro photographed in 1973, for issue 604 of L'Officiel de la Couture et de la Mode de Paris, by Roland Bianchini. / (5) Image from the book "Azzaro: Fifty Sparkling Years" / (6) Magazine spread featuring a model in Azzaro, 1973.
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louis feraud
Killer 1980s Louis Feraud Black Sequin Dress w Amazing Tiered Silk Chiffon Sleeves
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Louis Feraud opened his first boutique in 1950 in Cannes selling sundresses to the jet set. When Brigitte Bardot was photographed in a white pique and lace number, he became the darling of the fashion world. By 1956 he had moved to Paris and opened a couture atelier and in 1960s made his first official couture presentation. Ready-to-Wear followed in 1970. He won the Golden Thimble in in 1978 and again in 1984. Women like Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot were huge fans of the label. This is a wonderful sequin and silk chiffon dress that showcases his depth as a designer. It is just exceptional.
The dress has the bit of a high glamour vibe to it that is fabulous. The sequins make it feel so special and I love the use of the silk chiffon for the upper shoulders and sleeves. The chiffon is set wide across the neckline so you get just a hint of the tops of your inner shoulders showing. It runs down to the bodice on the front and back where the sequins start and it also extends out into those phenomenal sleeves. The body of the dress is made out of a dense application of black sequins, set on top of a chiffon, which gives it a touch of structure but still keeps the dress feather light. It is cut fairly straight over the body so that it just floats beautifully over you once on. A slit on one side that runs up from the hem allows for a bit of leg to show. Outside of the glamour of the sequins it is the sleeves that are the star of this dress. Each sleeve has three tiers of pleated silk chiffon added to it. These start just under the base of the arm and are stacked over each other to the wrist. It gives it a stacked pagoda sleeve feel that is just insanely good. The contrast between all of that detail on the sleeve, the sequins and ease through the body of the dress is the perfect mix. Excellent condition
The body is lined in a satin finish rayon and the upper bodice and sleeves are unlined. It closes with a back zipper that starts at the sequins and there is a button to close behind the neck. Tagged a Feraud 40
Sleeves: 24" and are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 57" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4854
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The twin of this dress was the closing look of the Fall 2019 collection and it is a fantastic piece from Clare Waight Keller's time as Creative Director for the house. Clare described the collection as “The Winter of Eden” and in the Vogue review of the collection the evening pieces in particular were of note; "thanks maybe to her Couture work and her string of red carpet wins, Waight Keller has a lot to say about after-dark sparkle which she handled with a good deal of meticulousness. She also played around with volume, tapping a double breasted corset jacket with a deep flounce of crinkle taffeta and a black gown with an exuberantly poufed sleeved midnight blue bolero in the same demonstrative fabric". This is the dress mentioned in that review and once it went to the shops it was sold separately from the bolero that you see on the runway. I personally prefer it on its own, as did my client, who bought it without. The dress is new with its original hang tag and has its extra thread and sequin packet. It also has its original price tag of $11,520USD. I think Givenchy has since gone beyond that in price point but still a staggering number.
The dress is amazing. It is made out of a fine wool that has a touch of a texture to it. Long triangle shaped silk chiffon panels are set into the skirt to give it the shape that you see and then the entire dress has been finished with a design made from silver beads, silver metal thread and tiny silver sequins. The bodice is kept almost sculptural in cut. The neck is scooped and there are no sleeves. It skims over the bust and it is shaped to come in slightly at the waist. From there it begins to flare out into the volume of the skirt to the floor. The skirt is in its original uncut length and the dress was never worn so it is pristine. As you look at it closer you realize that the dress is made from panels that are all pieced together side-by-side vertically and this starts right from the shoulders. Each is cut on a curve to create the shape around the body. A fantastic example of meticulous tailoring. There are ten of them in total that wrap vertically around the body and extend all the way to the hem. Each panel was then covered in a pattern that suggest flowers on long trailing branches. The applique work ends at different points along the panels with some reaching almost to the hem. I love the unexpectedness of not having them all perfectly end at the same point. The silk organza inserts are a full 30" across at their base and then they narrow to tiny points as they run up the dress in between the wool panels. They end at around the top of the hip. I shot the dress laying out more flat as well so you could get an idea of how much fabric and volume is actually through the skirt. When you are standing still you do get that sense of volume but it is when you move that you truly get the sense of the yards and yards of silk that are hidden in the skirt. Truly phenomenal and an extraordinary piece of the label's history. Excellent condition
The skirt is lined in a black silk and it closes with a hidden set back zipper. Tagged a modern 36 but generous in cut. New with its original tags and has its extra bead, sequin and thread packet and original price tag.
Bust: to 17.5" from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips:to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 65" from top of the shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4853
Reference Photo/Video: Fall 2019 Givenchy, Look 64. Model Juliane Gruner.
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The twin of this dress was shown for Look 40 for the Resort 2017 presentation. The entire collection was an explosion of flowers and handwork went into many of the garments. Astounding considering that it is RTW. Vogue explained that "Clothes like these are a very far cry from humdrum commercial fare to fill the gaps in stores between seasons. With Burton’s softening touch, they transcend the source material to become very special, non-disposable items a woman might want to keep forever." It is a terrifically beautiful dress and it is even more interesting for the fact that she made two versions of the dress for the collection, one on black net and the other on ivory. We found reference photos of Lily Collins, Emily Blunt and Bee Schaffer all wearing one that year and all looking phenomenal in it.
This is an exquisite dress this is covered with an intricate design made out of tiny beads and sequins in a beautiful array of colours. The base is made of black silk netting and then the dress is lined in a black silk chiffon through the body. This gives it enough weight to hold the shape of the dress and to support the weight of the added embellishments but it still feels magically light once on. You rarely see this level of handwork on a modern piece unless you step into the world of couture and it is a joy to see this dress in person. The design that covers the dress has been meticulously done by using a combination of sequins and beads. Many of the sequins are set slightly on their sides and this gives the design a slightly raised 3D effect off of the netting. The designs forms flowers and birds within that gorgeous pattern and it is the kind of piece that the more you look at it the more you see. I took several detail shots so you can get an idea of the workmanship. Cut wise it is an easy dress to wear. The sleeves are long and they are left unlined so that the pattern really shows against your skin underneath the netting. The shoulders are slightly capped and the neck is scooped. It skims over the bust, past the waist and over the hips. There is no seam at the waist. Instead it is cut to slightly come in and the pattern also draws your eye inwards. The skirt falls to the floor from there and it is in its original uncut supermodel length. I love how the width of the skirt flares out and it is quite alive by the time it reaches the floor. The pattern also changes to pick up the grid work on the bust and tie the whole dress together. The extra fabric around the hem also gives you this beautiful movement when you move. Truly an extraordinary piece from the Sarah Burton era. Excellent condition.
Lined in a black silk chiffon as described above. It closes with a hidden set back zipper and each cuff closes with a hidden set zipper. The ease of the cut and slight bias of the netting should allow it to fit a range of sizes. Tagged a modern McQueen 42.
Sleeves: 24.5" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 67" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4849
Reference Photos: (1-2) Resort 2017 Alexander McQueen, Look 40. / (3-5) Lily Collins in Alexander McQueen at the 19th Costume Designers Guild Awards, 2017. / (6) Katherine "Bee" Schaffer, in McQueen, and Anna Wintour at the 2018 Evening Standard Theatre Awards. / (7) Emily Blunt in Alexander McQueen for The Girl On The Train world premiere, October 2016.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
roberto cavalli
Dreamy 2004 Roberto Cavalli Pale Pink & Copper / Gold Wire Embellished Dress
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This Roberto Cavalli dress is from 2004 and it is gorgeous. A close version to it was worn by Jaime Tisch that year and we have included a photo so that you can get an idea of how spectacular the dress will be once on the body as it is so similar. The dress I have in the shop today was worn and loved and it is not 100% perfect but it is still wearable if you don't mind wearing something that has a bit of a distressed feel to it.
No matter how good you think that this dress looks like in photos it is even better in person and moving. The heavy copper / gold coloured metal wire and rhinestones that were used to create the pattern on the silk catch the light from every angle when you move. The dress is made out of the palest ballet pink silk. The dress is cut on the bias so it just glides over the body. It buttons down the back in a row of tightly spaced silk covered buttons and it is cut to just fall over you in a sweep of bias cut silk. The dress is suspended from the shoulders by two tiny silk straps and the front falls over the bust with a V neck plunge at the front and the back. The dress skims over the waist and hips with seams that are reminiscent of the couture dresses of the thirties. All are done so that the bias cut of the silk follows your curves and highlights the body underneath without it being too tight and fitted. Once past the hips the dress flares out as it nears the bottom and it is incredibly full. A wide panel circles all the way around the lower skirt and there is stiffened netting placed behind it so that it holds the fullness around you. When you walk or move the skirt kicks out to add beautiful movement and volume. The final perfect detail is that spectacular design made out of a combination of metal wire in a deep copper gold tone. This is set so that it curves up and off the silk for a 3D effect. Prong set rhinestones are scattered in and among the designs on the bust and around the hips. These catch the light beautifully as you move. It is just wonderful. Over all great condition with a note below
Fully lined with a pale pink silk chiffon and closes with the buttons down the back. The measurements given below are the comfortable range when the dress is laying flat. The bias cut of the dress should work on a range of sizes. On smaller frames it will drape more and be more fitted on larger frames. The very slightest yellowing to the silk here and there and around the waist area in particular. You can see it in the photos presented and I would say the photos make it look worse than it is in real life. Tagged a Cavalli XS
Bust: 14-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 64" from top of shoulder to front hem, 70" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4825
Reference Photo: Jaime Tisch attends a preview gala dinner for the Metropolitan Museum's "Wild: Fashion Untamed" exhibition, hosted by fashion designer Robert Cavalli, on December 6, 2004.
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.
Beautiful 1910 Unlabeled Heirloom Ivory Net Wedding Dress w Elaborate Sequin & Bead Work
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This is an extraordinary little dress and I'm very pleased to have the exact date of it because my clients grandmother wore it to her wedding on October 15, 1910. By all accounts it was a long and happy marriage and my client hopes that this dress will pass on that love to its next owner.
This extraordinary dress was completely made by hand and is very feminine and beautiful. It is a wonderful example of the level of craftsmanship being utilized during this time period. It has survived the passing of time exceedingly well and was carefully stored all of these many decades. The base of the dress is made from a fine and light netting and it is this fabric choice that has allowed it to remain strong and sturdy over the years. The colour is a beautiful ivory that was almost impossible to capture and in real life it has a slightly more pastel feel to it that I think is just lovely. Onto this is an intricate design made of glass tube beads and little iridescent sequins that highlight the design and lines of the dress. The front neckline is in a soft scoop, and the back angles into a bit of a V above a row of snaps that close the dress. The sleeves extend out and are gathered along the top of the shoulders for a pretty little detail. They're open on their underside and the sequins and beads follow the pattern to circle the neckline and edge the sleeves. A wide band of sequins and beads detail the waist, and then the dress falls in a pretty cascade of the netting to just past the knee or a bit below depending on your height. A floral pattern is worked throughout the dress, and the workmanship is exquisite. Hangs lower than the front so you have a bit of a swooping feeling. There's a touch of light boning around the inner waist to hold the dress perfectly in place while it's on you. The placement of each and every embellishment is by hand and it is amazing to think of the time it would have taken to create this extensive design. The combination of the soft and romantic ivory net and the beautiful floral patterns that runs over it is absolutely fantastic. This would be an amazing dress for a collector or a bride who wants to incorporate a bit of the past into part of her celebration. Excellent condition
The dress is unlined with snaps at the back to close. Some of the snaps appear newer than others. The fabric appears to be strong and is wearable with the care. Perhaps the tiniest mark here and there and tiny break in the net but for something over 100 years old I would rate it as being in excellent antique condition.
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from the top of the shoulder to the top of the 3" band at the waist
Total length: 46" from the top of the shoulder to the shortest part of the front hem, 51" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4804
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
givenchy
Dreamy Resort 2019 Givenchy by Clare Waight Keller Red Silk Dress w Sequins & Floor Length Sleeves
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This was Look 54 of the Resort collection and one of the best of the evening pieces from that collection. It was shown in black for the collection presentation and then it was also produced in this spectacular red version. I love Clare Waight Keller's time as Creative Director for Givenchy and even though her time there was short her work was wonderful. She designed many beautiful dresses during her time at the label and this is one of them. It is a show stopper. The fact that it is easy to wear is just bonus.
Clare said of the collection that year “There’s a powerful woman in there that I really love; she’s a very strong character who loves a strong shape—something that gives a real sense of fashion.”, and in the Vogue review of the resort collection, fashion journalist Amy Verner mentioned the black version of the dress in particular along with another comment from Clare; "This marks the first season since the passing of Monsieur de Givenchy in March and Waight Keller hinted that a more intentioned homage might be forthcoming. In the meantime, the collection’s evening looks—specifically the long-sleeved black dress showered with silver embroidery, and the gradient celadon and rust plissé lamé gown—further the couture spirit we’ve seen most recently at the Met Gala and at Cannes. “It’s a real joy to be able to work at both ends of the spectrum,” Keller said. “It’s what I believe in: everything from the really simple everyday to the absolutely fantastic and fabulous.”
The dress is amazing. It is made out of a light weight red silk crepe through the body of the dress and then it is finished with a lighter weight red silk for the inset on the lower skirt and feather light silk chiffon for those amazing sleeves. The red colour is gorgeous and it is that perfect red that will flatter most skin tones. The neckline is scooped high at the front and flat laying sequins add detail and some subtle sparkle to catch the light. The dress has a bit of a caftan feel to it and it is cut so that it skims over your bust, waist and hips. From there it falls to the floor and widens out quite a bit by the time it reaches the hem. The sequins on the bodice are set in vertical rows and each sequin is topped with a tiny round red seed bead. These run down from the shoulder to come to a point at the front. The very lower part of the skirt is a silk panel that runs across the full front of the skirt and is set on an upward angle. This perfectly balances out that downward angle of the sequins at the neckline. The sleeves are the star of the show. A silk chiffon caped sleeve falls over your arms from the shoulder and widens out to cascade all the way to slightly past the hem. They are open underneath which creates tremendous movement when you move. The slightest bit of air lets them billow around and behind you. It is the perfect touch of drama for the dress. The dress appears to have never been worn and it is in its original extra long supermodel length. It is absolutely amazing and it originally retailed at just under the 9k mark. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a red silk and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The dress is in its original length and appears to have never been worn.
Sleeves: 63"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from neck to longest point of the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4378
Reference Photos: (1) Resort 2019 Givenchy, Look 54. / (2) 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.
christian dior
Incredible Fall 2006 Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Silk & Silk Net Dress W Beaded Detailing
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During John Galliano's years from 1996-2011 at the house of Christian Dior he arguably produced some of the most amazing bias cut and glamorous dresses in the house's history. His work often has a feeling of the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and thirties with their beautiful cuts. 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 Fall 2006 and it is gorgeous. Look 7 from the runway had similar bead work on the skirt and I have included that here for you to see. This version was made for the shops and like all more elaborate bead work would have only been released in limited quantities. It is a wonderful piece of his history and it is a really beautiful dress.
This striking and beautiful dress is so reminiscent of a twenties piece and I love that. The dress made from three layers that are all attached at the top of the shoulder and then float over each other. The innermost layer is a light weight black silk chiffon and then there is a layer of black silk tulle over that. The very top layer is a combination of silk netting and a black silk lace. The outer layer is pieced together in the most beautiful way with the lace placed at the top of the bodice and then again around the hem. The dress has a very loose and easy cut that picks up on a twenties feel. It skims over the body in a touch of a tubular shape without being overly tight anywhere. The bodice dips into a V at the front and it does the same at the back. The lace is set into the netting underneath in a pretty little curving scalloped design. I love how the edge of the neckline and the openings for the arms have the lace set so that the edges of the pattern adds a pretty detail. The lace around the hem is set in the same way. The way it is seamed gives it its slightly more generous cut through the body. Onto the skirt, starting just under the hip on one side, is a beautiful design that combines metal strands, tiny seed beads, larger tube beads and prong set crystal rhinestones. These are all set by hand and you can see that on the back as I have photoed here. These trail down the side and across the front of the hem as well as partway around the back hem. A tiny little slit sits on one side of the hem near the bead work and he has gathered it up with a stitch, which gives the hem a bit of an asymmetrical feel. I find that with almost all of John's work there is some small touch of something asymmetrical on the piece and this one is no exception. It is truly a special and beautiful example of his work. Excellent condition
The inner silk chiffon and middle tulle layer act as the lining underneath the top layer. The middle tulle layer has hidden set snaps down one side but the inner silk layer and top layer have no closures so that inner detail is more for design then functionality. You just slip it over the head to where. Tagged a F38 GB10 IT42 US6.
Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total Length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4754
Reference Photo: Fall 2006 Christian Dior, Look 7. Model Doutzen Kroes.
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.
Intricate 1920s Unlabeled Gold Metallic Lame Thread & Sequin on Black Silk Net Flapper Dress
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This wonderful little 1920s flapper dress was completely made by hand and a wonderful example of the level of craftsmanship being utilized during this time period. It has its original Made in France label still present and these pieces were always a little higher quality then some examples you see from the time period. It has no other label but it is not hard to imagine that it might have been a designer piece as well. The base of the dress is a black silk netting that is strong and sturdy. Onto this is an intricate design made up of gelatin sequins set boxes. Each is a combination of purple, pink & turquoise in an alternating design. The placement of each sequin is by hand and it is amazing to think of the time it would have taken to make the fabric alone. The center of each block makes me think of a cluster of little pink "hearts" that are then surrounded by an abstract shape. A metal based gold lame thread and tiny little gold tubes beads are then shaped around each to make the block design that you see. These are then stacked in rows to cover the dress entirely with the black netting serving as the separation between each. This combination of colored sequins, gold thread & beads is absolutely fantastic. There is an extra panel of netting inserted at each hip to give the skirt extra flare. Excellent antique condition
The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear. The edges of the side net panels are raw and at one time there may have an extension to them but it is now cut even with the hem. I see no other flaws and it appears to have been worn very little if at all and is wearble with the care it would deserve to be worn with. Even with that small defect the dress is remarkably sound and shockingly beautiful. It is almost 100 years old and is considered to be in museum quality condition.
Bust: 17" from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" from side seam to side seam
Total length: 40" from shoulder to bottom hem
Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML
Item# E290
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
Important Fall 2003 Alexander McQueen 'Scanners" Runway Look 55 White Silk Corset Dress w Silver Sequins & Embroidery
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This is a very recognizable Alexander McQueen piece. While there are many of his pieces out there that only die-hard collectors would know at first glance, this is one of the dresses that you instantly know is McQueen. Lee had only recently joined the Gucci Group at this point and his shows were becoming bigger and more commercial. The Fall 2003 collection was titled 'Scanners' and he went to the frozen arctic tundra for the show set. The runway was a wasteland set against an icy mountain. Models walked among rubble and rocks on the runway and and a dusting of snow covered everything. The name of the show came from the invitation that had scans of McQueen's actual brain on them. In the book "Alexander McQueen" by Abrams, they noted that "the collection engaged McQueen's interest in Eurasian culture and was presented as a journey of displaced travellers from west to east, from dark to light across the harsh planes of Siberia through Tibet, and into Japan, the land of the rising sun." The looks touched on both Russia and Japanese themes as well as mixing in a little bit of his signature punk. This is the twin of the dress that walked the runway for Look 55 and it is outstanding. It also has a strong tie-in with red carpets and we have included photos of some of the people that have worn one here including Eve and Naomi Campbell. This is an exceptional, very rare and extraordinary piece of his work for the collector. It might even make an amazing choice for a bride looking a non-traditional choice or alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration.
This dress is beautiful and rarely does one see this level of workmanship in ready-to-wear. The fabric is a feather light white silk chiffon that moves with the barest breathe of air. The cut is classic McQueen with a low cut squared off neckline at the front that is meant to hold and push the breasts upwards. Underneath the bodice sits a band of silk to add some shape and structure. This tiny little detail adds the perfect bit of shape and gives the bodice its empire cut. The back is scooped to show a bare expanse of skin. I love how the straps are meant to sit at the very outer edge of your shoulders. Inside it is lined in an ivory silk satin and has hidden set boning. The construction is beautiful and done to the high level that you expect from runway McQueen. The skirt falls from the band beneath the bodice and there are yards and yards of silk used to create the skirt. At the front it is cut to just past the knee or just above mid-calf, depending on your height. It curves around the back where it drops in length at the centre and then there are two long panels on either side of you that fall to the floor. The effect this multi-length hem creates when you move is fantastic. As you walk it floats out behind and around you. You can see the movement in the runway video and it is extraordinary. If that was not enough, the entire dress was then hand, beaded and sequin with a combination of silver thread, tiny little silver beads and tiny silver sequins. They form an exquisite and highly detailed trailing flower design that is denser around the hem and then trails up the dress into the bodice. Attached ties extend out from the centre back of at the waist with extra extra long ties that can be wrapped around you or tied and left to trail out behind you. This is a work of art from one of the greatest designers of our time. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a white silk satin through the bust and white silk chiffon through the skirt. It closes with a series of large hidden set hooks at the back. The hooks could be moved a quarter to half inch up or down to get more or less room. The interior bust is shaped and boned. Hand finishes throughout. No size tag present.
Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Empire waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9" from top of shoulder to the top of the 1" band under the bust
Total length: 39" from top of shoulder to the front hem, 44" to the shortest pont of the back hem, 59" to the longest point of the hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4744
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Fall 2003 Alexander McQueen Runway, Look 55. Model Natalia Vodianova. / (4) Eve at the 2003 CFDA Awards. / (5) Naomi Campbell at a Party thrown in honor of McQueen, November 2004. / (6) Lily Donaldson on left at the 2006 Met Gala. / (7) Julia Schlaepfer wearing this dress at the BAFTA Tea Party, 2024.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
loris azzaro
Spectacular Early 1970s Loris Azzaro Plunging Turquoise Silk Jersey w Open Rhinestone Rings
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Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate beading, sequins, daring cut-outs and avant garde ways of defining the body. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. By the seventies and eighties he was experimenting with volume and proportions and new fabrics that at the time were all cutting edge. I am certain that this one is also from the early 1970s like the other Azzaro that I have in the shop today is. I have only ever seen one or two of these come available and never in this colour before. This is a label that I really love and am always happy to find pieces of.
This is a killer dress. It is really one that will come to life even more once on an actual body and you can see your bare skin peeking through the openings on the arms and down the front, never mind that low scooped back. The neckline is scooped across the front and then it is open right down to the low waist. To be able to wear it and keep it in place on you he has put three rhinestone encrusted open rings at the neckline, just below the breasts, and then at the base of the opening. This holds the dress in place but still allows the skin to peak through from top to bottom. It is very sexy. Each sleeve is long and has another series of three of those same rhinestone circles starting at the top of the shoulder and then running down their open cut lengths. So you can see that line of bare skin all the way down your arm. The back is opened and scooped. The dress is made from a turquoise silk jersey and it falls beautifully over the body. I love how it is gathered into the bottom circle at the front. This is what gives shape and lets the dress expands out over the hips and fall in that perfect line that you see. The skirt skims over the hips and then drapes beautifully around you. If there was ever a dress that needed a body inside of it to bring it to life, this is it. It is stupendous once on. Excellent condition with a small note below
Unlined and slips on to wear with no closures. Hand finishes throughout. I see a faint mark in the fold on one hip and it appears that at some point the hem was let down and you can see a faint line where the hem used to be. I have left it as is because it is nice to have that extra length. Hand written label inside a lower seam. Please see the photos after the label shot. The fabric does have some stretch and the measurement below are those comfortable while laying flat. The colour is a touch truer turquoise then how it photoed
Sleeves: approx 22" and are approx 12" around, but there is some flexibility in that because of the open sides
Shoulders: approx 14"
Bust: approx 14-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4739
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.
loris azzaro
Spring 1971 Loris Azzaro Turquoise Silk Jersey Dress w Dense Bead & Pailettes Embellishments
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Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate beading, sequins, daring cut-outs and avant garde ways of defining the body. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. By the seventies and eighties he was experimenting with volume and proportions and new fabrics that at the time were all cutting edge. This is a stunning example of his work during this period and we found a reference from the 1971 collection that utilized the same type of beading. This is a label that I really love and am always happy to find pieces of.
This is a killer dress. It is really one that will come to life even more once on an actual body. The jersey glides over your curves and is so flattering. I hope the photos convey just how fabulous it is because when worn and on an actual body this one will be even better. The neckline plunges in a V at the front and then it has elaborate border with a thick application of beads, sequins and paillettes. These start at the back of the neck and wrap around to follow the plunge at the front. From there it expands into a wide panel that ends in a almost medallion feeling embellishment that sits at the waist. The beads are densely applied to sit up and off the dress and it is quite incredible to see. The sleeves are long and each one expands on a curve to poof out just above the cuff. Then each cuff has the same incredible beaded detailing that you see at the front. The deep turquoise silk jersey glides over the bust and comes in at the waist for shaping. The skirt falls under that, skimming over the hips and then widening out to fall beautifully to the floor. It is the perfect combination of feeling covered yet sexy and the dress is incredibly easy and comfortable to wear. It is stupendous once on. Excellent condition with a small note below
Unlined and the dress closes with a hand set back set zipper. Each cuff snaps to close. I see a light bit of colour change to the fabric here and there. It is something that you noticed only when looking really close at the dress and it presents perfectly once on the body. It is there however, and it is priced accordingly. Please see the photos after the label shot for examples. The jersey does have some stretch and the measurements below are the comfortable range when laying flat. The colour is a touch brighter turquoise then how it photoed. Hand finishes throughout
Sleeves: 26" and are 10-11" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 60" from top of the shoulder to hem with 1.5" turned under
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4737
Reference Photo: Michèle Morgan in Azzaro at his workshop, April 1971.
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.
loris azzaro
1990s Loris Azzaro Black Stretch Jersey Dress w Chiffon Angel Sleeves & Black Sequin Detailing
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Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate beading, sequins, daring cut-outs and avant garde ways of defining the body. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. This is a label that I really love and am always happy to find pieces of.
This is an easy dress to wear because of the fabrics that it is made out of. Making fabrics that were comfortable to wear on the body glamorous and luxurious was one of the core philosophies of how Azzaro designed. This dress is made out of a black jersey through the body, which allows it some give, and then the remarkable sleeves are made out of a fine black chiffon. The lightness of the fabric used for the sleeves gives them incredible movement once this is on the body. The neckline sits wide across the neck and then it is edged in a row of overlapping black sequins. It skims over the body from there, past the bust, waist and hips to open out slightly as it nears the hem. Onto the front of the dress are five curving seams that are highlighted with a band of sequins. They almost give the impression of slashes across the front of the dress. The final sequin band curves down to meet the top of a slit that allows for some bare leg to show when you walk. The sleeves fall over the shoulders and are completely open along their insides. Once on the body these cascade all the way down to the hem of the dress and create the most incredible moment. The chiffon that they are made of keeps them ultralight so as you move they catch the slightest bit of air to swirl and billow around you. It is an incredibly easy dress to wear and incredibly glamorous once on the body. Excellent condition.
Unlined and slips on to to wear with a hidden set side zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The fabric does have some stretch and the measurements below are the comfortable range when laying flat
Bust: 16.5-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 59" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4725
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
Prettiest Fall 1979 Christian Dior by Marc Bohan Black Silk Lace Net Dress w White Sequins & Bows
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This exceptional dress is by Marc Bohan for Christian Dior and it is a wonderful example of his work during this time period. We have dated it to the Fall 1979 collection based on the reference and runway photos we found of pieces with similar fabric and cuts. I love that it feels like a throwback to the work of the original Mr. Dior and that it has such a beautiful feel of old world glamour to it. Bohan's work was integral to the labels development over the decades that he headed the atelier and this is a stunning example of his vision. Beyond that it is just an extraordinarily beautiful dress.
I love the nod to the 1950s in this dress. It has that classic little New Look shape to it that we all love and associate with the house of Dior. At the front the neckline is squared off by how the sleeves are set into the dress combined with the straight across cut of the neckline. Across the front of the neckline it is detailed with a wide black silk ribbon that has a pretty bow at the front. The sleeves are a single layer of the silk netting are are covered with those pretty white sequins. They curve softly over the shoulders and fall just below the elbow. The transparency of the netting lets you see a glimpse of the skin underneath. At the back the netting angles down towards the centre of the back where they meet another wide black ribbon finish there as well. The bodice is gathered across and into a vertical strip of the fabric that is detailed with three rhinestone and crusted buttons. It skims over you to the waist with a boned and shaped interior. The skirt is gathered in all around the waist and there is a great amount of fabric in the skirt. This allows it to fall in those soft folds that you see but when you move it has incredible movement. The bottom is anchored by another wide finish of black silk satin ribbon that ties the entire dress together. I love that the entire dress is covered with hand sewn white sequins and there two secondary patterns worked through the netting that gives it added texture. It is incredibly beautiful and the photos don't truly convey the sense of texture the dress has in person. It is a stunning example of Dior from this time period that somehow manages to feel perfectly timeless. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a black silk chiffon. It closes with a hidden set backer and a hook and eye at the inner waist stay. The interior of the bodice is lightly boned and shaped.
Sleeves: approx 17" and 13" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 18" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 50.5" from top of the shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4686
Reference Photos: Fall 1979 Christian Dior.
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roberto cavalli
Amazing 2015 Roberto Cavalli Gold bead &sequin embellished silk and silk netFeather Dress
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This Roberto Cavalli dress is from 2015 and it is beyond gorgeous. Its twin was worn by Naomi Campbell to Fashion for Relief where she walked the runway and I am happy to have some reference photos from the show so you can see how spectacular this dress is once on the body. It is exceptional and extremely beautiful.
The dress is made from a combination of black netting and silk chiffon. The entire bodice is made from the netting and then it has a layer of that spectacular bead work applied with a bit of silk chiffon behind the bead work so that it is opaque enough to wear. The parts that are not beaded have a touch of transparency to them and I love how this plays on the curves of the body. The bead work on the dress is amazing. Heavy applied gold tube beads, gold seed beads and gold sequins are set in swirling patterns across the bodice. As a pattern runs down over the waist and the hips the colours of the sequins gradually changed to a more muted gold and then to a silver. There are prong set glass crystals in gold and clear scattered in and among the pattern. The edge of the neck and arms are lined with silver tube beads and little silver sequins. All of these embellishments catch the light from every angle and I love the depth and 3D texture that it gives the piece. The skirt is remarkable. It is in its original uncut length and has a beautiful cut. When you are standing still you still get the feeling of fullness as it widens out to the hem but when you move the skirt has incredible movement around you. The fabric is so light and airy that when you walk it creates this incredible floating sensation. As good as it looks here it only really comes to life once on. Besides the cut this is further empathized by the addition of thousands of feathers. Each is attached around the hip area with either a sequin or a little prong set crystal and then they are applied directly to the silk chiffon under that. The feathers have incredible movement when you walk and I love how the back of the dress is cut longer than the front so you have a sweeping feel behind you. It is an incredibly beautiful dress and no matter how good it looks in the photos the sensation and tactile feeling of the fabric and lightness when you have it in hand is just phenomenal. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.
The embellished parts of the halter are backed with a black silk so it is opaque and the skirt has an inner silk chiffon lining. It closes with a back hidden set zipper. The occcasional bead missing here and there. Tagged a Cavalli 38.
Bust: has no fixed side seams. The front covers to approx 15-17" flat across
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 62" from neck to front hem, 70" to the longest point of the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4662
Reference Photos/Video: Naomi Campbell in Roberto Cavalli for the Fashion For Relief charity fashion show at London Fashion Week, February 2015. (Video by Tashie Tinks)
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
Exquisite 1990s Valentino Heavily Beaded Black Silk Chiffon Dress w Draped Neckline & Bare Back
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This is an incredible dress and it has the added provenance of having been worn by poet Rupi Kaur to the South Asian Excellence at the Oscars Event for the 2024 Oscars season. I love that this gives you the chance to see the dress on the body and how beautifully it falls. The dress was made for the shops and dates to the 1998-2002 era based on similar cuts that I have had in the shop and what was on the runways. he dress is exceptional and you only have to take one look at Rupi in the dress to see just how fabulous this is on an actual body
This is a gorgeous dress. I love its bareness at the top with the full open back and the low draped neckline. It is a little sexier then some of his work tends so be but it still manages to feel elegant and refined. It is a dress that really comes alive on the body. It is very light and easy to wear despite its extensive bead work and sequins. It is cut to perfectly fit and skim over the body. It is made from a lightweight bias cut silk chiffon and a silk net that is then covered in thousands of little black sequins and various shaped beads. The bodice is cut into a halter with tiny little beaded straps that curve up and over the shoulders. At the back the straps cross over your bare back which then dips into a low curve across the small of your back. This leaves the back almost completely bare. The front also has a bare feel. The halter covers the breasts and then drapes low in between. There is no seam at the waist to break the line of the eye. The combination of wide bands of the sequin and beads highlight the curves and shape of the dress and those are separated by expanses of the black silk chiffon. The bias cut of the fabric simply curves it in and over you to create shape. The skirt flows to the floor and widens out just a touch as it nears the hem. I love the way that the skirt is cut a little longer at the back to give the feel of a slight train there. Mixed into the beaded pattern are little bits of black silk netting that add an extra bit of texture to the dress. It is a beautiful example of Mr Valentino's work with the added bonus of its recent red carpet provenance. Excellent condition with a minor note below
Fully lined in a black silk chiffon and closes with a back hidden zipper at the base of the scoop at the back. Hand finishes. There are some missing beads and some inner repairs / tiny beginnings of stress openings on the fabric near the ends of some of the lines of bead work on the train and bottom of the skirt. It was worn on the red carpet exactly as it is so these small flaws obviously have no impact when worn
Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 63" from top of shoulder to front hem, 68" to back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4632
Reference Photos: Rupi Kaur in this dress for the South Asian Excellence at the Oscars Event, 2024.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
2014 Fausto Puglisi Bright Multi Colour 'Greco-Roman' Mini Dress w Gold Rhinestone Medallion
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This dress is from the Fall 2014 collection and when Fausto did a series of these in every colour combination you could think of they sold out worldwide and seemed to be everywhere on all of the fashion people. His forst collection debuted in 2006 and Italian fashion editor Anna Dello Russo started to wear his pieces everywhere and is largely responsible for bringing his work to the spotlight. His style during this time period has been called Greco-Roman glitz which to me is the perfect way to describe pieces like this. This dress is fantastic and you can see how amazing it is on the body on the reference editorial shot that we found.
The dress is absolutely gorgeous. It's made out of a light wool that has a slight texture to it finished. It mixes the six different colours that makes it up with a masterful hand. The bodice is a pale purple, and it has lemon straps that are wide and curved up and over the shoulders to meet the back. Around the waist at the front, there's a wide panel of ivory that plays double duty to also not only anchor the shape of the dress, but provide a beautiful backdrop to that huge metal and rhinestone medallion that sits at the front. The band at the back is a beautiful spring green and then you have black panels that wrap around the hips to the back zipper on either side. The skirt is a deeper purple at the front and that same pretty yellow at The skirt has been knife, pleated all the way around and has little slits on either side to show even more leg than the short length already does. It is beautifully made and that piece of jewellery at the front combined The skirt has been knife, pleated all the way around and has little slits on either side to show even more leg than the short length already does. It is beautifully made, and that piece of jewellery at the front just gives it combined. with that masterful mix of colours, gives it fine but sexy feel. It's an incredible mix of sexiness glitz and a sense of lightness and fun. its gorgeous on the body and I love it. Excellent condition with one small note below
The bodice is fully lined in an ivory silk, and there is light boning at the sides. It closes with a back hidden, set zipper and an inner waist stay snapped to close. A touch of a mark on the inner lining. Please see the photo after the label shot. Tagged modern a US6, UK10, IT42, FR38
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 31.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Slits: 5.25" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4629
Reference Photo: Model in Fausto Puglisi for En Vie Fashion Magazine, July 2014.
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.
donald brooks
Sophisticated 1960s Donald Brooks Fine Black Wool Crepe Dress w Elaborate Rhinestone Detailing
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Donald Brooks launched his label in late 1963 with a collection for the Spring 1964 season after an already successful start as a costumier for Hollywood. He quickly became one of the most sought after of the American designers and his clients included Jaqueline Kennedy, Claudette Colbert and Faye Dunaway. The New York Times said that he was one of 'the three B's of fashion' alongside Bill Blass and Geoffrey Beene. He helped to launch the American Council of Fashion Designers and won three Cody Awards over the course of his career. He launched a secondary boutique line in 1971 all while also designing costumes for Movie and Television. He eventually closed his label to concentrate on costume work and only designed for the occasional private client. This is a gorgeous example of his work from his main made to order label.
I love this dress. The dress is made from a black wool crepe that is cut loose and easy through the body. It has an inner built in bodice that holds it perfectly in place and then the crepe just falls over that. This gives you that fantastic floating sensation all around you with your slightest move. The dress is suspended from straps that curve up and over the shoulder. Everything about the dress is done as simply as possible and this is all deliberate so that the bodice can shine. The bodice has a heavy embellishment of little steel beads mixed with a variety of prong set crystal rhinestones in different shapes and sizes. These catch the light beautifully. The rhinestones form flowers within the designs and I love how he used bigger stones so it has this fantastic 3D effect. The embellishments go across the entire back to create a wide panel and then wrap to the front where they curve up to leave a space between them at the centre. The top of the bust is cut straight across all the way around and then under that the dress cascades to the floor. It widens out as it nears the hem and has an easy-to-wear feel to it. It is very flattering on the body and it creates a fantastically dramatic effect as the dress floats around you. It is amazing and it has pockets on each hip. This is a truly stunning dress. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a back zipper. There is an inner boned structure that hooks to close with a series of lingerie hooks up the back. Pockets along the seam of each hip. Tagged a vintage 8. I see a couple of tiny areas of thinning near the hem but am being pretty picky. Please see the photo after the label shot. You could add to the inner waist to get more room if needed
Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23 " flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4591
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.
thea porter
Exquisite 1960s Thea Porter Couture Rare Printed Silk Chiffon Dress w Gold Metal Thread & Sequin Detailing
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I have had this tucked away in my archives for quite some time and it is spectacular. This is it gorgeous little dress that is easy to wear and an extremely beautiful example of her work. It has a touch of a caftan feel to it and that combined with those spectacular sleeves makes it very special piece. Of all of Thea's pieces, her caftans and the dresses that had that caftan like feel, have come to represent Thea's work like no other pieces of her clothing that she designed. Everyone who was anyone wore her work back in the day, including the great Elizabeth Taylor who was a huge fan and collector. This dress is just spectacular and a very special piece.
The dress is very beautiful and is made from a printed silk chiffon. The fabric has a swirling paisley feeling design with a black backdrop and then the print is done in a greens mixed with pops of blue. The print runs over the entire dress. The bodice has an empire cut and the front scoops low and wide. Detailing the edge of the neck and down the front is an added antique gold metal cord embellishment. This goes all the way around the neckline to the back and then runs part way down the front where it closes with hand made frog knots made of the same cording. The cording also details the seam where the sleeves are set in and more of it sit above the scalloping detail of the skirt. Thea was known to hunt antique stores and markets during her extensive travels and use what she found in her designs and this is certainly a found antique textile. The dress buttons down the front to just past the waist. There is a seam set under the bust and then the dress falls from there in a loose and easy feel. The sleeves are magnificent. They are slim through the upper arm and then from just above the elbow to the cuff they balloon out to be spectacularly full. They are not lined for the lower balloon part of each sleeve and I love the touch of transparency this creates. The rest of the dress is lined in a black silk and the chiffon over it is semi-transparent like the sleeves. This see-through quality gives the fabric depth and a floating feel over the inner lining. The final detail is that little scalloped panel that runs around the skirt above the bottom hem. It adds just a tiny touch of movement, and added detail that is lovely. This is very special and rare piece of Thea's work and it is also very beautiful. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a hand set black silk lining. It closes down the front with gold antique cord loops and knots. Each cuff hooks to close. Tagged a vintage UK 12. Finished by hand throughout. There is some patina to the cording that is a natural occurrence of its age. A tiny bit of grubbiness to the seam under each arm on the inner lining. It is spectacular
Sleeves: 26" and 11" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10.5" from the top of the shoulder to the seam under the bust
Total length: 56" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4570
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
givenchy
Fall 1978 Givenchy Haute Couture Original Runway Sample Black Silk & Velvet Dress w Beaded Sleeves
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The House of Givenchy was founded in 1952 by Hubert de Givenchy. He has always been strongly associated with the work that he did dressing Audrey Hepburn but his range was incredible as a designer behind that relationship with her. Some of my personal favourite vintage pieces over the years have been from his work. His Haute Couture pieces are always amazing to find and this wonderful dress is an extraordinary example of his couture work during this time period. It is completely made by hand to Haute Couture standards and the workmanship and craft out into this dress is extraordinary. This is also the actual runway sample and you can see its near twin in the reference photos that we have added here that would have been in the same grouping as this one, which makes its place in fashion history even more special. As good as the dress is on the dress form you can see how it transforms even further on an actual body. This is true Couture and it is fabulous. I love it.
What a beautiful piece of couture. The bodice of the dress is made from a black silk with a slight sheen to the finish and the fabric has a touch of weight that allows it to hold the shape that you see. For the skirt he used a black velvet with a thick pile finish and this fabric choice also really allows it to hold those beautiful lines that you see in the photos. Its beautiful shape is almost sculptural and it is a testament to the level of workmanship that you only see in true couture pieces. The bodice buttons to close down the front and the buttons run all the way up to the neckline. Each button is a thick circle of black with a glass rhinestone set inside. The neckline has no collar and it is just a simple, elegant swoop around your neck. The bodice has vertical darts so that it follows and accentuates the curves of the body. It narrows in slightly at the waist and then curves out and over to the top of the hip below the natural waist. A ribbon is tacked at the back and then ties on the front to give the dress the same look as how it was shown on the runway. The sleeves are amazing. Each is cut on a curve to follow the shape of the arm in the traditional manner of making a sleeve. They are set into the shoulders with a beautiful series of soft pleats so that you get a bit of volume at the shoulder. There is stiffened tulle just inside the edge of the shoulder for shape and this lets them puff out slightly around the upper arm and then it narrows down to their ends.The skirt has some built-in fullness around the inside of the upper hip that allows it to lift slightly off and away from the body. There are also weights that are set all around the inner hip so that it sits perfectly on the body once on. The skirt curves down and inwards from there. The skirt at the front is cut on a curve that swoops up at the centre so that you see a flash of leg as you walk or sit. The back is fuller and it also falls a touch longer so you get a beautiful curving line from the side. The sleeves are works of art. Each is detailed with hand applied prong set glass rhinestones in red green and clear to form a stunning red flower with trailing leaves that run over and down the outer edge of each sleeve. Little hand cut velvet bits are hand applied in and around the flowers to give them depth. The rhinestones catch the light beautifully. It is incredible. These have all been added one by one by hand and the entire dress is completely hand made to couture standards. I have taken some detail shots of the interior seams for you to see the fine Haute Couture workmanship inside. It is an incredible piece and beautifully made. Excellent condition with a small note below
The bodice is unlined and the skirt is fully lined in a black silk organza. Built in panniers around the hip area with weights that I have photoed. It closes down the front with the buttons as shown and the skirt snaps into place under that. A little hidden set snap is set on each cuff. Hand finished throughout. The proper runway sample tag is present. One rhinestone is broken but it is the button that lies under the ribbon when it is tied. Please see the photo after the sample tag. Some of the seams show minor stress. Made to Haute Couture standards with a tremendous amount of detail put into its construction.
Sleeves: 25" and 14" aroid the upper arm. 6.5" around the wrist
Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam and meant be cinched with the ribbon
Seam across top of hips: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural hips: open
Bodice: 20" from the neck to the seam at top of hips
Total length: 41" from neck to shortest part of the front hem, 58.5" to the back hem with 2" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Modern Sizing Equivalent:
Item# DD4562
Reference Photos: Givenchy Fall 1978 Haute Couture Advance.
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.
loris azzaro
Incredible 1976-1978 Loris Azzaro Strapless Glossy Black Sequin Dress wLayered Net Tulle Skirt
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Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate fabrics and avant garde ways of defining the body. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. By the seventies and eighties he was experimenting with volume and proportions and new fabrics that at the time were all cutting edge. This is a stunning example of his work from the mid- to later part of the 1970s and is fantastically beautiful. No matter how good it looks on my dress form, in person and on the body it transforms into even more of a bombshell. It is spectacular. To give you an idea of the way the paper bodice fits I have included a photo of French singer Dalida and one if Raquel Welch both wear dresses similar to the bodice of this one. I think this one with its fantastical net tulle skirt is even more special
This is a killer dress. It is one that will come to life even more once it is on an actual body because this is a dress that in person it is even better. The movement it has cannot truly be captured until it is on a body and moving. The first thing you see is that the entire body of the dress is covered in overlapping glossy black sequins that catch the light from every angle. This detailing alone takes your breath away when you see the dress in person. The dress is strapless and the bodice is cut with a rounded sweetheart neckline and has shaped cups with one of hi signature inner tacked in strapless bras. It skims over the body from there gliding over the waist and hips. There is some shape at the waist but it is with a more easy feeling which keeps the dress feeling long and lean. Under that the skirt falls to the floor in an explosion of netted tulle that is set in ruffle layers that curve up and toward the centre front. The layers give the skirt so much volume and movement when you move and it is just incredible. When you move even the slightest, they move with you and it's gorgeous to see. It has a full underskirt in a black silk but the way the ruffle are set give the illusion of being more open at the front. I love how the dress curves around the hips and dips down slightly before turning into the tulle to give you maximum curves at the back as well. Above that the entire back is also left bare and open and it is as incredible from the back as it is from the front. The dress is wonderfully made. It is a stunning dress and you will definitely turn heads in it when you walk into the room. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a black silk and it closes with a zipper at the back. His signature copper strapless bra is tacked unsaid and you could remove or replace this is needed for a better fit. It is fuller through the waist and If you wanted a more hourglass feel you can alter the waist in. Elastic through the upper seam of the bodice. and the fabric has some give. Hand finished throughout.
Bust: 14-17" flat across from side seam to side seam with the current inner bra about a B to small C cup
Waist: 14-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of the shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item#DD4486
Reference Photos: (1) Raquel Welch with Loris Azzaro, 1978. / (2-3) Dalida in Azzaro, 1976. - First two photos from the book 'Azzaro: 50 Sparkling Years'.
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 1979 Yves Saint Laurent Unlabled Haute Couture Black Silk Dress w Sequin & Rhinestone Detailing
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This is an incredible Haute Couture dress that came to me from the niece of the original couture client and is unlabeled. In our hunt for more information on it we found the runway photos from the 1979 Yves Saint Laurent dress and you instantly see that it is its twin in all ways except for the length. It is always the prerogative of the couture client to change some elements of the dress to suit their needs and in this case, this woman attended many functions where a full length dress was required. She frequented the Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Ungaro ateliers. She often removed the labels to avoid customs and it is fantastic to be able to verify which designer and collection this one is from as many of the records she kept were lost. The dress is completely made by hand to Haute Couture standards and it is incredible. I love having the runway photos so that you can see just how amazing it is in the body.
The dress is made from a crisp black silk and this fabric choice allows it to hold those beautiful lines that you see. It's beautiful shape is a testament to the level of workmanship that you only see in true couture pieces. At the front the neckline dips into a V and the dress is vertically seamed to follow the curves of the body. The sleeves are amazing. Each is cut on a curve to follow the shape of the arm in the traditional manner of making a sleeve. They are set into the shoulders with a beautiful series of soft pleats so that you get a bit of volume at the shoulder. They puff out slightly around the upper arm and then narrow down at their ends. At the back the dress scoops low to give you a bare expanse of skin. The back has a low set seam under the open scoop and this allows the top of the back skirt to lift slightly off and away from the body. A tiny detail that feels very sensual on the body. That same seam curves around the hips and angles up towards the waist at the front and then the skirt at the front is cut on a stunning curve that widens out as it reaches the hem. The back is fuller and it also falls a touch longer to give it the feel of it sweeping out behind you. Built in underneath the skirt is a ruffled black silk net underskirt and when you move or sit you see just a peek of the ruffle around the inner hem. Built inside the top of the inner skirt are layers of silk net that help to hold the fullness around the hips. The dress is detailed with hand applied sequins to form little varying sized circles that run over the entire bodice, the waist and the top part of the skirt. Two types of sequins have been used, tiny silver sequins one and others that are an iridescent pale blue. The blue ones catch the light and range in colour from silver to an ice blue. It is incredible. Mixed into that are some circles that are made from little glass crystal beads. All are hand applied and the entire dress is completely hand made to couture standards. I have taken some detail shots of the interior seams for you to see the fine Haute Couture workmanship inside. It is an incredible piece and just beautifully made. Excellent condition with a small note below
The bodice is unlined and the skirt is fully lined with a built in underskirt in a black silk net and taffeta. Built in panniers around the hip area that I have photoed. It closes with a hand set back zipper and the skirt snaps into place with silk covered snaps over that. Hidden set zippers at each wrist. Hand finished throughout. There is the occasional sequin or crystal missing on the dots here and there and I have photoed one area for you to see as an example. Please see the last detail photo for that. Unlabeled. Made to Haute Couture standards with a tremendous amount of detail put into its construction.
Sleeves: 24"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 58" from top of shoulder to front hem, 60" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3677
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.
Ady Couture
1982 Ady for Givenchy Haute Couture Gold Silk Taffeta Dress w Hand Done Sequin Detailing
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This is an incredible Haute Couture dress that came to me from the niece of the original couture client, In our hunt for more information on it we found the runway photos from the 1982 Givenchy Haute Couture presentations and you instantly see that it is its twin in all ways. I love having the runway photos so that you can see just how amazing it is in the body. This dress was made by hand in the atelier of Ady Couture who was based in Lausanne Switzerland. Ady herself was a couture trained seamstress and headed a team who had full permission of the Haute Couture houses she worked with to make the designs they showed in Paris for clients based in Switzerland and the surrounding areas. She would purchase the couture fabrics from the couture houses along with the patterns and then make the actual dresses in her atelier. This arrangement with the couture houses was a way to work around customs during this time period and do fittings for clients unable to travel to Paris. So far we have verified that she had this arrangement with Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Ungaro. There may have been others but those are the four labels we have documentation on from the runway.
The dress is made from a deep copper gold silk taffeta and this fabric choice allows it to hold those stunning lines and volume that you see. It is absolutely beautiful and a testament to the level of design that you only see in couture pieces. The colour of the silk is even better in person. I have managed to almost capture it in these photos but in person it is even richer feeling then what you see here. At the front the neckline is set in a simple high scoop. The bodice is cut to skim over your curves and is simple in cut. The sleeves are incredible. Each one is set on a curve to follow the shape of the arm in the traditional manner of dressmaking. They are set into the shoulders with a beautiful series of soft pleats so that you get a bit of volume at the shoulder. They puff out slightly around the upper arm and then narrow down at their ends. The waist is seamed and the skirt is gathered all the way around the waist in a series of soft pleats. These puff out from the waist slightly and this little couture trick gives the illusion that the waist is smaller then it is. On the runway it was shown with a black velvet bow and I have added one to emulate that same look. The skirt is one of the best skirts I have seen both from a design point of view and by its level of construction. It is made into two attached sections. The top comes out from the pleats all around the waist and it poufs out around you. A seam brings the skirt in and then the lower part of the skirt falls to the floor from there. That second tier has many yards of silk in it so that it flares out as it reached the hem. Between the two sections is a wide velvet ribbon that wraps around the seam and ties into a bow at the side. Which beautifully picks up on the bow around the waist. All of the volume and shape that you see is created through the way it is cut and the fabric choice. The skirt does not have extensive underskirts to shape it. The silk of the skirts are lined in a silk organza to help give support but it is really the genius of the cut itself that creates the shape. An elaborate and intricate floral design runs across the front and back of the bodice and down each sleeve. Hand done embroidery work is combined with tiny black sequins and hand applied beads. It is some of the finest hand work I have seen. Inside the dress is completely finished to couture standards with every seam finished by hand. I have taken some detail shots for you to see the fine workmanship inside. It is an incredible piece and absolutely beautifully made. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition
The bodice is fully lined in a matching gold toned silk and the skirt is fully lined with a slightly gold tinged silk organza. It closes with a hand placed back zipper and the skirt snaps into place with silk covered snaps over that. Hidden set zippers at each wrist. Hand finished throughout. The velvet ribbon out is not original to the piece but will be included. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Made to Haute Couture standards with a tremendous amount of detail put into its construction. It is a slightly softer gold copper in person then how it photoed.
Sleeves: 26"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13.5"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from shoulder to waist
Length: 42" from waist to front hem, 45" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3685
Reference Photos: Fall 1982 Givenchy Couture 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.
loris azzaro
1973 Loris Azzaro Couture Black Flame Sequin Detailing & Feather Light Silk Chiffon Dress
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Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate fabrics and avant garde ways of defining the body. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. By the seventies and eighties he was experimenting with volume and proportions and new fabrics that at the time were all cutting edge. This is a stunning example of his work during the mid-seventies. When researching we found several examples of dresses from 1973 that utilized the same jagged flame pattern and sequins against silk chiffon. This one actually looks like a sleeveless version of the one shot on Marisa Berenson. This is a label that I really love and am always happy to find pieces from.
This is a gorgeous dress. It is really one that will come to life even more once on an actual body and I hope the photos convey enough of how fabulous it is because when worn this one will be even better. The entire body of the dress is covered with densely applied black sequins and these catch the light from every angle. This covers you from that jagged design on the bodice down and over the hips. The sequins extend right from the flame design at the front and then are set in long vertical rows to the hem. The top of the bodice is a single layer of black silk chiffon. This bit of transparency adds an incredibly sexy feel. He used that same silk chiffon down the back where it dips into a low scoop. I love the way that the jagged flame pattern defines the bust and that low scoop at the back. A high slit up one side lets you have the perfect flash of skin when you walk or sit. It is fabulous once on an actual body. Excellent condition
Fully lined through the body in a black silk and it zips to close at the back.
Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 57.5" from top of shoulder to hem with 2.5" turned under
Slit: 19.5" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-XL
Item# DD4403
Reference Photos: (1-3) Marisa Berenson in a Loris Azzaro. October 1973. Photo: Michael Holtz. / (4) The cover of the book "Azzaro" for Assouline - Marisa Berenson and Loris Azzaro photographed in 1973, for issue 604 of L'Officiel de la Couture et de la Mode de Paris, by Roland Bianchini. / (5) Image from the book "Azzaro: Fifty Sparkling Years" / (6) Magazine spread featuring a model in Azzaro, 1973. / (7) Spring 1973 Loris Azzaro 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 anthony
Incredible 2005 John Anthony Couture Runway Sample Heavily Beaded & Sequined Plunge Dress
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John has dived into his archives once more for me and today I have two of the dresses he sent for you with more to come. This is a runway piece from 2005. The bead work on it was done by hand by one of the same European ateliers who did beading for many of the Couture houses for this time period. John is one of my favorite American designers and right out of the gate he won the Coty Award for his work. The first time in 1972 and then again in 1976. He designed clothes that were simple and elegant but glamorous. His work veers towards minimalism with sharp tailoring. Striking evening wear was his signature and he is renowned for his cutting and tailoring. It is an extraordinary privilege to have pieces directly from his archives and these are things you will never see again. This one is a work of art and it is just extraordinary to see it in person with all of that extensive bead and sequin work
John's business was all done on a made to order basis. That means the majority of pieces you will find are a one-off, or if there are similar pieces, very few of each piece exist. This personal attention to each dress is clearly seen in the workmanship of his pieces. His work is very expensive and beaded pieces like this sold for over $20,000 and more during this time period. Having this actual runway samples that John pulled from his own archives to share with you is just amazing.
This dress is absolutely stunning. The fabric is completely covered in thousand of tiny deep silver seed beads and teeny tiny iridescent aqua coloured sequins.This gives the dress some weight - we weighed it and it is just over 6 pounds - but it is so beautifully made that it balances and glides over the body perfectly and does not feel unwieldy at all. The front plunges right to the waist with two long triangles curving up towards the neck and hooking at the back. On the inside of each triangle there is a panel of the same fabric sewn down their lengths. These drape over the bodice to create a ruffle that falls from the top of the halter to the waist and gives the front a soft and feminine finish. The back is left completely open as a result so when you turn all you see is bare skin I love that curving cut of the sides as it scoops down. The waist is seamed for a bit of definition and then the skirt falls from under there to the floor. It widens out to the lower skirt and this give it beautiful movement when you walk. The colour is this magical deep aqua and silver mix and the way the beads and sequins are set give it a stunning pattern over you. The way this catches the light is fantastic. It is a very special piece. Excellent condition.
Unlined and closes with a low set side zipper at the back and hooks to close behind the neck. Hand finished throughout. Silk chiffon panel finished hem and edges. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
Bust: no true side seams
Waist: 12-12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15-16" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: approx 63" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4399
Reference Photos: Daria Strokous at the 30th amfAR Gala, Cannes, May 2024.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
geoffrey beene
Stunning c 1990 Geoffrey Beene Strapless Sequin Bodice & Floral Silk Taffeta Dress w Shawl
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Geoffrey Beene was one of the most awarded designers in the US. There is a currently an exhibit running of his work for the 2023 year titled MOVE: The Modern Cut of Geoffrey Beene. I wanted to share the exhibit notes because they sum his career so well saying 'At his core, Beene was a fashion rebel who ignored trends, instead preferring to design garments that began as geometric shapes and evolved into silhouettes that moved naturally with the human form. His intuitive understanding of the body informed fashions that were unparalleled in their combination of luxury, thoughtful design, and comfort. Beene’s colorful, imaginative creations have been recognized with many accolades, including eight Coty American Fashion Critics Awards and three Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards. His work has also been celebrated through various exhibitions at institutions across the nation.'
This was a favoured silhouette of Geoffrey Beene that he was doing primarily through the late 1980s and into the very early 1990s. When looking through some of the images from the exhibit on his work there were dresses with very similar cuts from the 1990 season. It is a very pretty dress and very striking once on. The bodice is strapless and then it is completely covered in overlapping glossy black sequins at the front. At the back it is the same silk taffeta as the rest of the dress and I love how part of that extends and wraps around to the front just under the bust. This is all attached and adds a beautiful detail that really reflects his work from this time period. The bodice is meant to be fitted and has light boning inside to hold it in place. The top of it dips in the center and peaks slightly on either side to emphasize the bust. The waist is nipped in and then from there the skirt is cut beautifully full to the hem. The silk is all gathered into the waist and this is what helps give it that shape that you see. I love the oversized floral print that covers the silk and how there are these little woven dots running over the very top of the silk. These catch the light differently and are also a subtle nod to his love if dots in his work. Inside there is a black silk lining and the edge of that lining is finished with a sequin detailed lace. This peaks out from below the curving hem of the skirt and ties all the elements of the dress together. The dress can be worn on its own or with the matching shawl piece that is original to the dress. This extra wide shawl is caught up at each end in an elaborate twisted fabric flower that anchors it and allows it to open between for the volume you see. It can be worn numerous ways and I have photoed some of those here. You could also wear it over the head for a very glamorous look. It is so pretty. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a fine black silk and closes with a back hidden set zipper. Ribbon finished hem. Light boning through the bodice. The shawl is unlined with no closures
Bust: 17-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10.5" from top to waist
Skirt: 36" from waist to longest points of hem
Shawl: 100" x 46.5"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4353
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.
arnold scaasi
Gorgeous 1980s Arnold Scaasi Black Net Dress w Multi Colour Sequins & Asymmetrical Skirt
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This dress is by Arnold Scassi and I love the choice of sequin and net that he used for this one. Scaasi worked under Charles James at the start of his career and many of his dressed reflect this early influence. His boutique line was launched in 1984 and was high end ready-to-wear and very expensive. Pieces from it often have a demi-couture level finish and really are an extension of his couture line. This one is especially fabulous and just is one of those pieces that feel joyful to look at.
This gorgeous little dress is constructed from multiple layers of feather light black tulle net that has hundreds of sequins sewn onto the very top layer. The sequins absolutely bring the dress to life. They are a mix of red, green, blue and gold and cover every square inch. The light bounces beautifully off them as you move. The top netted layer sits over multiple inner layers which is what gives the dress the volume that you see. The dress is strapless and the bodice is kept simple so the sequins take center stage. It is gathers down one side and the seam at the bottom is set on a sharp angle that dips down very low on one side. The skirt explodes out from that seam and that angled cut of the bodice is followed by the angle of the hem as is cascades towards the floor lower on one side. There are yards and yards of fabric in the skirt. Under that very top sequin embellished layer is another layer of tulle, then two layers of a stiffened netting and an inner black silk layer beside your skin. A flower made of the same black netting and sequins, with a black bow on top, sits on the one hip for the final perfect touch. It is fabulous and just a joy to see and wear. Excellent condition with a note below.
The skirt is fully lined in layers as described above. The bodice is lined in a black silk with interior boning. The dress closes with a side zipper. The occasional missing sequin here and there but no large bare spots. There is a touch of patina on the sequins here and there.
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 27" from waist to shortest part of the hem, approx 40" to the longest
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4304
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Bill Blass launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with luxurious materials and his evening wear in particular seemed to have a way of flattering the wearer. He knew how to walk that line perfectly. This is a gorgeous example of his work and I love that I can date it based on the very similar one that was used the a Vogue shoot that year. It gives you a better idea of how it will look like once on a body.
The dusty pink mauve coloured sequins that cover that entirely this dress are so densely applied that they actually overlap one another. There are hundreds of thousand of sequins used and it is incredible. Mixed in with those is a band of gold beads that wrap around the hips. This is set around the on one side and widens out over the hip and then narrows to a point where it meets the low set waist seam. Another triangle feeling band sits at the hem of the skirt on the opposite side. This time done in silver sequins. It is cut in that fabulous eighties big volume on top over a fitted skirt. The shoulders are strong and padded for shape. The neckline is scooped and the sleeves are long. The bodice is cut long and it is meant to blouse out over the skirt. Inside there is a silk lining in that same purple and then the sequin fabric is also lined in silk. It buttons down the back and you get a tiny glimpse of skin between the buttons. The sequins catch the light at your slightest move and its fabulous in person. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in silk with a low set inner zipper at the waist and a series of buttons down the back. Padding in the shoulders, It is meant to be oversized at the top so the hips are the most important measurement to consider.
Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: open
Seam at top of skirt: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 19.5" from top of shoulder to seam at top of skirt
Skirt: 22" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD3953
Reference Photo: (1) Models in Bill Blass, Vogue, October 1982. / (2-4) Fall 1982 Bill Blass Collection. Model Alva Chinn.
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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