jean patou
1940s Jean Patou Haute Couture Strapless Black Silk Chiffon Dress w Tiered Full Skirt
I Have a Question
- This is an exceptionally beautiful Jean Patou silk chiffon dress that is an absolute masterpiece. It is an important and early representation of both the house of Patou and the level of Haute Couture being produced during this time period.
- Jean Patou once said "Certain dressmakers desire to pass for an artist. I have one ambition: that is to have good taste." and this dress is the very epitome of that statement.
- The dress is made entirely by hand and represents countless hours of dedicated hand work within the atelier.
- It is one of the most beautiful dresses that I have had come through my hands and the photos cannot begin to convey the detail and fine work that has gone into the creation of this piece.
- It is constructed from a fine black silk chiffon and the bust is fitted with a boned and shaped interior to hold the dress around you. The upper edge of the bust has a little silk chiffon ruffle that folds over for a pretty detail.
- It cinches in at the waist and the skirt flows down on a gentle curve. The waist seam curves upwards at the centre front and then curves downward towards the hip. The back seam continues curving downwards to to create a dip at the back.
- Under this the skirt falls in a cascade of silk chiffon tiered panels. There are three in total and each one overlaps the one underneath. Hidden in between the ruffles are panels of silk organza which helps to give the dress its volume. An extra panel sits under the very lowest tier. Inside the skirt is a layer of stiffened netting.
- The skirt follows the same curve the waist seam has with the front coming up a touch and the back sweeping out behind you.
- We have not added anything under the skirts. There is room to go fuller if you wanted to add a crinoline underneath you can go as full as you wish.
- A spray of pink silk flowers and black velvet leaves run down one side of the skirt.
- This is really an extraordinary piece of early golden era Haute Couture.
- The bodice has a hand set silk lining and is boned. It closes with hand set back metal zipper. The skirt is lined as described above. I see some minor grubbiness around the hem of the interior lining. The tulle lining under the skirt is raw cut and there may be occasional little break near the hem here and there. There is light stress near the seams on the bodice around the waist area that indicate there was a belt or ribbon attached at some point. You could easily add a belt or ribbon and you would never see these. The flowers do not feel fresh. They are just tacked in place and they could be removed or replaced.
- There is no size tag present because it is Couture. Please see the measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the notes above.
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 12" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 53" from top of bodice to front hem, 62" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5578
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
nina ricci
Exceptional c.1990 Nina Ricci by Gerard Pipart Haute Couture Strapless Red & Black Silk Dress
I Have a Question
- This dress best matches the look of the collections that were being done around the 1990 time period.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gerard Pipart.
- The Nina Ricci brand was founded in 1932 at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris. In 1964 Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant, as head of the brand. Pipart, who had previously worked for Balmain, Fath, and Patou, brought a wide range of experience in all aspects of fashion to the brand.
- Over the following three decades, Pipart's couture vision 'celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day.' He headed the Couture division until 1998.
- This is an incredible and very beautiful piece of Haute Couture and would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- This dress is a masterpiece and really showcases how beautiful a piece of true couture can be. Everything about its construction goes above and beyond.
- The bodice and hem are made out of a red silk that has a bit of very fine ribbing through the fabric. That same fabric in a black is used for the main part of the skirt and then the band around the top of the bodice and the band around the waist are detailed with a wide black velvet ribbon.
- The bodice is strapless and curves across the front and around to the back. There is a built-in inner structure to hold the dress in place and it is fitted to the waist where it nips in.
- The way that the skirt falls is just extraordinary. It is so full and voluminous as it curves outward and down to the floor. To achieve that shape there is an elaborate built-in underskirt that is all hidden. It is made out of a stiffened net that is hidden between the outer layer and the inner silk lining.
- The silk of the skirt is set in beautiful rounded pleats in the hidden structure underneath is what gives the support needed to hold the shapes. I have not added any crinolines under the skirt - all of the shape and volume is there because of the brilliant hidden structure underneath.
- The back of the skirt is cut slightly longer then the front for a beautiful sweeping feel behind you.
- A final band of black velvet circles its way around the lower skirt, topping a wide panel made from the same red silk as the bodice.
- The contrast between the red and black is absolutely stunning. It is an exceptional piece of Couture.
- The dress is fully lined in a handset black silk and closes with a handset back zipper. An inner waist stay hooks to close. There is hidden boning through the bodice and structure through the hips as described above. I see that the zipper was let out a bit at some point and there is some grubbiness and tiny breaks along the edge of the hem. All minor but mentioned for accuracy.
- The proper Haute Couture label is present.
- There is no size tag since it is a couture piece. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the minor note abovewith the minor note above
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 52" from top of bodice to front hem, 60" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5575
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
Rodarte
Dreamy Fall 2016 Rodarte Runway Look 40 White Lace, Silk & Net Bias Cut Dress w Hand Done Detailing
I Have a Question
- The twin of the dress was presented as Look 40 for the Fall 2016 Rodarte collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Kate and Laura Mulleavy.
- 2016 marked the 10th anniversary of the label and in Vogue's coverage of the show they noted that "The best Rodarte collections - and this was surely one - come across like manifested daydreams. Lots of designers like to talk about tapping into the fantasy element of fashion, but Kate and Laura are perhaps the only ones whose clothes summon the ludic sensibility of kids playing dress up. The demented level of embellishment which here included ruffled leather, hand, cut floral paillettes, and mesh, and lace sequined and watery patterns, recalls a child's take on glamour with every available fancy piled on. That the Mulleavys manage the muchness with such grace is something of a miracle.... the hand craftsmanship, the romance, the touch of the macabre - those qualities were present in Rodarte a decade ago, and they are communicated as clearly now as they ever were."
- There is a lot of hand work in the dress and it is a part of the collections where they were doing a lot of the work in-house and the pieces were not so mass produced as they are now. The pricing for pieces during this era were also extraordinarily higher than what they currently can be, with the then pricing being up to and over the 20k mark.
- I love how heavily influenced by the 1930s and 1940s that this dress is. It has a decidedly vintage feel to its cut.
- The dress combines bias cut silk and netting with a fine lace that is laid out softly over the body but in a way that still gives soft structure. There are lot so beautiful added hand cut details, beads and appliqué.
- As good as it looks on the dress form, I am glad that we have so many reference photos so you can see how beautiful it is once it transforms onto an actual body.
- A ruffle of lace and netting highlight the wide set neckline. Small panels of netting drape softly down from each shoulder and are set more towards the back. These are detailed with hand cut outs and beads. At the back there is a small V for a touch of skin to show.
- I love how the inner dress creates that dramatic cut out effect that sits underneath the top layer of lace at the front. It really makes the dress feel dynamic and special and adds a subtle bit of sexiness.
- The dress glides over the waist and then curves back over the hips. There are more hand applied, hand done cut out appliques and netted beading details on one hip for added detail.
- The skirt is phenomenal. The skirt is split on one side right up to the flower at the hip. The inner part of the skirt is made out of a matching ivory silk that has a layer of soft tulle underneath so you get all of these layers around the slit that help to cover how high it is but still allowing it to open.
- A hand made rosette sits at top of the slit and then on the other hip there is another matching rosette. An inset panel made of netting that has two more handmade handset flower cuts added to it as it trails from under that rosette down to the hem.
- The topmost layer over all of this is a beautiful soft ivory lace that is just magical. I love how the ivory of the lace is offset by the more white leaf cut outs that are on the little cap sleeves and at the waist.
- The final perfect touch is a band of tightly gathered ruffled lace that goes all the way around the hem. There are yards and yards of fabric in the lower skirt.
- I think this is one of the most beautiful dresses that the duo have made throughout their entire career.
- The dress is fully lined in a combination of the netting and the ivory silk and nylon netting. It closes with a hidden setback zipper. It was never worn and all of the applique work is done by hand and set onto the dress by hand. There is an amazing amount of hand work in the dress. There is one small break in the netting on the innermost layer that does not show. It was never worn and is otherwise pristine. The colour is perhaps the tiniest bit more ivory than how it photographed.
- Tagged a modern Rodarte 6
- Excellent condition
Bust: 15-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 64" from top of shoulder to hem and the slit is 42" up from the hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5572
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2016 Rodarte, Look 40.
dolce and gabbana
1993 Dolce & Gabbana Three Piece White Silk & Tulle Wedding Dress Overskirt & Veil Full Set
I Have a Question
- This is a fantastically beautiful set from 1993.
- It was made under the creative direction of Domenico Solce and Stefano Gabbana.
- It has its three original pieces. There is a corset topped inner dress that ends at or just below the knee depending on your height. Over that is a white tulle over-skirt that falls to the floor and then there is a matching huge rectangle of white tulle that can be used as a full cathedral length veil.
- The inner dress has a slightly off-white silk corset style silk top. The sweetheart neckline is cut to highlight the bust and then it nips in to follow the body to the waist. All of the seaming is done vertically and pieced together all the way around you. Inside there is full boning and support to hold it perfectly around you.
- The corset curves to just over the top of the hips and then under that there are two layers of a white tulle that tops a ribbon edged silky rayon layer and an inner-most white layer that feels slightly stiffened. This makes the lower skirt full and also acts as the support when you add the outer skirt over it.
- The outer skirt is banded around the waist with a 3 inch panel in the same silk used over the corset. It curves over the top of your hips for a touch of added shape. Under that are multiple layers of tulle that give it the tremendous volume that you see. The very bottom hem of the top layer is finished in a band of pretty lace.
- The dress comes with a huge rectangle of the same tulle that both skirts are made out of. I have draped it over the top of the dress form so you can just how much of the fabric there is. It easily extends down and past the hem of the dress. Once pinned into place, or draped over your head, it can be worn as a full cathedral length veil.
- I love the versatility of the two pieces since you can take the outer skirt off for dancing after the wedding. If you wanted it even more volume you could add another underskirt underneath.
- The inner dress is lined in the same silk as the outer corset and is boned and shaped. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. The skirt goes over that and closes with a button at the waistband a hidden sat back zipper under that. The veil is one large rectangle of matching tulle.
- Tagged a vintage D&G 42
- Excellent condition
Dress
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam and then it is open and full under that.
Bodice: 11.5" from top of bodice to seam just below natural waist
Total length: 35" from top of bodice to hem
Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 46" from waist to hem
Veil is just over 10 feet long x 9 feet wide
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5571
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
1972 Yves Saint Laurent Red Floral Silk Chiffon & Red Silk Dress w Balloon Sleeves & Pleat Detailing
I Have a Question
- When dating this extraordinary Yves Saint Laurent dress, we found a photo of a piece with almost an identical cut bodice from 1972 along with several runway photos that show other pieces with that same cut to the bodice.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
- I have included the reference photos here for you and it is interesting to note that the pleating technique that is used around the upper hip of the skirt was also done in a more intricate fashion for the 1974 Couture show.
- Yves often use ideas from both collections. - Rive Gauche and Couture - to build and develop ideas and it is fascinating to see the progression of his work from garment to garment.
- The dress combines a floral silk chiffon with a muted red silk on the skirt.
- This combination of silks give the dress just enough weight and structure to be able to create the impressive lines and volume that you see but while still making it feel soft and romantic.
- The top is a printed silk chiffon and it has a floral pattern in red, purples and greens that float over the entire bodice and the sleeves.
- The bodice is cut to skim over you and the waist nips in. It plunges at the front and crosses over itself. The neckline has been detailed with ruffles that begin at the back of the neck and circle around to follow the V at the front and then run down to the waist piping done in the same fabric detail.
- The skirt falls to the floor from there and it has yards and yards of fabric in it that creates the fullness and volume that you see.
- It is quite full by the time it reaches the hem and I love the volume that this type of fabric creates and how it billows around you as you move but at the same time it is as light as a feather.
- Under the waist are a series of tiny pleats that gradually open out to create the volume underneath. This intricate detail is a beautiful addition to the dress.
- The sleeves are outstanding and the perfect finishing detail. Each is a single layer of the silk chiffon and are wide and very full. They are caught up at the wrist with a circle full circle ruffle underneath. This creates a beautiful and dramatic finish to the top.
- The dress is fully lined in a red silk except for the sleeves which are unlined. It closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. Attached ties at the waist and elastic in each cuff. Between the top silk and inner lining is a tulle ruffle that helps keep the volume of the skirt. I see some light marks around the hem of the skirt that are minor but mentioned for accuracy.
- Tagged a vintage YSL 38
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 24" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Total length: 62" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5561
Reference Photos: Fall 1972 Yves Saint Laurent.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Spectacular Cruise 2009 Christian Dior by John Galliano Soft Pastel Blue-Green Ruffle Dress w Beading
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was Look 52 from the Christian Dior Cruise 2009 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- The Vogue report on the collection noted that: "Galliano has been mining the good old U.S. of A. for raw material from which to spin his dreams....grandes dames like Barbara Hutton, Millicent Rogers, and Nan Kempner—women who weren't afraid to make a bold sartorial statement, one that preferably involved a whopping piece of jewelry. From a shimmering backdrop that conjured a Tony Duquette garden, there emerged a full wardrobe for their modern-day counterparts in Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, and Dallas.... What this season is really about is not so much breaking the mold as delivering a vision of the good life—and Galliano can do that in spades."
- This is the actual address that worn by Caitlin Thompson to the 2024 Emmys.
- Emmy Rossum also appeared in its twin in 2009 and I love that the reference photos show just how wonderful this dress is once on the body.
- The dress is made out of a pale pastel silk chiffon that is in the beautiful pastel shade of a turquoise / seafoam green. It is an absolutely beautiful colour and even better in person.
- The bodice is cut slightly wider across the neck and it is meant skim lightly over you to the waist.
- The waist is defined by a wide beaded band that highlights and adds shape.
- From there curves back out over the hips and then cascades to the floor gently widening out as it near the hem.
- The entire dress is finished with silk chiffon ruffles that are stacked and set to slightly overlap the ruffle sitting underneath all the way down to the hem, with the only break being the detailing around the waist for added shape.
- The ruffles add a lovely soft bit of movement as you move, and I love how he has played with the width of the ruffles as they work their way down to the floor. It makes it more visually interesting and also allows the dress more movement than if he had kept the ruffles all the same size.
- Extensive bead work wraps all the way around the band of the waist. The work has been completely done by hand and the beads are set out in a complex pattern with pale ivory beads mixed with beads of various sizes and finished in romantic pinks and soft greens.
- This is a phenomenal runway piece by John Galliano for Dior and is one of the prettiest dresses that he ever created.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching colour silk. It closes with a hidden set zipper at the side and there are hidden hooks on the top of one shoulder. I see one bead missing at the back of the waist. The bead work has all been added by hand.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5559
Reference Photos/Video: (1-6) Cruise 2009 Christian Dior Runway. Look 52. / (7) Emmy Rossum at the New Yorkers for Children Spring Dinner Dance, April 2009. / (8-12) Caitlin Thompson in this dress at the 2024 Emmys.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
versace
Phenomenal Spring 2021 Versace by Donatella Versace Runway Look 77 Embellished Starfish Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Spring 2021 Versace show for Look 77.
- It was made under the creative direction of Donatella Versace.
- This dress was immediately waitlisted and sold out worldwide. They were released on a very limited basis and very few were made.
- The show is live streamed and close to the public because of the worldwide lockdowns at the time. The stage was the "imagined ruins of Atlantis" with projected water streaming down the walls. It was a tribute to Gianni's 'tresor de la mer' collection for Spring 1992. She was quoted by Vogue as saying "I wanted to do something disruptive to break the rules because I think that what worked a few months ago does not make any sense today. Creatively that meant finding a way to bring the DNA of Versace to a new reality into people who have undergone a deep change". The dress was one of the closing looks of the show and was worn to perfection by Irina on the runway.
- It was a dress that was heavily photographed that season. Gigi was photoed in it for US Vogue, Sonam for Vogue India and Emily Ratajkowski was also photoed in its twin.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful pale turquoise blue silk that is of a very high quality. This was then heavily in embellished with large prong set glass crystals in various sizes, colours and shapes on an embroidered backdrop.
- The level of hand applied crystal embellishment alone on the dress is something rarely seen in modern ready-to-wear.
- Heavily embellished straps curve up and over the shoulders. These attach into the front bodice that is also heavily embellished with a scoop cut out in the centre. It almost feels like what you would see in a 1950s burlesque piece and it is quite fabulous. It is shaped and cupped in the inner structured corset to add support and hold everything in place.
- At the back it is scooped quite low with another band of heavy embellishment coming up and across the back to hold it in place. That band of embellishment actually becomes one of the 'arms' of an oversized starfish that wraps around one hip.
- The dress curves in for the waist and back out over the hips. This particular dress is a larger size so does not fit my dress form as form fitting as it will on an actual body in the correct size. Once on the correct size person it will fit more like the reference photos.
- A high slit runs up one side of the skirt for a flash of leg to show as you walk and move.
- More starfish are scattered over the skirt and the applique work to create the pattern that sits over the dress is incredible. All of the embellishments on the dress are done in such a heavy and dense manner that they sit up and off of the dress. It is just spectacular.
- It is rare to see such stunning work on a modern piece and it is an absolutely exceptional dress and rare collectible.
- And last I love the gold metal Versace discs that are set in as a part of the straps. At the fronts they have little hand made enamel starfish and I have taken a close-up of how they are embossed with the Versace name on their backs.
- Not only is this a rare runway piece but it is new with tags and was never worn.
- The dress is fully lined in a blue silk and has a full built in cupped, wired and boned inner corset. The inner corset closes with a series of hook and eye. The dress closes over that with a hidden set side zipper. I see perhaps slightest touch of grubbiness at the very edge of the hem and there is the very occasional tiny pull in the silk. These are very minor, but mentioned for accuracy and almost certainly occurred in storage or while in the shop from normal handling. The original tags are attached along with a packet of extra crystals and the dress was never worn.
- The dress is tagged a modern Versace 48
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 13" from top of shoulder to under the cups at the front
Total length: 53" from top of shoulder to hem and the slit is 23" from the hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: LRG-XL
Item# DD5554
Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Spring 2021 Versace, Look 77. Model Irina Shayk. / (5) Gigi Hadid in Versace photographed by Ethan James Green, Vogue March 2021. / (6) Sonam Kapoor photographed by Mariano Vivanco, Vogue India, July 2021. / (7-8) Emily Ratajkowski in Versace, June 2021.
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
Important Fall 2006 Christian Dior by John Galliano Pale Silver Grey Version of Runway Look 41 Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress in red was Look 41 on the Fall 2006 Dior runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- He began his own label in 1984 and he was instantly a bit of a 'boy wonder' in fashion. He was British Fashion Council Designer of the Year in 1987, 1994 and 1995. In 1991 he made his Paris catwalk debut. In 1995 he was asked to head Givenchy and then went to Dior in October of 1996.
- His bias cut pieces have a feeling of the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and they are beautifully cut. They marry Old Hollywood with the minimalist spirit of the nineties and early 2000s and the results are stunning.
- The red version was used for the ad campaign that year and was worn by Kate Moss. It has become one of his most iconic dresses.
- We have had this dress in red in the past and it flew. I love having another in this soft pale grey colour. It is just dreamy.
- The dress takes inspiration from the bias cut couture pieces of the 1920s and 1930s. The seam work and simplicity of this dress is stunning to see and it is even better on an actual body.
- It is made from a beautiful silk velvet in a pale silver grey. A design that includes the Christian Dior name has been pressed into the velvet over the entire dress. This gives it this incredible added texture that you see in the photos.
- The dress is completely cut on the bias so that it flows over the body and skims its way over the bust, waist and hips as it falls to the floor.
- The neckline drapes down and there is a panel of silk chiffon tucked just inside the neckline at both the back and the front. This creates a bit of a swooping plunge that is slightly set to the side. Thin bands of a silver grey grosgrain ribbon run up the sides of the dress and around the waist. The velvet is gathered into the ribbon in various spots to create the asymmetrical draping.
- The skirt flows down to the floor from there, skimming over the hips and then flaring out as it reaches the hem. This gives you a ton of movement around the lower skirt when you walk or move. It also adds to the hourglass shape that the dress has.
- This is an amazing example of his work from Dior and it is gorgeous.
- The bodice is lined in a pale grey silk chiffon and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a hidden set zipper down one side. The bias cut fabric does have some stretch. There is a small mark on the inner silk chiffon and a couple tiny marks on the velvet near the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot. The measurements below give you the comfortable range the fabric has when lying flat. It is in its original unaltered length. The bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes
- Tagged a Galliano FR38, GB10, US6
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 16.5" from neck to dropped seam
Total length: 62" from neck to front hem, 64" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5549
Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 2006 Christian Dior, Look 41. Model Caroline Trentini. / (3) Kate Moss for the Fall 2006 Dior Ad Campaign by Nick Knight. / (4) Olivia Cooke at the 'House Of The Dragon' London Premiere, 2022.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
valentino
Fall 1995 Valentino by the Original Mr Valentino Runway Black Velvet Dress w Sequin Detailing
I Have a Question
- The twin of this incredible dress walked the runway for the Fall 1995 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of the original Mr. Valentino.
- I love that we have runway reference photos so that you can see how phenomenal this is once on the body.
- This is a fantastically rare dress by the original Mr. Valentino and it is extraordinarily beautiful.
- The dress combines an inky black velvet with portions covered in glossy black sequins that are densely applied. Little bits of lace give it that touch of Valentino femininity.
- Black piping outlines the neckline and the neckline scoops in a soft V down the front. The piping continues up and over the shoulders and then crosses over the bare and exposed back. Lace has been added along the length of the entire piping for the prettiest finishing detail.
- The bodice is shaped and comes in at the waist to a low seam that sits just below the natural waist. The entire bodice has been finished with tiny little black sequins that are densely applied so that they slightly overlap.
- I love how the rows that they are set in are slightly angled. This is all a clever way to give illusion of more shape through the body. The sequins sit inside four vertical panels across the front and the direction of the sequins changes so you get this incredible hitting of the light on the sequins from every angle.
- The skirt is made out of rich black velvet and I love the combination of the velvet and sequins together. The richness of each textile perfectly compliments the other.
- As the skirt falls to the floor it flares out dramatically and is extremely wide. When I lay it out flat the bottom is a full circle around. This has been achieved by long triangles of sequins set in around the entire hem of the skirt.
- The triangles have a black net backing so if the light hits them in the right way they have a sense of transparency contrasting further to the velvet and adding to the beauty of the dress once it is on the body.
- The sequin triangles have been laid out with the same technique as the rows on the bodice. They are set on angles that meet at a middle point. This allows them to catch the maximum amount of light from every angle.
- Each triangle is finished with the same lace edging that you see on the bodice. Inside the inner edge of the hem there is a band of stiffened netting that helps to hold the shape and volume around you. When you move the skirt moves around you and it is absolutely incredible.
- It is really an outstanding example of his work during this time period.
- The dress is fully lined in a silky black silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The bias cut should allow it to work on a range of sizes and frames.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under natural waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17.5" from top of shoulder to seam under natural waist
Total length: 61.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5546
Reference Photos: Fall 1995 Valentino. Model: Stella Tennant.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
chanel
Phenomenal Fall 2002 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Black Silk Dress w Velvet Detail & Back Panel
I Have a Question
- A shorter version of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 2002 Chanel collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
- Karl chose to show primarily short pieces for the entire presentation of the collection but many of the pieces that went to the shops were done in longer lengths.
- In the book Catwalk: Chanel they noted that the runway had a "sexy rock 'n' roll vibe translated into a collection that reinvented Chanel signatures, placing them into a rock context." There were several dresses on the runway presented using this beautifully weighted silk. We included a reference to one of the dresses that has the same feel as this.
- As good as this dress looks in the photos when you see this one in real life it will take your breath away. It is supremely well-made and absolutely stunning.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful combination of a rich black silk and an inky black velvet. I love the way that he has used the two fabrics to highlight and complement the lines of the dress.
- The dress curves over the shoulders and it is set so that it sits a bit wider across the front. The neckline comes down into a V and the velvet has been used to line the inside of the collar which flips over on both sides for that lovely bit of contrast there.
- There is an inner built-in bodice under that to hold the dress in place and that inner bodice is made out of Chanel logo and camellia flower embossed silk. It is a little extra bit of hidden luxury.
- The straps curve from the top of the collar and down the back, leaving the upper back exposed. The straps are very interesting because they actually have a button where they attach on both sides. The buttons are functional, even though you could not wear the dress without the straps. It is just one of those extra details that you see in a Chanel piece of this high of quality.
- The bodice is made out of the black silk and wraps around to the back where it closes with three more Chanel buttons set above a hidden zipper.
- The waist is defined by a band of black velvet that has an almost slight peplum feel to it. This sits over a wider band of black velvet that curves over the hips to add shape and definition.
- The skirt falls to the floor in a beautiful column of black silk and flares out dramatically as it nears the hem. A high slit runs up the front for a flash of bare leg.
- The back is as good as the front. That black velvet wide panel that wraps around the hips continues around to the back and is gathered in heavily at the centre and then flares out into a panel of black velvet that sweeps down to the floor and slightly past the hem of the silk skirt.
- The silk skirt that sits under the panel at the back of the dress is cut longer then the front so that you have the two layers of velvet and silk creating a beautiful bit of a sweep behind you as you walk.
- This is an exceptional Chanel dress. I cannot rave enough about it.
- The dress is lined through the bodice in a black Chanel embossed silk and the skirt and attached black velvet panel are unlined. It closes at the back with a series of Chanel embossed buttons that sit above a hidden set zipper. Each strap is attached and buttons onto the dress at the front and back with workable functioning buttons. Hand finishes. It comes with its original Chanel packet that has an extra piece of velvet in it. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Chanel 36
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from top of shoulder to the seam under the bust and 15" to the waist
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to the front hem. The slit is 22" from the front hem up. The back extends another 12" past that
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5548
Reference Photo/Video: Fall 2002 Chanel.
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.
tiziani
Documented 1960s Tiziani Couture by Karl Lagerfeld Peach Silk Plunge Dress w Matching Feather Cape
I Have a Question
- Note that due to new customs regulations this piece can only ship to a Canadian address. If you need assistance with this please touch base.
- This is a fantastically well documented piece Tiziani couture set that dates to the 1960s.
- It would have been made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld and is a very rare example of his work there especially with the amount of documentation on it.
- We have included the digital copy of the original sketch done by Karl along with photos of the dress on a model with Tiziani when it was originally produced. I do have modern photos of the dress on someone and will share those upon request.
- The inner tag on the dress is numbered and handwritten and then it has its Tiziana tag on the cape. I was told that this is the actual original sample dress and came from the archives.
- I posted a video of the dress on my Instagram back in 2023 when it was still in my personal archives. You can see that here and it speaks more about its history and you can see the dress on video.
- The dress is made out of a peach silk chiffon that is heavily embellished around the V neckline. The coat is made out of a slightly deeper coral peach silk that is completely covered in hand dyed soft peach feathers.
- The dress has a V at the front and the neckline has a band of embellishment that mixes silver tube beads, peach embroidery, sequins and seed beads, with prong set rhinestones. This follows the neckline at the front and then runs across the top of each shoulder. At the back it creates a wide band across the upper shoulders.
- It skims over the bust to a higher set waist seam. From there it skims over the hips and the skirt falls to the floor widening out slightly as it goes.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching peach silk and it is entirely made by hand with all of the inner stitches finished by hand. This would be considered Alta Moda couture with its level of finishes
- The cape sits over that and comes down to just past the waist at the front and then falls around you on the sides and back in this incredible sweep of hand dyed soft peach feathers.
- The feathers are all set onto a silk organza backdrop by hand and they overlap each other all the way down the length of the cape. The collar of the cape is finished with the same hand beading you see on the dress.
- Both the dress and cape are a touch paler in colour than how they shot. They are more like the colour shots added here.
- The dress is fully lined in a peach hand-finished silk and zips to close at the side. The outer layer of the bodice snaps to close over that. The cape is a single layer of silk organza with the feathers attached directly to it. The cape is also completely finished by hand. It hooks to close at the collar. There is perhaps the tiniest bit of grubbiness to the hem of the dress. Some small areas of missing embroidery / beads. Some of the organza has shattered near the top of the cape on the interior side. I have included photos here after the label shot. It can be worn as is but if you want me to have some reinforcement added you can touch base with me before I ship it and I will have my seamstress add that for you. Please see the photos after the label shot.
- There are no size tags so please go by the listed measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the note on the cape lining above.
Dress
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 59.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Cape
Neck: 15.5" around
Total length: it falls to approximately 17" at the shortest point of the front and the back falls to approximately 61"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5544
Reference Photos: (1) Sketch by Karl Lagerfeld for Tiziani, 1960s. / (2-4) Model in Tiziani, 1960s. Credit unknown. / (5-7) Photos from the client of this set.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
valentino
Spectacular Spring 2017 Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli Runway Look 52 Zandra Rhodes Print White Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2017 collection for Look 52.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli and the print was done in collaboration with Zandra Rhodes.
- Historically, this was an important collection as it was Pierpaolo's first solo show at Valentino. It was also his first collaboration with Zandra Rhodes.
- On the runway the dress was shown without a lining so had a higher level of transparency that you can see in the photos and the video.
- The dress and collection were very well received and was one of the most documented dresses of the season.
- Meryl Streep famously wore its twin to the 2017 SAG awards. Laetitia Casta and Lee Young Ae appeared in one for Elle France and Elle US, and it was shot for other editorials. This really lets you see how spectacular it is on and in a variety of circumstances.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful lightweight white silk chiffon that has a custom Zandra Rhodes print covering the entire dress. Written in between the print are the words "In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas corpora" which is the opening line of Ovid's epic poem, Metamorphoses, and translates to "My mind is bent to tell of bodies changed into new forms" or "My soul inclines to speak of forms changed into new bodies". This powerful opening sets the poem's central theme of transformation, with Ovid's narrative beginning from the creation of the world and continuing to his own time, weaving together many myths about how beings and objects were transformed into new forms."
- The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are long. They are a single layer of the silk chiffon so they have a beautiful delicacy to them.
- The dress skims over the bust from a scooped neck and drapes easily over the body to a more generously cut waist.
- Built-in and under the top layer of silk on the bodice is a second layer of the same silk that creates a covered curving deep plunge at the front. The same effect has been created at the back as well and there the V has been set wider across. I love the play on transparency that this gives the dress. You are completely covered but at the same time the plunge is there on both sides. It is an unexpected sexiness that still feels elegant and refined.
- The waist is cut more generously so that you have a beautiful flow from head to toe. You can see this in all of the various reference photos and how it sits on the body. This cut was to become one of Pierpaolo signatures.
- The skirt flows to the floor from there and it is extremely full. It has a second ivory silk chiffon layer underneath so that it is opaque enough to wear. The excessive amount of fabric used through the skirt gives it a ton of movement when you walk and move. The back is cut slightly longer than the front for a beautiful sweeping feel behind you.
- The lightness of the silk and the way that it lays over the body allows it to move spectacularly over you and it will pick up the slightest bit of air.
- The dress is partially lined through the bodice to create the plunge as seen and described above. The skirt is fully lined in a solid silk chiffon layer. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. This is a dress that is easy to fit and wear because of the easy cut through the body. It appears to have been worn very little if at all
- Tagged a vintage Valentino 44
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 24" and they are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approximately 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to front hem in the back extends another 7" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5541
Reference Photos/Videos: (1-3) Spring 2017 Valentino, Look 52. Model Jessie Bloemendaal. / (4-6) Meryl Streep at the 2017 Sag Awards. / (7) Laetitia Casta for Elle France, June 2017. / (8) Photograph by Ken Browar & Deborah Ory. / (9-10) Lee Young Ae in Valentino for Elle. / (11) Harper's Bazaar, 2017.
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.
jacques fath
Incredible 1953 Jacques Fath Haute Couture Leopard Printed Silk Strapless Dress w Full Skirt
I Have a Question
- This is an incredible and rare true Haute Couture dress whose pattern remarkably resembles a sketch we found from his 1953 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of couturier Jaques Fath.
- Jacques Fath showed his first collection of just twenty garments in the spring of 1937. It was well received and he steadily built a strong clientele to become of of the busiest ateliers in Paris.
- Fath is considered to be part of the 'big three' post-war Parisian designers, along with Dior and Balmain. The Fath label was shuttered in 1957 after Fath's death three years earlier. One of his signature looks was a strapless hourglass silhouette. The dress is gorgeous and a beautiful and rare example of his work during this time period.
- It would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The fabric is a stunning silk that has a pattern suggested of an animal print running over its entire surface. This has been done in an ivory with shades of charcoal grey. Worked into the pattern is a subtle muted gold metallic thread.
- The dress is strapless and curves up on the bodice. There is a black silk inner panel that is set behind the front panels that you see here. This let those front panels sit slightly off of the body and create the illusion of more bust.
- The fabric is gathered in along an angled seam under that to a wide band that defines the waist. I love how there is a bit of the same black silk that peeks out along one edge to tie all of the elements of the bodice together.
- The waist is cinched in and to achieve that beautiful hour glass silhouette there is a full built-in boned couture corset attached to the inside of the bodice. I have taken photos so you can see how beautifully and intricately this is constructed.
- From there the skirt expands outward over the hips and curves beautifully down to the floor. The front has a slightly more sleek feel to it and then the back has added fabric built into it down the centre so that you get a beautiful soft fullness there. It is cut slightly longer at the back to help to add to that feel of more fullness there. If you really wanted the skirt to be very full you could add an underskirt. There is more than enough room.
- It is an absolute extraordinarily beautiful early Couture peace from the most magical era of Couture.
- The skirt is backed with a netting and there is a built-in boned corset. It closes with a back zipper and an inner waist stay hooks to close. There is light discolouration to the inner corset. At some point, someone added fabric tape over some small holes in the netting of the interior skirt and I see some tiny ones without tape. None of this shows on the exterior. There is light fraying on part of the front hem. Please see the photos after the label shot. All of the interior work is done completely by hand to Couture standards.
- No size tag is present so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent overall condition
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10.5" from top of bodice to bottom seam of the 3.25" waist band
Total length: 51" from top of bodice to front hem and the back hand extends another 6" past that
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5531
Reference Photo: Spring 1953 Jacques Fath Haute Couture. Illustration by Pierre Simon.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
nina ricci
Exceptional Spring 1997 Nina Ricci by Gerard Pipart Haute Couture Runway Black & White Strapless w Beaded Details
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Spring 1997 Haute Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gerard Pipart.
- The Nina Ricci brand was founded in 1932 at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris. In 1964 Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant, as head of the brand. Pipart, who had previously worked for Balmain, Fath, and Patou, brought a wide range of experience in all aspects of fashion to the brand.
- Over the following three decades, Pipart's couture vision 'celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day.' He headed the Couture division until 1998.
- This is an incredible and very beautiful piece of Haute Couture and would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The upper portion of the dress is a strapless and structured ivory that is made out of a beautiful silk that has a slight texture.
- At the waist it changes to a black silk to create that gorgeous skirt. The silk there also has a slight texture and enough weight to hold the intended draping but without being heavy.
- Deep silver beads are placed by hand to run up from the waist over the bodice and then more beading runs down from the waist with some parts ending just past the hips. It adds the perfect amount of glitz to the dress.
- The skirt curves outward over the hips and then widens out as it nears the hem. On one side of the skirt an added panel drapes down past the hem and appears to be caught up with the handset bow that sits there. This adds a beautiful little bit of extra movement and curving line to the dress. It is a design detail that is just brilliantly executed.
- It is fully lined in a white silk through the bodice with light boning for support. Through the skirt it is lined in a black silk. It closes with a side set zipper and has an inner waist stay that hooks to close. I see the very slightest bit of grubbiness around the upper edge of the bodice that is mentioned for accuracy.
- The proper Haute Couture label is present.
- There is no size tag so please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9.25" from the top of the bodice to the waist
Total length: 52.5" from the top of the bodice to the shortest point of the hem, 57" to the longest
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5532
Reference Photo: Spring 1997 Nina Ricci Haute Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
alessandra rich
Fall 2019 Alessandra Rich Black Version of Runway Look 46 Bias Cut Silk & Sequin Lace Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of the dress in white walked the runway for Look 46 for the Fall 2019 presentation.
- It was made under the creative direction of Alessandra Rich.
- Leonie Hanne wore the twin of this dress to the fashion show in 2019.
- The silk that it is made out of is feather light and cut on the bias. It skims over the body to follow your curves all the way down in a beautiful and flattering way.
- The sleeves are cut with a high peak on the shoulder and there is a little bit of stiffening along their inner edges to help hold the shape that you see. They narrow down as they reach the cuffs and there is a lace and net inset at their ends that forms the cuffs.
- The front dips low and has a touch of transparency. It is a combination of lace and netting with a second cut out layer that sits over each breast to make it a bit more opaque. The lace plunged down to the waist so it has a very sexy feel.
- All of that front detailing is edged in sequins that pick up the light fantastically.
- The netting continues down the sides and the back is covered with a layer of the black netting and lace for a gorgeous exposure of skin through the lace netting.
- The skirt is cut longer at the back than the front for a bit of a sweeping feel behind you.
- Unlined and closes with a back hidden set zipper. Each cuff has a hidden set zipper. The fabric has stretch and the comfortable range of measurements are listed below when laying flat. The dress is new with its original tags and in its original uncut length. I see one tiny missed stitch in the netting at the back. Please see the photo after the label shot.
- Tagged a modern 42
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: approx 29" and are 17" around the upper arm
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20-24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to front hem and the back hem extends another 9"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5518
Reference Photos: (1) Fall 2019 Alessandra Rich, Look 46. / (2) Leonie Hanne outside the Alessandra Rich Spring 2020 Fashion Show in Paris, September 2019. / (3) Josephine De La Baume 'Waiting for Anya' film premiere, Feb 2020.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
john galliano
Outstanding Fall 2001 John Galliano Runway Look 41 Bias Cut Silk Chiffon Dress w Romantic Floral Print
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Fall 2001 runway for a Look 41 and was worn by supermodel Stella Tenant in the show.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- This is the actual dress worn by Caitlin Thompson to the 2024 Emmys
- Madison Headrick privately acquired the first example of this dress that we had in our archives and wore it as part of her wedding celebrations.
- Besides the runway photos, we have included photos of both Madison and Caitlin so you can see how spectacular this is on the body.
- The dress is made out of a floral printed ivory silk chiffon that is feather light in weight.
- Soft pastel flowers done in shades of pale, pink and soft greens run over the entire dress and add to the ultra romantic feel that it has.
- Ruffled cap sleeves curve over the shoulders and they are set wide so that they sit at the very edge of your shoulder. This allows the chiffon to cascade over the top of each arm.
- The bodice is extensively gathered around the bust to the sides and into a seam that curves down just above the waist. All of the seam work on the dress is a heavy nod to the Couture pieces of the 1920s and 1930s. John Galliano often use those dresses as inspiration and you can clearly see that in this piece.
- Gathered ties extend out from the sides of the bodice to wrap and tie around you. They are very long so you can get creative in how they are tied. They add a touch of whimsy to the dress and are also a clever way to add shape through the waist.
- The dress curves back out and over the hips and then narrow down slightly to about the knee.
- The lower skirt is set into a curved seam and the volume below that is amazing. There is a tremendous amount of silk in the lower skirting so that it moves and floats fabulously around you when you move.
- Little added tiered ruffles of silk have been added along parts of the patterned seams for yet another extra romantic touch.
- The dress is completely cut on the bias so moves beautifully over the body. It makes it easy to fit and comfortable to wear.
- This is a spectacular example of his work and one of the most romantic prints from him that I have ever seen. This is an important early piece that is highly collectible.
- The dress is fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon and slips on with no closures. The easy cut and movement in the fabric should allow it to fit a range of sizes. The dress is in its original uncut length. It appears to have been worn very little if at all
- There is no size tag present so please go buy the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 65" from shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5509
Reference Photos/Video: (1-2) Fall 2001 Galliano Runway, Look 41. Model: Stella Tennant. / (3-6) Caitlin Thompson wearing this dress at the Emmys, 2024. / (7-11) Madison Headrick in in its twin from us on two different occasions.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
givenchy
Beautiful Resort 2014 Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci Backless & Caped Panel Ivory Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The dress is from the Resort collection from 2014.
- It was made under the creative direction of Riccardo Tisci.
- I have had the dotted one version in the shop before and this all white version is one of the most beautiful pieces to have come out of his time at Givenchy. We have added a reference photo of the dotted one so you can see the fit.
- In Vogue's review of the show it was noted that just the week before the Resort collection was debuted Tisci had won the CFDA's International Award and he was quoted as saying at the time that "This year has been beautiful and amazing for me".
- The dress is magnificent. It is made out of a silk chiffon that is a very fine scarf weight silk that is very difficult to work with especially given the elaborate draping that has been done on this dress.
- The fabric has the slightest bit of texture worked into it. This helps to give the dress a little bit of lift and volume so that it seems to float around you when you move. It would have taken many hours and a high degree of technical skill to drape that silk so perfectly into place.
- The dress is cut to flow beautifully around the body. The neckline is set high with a band that curves around your neck. The bodice is gathered into that and then drapes down over your front in a series of soft gathers. These are then set into the the waist so that the top and skirt gather in a pretty way into the seam.
- The skirt flows to the floor from there widening out slightly as it near the hem. It is cut slightly longer at the back for a pretty sweep behind you as you move.
- The halter front leaves your entire back completely bare and the waist line at the back is curved downwards slightly and above that is nothing but a bare expanse of skin.
- Two long panels of silk are attached at each shoulder so that they drape dramatically over and down towards the floor. You can wear them over the shoulder more so that you get a more caped effect or wear them more towards the back so that they act like long panelled trains that billow out behind you.
- All of the silk and layers are cut on the bias so the dress really has the most spectacular movement when you move.
- It is simple and classic but has a high impact feel at the same time.
- The bodice and skirt are lined in an ivory silk chiffon and the dress closes with a low set back zipper and hooks to close at the back of the neck. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little.
- Tagged a Givenchy 34.
- Excellent condition
Bust: should fit a variety of sizes because of the open back
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 13.5" from neck to waist
Total length: 58" from the neck to the front hem in the back extends another 4" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5493
Reference Photo: 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.
adolfo
Incredible 1960s Adolfo Black Silk Chiffon One Shoulder Dress w Extensive Hand Bead & Sequin Detailing
I Have a Question
- This incredibally detailed dress dates to the 1960s.
- It was made under the creative direction of Adolfo Faustino Sardiña, who professionally known as Adolfo.
- Adolfo started his career under Balenciaga and, like Halston, he was a successful milliner before opening his own fashion house. He became know for his Chanel inspired suiting and beaded pieces.
- Adolfo often did custom work for his clients who ranged from the Duchess of Windsor to Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Gloria Vanderbilt and Nancy Reagan. He even won a Coty Award in 1969.
- The base fabric is a fine black silk chiffon over a black silk and then it is lined in a silk and then onto that are thousands of beads and sequins.
- The extensive bead and sequin work is set onto the silk in a gorgeous design that runs over the dress from top to bottom. The designs are clustered and the work sits up and off the silk for a slight 3D effect. All of the work is done by hand.
- It drapes and sits on the body in a very balanced way despite the elaborate work on it.
- The cut of this dress is a very flattering one shoulder silhouette. The one side curves up and over the shoulder and then from there it curves gracefully across the back. The shoulder strap is an extension of all of the design, so there is no break to the eye.
- The edges of the neck, down and around the one arm opening, and all the way around the hem are all finished with tightly, spaced bead work that is incredible.
- It skims over the bust and there is no seam at the waist. Instead, it is shaped to curve in slightly for shape and then it curves back out and over the hips.
- The dress falls to the floor from there and the skirt widens out a touch as it nears the floor. The hem is on a slight angle and as it curves up to the one side, there is a slit runs up one side for a flash of leg to show as you move or sit.
- I love the contrast of the silver white beads against the black. They catch the light with your slightest movement and from every angle. It is just a spectacular dress.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes with a side zipper. Hand finishes throughout. There is a tiny bare area between the beading on the shoulder and two small areas around the arm. Please see the photos after the label shot. Otherwise it looks as if it was worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition.
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 60" from top of the shoulder to hem and the slit is 22" from the hem up.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5489
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
yves saint laurent
Well Documented Spring 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway Look 53 Silk Floral Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway as Look 53 for the Spring 1983 Haute Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- The dress would've been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- On the runway it was shown under a jacket when the model first came out and then she removed the jacket. I love that this shows you how versatile these little dresses can be.
- We also found the fabric noted in a WWD editorial and then I looked into my folio collection book and found the model number and original sketch for you to see. I have included all these reference photos for you here and it gives you a beautiful idea of how fabulous this is once on the body.
- The dress is gorgeous and Yves always cut his couture pieces so perfectly to flatter a woman's body.
- It is made out of a fine silk that has the tiniest ribbed texture running through it.
- The top is cut to skim over you and blouse over the waist. The shoulders have light padding just at their outer edges to slightly extend them outward. They are set into the bodice with gathers so that they slightly pouf above the shoulder line. The sleeves are slim and pouf out just slightly as they slim down to the zippered cuffs.
- The neckline is set wide across the collarbones and edged in a black silk band.
- The waist is seamed and we have added a black grosgrain ribbon there for shape. You can add a belt instead if you wanted a really cinched in look.
- The skirt falls under that in a simple pencil to just about the knee or above depending on your height.
- There are hidden set pockets along each hip.
- The colour of the silk is the best thing about the dress. It is a mix of a bright pink, green, blue and a deep purple set in a large floral design that runs over the entire dress.
- Truly a brilliant dress and when you see it in person you will fall in love with how good it is in person. And it is just so good on the body. A masterpiece.
- Unlined through the bodice and lined in a black silk through the skirt. All the work is done by hand to Haute Couture standards. It closes with a back zipper and two buttons at the back of the neck. An inner waist stay hooks to close. Each cuff has a hand set hidden set zipper to close. Light padding in each shoulder as described above. Completely made by hand. Proper Haute Couture numbered label present. The grosgrain ribbon is not original to the dress but will be sent with it.
- There is no size tag present because it is true Couture so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition.
Sleeves: 22" and 13.75" around the upper arm
Slightly wide set shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of shoulder to waist but mean to blouse a bit
Total length: 38" from top of shoulder to hem with 2" turned under
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5486
Reference Photos: (1-4) Spring 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway. / (5-7) Spring 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Advance Preview. / (8) Womens Wear Daily, February 1983.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Outstanding Spring 2000 Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Silk Bias Cut Dress w Low Back
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2000 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- This John Galliano dress is incredibly beautiful and it is a stunning example of his work. No matter how good you think that this dress looks like in photos it is even better in person and moving.
- The dress is made out of a hammered black silk that has a beautiful texture woven through the silk. I love how that the added texture it has catches the light as you move and adds an extra layer of visual interest to the dress.
- The dress is cut completely on the bias so it just glides over the body. It is made to perfectly fall over you in a sweep of bias cut fabric.
- It skims over the bust with a draped front that falls in a soft fold. Wide straps sweep up and over the shoulders and then extend down into the back.
- The back is truly incredible. It is scooped down into a very low open soft V that leaves most of your back bare.
- At the base of the scoop, it crosses over itself and has a bit of the same drape that you see at the front. It is so well-made that I think there is the possibility that you could wear it turned around back to front with the V at the front, depending on how it worked on your body and how daring you wish to be.
- The dress skims over the waist with a bit of a more generous feel. It continues past the hips and the bias cut of the silk lets it follows your curves and highlights the body underneath without it being too tight and fitted. Galliano was, and is, a genius when it came to this cut.
- Once past the hips the dress flares out as it nears the bottom hem so that it has beautiful movement when you move. One perfect angled seam runs down the front of a skirt for subtle detail and the very bottom of the lower skirt flares out slightly.
- A row of tightly spaced black silk covered buttons and loops run down one side to finish it with his signature detail.
- The dress is fully lined in a fine black silk and closes at the side with the buttons. It is all cut on the bias so the measurements given below are the comfortable range when the dress is laying flat. Being bias cut the length may come up a bit once on the body.
- Tagged a vintage Dior FR42, GB14, US10
- Excellent condition
Bust: 17-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD5485
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
roberto cavalli
Sexiest 2003 Roberto Cavalli Laced Back Corset Leopard Print Silk Chiffon Dress w Stitched Panels
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Fall 2003 Cavalli collection and is a variation of Look 30
- It was made under the creative direction of Roberto Cavalli
- Leopard prints were predominant through the runway presentation and the backdrop of the catwalk was a giant wall of video screens. The runway equivalent to this dress was deeply plunged at the front but this production piece with its corset front is far more wearable and easy to fit in my opinion. We have included runway video and stills to show you the similar fit through the body and how it will move
- The dress is made of a leopard print bias cut silk chiffon that is phenomenal. Within the leopard print there are printed gold chains that run over the dress and accentuate the curves of the body underneath. They also build on the cut of the dress itself.
- The dress is suspended from two tiny straps in the same silk that curved up and over the shoulders. The straps have a touch of elastic inside to help it fit perfectly once on. At the back they curve slightly inwards and attach. The entire upper back is left bare and exposed.
- There is a built-in inner underwired bra that holds everything in place. This gives you the structure you need while still keeping the feel of a bias cut dress over that.
- The dress curves in at the waist with a combination of long curving vertical seams and ones set in peaked angles that curved downwards. It curves back out over the hips from there. Everything is cut on the bias and there are no horizontal seams to break the print or lines of the dress.
- The lower skirt flares out with quite a bit of fabric used for its construction. The back has extra fabric and is cut a little longer than the front so that you have a beautiful bit of fabric behind you as you move. The extra fabric also gives you wonderful movement as you walk.
- I love how all of the seams around the bodice are pieced together with an obvious brown thread stitching them together. The way this is done allows for a little bit of bare skin to show between the stitches. It is a subtle detail but a fantastic one.
- The final perfect finishing touch is the laced back. This allows you to adjust the fit perfectly to you and it gives the dress the perfect signature Cavalli sexiness.
- The dress is unlined and closes with the laces at the back. The straps have slight elastic in them and there is a built-in underwire bra to create a corset effect. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a modern Cavalli Small
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam when it is tightly laced up. Loosening the laces would give you whatever extra room you needed around.
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: the very front centre is 60" from top of shoulder and then it starts to curve around to end up being 67" at the back.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5479
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2003 Roberto Cavalli, Look 30.
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.
jean louis scherrer
Gorgeous Spring 2007 Jean Louis Scherrer by Stephane Rolland Leopard Print Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Spring 2007 runway and it is an absolute stunner.
- It was made under the creative direction of Stephane Rolland.
- The dress is made of a beautifully printed feather light silk chiffon and the bow details are a brown silk.
- Wide straps extend up from the two front triangles and wrap and button at the back of the neck. This leaves a plunge right to the wide band that circles around the waist. The result is a low plunge, but because of the way the halter is cut and the width of each side, everything is held perfectly in place once on.
- The waist is defined by a wide band of the same fabric. It starts high up above the waist and is gathered horizontally around you ending at the top of the hip.
- All of the gathering through that area has all been hand tacked into place. I love the shape that it adds to the dress.
- The back is equally spectacular. It is completely bare and exposed from the strap that curves around the neck down to the top edge of the band that details and add shape to the waist.
- The skirt is spectacular. At the front there is a draped panel that falls down the centre and then is caught up with a deep brown bow underneath where is flounces. The lower tier of the skirt widens and flows out from there with extra fabric gathered in.
- The back of the skirt is cut so that it falls a little longer than the front. This creates a really pretty sweeping movement behind you as you walk.
- I love that the print is soft. All of the browns are more on the tawny feeling side to create this pretty softness over the dress. I think in person it feels even less of a contrast in the print than how it photos. It is very pretty.
- The dress has its original tag with its price of €4250 or just under €6500 in modern dollars.
- The dress is lined in a nude colour silk chiffon and closes with a hidden set back zipper. There are three buttons at the neck. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Scherrer 42
- Excellent condition
Bust: each triangle covers approximately 7" flat across from side to side
Band under the bust: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 13" from neck to top of the 8.5" band at the waist
Total length: approx 68" from neck to front hem and the back ham extends another 5" beyond that
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5477
Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2007 Jean Louis Scherrer.
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
Spring 2016 Roberto Cavalli by Peter Dundas Beaded & Rhinestone Snake Detail White Jersey Dress
I Have a Question
- The dress is from the Spring 2016 Roberto Cavalli Collection and it is a piece that was produced for the shops.
- It was made under the creative direction of Peter Dundas.
- The dress is made out of a white jersey that has some stretch to it which makes it very easy to wear and comfortable once it is on the body.
- The neckline is scooped with a slightly wider cut. The shoulders are soft and the single sleeve that the dress has is long and slightly tapered into the wrist.
- It skims over the bust and is gathered in along one side to add some shape to the waist. From there it curves back out and over the hips to fall to the floor in one long sweep of jersey. The dress is in its original uncut length.
- The detailing on the dress is phenomenal. A heavily detailed snake that combines gold tube beading with rectangular and round prong set rhinestones and tiny silver tube beads is set on top of a three dimensional padding. This gives the snake a rounded out shape so that it slightly sits up and off of the fabric.
- The tail of the snake starts on one side of the neckline, wraps around the back collar, and then runs down the front to follow the low cut opening that your arm slips through. It curves around and into the waist, back around the side of the hip, and then the head of the snake sits just above an extremely high slit at the side.
- The snake detail is incredible. I love how he dropped the depth of the arm hole on one side and then balanced that with the high slit on that same side. It feels very sexy but the placement of the snake and the structure that is added by the under padding holds everything perfectly in place once it is on. It is quite ingenious.
- The dress is fully lined through the body with a second layer of the same white jersey and the sleeve has no lining. It zips to close at the back with a hidden set zipper and there is a zipper at the cuff of the single sleeve. I see perhaps the tiniest bit of grubbiness along the inside collar and around the edge of the hem. There are a couple of teeny tiny pulls in the fabric. I have photoed one for you that is at the back near the zipper. Please see the photo after the label shot. These are all extremely minor and noted for accuracy. The fabric does have some stretch so I have put the comfortable range of measurements below.
- Tagged a modern Cavalli 44
- Excellent condition
Sleeve: 24.5" and are 12" around the upper arm
Bust: covers to 15-17" flat across from side to side with no true seam on the side without the sleeve.
Waist: 13-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 67" from top of shoulder to hem, the slit is 33" from the hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5473
Reference Photo: 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.
nina ricci
Ethereal Spring 1984 Nina Ricci by Gerard Pipart Haute Couture Runway Silk Chiffon Dress w Detailing
I Have a Question
- This dress is a beautiful example from Nina Ricci Haute Couture.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gerard Pipart.
- The Nina Ricci brand was founded in 1932 at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris and quickly became one of the top couture ateliers in the world.
- In 1964 Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant, as head of the brand. Pipart, who had previously worked for Balmain, Fath, and Patou, brought a wide range of experience in all aspects of fashion to the brand.
- Over the following three decades, Pipart's couture vision 'celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day.' He headed the Couture division until 1998 which makes this a dress from one of his final few seasons.
- This is an incredible and very beautiful piece of Haute Couture.
- It would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris ateliers.
- The dress is made out of layers of a deep blue bias cut silk chiffon that is feather light in weight.
- The bodice is strapless and it has an inner shaped corset that is lightly boned and shaped for light support. The top is slightly rounded above each breast and then dips down and into the centre.
- The silk chiffon has been gathered and softly draped by hand over the body from the bust to the top of the hips. The draping goes all the way around you and adds to the hourglass feel the dress has.
- The waist cinches in and the dress comes with its original matching silk sash that you can tie and style around your shoulders or neck.
- The skirt flows out from under there and it is made up of yards and yards of weightless silk chiffon that is all cut on the bias. The layers of chiffon create the most phenomenal movement as they float over each other.
- I love that added bit of glamour from the beautiful band of glass crystals, silver tube beads and silver sequins that run from the centre of the bust and then curve down and over one hip. It is like an added bit of jewellery to the dress and just beautiful.
- The bodice of the dress is fully lined in a hand set blue silk. The skirt has an inner layer of silk under the top layers of bias cut silk chiffon. The bodice is shaped and lightly boned inside with softly shaped cups. It closes with a hand set back zipper. The dress is entirely made by hand with its proper Haute Couture tag present. There are a couple of tiny repairs and tiny areas of thinning/pinholes here and there in the skirt. There is so much fabric you do not see them but this is mentioned for accuracy. Please see the photos after the label shot.
- There is no size tag present as it is true Haute Couture so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition with the minor note above.
Bust: 14.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from top of bodice to the seam at the top of the hips
Total length: 44" from top of bodice to shortest point of the front hem and 56" to the back hem
Scarf: approx 20" x 80"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD5468
Reference Photo: Spring 1984 Nina Ricci Haute Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
christian dior
Outstanding Spring 2003 Christian Dior by John Galliano Bias Cut Black Silk Chiffon Dress w Lace Details & Sequin Halter
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2003 Dior collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- The twin of this dress was worn by Jennifer Aniston to accept her award at the 2003 Golden Globes.
- This is a dress that was made for the shops on a limited basis. A version with no sequins or lace, was also made that season, but this one with the extra detailing was only produced for a very limited amount of shops or special order.
- The dress is made from a bias cut black silk that has a slight texture to it. This is mixed with a black lace and then the dress has additional sequin and bead detailing.
- The front curves over you and then dips low at the back. You can see in the try on photos that when this is on an actual body it dips lower down the back and on more of a curve. This leaves your entire upper back bare and exposed.
- Two straps extended out from the centre of the bodice and hook into place behind the neck. There is a heavy detailing of beads and sequins that follow the neckline of the dress and then scatter over and down the bodice. Both the straps are finished with a heavy detailing of beads and little black prong set black glass rhinestones. Where the straps attached at the front there is a panel of silk shaped to feel like the ends of a tie. This is made from one piece of silk that has been folded over onto itself and then cut into angles at its ends. It is heavily detailed with a beautiful scalloped pattern created by shiny black sequins and tiny little glass beads.
- The top blouses over the waist and then there is a wide 11" panel of gathered black lace that starts at the waist seam and curves over the top of the hips. The fabric has some stretch so that you can adjust where it sits on you.
- The skirt falls to the floor in a beautiful line. It is cut to curve over your hips and then flares out dramatically for the lower portion of the skirt. A slit runs up the front centre for some leg to show and this combined with the flaring cut creates incredible movement as you move.
- It is a really exceptional dress and is extremely sexy once on the body.
- The bodice is fully lined in a black silk chiffon and the skirt is unlined. It slips on to wear with no closures. In its original length. The bias cut and slight stretch of the fabric gives it some movement. I have given the comfortable range of the measurements while laying flat below. It appears to have worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Dior US4, GB8, FR36.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam. The smaller you are through the bust the more the back will drape since the halter holds it in place at the front.
Waist: 12.5-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 15.5-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 25" from neck to waist but once on the top drapes over the waist seam and it is approximately 15 to 16" from the neck
Total length: 73.5" from neck to hem but once on and the top drapes over it is approximately 63.5" long. There is some play with the length depending on how high you hike the area around the hips.
Slit: 27"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5467
Reference photos: Jennifer Aniston in Dior at the Golden Globes, 2003.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
Alexandre Vauthier
Phenomenal Fall 2011 Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture Runway Look Hand Beaded Red Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this extraordinary dress walked the Fall 2011 Vauthier Haute Couture runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of Alexandre Vauthier
- Alexandre Vauthier launched his label in 2009. He started his fashion career in 1993 working for Thierry Mugler as an intern and working his way up to assistant designer to Mugler himself. In 1997 he joined Jean Paul Gaultier where he in charge of the Couture collections for the following eight years.
- He left in 2008 to open his own couture atelier showing his first collection in 2009. From 2011 to 2014 the label was a designated guest member of the Chambre Syndicale de haute couture and since December 2014 he has been a full Couture member. Vauthier departed the label in 2025 it was acquired by Revolve marking the end of the Couture division.
- This is the actual piece that was shown on the runway and may very well be the only one in existence. I love that we have both the runway reference photos and video. You can see how fantastically it moves and looks once on the body.
- The dress is made from a red silk chiffon that has an extensive and very dense application of red bead work hand applied onto it.
- Every line of the dress has been precisely cut and patterned so that it falls perfectly in the lines that he intended it to be shaped in.
- The shoulders are soft and extend into long cut sleeves that are also completely and densely beaded to match the body of the dress. In the runway photo the shoulders look slightly more shaped than the dress in person to me and I think that they may have added temporary padding to style it for the show. Adding your own is a decision that could be made once you have it in hand and try it on.
- The dress is cut to skim over the body and highlight it everywhere. The sleeves are cut a little extra long so that once on the arm they bunch up a touch. There is a cut out. opening that is left under each arm. I have photoed that so that you can see. This was probably done not only as a design choice but to allow movement and not have to worry about the bead work being constricted.
- The neckline is scooped and the dress is shaped to come in at the waist and then curves back out and around the hips so that it skims perfectly over the body.
- The beadwork that sits over the sleeves and body of the dress has been done and a little sections that curve around each other and catch the light differently as you move. You can see in the video how this creates an almost flame like feel over you.
- The skirt is absolutely amazing. As the beads run down over the hips to join into the skirt they become these long flame like ribbons of bead work that extend into varying lengths down and into the skirt. The effect is absolutely beautiful and perfectly picks up on the way the beads were executed through the body of the dress.
- Under the beadwork, the skirt is made out of a red silk chiffon that is very light and weight. It curves slightly up at the front and then extends out into two angled points at the back which again feels like an extension of the flame motif that the dress has.
- You can see on the runway that once very bright lights hit the skirt, it has a sense of transparency to it. That is quite extraordinary and done to highlight the bead work and add a bit of sexiness to the dress despite it full coverage. At the back it trails out past the hem to float around you as you walk.
- The dress is amazing on the body and it is just a beautiful and very sexy dress and an extraordinary little piece of true Haute Couture fashion history.
- The upper portion of the dress is lined in a silk chiffon through the body and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a hidden set back zipper and each cuff closes with a hidden set zipper. This is the actual dress that was worn on the runway and is completely made by hand. It is the original runway sample dress. The beads have been hand sewn so closely to the edges of the zipper that you do have to take care when zipping and unzipping the dress as they can catch and you can see a little bit of catching of thread and perhaps the very occasional missing bead here and there along that edge. I am being pretty picky. This was done to give the illusion that the dress has no opening. Inside the silk chiffon that was used to line the dress is very delicate and there have been some repairs made. This was probably done after the runway show to strengthen parts of the inner lining and can be typical of runway samples. I also see a touch of a mark on one arm on the inner lining, a small tear and some repairs to the silk of the lining. None of this shows through but is mentioned for accuracy and is photoed after the label shot. Some of the seam work is handed basted and this adds to the feel that this is the original sample because that is often how you see runway samples finished.
- There is no size tag present because it is Haute couture sample so please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 28" and they are 9.5" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-16.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 90" from neck to the very longest point at the back hem and the shortest point at the front fall to 49"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5463
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2011 Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
Ady Couture
1982 Ady for Givenchy Haute Couture Deep Copper Gold Silk Dress w Hand Done Sequin Detailing
I Have a Question
- The dress was made by hand in the atelier of Ady Couture who was based in Lausanne Switzerland
- Ady 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 couture fabrics from the couture houses along with the patterns. 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.
- This incredible Haute Couture dress came to me from the niece of the original couture client.
- The dress is an authorized copy of the 1982 Givenchy Haute Couture fdress that we have included reference photos of here. 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 deep copper gold silk. It is very light in weight but has enough structure to hold the stunning lines and volume of the dress. The colour of the silk is even better in person.
- The neckline is a simple scoop and the bodice skims over your curves. 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 but with a more generous feel. You can use the ribbon belt to cinch it in and add shape.
- 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 gathered all the way around the waist in a series of soft pleats. These puff out slightly and this little couture trick gives the illusion that the waist is smaller then it is. A seam brings the top part of the skirt inwards and then the lower part of the skirt falls to the floor from there.
- The lower portion of the skirt is made from several yards of silk so that it flares out beautifully as it falls.
- 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. 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.
- The skirt is gathered all the way around the waist in a series of soft pleats. These puff out slightly and this little couture trick gives the illusion that the waist is smaller then it is.
- 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.
- The bodice is fully lined in a matching gold toned silk and the skirt is fully lined with a soft gold toned silk organza. 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. The velvet ribbon belt is not original to the piece but is 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. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 26" and they are 16" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
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 top of the shoulder to waist
Length: 58" from top of the shoulder to front hem, 61" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5461
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.
christian dior
Spring 1980 Christian Dior by Marc Bohan Haute Couture One Shoulder Coral Red Silk Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of the dress in white walked the runway for the Spring 1980 Haute Couture presentation
- It was made under the creative direction of Marc Bohan.
- The Spring 1980 collection was called "Return to Classism". The book Dior:Catwalk noted that the collection "focused on paired back silhouettes with defined shoulders, subtle and belted waists... "My look is one of softness and neatness." Bohan told Vogue. Vogue also noted the one shoulder necklines that were integral to the collection and that is shown so beautifully in this dress.
- This dress would have been made entirely in the Paris atelier.
- During this time period dresses with this black with white text Couture label usually denoted a custom order that was different from the presented piece on the runway. Being that the dress was shown in white on the runway this makes perfect sense.
- The dress is made out of a red silk crepe that is a colour that is flattering on most skin tones, especially with its touch of a coral undertone.
- I love the nod to classic minimalism that the dress displays.
- A single wide shoulder curves up and over your shoulder and the opening that your arm slips through begins and is set slightly off the top of the shoulder so you have just the suggestion of a sleeve. It angles down across you on both the front and the back. The opening dips slightly low on the other side leaving that entire opposite side and shoulder bare and exposed.
- It skims over the bust and blouses slightly over the seam at the waist. The silk is gathered in slightly at the waist and done so that it falls perfectly around you. If you wanted to add more shape you could easily add a belt.
- The skirt falls from there and is constructed so that it wraps over itself to one side at the front and secured in place around the waist. A deliberate gap is left open near the hem and when you walk, move or sit, you get a flash of leg. You can see how this sits so beautifully on the body from the runway reference photos.
- It is a dress that appears to be so simple in shape but every seam and line of the dress was purposefully and masterfully executed and planned.
- The dress comes with a huge rectangle of finished silk in a matching colour that can be used as a shawl or partial cape piece. It is not photoed but will be sent with the dress.
- This is an extraordinary example of his work during this time period and it is an absolutely stunning dress.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching red silk chiffon and closes at the side with a hand set zipper. An inner waist stay hooks to close. All of the work is done by hand to Couture standards. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
- There is no size tag present because it is Couture so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Dress
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17.5" from top of shoulder to waist but does blouse over a bit once on
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem with 2.5" turned under the ham
Shawl (not pictured)
6.8 feet wide x 9.75 feet wide
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5454
Reference Photos: Spring 1980 Christian Dior 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.
christian dior
Beautiful Cruise 2011 Christian Dior by John Galliano Red Silk Chiffon Dress w Gathered Front
I Have a Question
- This gorgeous dress is from the Cruise 2011 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- On the runway there was a dress that used a similar pleat pattern on the front bodice for Look 26.
- The runway show took place in Shanghai and Galliano said at the time that he was trying to "capture the feeling of Paris in its heyday".
- The dress is made from a red silk chiffon that has a bit of a coral undertone and a touch of texture to it.
- Wide straps curve up and around the neck and the back scoops down to leave your upper back bare and exposed. At the front the neckline plunges into a V.
- The silk is gathered vertically on both sides at the front. All of the gathered pleats are held in place by a series of horizontal ruffles in a matching silk that run down the front. I love how the pleat work narrows down to a point at the waist. This helps to add the illusion of both length and a tinier waistline.
- The skirt is gathered up and into the sides of the point at the front. It skims and curves over the hips and then it widens out as it nears the floor.
- By the time it reaches the hem there is a lot of fabric there and this gives you fantastic movement as you move. This was a silhouette that Galliano loved.
- A high slit runs up from the hem on the top layer of the skirt only. This lets that top chiffon layer catch the air and add even more movement as you walk.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching red silk. One of his signature rows of matching silk covered buttons and loops run down one side and this hides a hidden set zipper underneath to close the dress. It appears to have good morning very little if little effort at all.
- Tagged a Dior FR36, GB8, IT40, US4
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 16" from neck to waist
Total length: approx 62" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5453
Reference Photo: Resort 2011 Christian Dior, Look 26. Model Sigrid Agren.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
valentino
Spring 2004 Valentino by the Original Mr. Valentino Black Pleated Bodice & Ruffle Skirt Dress
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2004 Valentino collection
- It was made under the creative direction of the original, Mr. Valentino
- We have included some photos from the Spring 2004 Valentino collection of dresses with similar elements to this one. This is a dress that was produced for the shops and it is absolutely gorgeous.
- The dress is made out of a feather light black silk chiffon and the lightness of this fabric choice creates a soft and romantic feel as it floats over your body.
- The entire dress is cut to allow it to drape beautifully over the body and highlight your curves.
- The bodice is finished with tiny and precise pleats that wrap all the way around to the back. The top of the bodice is gathered into a sweetheart and the back sits on a slight curve to leave the upper back bare and exposed.
- A ruffled panel of black silk chiffon is set along straps that are meant to sit off the shoulder. Once this is on a body, it will sit around the upper arm. I think, depending on the space between the shoulder and bodice you might also be able to wear this on the top of the shoulder.
- The waist is cinched and seamed to follow the curve of the body.
- From there it curves out and over the hips and the panels of chiffon that make up the skirt float around you as the skirt falls to the floor.
- The skirt is a little masterpiece in its own right. It is actually made of a series of panels that are all set in around the waist. They are attached together to just under the hip and sat in a way so that they overlap each other as they fall to the floor.
- Each panel is a long rectangle that widen out to their curved ends. Each of the individual panels are finished with a ruffle of a matching black silk chiffon that runs all the way around the entire panel. I love how the ruffle is smaller near the top of the hip and then also widen out as it circles around the bottom of each panel.
- The panels overlap each other as they curve around you but there is no inner lining. It is the overlapping and the multiple layers of the panels that make it opaque enough to wear. Besides making it wearable, the separation of the panels once they get past the hip area is what allows the extraordinary amount of movement that the skirt has when you move.
- The silk chiffon that was used is feather light and the dress is a dream in person.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk chiffon through the bodice and the skirt is constructed as described above. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. It is in its original uncut length. I see a tiny repair near the hem and along the hem. Both extremely minor. It otherwise.appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Valentino 6
- Excellent condition.
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to "20 flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 16" from the top of the shoulder to the waist and the bodice on its own is about 9.5" from the top edge to the waist
Length: 64" from top of the shoulder to the hem,
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5442
Reference Photos: Spring 2004 Valentino.
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.
bill blass
Fall 1987 Bill Blass Runway Strapless Black Velvet Detailed Blue Silk Dress w Elaborate Back Bow
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Fall 1987 Bill Blass runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of Bill Blass.
- I love that we found a reference photo from the runway so you can see just how fantastic this is once on.
- This is the actual dress worn Mikey Madison to the Oscars Nominees Dinner in February and she landed on several best dressed lists as a result.
- 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 unexpected materials in way that was very flattering to the wearer.
- It is one of those dresses that looks amazing on the dress form but is even better on an actual person.
- The fabric feels like art. The base is a rich blue silk and then onto this is a fantastic design made of out a black velvet. The velvet is very soft to the touch with a chenille like finish that gives the design a beautiful texture and softness.
- The dress has the feel of an antique 18th century gown and I love this reference back to the past.
- The top is a fitted and strapless with a band of black silk wrapping around the breasts. It falls from there to skim outward over the waist and hips, and then narrows back down to the floor as it reaches the hem. This gives the front of the dress a more long and lean feel but with a hint that something special might happen as you turn.
- The back is the star of the show. Sitting over the top of the closure at the back is a large black velvet bow. This tops an added panel underneath that is very extravagant. The panel curves outwards and then loops back in to attach just under the hips. A second black velvet bow sits at the base of where it is attached back into the dress. A slit is hidden under the panel to give you room to walk while keeping the narrow silhouette of the hem.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk. It closes with a back painted metal zipper hidden under a seam and there is an inner hooked waist stay. There is light boning through the bodice. Hand work throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present, so please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5411
Reference Photos/Video: (1) Fall 1987 Bill Blass Runway. / (2-6) Mikey Madison wearing this dress to the Oscars Nominees Dinner, February 2025, styled by Jamie Mizrahi.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
giorgio armani
Fantastic Fall 1998 Giorgio Armani Runway, Ad Campaign & Exhibit Silk Skirt w Fall 2001 Sequin Top Set
I Have a Question
- The skirt from this set is from the Fall 1998 runway and then sequin top was shown on the runway for Fall 2001.
- It was made under the creative direction of Giorgio Armani.
- The twin of the skirt walk the runway with a fitted long sleeved matching top. That version of the set was used in the ad campaign. It is also featured in their new Archivo online section, worn on the red carpet and featured in an Armani exhibit.
- My client wore it with this sequin top instead that is also from the Armani main line and its twin was in the runway collection.
- The base of the top is a blue chiffon that is a slightly different shade than the skirt. Because of the heavy application of sequins it works well together.
- The top is a simple tank with a scooped front and back and a more generous cut through the body that makes it very easy to wear.
- It is fully covered in blue iridescent sequins that are laid flat outside by side horizontally. Mixed into that are little tiny, silver, sequins and beads rose of tiny seed, beads and little shots of white sequins and red bead work. It's very pretty and the entire top has the sequence coverage on both the front and the back.
- I love how at the back of the top it's left with no closures for the little bit of the bottom. This is a very Armani signature where he lets part of the closure stay open, so you have that little peak of the skirt underneath it and that little bit of extra movement.
- The skirt is stunning. It's made out of a deep blue silk mix, and it is all cut on the bias. It has a flat front with an inner band that helps to hold it and give structure around the waist.
- From there, it curves out over the hips and expands outward to the floor. The front is cut shorter, and then the back herbs around to become a sweeping train of silk behind you. There is a slit that runs up one side so that when you walk, you get a flash of leg.
- I love that because it is two separate pieces. You can wear these together or mix a match either piece with existing things in your wardrobe.
- The top is fully lined in a blue chiffon and closes with hidden set snaps at the back. The skirt is online and closes with a hidden set side zipper.
- The skirt is tagged a vintage Armani 42 and the top has no size tag present.
- Excellent condition
Top
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom hem: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 21.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Skirt
Waist: 13 to 13.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 40.5" from top of waist to the shortest part of the front hem. The back extends another 26.5" and the slit is just under 22" from the front hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5412
Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1998 Giorgio Armani. / (2) Giorgio Armani Ad Campaign, 1998. / (3) From ARMANI Archivio. / (4) Juliette Binoche at the Cannes Film Festival, 2016. / (5) From the "Giorgio Armani - Milano, per amore" exhibit at the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, 2025. / (6) Spring 2001 Giorgio Armani.
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.
george halley
Outstanding 1967 George Halley Couture Heavily Embroidered, Rhinestone & Applique Soft Pink Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress in a different colour resides in the permanent collection of the Met Museum.
- It was made under the creative direction of George Halley.
- Halley was one of the great American Couturiers.
- George Halley started his career working for Charles James who said of the young designer that he 'was a genius at draping'. By the time Halley opened his own atelier in 1966 he was well on his way to fame. He won the Coty Award in 1968 and his work is on par with true couture. He is one of my personal favourite designers.
- Women's Wear Daily called him 'a designer in a lovely world of his own' and that is how I feel about his work.
- This is an absolutely outstanding dress that shows the extreme level of detail that was being done with Couture pieces in this era. This would have been made entirely by hand in his Salon.
- A pale pink silk net tops a pink silk and then this has an elaborate detailing added over its surface with 3D velvet flowers, prong set rhinestones, hand beading and faux pearls
- Over that is a application of hand done metallic embroidery that covers the top layer of netting.
- The front has a high empire cut with an attached velvet band around the waist. This ends in a pretty and romantic bow at the back.
- The workmanship on the stress is spectacular and I've included a lot of close-ups for you to see. No matter how amazing you think it looks in the photos. It is better in person.
- The dress has been completely made by hand to a Couture level.
- It closes with a back zipper and snaps over the bow. The dress is hand lined in a pale pink silk. I see a little bit of grubbiness on the velvet sash and bow. I feel like this could be removed and replaced with the original just cap to side so that you have all of the pieces, but it would be easy to add a sash of your choice and maybe even extend it down the back. There is some very slight change in colour along some of the edges of the inner pink silk lining, some minor grubbiness along the hem and some splitting of the silk on the inner hem along the very edge at the bottom. These are all minor but mentioned for accuracy
- There was no size tag present, so please go buy the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 7.5" and the opening is 10" around
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 54" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5410
Reference Photo: 1967 George Halley dress from the Met collection.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
gucci
Fall 2003 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Look 10 Stretch Silk Dress + Black Corset Waist Cincher Belt
I Have a Question
- The twin of this set was Look 10 on the Fall 2003 runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of Tom Ford.
- We have included runway photos and video for you to see how beautifully this moves once on the body. In Vogue's review of the show they said that "This season every major designer is talking about creating a "beauty" strong enough to defy our anxious times. Backstage that was the word Tom Ford used to characterize his Fall collection for Gucci—a collection in which beauty was personified as a power vixen extravagantly armoured to face down a troubled world" The evening pieces were mentioned specifically "For evening, there were gowns constructed with cutout zones of sparkling mesh and frilled bra tops; others snaked to the floor, held in place with complex asymmetric straps crossing the torso and shoulders. If Ford is treading the territory mapped out by Thierry Mugler and Azzedine Alaïa in the ’80s, it’s no surprise. Much of fashion is heading in that direction >anyway, and Ford, after all, bases Gucci’s entire brand proposition on finding new ways of upping the ante on sex season after season."
- This is a dress from one of the most incredible eras of Gucci.
- I love that this dress is the twin of the colour chosen to walk the runway and that it has it's corset belt. The belts were sold separately but this listing is for both pieces together.
- My client who is the original owner, verified that this colour of dress was only sold in a limited amount of Gucci shops and that they were produced in lower quantities, making it a more rare find. These usually do not have the matching corset belt since it was sold separately or they are in the all black colour that was sold and produced in greater quantities for retail.
- The dress is made out of a silk blend that allows the silk to stretch and give.
- The fabric is as light as air and that incredible stretch allows it to conform to your every curve and helps to create curves.
- The neckline is meant to sit lower on the chest and it sits wide across the front. You can see that on the runway.
- The sleeves are long and simple so that the seaming detail on the dress can stand out. The silk is gathered up and over the edge of the neckline in soft folds and then below that is the incredible seaming that shapes the dress around the body.
- The seam work that he did for his time at Gucci was an integral part of his design philosophy. The seaming acted like embellishments, shaping the pieces and giving them added detailing.
- The waist is seamed and it curves down and over the hips with insets there to hold and emphasize the shape.
- The skirt falls under that, following the curve of the body with just a slight flare out at the back hem. At the back the seaming curves around from that waist area and curves underneath your bottom. The silk is gathered in along those curved seams to create ruching and there is a panel built inside where they meet just above the hem to give added structure and support.
- The corset goes over top of that and it is made out of a thick stretch fabric that has an almost neoprene feel to it. It velcros into place at the front and then straps wrap around you and buckle into place to cinch you in.
- This is a true stand out piece from Tom Ford's reign at Gucci and it is also incredibly sexy.
- Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The belt has Velcro at the front and then buckles to close over that. Both pieces appear to have been worn very little if at all. The dress has its inner fabric tag with the Gucci name on it only. The fabric does have stretch and the measurements below are the comfortable range laying flat.
- The belt is tagged a size 40.
- Excellent condition.
Dress
Sleeves: approx 28" and they are 12-15" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 15-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 40" from top of shoulder to front hem, 43" to the back hem
Corset Belt
6" high at its skinniest point and 9" at its widest. It is approx 26-30" end to end
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5399
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Fall 2003 Gucci, Look 10. Model Mariacarla Boscono. / (4) Yasmine Warsame in Gucci for Amica Magazine, October 2003.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
paco rabanne
Ultra Rare 1990s Paco Rabanne Haute Couture Metallic Silver & Coral Dress w Chainlink Top & Headpiece
I Have a Question
- This is a very rare Paco Rabanne Haute Couture set from the 1990s, maybe 2000s.
- It was made under the creative direction of the original Paco Rabanne.
- This is a very rare collector piece and is almost certainly the only one in existence. It most likely was a runway piece but it is very challenging to find runway documentation for his Couture shows from this time period. If we do come across it at some point, we will certainly send it to its new owner.
- The set is made up of three separate pieces and you can wear them individually or together.
- The inner dress is strapless and widens out substantially around the body as it falls, outward and down to the hem. The back is cut longer than the front so you get a fantastic swoop of fabric behind you as you walk.
- Inside, there is a built-in inner bodice to hold the dress in place. This is the only thing holding the dress in place since the fabric that lays over the inner bodice is cut to be extremely open and full as it falls down to the hem.
- The inner fabric of this piece is foiled silver fabric that has an black woven net with an orange woven applique set into the netting so that it that forms an organic pattern. This unique and innovative fabric is used for the entire dress part of the set. The fabric innovation that he was doing for his Couture shows really highlights how far he was pushing the envelope and how purely experimental his creations were.
- Slipping over the dress is a one of his signature chain-link pieces. It has a part cape / part top feel to it. It combines plastic silver links that have a rhinestone in each of their centres, with round circle loops that are hooked together, plus little orange plastic and gold pieces. All the pieces are hand linked together in a nod to his traditional metal chain link. The top drapes down over the bodice with an upwards curve at the front. At the back, it extends far longer to well past the small of the back, ending in a point that perfectly picks up on the shape of the back skirt.
- Each sleeve of the piece has been made to be very full and wide. They flare outwards at their ends and have an edging made out of with strands of the same pieces as the body of the top with an added little oval shape at their ends.
- The original hooded head piece complete the set. It is extremely rare to have the headpieces included. These were almost always made for the runway show only and is the biggest clue that this was most likely the actual sample piece. The little handwritten tag that says 49 that is attached under the label was probably the order number in the show, giving us the second clue.
- This incredible little headpiece simply slips over the head and is long enough that it covers the neck. All of the edges are finished with the same dangling embellishments you see edges of the on the top. An opening at the front allows your face to peak out but you are otherwise covered over your entire head. The beads are then all gathered into a 'knot" at the top. Once in place it gives the illusion that the headpiece and cap piece are all a singular piece of chain-link over you. It is incredible.
- The dress is completely made by hand and I believe that this is the original sample runway sample dress. Under the tag is a handmade tag that says 49 and I believe that is the Look number that would've been shown on the runway. The edges are all handed basted and this adds to the feel that this is the original sample because that is often how you see runway samples finished from this era.
-
The dress has a built-in inner corset and this is what holds the dress in place around you. This inner bodice is lightly boned and has built in cups and meant to be fitted. Because of the excessive drape of the exterior dress you would be able to add and increase the size of the inner corset and you would never see any changes on exterior nor would it have any effect. That inner piece zips to close at the back and there is an attached waist stay that hooks to close. The dress closes with a series of snaps over that. There are dappled markings on a silver interior that show through to and under the netting. I believe this is all intentional as it is evenly distributed over the fabric on the silver parts of the fabric. There are some small pulls and stressing to the netting here and there.
- There is no size tag present because it is Haute Couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Inner bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 11.5-12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 54" from top of bodice to the front hem and the back extends another 8" past that, with 1" turned under the entire hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML based on the interior corset only. The rest of the pieces are more accommodating to a greater range of sizes. Please read the notes above.
Item# DD5394
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
alex perry
Striking Resort 2019 Alex Perry "Abigail" Brilliant Orange Full Length Capes Sleeve Dress w Open Back
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress in black was presented for the Resort 2019 Alex Perry collection.
- It was made under the creative Direction of Alex Perry.
- Alexandros Pertsinidis is an Australian fashion designer who launched the Alex Perry label in 1992. His work has been featured on numerous the covers worldwide since then and is a favorite on the red carpet. It's been worn by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Lupita Nyong and countless others.
- The twin of this dress was seen on the red carpet on Britt Lower and Dina Amer.
- The dress does not have a single unnecessary seam. It really shows how sometimes absolute minimalism is best.
- The dress is made from a combination of a brilliant orange crepe through the body with a matte satin crepe for those incredible sleeves. The fabric choice has a beautiful drape. This is what lets it move so beautifully over the body once it is on.
- It is constructed so that it drapes and skims over the body perfectly. The skirt falls to the floor in a sweeping expanse of fabric. When you stand still it looks more like a sleek column but when you move you realize how much fabric is in there as it billows out behind you.
- The bodice drapes softly over you at the front and the shoulders are padded inside so that they have a defined and shaped silhouette. Caped sleeves fall all the way to the floor to create this elegant and dramatic feeling over your arms.
- The fabric has enough weight that it stays in place when you are standing still but when you move you get a billowing effect around you.
- The waist has a touch of stretch so the dress is easy to fit and should work on a range of sizes.
- At the back there is a full cut out that leaves your entire back bare. This unexpected expanse of skin when you turn around is amazing.
- The inner part of the front bodice is lined in an orange matte satin with extra define seaming to help shape the bodice. The skirt has an inner underlay skirt in the same fabric and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a hidden set zipper at the back waist and buttons at the back of the neck. It comes with its original hang tag attached and was never worn.
- Tagged a modern Alex Perry 8
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Total length: 63" from neck to front hem and the back extends another 1" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5387
Reference Photos: (1) Resort 2019 Alex Perry. / (2-3) Britt Lower at the Season Finale Premiere Event for Severance, April 2022. / (4) Dina Amer at the Red Sea International Film Festival, December 2022.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
balmain
Beautiful Late 1980s Pierre Balmain Pastel Blue & Yellow Feather Light Strapless Silk Dress w Full Skirt
I Have a Question
- This is a phenomenal dress by Pierre Balmain from the late 1980s - early 1990s.
- At this point in history the Couture line was called simply Pierre Balmain and the main ready-to-wear line was called Ivoire de Balmain. Depending if it was late 1980s or early 90s, the creative Director would have been either Erik Mortensen (up 1989) or Alistair Blair (who joined in 1990 to over see the RTW line while Erik continued Couture).
- The dress is made from a beautiful silk that is extremely light in weight. When this is on it is almost like wearing nothing.
- Onto the silk is an over-sized check pattern that mixes pastel yellow with shades of soft blues. Some parts have an almost iridescent pale green finish to them and there are also muted deep golds and taupe.
- It is strapless and fitted at the waist. The lower skirt widens out considerably from there to the hem. There are yards and yards of silk making up the skirt.
- The back is cut longer than the front so you get this beautiful sweeping feel behind you. The silk that was used is so very light in weight and it is all cut on the bias which allows it to float and moves around you with your slightest movement.
- I love the way there is extra fabric built-in at the back. The fabric wraps over itself for a few inches to hook into the inside the waist and also on the outer part of the waist. This adds extra fabric to the gorgeous sweep of volume of the back skirt.
- Inside the bodice is a lightly boned and cupped inner corset that holds the dress in place. It is made out of the same fabric. The rest of the skirt is unlined. The dress closes at the back with a hidden set zipper and an inner waist stay hooks to close. The silk at the very back of the skirt hooks over itself as described above.
- It is tagged a vintage Balmain 36
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to inner waist
Total length: 55.5" from top of bodice to front hem and the back extends another 14" beyond that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5385
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
nina ricci
Outstanding Spring 2009 Nina Ricci by Olivier Theyskens Runway Look 12 Floral Printed Silk Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2009 Nina Ricci
- It was made the creative direction of Olivier Theyskens.
- In Vogue's review of the collection they said "Olivier Theyskens' collection for Nina Ricci was like watching the performance of a long piece of self-referential romantic poetry. It's a world of his own, and to fully appreciate it, you need to know what's gone before in his work: his love of Edwardiana and tailcoats; the fluttery, flyaway cutting; the delicate prints and the dusty, organic woodland-floor palettes he likes. Essentially, it was a single silhouette, with a high collar, leg-of-mutton sleeves, and skirts cut away to show long lengths of leg, clad in sheer black tights, walking on high-heeled pump"
- Theyskens said he was "inspired by dance and dresses that each evolved their own shape, short in the front and long in the back."
- Pieces from his time at the Nina Ricci label are an important piece of Theyskens history.
- The dress is made out if a hand dyed silk with a print that suggest flowers in soft pastels. It has a touch of a watercolour painting in feel.
- Under the top layer is a second pale pink tissue silk layer that is cut to follow the lines of the dress and it peeks out from behind the edges of the entire piece.
- The bodice is very feminine in feel. The pink tissue silk under layer is cut to give a touch of a ruffle feel all the way around the straps that curved up and over the shoulders.
- At the back there is a rounded soft scoop that leaves your entire back bare and exposed. The pink silk underlayer peaks out to create a touch of ruffle all around that scoop.
- Vertical seaming creates shape through the waist and then the dress curves back out and over the hips.
- The skirt is extraordinary. Depending on your height, it will sit just from mid thigh to above the knee. From there it is set so it has a slight ruffled feel all the way down the sides to the floor and then the back sweeps out behind you.
- The silk used is extremely light in weight so this moves fantastically. I love that we have reference runway stills and video for you to be able to see how beautifully it moves.
- This is an extraordinary example of his work during this time period.
-
The dress is fully lined in a pale pink tissue silk as described above and closes with a hidden set back zipper. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little.
- Tagged a Nina Ricci 36
- Excellent condition
Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 32" from top of shoulder to front hem, 85" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5379
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Spring 2009 Nina Ricci, Look 12. Model Taryn Davidson. / (4-5) From the book "She walks in beauty" by Rizzoli Electa.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
alexander mcqueen
Outstanding Fall 2010 Alexander McQueen Gray Scale Print Silk Dress w Caped Sleeves & Trained Skirt
I Have a Question
- This is an outstanding production dress from the Fall 2010 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Alexander McQueen.
- At first glance it feels very much in line with what he was doing for 2007 with his castle /fairy prints. For this collection he visited upon graphic black and grey-scale prints once again. We did find a photo from the 2010 look book that shows a shorter similar version of the dress. Just to give you an idea of how the top especially will fit once on the body.
- The dress is made out of a beautifully weighted silk that he loved to use because it gave him the drape and fluidity that he wanted his pieces to have.
- The shoulders of the dress are padded with thicker rounded pads hidden inside. Falling from there and extending around to the back is a beautiful caped panel that drapes over the top of your arms and then folds up and under itself to create the draping around and down the back. He used a double layer of the silk for this panel so that when you move you see the pattern underneath. It is these exacting small details that always make a McQueen piece stand out.
- The front neck line is set in a draping cowl that sits over an inner V. The dress skims over the bust and waist and then widens out to curve over the hips.
- Yards and yards of fabric have been used to construct the skirt. It is set into the body of the dress on a curving seam that is beautiful. He often use these curving and angled seams that are throwback to Couture pieces of the 1920s and 30s and here he has used it beautifully. The silk in the skirt is all cut on the bias. The back trails out longer behind you and all of this adds up to spectacular movement around you when you move.
- This is a truly outstanding McQueen dress.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes with a hidden set partial mid-set zipper at the back whose placement is again a nod to the Couture pieces of the 20s and 30s. The shoulders are padded. It appears to have been worn very little if at all
- Tagged a vintage McQueen 38
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 68" from neck to front hem and the back hem extends another 10"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5370
Reference Photo: Fall 2010 Alexander McQueen Lookbook.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
giorgio armani
Easy-to-Wear Spring 2020 Emporio Armani Runway Look 59 Grey Silk Organza Silver Sequin Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2020 Emporio Armani collection for the Look 59.
- It was made under the creative direction of Giorgio Armani.
- The collection was entitled "Air" and the pieces were soft. The show opened under a projection of a lightly clouded sky, and when the evening pieces walked the runway, it changed to a star filled moonscape. Appropriate given the silvers and greys of the final grouping of dresses. The sequins and paillettes on the dress catch the light beautifully and you can see that in the reference video.
- This was shown as a strapless piece on the runway. The straps that it was sent to the shops with are set inside the upper edge of the bodice so that they could easily be tucked in if you preferred it that way.
- The dress is made out of a textured silk organza that is beautifully light in weight but still has enough structure to hold the shape that you see.
- Onto the silk are little oval paillettes done in different shades of silver and pewter. Each is suspended from the dress by a little hole at their tops and as they progress down the dress they have a little beaded bit so that they hang off of the dress more. At the top of the dress they are so heavily overlapped that they almost stand up and off of the dress and then as they reach the hem they scatter out.
- A grey piping finishes the neckline and that is also what the straps are made out of. From there it skims over the bust and widens out around the waist for a easy to fit feel. It continues to widen out over the hips all the way to the hem.
- These were produced on a very limited basis and that is noted on the tag. It was priced at just over 6K at retail.
- The dress is fully lined in matching grey silky feeling fabric and it closes with a hidden set back zipper. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
- Tagged a vintage Armani 38
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 55.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5360
Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2020 Emporio Armani, Look 59.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
valentino
Fall 2016 Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli & Maria Grazia Chiuri Net Dress w Silver Sequin & Beads
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for Look 80 in the Fall 2016 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli & Maria Grazia Chiuri.
- Its twin was featured in an editorial for Marie Claire Spain that season.
- The colours for the Fall 2016 Valentino show were muted dusty pinks, greys, neutrals and blacks.
- The theme of the Valentino show was all about the ballet and modern dance. Maria told Vogue that “We always think fashion is cultural, not just about delivering clothes. We want this show to be about living your moments, feeling each moment uniquely. I really love fashion. This job we do is a good opportunity to describe the time we’re in.”
- The entire dress is made from a pale nude tulle netting that has just a hint of a pink undertone to it. It is lined in a matching silk so that is so opaque enough to wear. That lining could be removed if you preferred a full transparent feel.
- Scattered over the tulle are silver sequins that each have a tiny clear bead topping the sequin. These catch the light from every angle.
- The dress is suspended from tiny net straps that curve up and over each shoulder. The front scoops across and the upper back is left bare and exposed.
- A ruffled panel of the netting is attached all the way around the neck line and as it curves towards the back it gets wider so that it drapes down the sides and just past the waist at the back. This adds a pretty feminine and airy feel to the dress.
- The waist is seamed to nip in and the skirt is full and easy over the hips. It is very wide and full by the time it reaches the hem. Under the top layer of netting are three additional netted layers. The layer in the middle of those three has a double hem and all of this built in under-skirting helps to hold the volume and give the skirt its structure and shape. A final opaque layer in silk sits against your skin.
- This is absolutely one of the dresses that was heavily influenced by the ballet, and I love that about it.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching silk and closes with hidden set back zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a modern Valentino 40
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 58" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5357
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Fall 2016 Valentino, Look 80. / (4) Marie Claire Spain, October 2016. / (5-7) 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.
yves saint laurent
Exceptional Fall 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway Black Silk Wrap Dress w Bow Detail
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1983 YSL Haute Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- The dress would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier
- In this collection Yves paid homage to Paris. He told French Vogue that the collection was dedicated to "the prestige of Paris, as I knew it when I first arrived… That is why it reflects many things from my youth, my first sensations when I arrived in Paris from Algeria.". The book Yves Saint Laurent: Catwalk noted that the cuts were loose and offered room to breathe. Pink and black with the two primary colours used for this season and that "the black dresses were chic and cut to perfection".
- This dress is exceptional in person and I feel like the photos are not giving it full justice. The silk is light and weight, and it has far more drape and ease than I think the photos are conveying. It is an absolutely beautiful and chic dress that needs a body to truly come to life.
- The runway photos really give you a better idea of how this dress will look like once on the body.
- The dress is made out of a light weight black silk of exceptional quality.
- The shoulders are lightly shaped and the silk has been gathered up and into the shoulders. The sleeves are cut wider where they are set into the bodice and then narrow to a zippered wrist.
- The dress wraps and snaps at the side to close and there is a built-in inner waist stay to hold it perfectly in place. This is one of his signature designs and allows the drape that you see while letting the dress stay secure. It also allows the bodice to drape beautifully over you.
- The wrap of the dress creates a V neck line at both the front and the back.
- Where the dress closes at the waist the fabric has been gathered into a black silk bow to highlight the waist area. On one side of the dress the fabric is finished with a pleating detail that opens up to create the perfect drape over the body. On the other side, it is pulled up and under the bow which lets the hem at that side have a slight curve up from the bottom.
- The dress is so well-made that I think you could wear it either way around depending on how it works best on you.
- This is an extraordinary piece of true Haute Couture by one of the greatest designers of our lifetime.
- The dress is unlined and is completely hand finished inside to Haute Couture standards. It hooks and snaps to close at the waist and inside there is a hidden set zipper and inner built-in waist stay. Each sleeve zips to close at the wrist. Light padding at the top of each shoulder.
- There is no size tag present because it is true Couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 22.5" and are 15" around the upper arm
Shoulders: approx 14-15"
Bust: approx 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 56" from top of shoulder to longest point of the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5356
Reference Photos: Fall 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
valentino
Dreamiest 2010s Valentino Off White Silk Wedding Dress w Tiered Ivory Lace & Ruffle Skirt
I Have a Question
- This stunning Valentino wedding dress is new with tags and was never worn. It is beautifully made.
- The wedding collections are not as well documented as the regular collections so dating them is a little trickier but this is most likely from the late 2010s.
- It is a beyond gorgeous for the bride looking to make a chic and elegant statement.
- This is a stunning dress. Tiny matching silk straps curved up and over each shoulder. It is cut fairly straight across the neck line and skims over the bust to the waist in a simple silhouette that has the perfect classic feel to it.
- Centred and tacked into place at the front of the bodice is a large flat bow that is made out of the same silk. I love the nod to the 1950s that this gives the dress while still staying thoroughly modern in feel.
- From there the skirt falls to the floor and widens out dramatically as it nears the hem. For the majority of these photos I have added a light crinoline underneath so that you could see how full the skirt is. We also shot it with no crinoline underneath so you can see how it naturally falls. I think that if you wanted it to be even fuller you could easily achieve that by adding a very full underskirt.
- The skirt is a work of art. It is done in an incredible 23 layers of ruffled bands of the same silk alternated with a lace in a matching colour. I love that this gives it an almost petticoat feel that is purposefully meant to be seen.
- Each stacked band of either the silk or lace gradually gets fuller around as they near the floor and this is what creates the volume of the skirt that you see.
- All of that volume gives you incredible movement while still maintaining structure so the general shape and fullness of the skirt is not lost when you move. The way this moves around you is magical.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. It has its original hang tag attached.
- Tagged a Valentino 44
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips:to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from top of the bodice to the seam of the inner waist
Total length: 61" from the top of the shoulder to the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5334
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
john galliano
Gorgeous Fall 2003 John Galliano Dusky Purple Bias Cut Silk & Silk Chiffon Dress w Draped Panels
I Have a Question
- This dress is from John Galliano's own label and is an incredible example of his work from this time period.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano
- This is a production piece that was not shown on the runway but would have been made in limited quantities for the shops.
- For this season he had emphasized a glamorous hourglass shape mixed with nods to pinup girl lingerie style dressing. These bias cut dresses always showcase his love of the 1930s and 1940s and you can see that influence in them.
- The dress is made out of a deep dusky purple silk that has a slight bit of texture to it. It is completely cut on the bias in that signature cut he does so well.
- The dress falls from a delicate strap that curves up and behind the neck and then it drapes down and over the body to the floor.
- The bias cut of it allows the dress to skim and drape over you so that it shows every curve but is not overly fitted.
- The fabric has been pieced together with dropped and angled panels throughout to create the beautiful shape that you see.
- At the back, the strap meets behind the neck and then drop down the centre of the back and panels of silk are suspended from it. These curving panels can be worn either down and under the arms or you can drape your arms through them to create a beautiful curving 'sleeve' effect over the arm.
- The dress glides over the body past the bust, waist and hips and then flares out as it reaches the hem.
- It buttons to close down the side with a row of his signature buttons covered in the same silk and then on the other side the fabric is gathered in and up into a wired circle. The circle is open in the centre and the panels that gather into the circle have been cut out and opened so that it forms the shape of a flower trailing over one hip.
- The dress is lined in a crepe silk but you could choose to remove that lining and have that side be completely bare so that your skin showed through if you wished. I have seen this dress in another colour where someone did that and it looked great. It is an incredible feat of patterning.
- The photos cannot fully convey how a bias cut dress moves. It will only truly come to life when worn.
- Fully lined in a slightly deeper purple silk crepe and closes at the side with a series of silk covered buttons. I see perhaps a tiny pull in the fabric here and there which happens with this fabric and a bit of shininess here and there from pressing near seams. All minor and mentioned for accuracy.
- Tagged a FR42, GB14, US8. The bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes with it just draping more in a smaller frame
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 63" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD5318
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
chloe
Rare Spring 1979 Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld Floral & Stripe Print Silk Dress w Matching Striped Belt
I Have a Question
- After much research I believe this to be from the Spring 1979 Chloe collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld.
- In this collection he moved away from 1940s as his inspiration into the sex appeal of the 1950s, said the book 'Chloe Catwalk'. The silhouettes were based on the hourglass. In that same book there was a very similar floral patterns shown I have included several photos here for you.
- Hand placed gathering emphasizes the hips for many of the pieces in this collection, along with extra emphasis on the waist. Lagerfeld said of the collection to the press "Frivolity is important. I want shape and sensualness."
- The dress is made from one of his signature feather light silks being used during this time period for Chloe. It is screened with a custom print that mixes an ivory, more pastel coral colour and a pale lavender.
- An interesting detail is that the labels are on the side of the dress that I think is the front. The side that has the deep plunge is longer in length at the hem so I believe that should be the back. I have seen other dresses with this label placement from around this time period and when the back is plunged like this, so it is not unusual to see. I have photoed it both ways for you, with the plunge at the back and the front. You could potentially wear the plunge at the front if you don't mind the longer hem at the front much like that Lacroix dress from me that was worn to the Met Gala a couple years ago when they turned it around backwards.
- The sleeves are long and it skims over the bust to the waist. The back plunges into a low V to just above the waist. As mentioned above, it is possible that you could wear it either way around. It is incredibly sexy worn either way.
- The waist is seamed and the dress comes with its original striped screened silk belt that hooks into place around you. The stripes on the belt pick up the stripes that are on the end of each sleeve and circle around the hem.
- The skirt curves over the hips and there is a gathering of the silk for added shape. It falls to the floor with the back cut longer then the front for a slight trained effect. You get the most fantastic movement as you walk.
- The dress is in its original uncut length and is unlined. It closes with a back hand set zipper. Hand finishes throughout. There is a tiny bit of fading at the top of the shoulders and edges of the hems. The entire dress looks to be hand dyed and or screened and it presents perfectly once on as this becomes part of the uniqueness of the pattern. The belt hooks to close.
- Excellent condition with the note above.
Sleeves: 22.5" and are 11" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from neck to waist
Total length: 60" from neck to front hem, 68" to the back hem with about 2" turned under the hem
Belt: 2.5" wide x 27" long where the hooks currently sit.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5310
Reference Photos: From the book "Chloe: The Complete Collections" by Lou Stoppard.
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
Spectacular 1970s Yves Saint Laurent Deep Turquoise Blue Silk Off Shoulder Fuffled Top & Matching Skirt Set
I Have a Question
- This set is from a late 1970s YSL collection most likely 1979 or 1977
-
It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- Both pieces are made out of a feather light silk in a very unusual muted turquoise that has a gorgeous muted quality to it. The photos are very close to the colour. It is perhaps a touch more pastel in person.
- The neckline of the top is set wide across so you can wear it off of the shoulder for a bare expanse of skin to show. A wide 6" ruffle follows the entire neckline and gives the prettiest flounce all the way around you. At the front the ruffle has been gathered so that it narrows in by a matching band of fabric that slips through an open loop along the seam. I love the added detail that this adds.
- Under that top ruffle there is a second ruffle sitting directly underneath it with stiffening added to its edge to add support. Set under that is another 5" wide ruffle that circles around each arm. These also have a little half ruffle with stiffened edging underneath for added support. The final effect is that of an gorgeous double ruffle set just under each shoulder and it is phenomenal.
- The top is cut wide and generous in a very boxy shape. This width through the body makes it easy to fit and it also is what gives it some volume once it is tucked into the skirt.
- The skirt is a YSL masterpiece and a phenomenal example of the skirts that he was doing during this time period.
- The waist is banded and comes with a matching silk tie belt that you can cinch in the waist as much as needed. This tie is incredibly long and you can tie it in a bow wherever you wish. I love how it picks up on the bow of the top.
- Tiny gathered pleats are set in all the way around the waist and then the skirt falls under that into beautiful tiers. At the point just past the hips, the lower skirt is set into the top of the skirt with a ruffled seam that circles all the way around you. Built in behind that on the interior of the skirt is a wide band of stiffening that helps to hold the shape and volume. At the hem there is a panel of the same silk that has been tightly gathered into a wide ruffle. All of this perfectly ties in with the ruffles around the shoulder of the top.
- The skirt is incredibly full but still light in feel because of the lightness of the fabric. If you were to lay this out and open the skirt out, it is more than a full circle around. That volume combined with the lightness of the fabric gives you incredible movement when you move.
- This is an absolutely stunning example of his work during this time period and one of my favourite pieces I have ever had by him.
- It is exceptionally rare to find a full set in such a iconic YSL design and in this condition.
- Both pieces are unlined. The top slips over the head to wear and the skirt zips to close with a side set zipper and two flat hook and eye at the waist. The tie belt is original to the dress.
- Both pieces are tagged a vintage YSL 40.
- Excellent condition
Top
The arm opening is 14.5" around
Shoulders: the opening is 32.5" around
Bust-bottom seam: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 19.5" from top of bodice to hem
Skirt
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 43.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5293
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
roberto cavalli
Gorgeous Spring 2005 Roberto Cavalli Black & Gold Feather Print Bias Cut Silk Dress w Open Criss Cross Back
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2005 Cavalli collection
- It was made under the creative direction of Roberto Cavalli
- For that season Cavalli based everything shown on the 'Fashion Traveller' Theme and Vogue proclaimed that to mean "an eclectic throwing-together of hippie-ish trailing print skirts, ruffled cavalier shirts (worn belted at the hip as tantalizing dresses), and nineteenth century Sgt. Pepper-ish frogged military jackets."
- The dress is made of a black bias cut silk that is covered with a gold tone print. The print depicts golden feathers that curve heavily down and over the bodice and then gradually just become the gold parts that trail down and over the skirt.
- The feather print is very detailed and quite beautiful. I love how the pattern is set to accentuate the curves of the body underneath the dress and build on the cut of the dress itself.
- The dress is suspended from two tiny straps in the same silk that curved up and over the shoulders. At the back they cross over each other. The entire upper back is left bare and exposed behind the crossing of the straps and the front comes down in a wide V.
- The dress curves in at the waist with long curving vertical seams and then curves back out over the hips. Everything is cut on the bias and there are no horizontal seems to break the print or lines of the dress.
- The lower skirt flares out with quite a bit of fabric used for its construction. There are extra triangular panels built-in around the sides and back. These are what give the fullness to the lower skirt that you see and create its sweep. The back skirt is cut a little longer than the front so that you have a beautiful bit of fabric behind you as you move. The extra fabric also gives you wonderful movement as you walk.
- The dress is unlined and closes with a hidden set back zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a modern Cavalli 38
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to the shortest part of the front hem, 71" to the longest part on the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5289
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
roberto cavalli
Outstanding Spring 2006 Roberto Cavalli Black Silky Jersey Corset Bodice Dress w Gold Hardware Detailing
I Have a Question
- This is the all black version of the Spring 2006 pink floral dress from the same collection that we currently have in the shop.
- It was made under the creative direction of Roberto Cavalli
- The twin of the pink version of this dress was worn by Noemie Lenoir in 2006 and we have included those reference photos in this listing because even though it is a different colour it still shows you just how phenomenal this is once on the body.
- The dress is made from a black silk feeling jersey that is draped over an inner black body suit that gives you the perfect amount of inner structure and holds the dress perfectly in place.
- That inner corset is lightly boned through the front and the bust area is shaped with inner padding and wire. The jersey on the exterior is draped into place over that and gathered over towards one side. At the base of where it gathers there is a decorative panel that has a tie running through it and little gold metal loops. You could use the ties to wrap around the waist or just let it hang down over the hip as I have done for these photos.
- A single layer of the jersey drapes down from there to form the skirt. The skirt is incredible. It falls to extend down long and dramatically on one side so you get a sweeping feel around you as you move. On the other side there is an inset triangle made out of a black chiffon that gives you the very slightest bit of transparency on that side.
- If you loved the dress in the flower print but are not a flower kind of girl. This is the version for you.
- The inner black bodysuit is shaped and made of a stretched lingerie netting to give you support and shape. It zippers to close at its side and then hooks to close at the bottom. The dress closes over that at the side with a hidden set zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 62" from top of shoulder to the shortest part of the hem at one side and the back extends another 17" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5288
Reference Photos: Noemie Lenoir attends the 'Quand J'Etais Chanteur' premiere during the Cannes Film Festival, 2006.
All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.
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