This is a seriously sexy, dramatic strapless dress that was made to hug and create curves whether a girl has then or not. It is all fitted and shaped to give you that Barbie Doll body with the bust and hips exaggerated in just the right way. The actual dress is a strapless little number that is cut above the knee and has a black cotton lace set over a nude base. Between the lace and the inner nude fabric is a layer of the same dotted tulle that makes up that dramatic skirting. This gives the lace an very interesting texture and depth. The sweetheart neckline tops the fitted silhouette of the dress. Circling the hip is a curving overlay of dotted tulle over two other tulle layers. These curve around and down and give the dress the suggestion of a full fifties skirt. Totally '80s and fabulous. Excellent condition

The dress is fully lined in a nude silky rayon and closes with a back metal and nylon zipper.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 32" from top of bodice to hem of dress, 36" to longest point of tulle overlay

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2773

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

This is a cute and sexy little dress that combines a beautiful silk with a fun, multi-color dot pattern. It is from the D&G label which no longer exists. The cut is classic D&G with a fitted, curving cut that follows the body and is very flattering. The bodice has a full built in corset with cups that keep the dress in place. Over this, the silk skims and drapes, down and around the body. There is a ruffled detail that circles the sweetheart neckline and that ruffle then extends down from one side, curves over the waist, and then runs down one hip. The skirt is cut to come up slightly at the spot where the ruffle ends for a little extra leg. At the back is one of their signature, large chunky zippers and the silk is all set to drape inward towards that. Signature, adjustable, lingerie straps sit at the shoulder and can be removed to make it a strapless dress. It is fabulous on and I love the colorful dots. Excellent condition

The dress is unlined and closes with a back zipper. There is a full boned bra/net corset inside the bust area. Tagged a 42

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam with approx an A-B cup
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 43" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2772

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

This fun little 80s dress is made from a combination of ruffled lace and sequins. The bodice is fitted and strapless and set to hug your curves. It has a black lace base that has rows of glossy black sequins adorning its surface. More sequins are set around the upper hip to define the band above the skirt. From there the skirt mimics the fullness of the fifties and flares out in an explosion of black lace ruffles. The lace  from the bodice extends down and is again used for the base fabric of the skirt and then it also has panels of the same lace set on curving angles all around the skirt. These have wired edges so that the resulting ruffles have curving, curling edges and give the skirt even more fullness and flounce. Underneath the exterior of the skirt is a layer of tulle with an extra panel set around the hem for added fullness, and then a lining under that for comfort. It is very flirting and fun. Excellent condition.

Lined a silky black satin and the bodice is lightly boned. The skirt has an additional tulle layer between the lining and the top skirt layer. It closes at the back with a painted metal and nylon zipper.

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 20" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2771

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

Vogue said of the S/S 2002 collection: "John Galliano's "Street Chic" collection took the form of a virtual world tour, with stops that included lavishly clad Bedouins, army recruits and girls in the 'hood. This was not the first time Dior has gone globetrotting, but Galliano injected, as always, new energy into his ethnic excursions. His bias-cut silk and lace dresses, embroidered jackets and sheer tops will work better than ever in this season of unbridled romanticism. Python jackets and low-slung hip-hop jeans also seem right for the moment, while the more eye-popping pieces—like the glittering pantsuit embroidered with kitschy Americana motifs—are just the thing for a starlet's weekend jaunt to Vegas."

This is a fabulous and sexy piece and it is looks like this one that defined the years that Galliano was at the head of Dior before his downfall. He was a master at contouring the body into the shapes he wanted and this is a beautiful example of how he combined both structure and flow in the same garment. The bodice is a structured corset that hooks down the front with flat hooks and is boned and shaped. The cups at the bust are padded and shaped to lift the breasts. Each cup is top stitched for extra detailing and this also offers contrast to the striped fabric. At the back the corset is laced so you can adjust it for the perfect cinched fit. Below this the silk chiffon skirt flows to the floor in a two sweeping layers of bias cut silk. It sweeps out as it nears the hem and has a slight train at the back. There is a slit up one side so you can see the the salmon pink silk chiffon layer under the top striped one when you move. Galliano designed fantasy pieces that combined historical references and pulled bits of design from a huge cross section of eras and somehow combined them to create very beautiful clothing. I remember seeing this dress everywhere that season and am sure there are more reference photos to be found for this dress. It really is one of his recognizable pieces. It is absolutely beautiful. Excellent condition

The dress is fully lined in silk through the bust with interior built in padded cups and boning.. It closes with a metal and nylon zipper at the side, laces at the back and hooks to close at the front. The skirt is lined with an attached second layer of silk. Tagged a US6, French 38. Because of the lacing on the back there is some adjustment possible for fit through the bust and waist.

Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 2-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 61" from top of dress to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2770

Reference Photos: Christian Dior S/S 2002. (1) Look 47. Model: Liudmilla Bakhmat.  /  (2) Look 44. Model: Karolina Kurkova.

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

Arnold Scaasi did absolutely exquisite and elaborate designs and the best of his work featured heavy adornment . His work is for when you want to have all eyes on you. He worked under Charles James at the beginning of his career and you can see that influence of that time in the lines of his own work. He cut and created his designs to extremely high standards and the workmanship is fabulous. This dress and jacket set combines the richness of a black cotton velvet with an elaborate and brilliant design. The work and attention to detail is incredible. Onto the velvet base is a dense application of gold braid, sequins and beads that are all hand applied and set in this amazing 3D design that covers both pieces. Many of the paillette used are shaped and colored to form flowers and petals. The dress is a strapless, sculpted piece that hugs the bodice and then falls away from the body in a pretty A-line. The jacket is cropped and sits over this and you can close it for a very fitted feel. It has pro[per curve cut sleeves and I love the pink lining. I love that the applique design is left off the very top and bottom of the dress so that it becomes a natural design element without having to add a third element to the design. The two pieces are is equally stunning worn together or as separates and adds to the versatility of the piece by being able to wear it together or separate. Scaasi dressed actresses, socialites and first ladies.  He also studied at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne and you can see the evidence of that in work like this set. He was never an official member of the Chambre so even though this is made to couture standards it, like his other work from his main atelier, is considered demi-couture. Excellent condition.

The dress in fully interlined in a black silk through the bodice and hand finished and aslo has a second lining in the skirt. It closes with a back, hand set painted metal zipper and a second metal zipper on the interior bodice. The bodice is boned. The jacket is fully lined in a fine, high end pink silk and is hand finished. It closes with fabric covered snaps. If you even remotely like it in the photos you will be extremely pleased in person as it is wonderful. There may be a missing or broken shaped sequin paillette here and there but nothing that needs to be pointed out as a jarring flaw. Someone cut the interior lining of the skirt at some pint so it now falls just past the hip and has an unfinished edge. It is left as found.

Dress
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 29" from top of strapless bodice to hem

Jacket
Slightly dropped sleeves: 19"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 19" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2762

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

This is a beautiful and romantic bias cut silk chiffon dress with a matching full length cape by the great American couturier Oscar de la Renta. Both pieces are constructed from layers of a lightweight, slightly textured, silk chiffon in the prettiest pale, ice blue color. The bodice of the dress is gathered in an elaborate ruching of silk that meets in the center in a thick "braid" that runs down the center front under the sweetheart, strapless neckline. From there, the skirt cascades to the floor at the back and at the front it curves up higher so you get a flash of leg when you move. It is made of three full layers of weightless silk chiffon that float over and around the body to give it the feel of airiness and lightness. Over this sits a matching, full length cape that simply hooks to close at the neck. The lightness of the silk gives it a billowing effect when you move and walk that is stupendous. A really lovely and romantic set. Excellent condition with a tiny note below

The dress is fully lined through the bodice in a hand set blue silk and the three layers of silk chiffon the skirt is made of serve as its lining. The cape is unlined. The dress closes with a side painted metal zipper and the cape closes with a hook & eye at the neck. Hand finishes. I see one tiny repair to the silk on the cape near the bottom side and also to the top later of the skirt at the back near the hem. There are a couple teeny ares that have darkened on the silk of the skirt. None of these are visible once it is on since there is so much fabric and I don't consider any to be a flaw that takes away from this amazing vintage piece

Dress
Bust: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 48" from top of strapless dress to back hem, 38" to the front hem

Cape
Length: 62" from top to bottom

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2754

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

This beautiful white jersey dress looks like it just walked off the rack. It is amazing when you discover a white piece in such great condition. At first glance you think it is a strapless dress but there is a lovely, single thin strap that extends out from the detailing on the bust that runs over one shoulder to hook in at the back. This pretty little detail elevates the dress somehow and makes it feel even more decadent. The top is molded to the body and features an abundance of gathers that highlight the shape of the torso and bust. I love the sweetheart neckline. At the waist, there is an extra tie of fabric attached for you to tie in a knot at the front for extra detail. The skirt is made of yards and yards of fabric thay swirl and move as you do. Frank Usher's draped jersey gowns are among the most coveted of all his designs and this one is particularly lovely in every way. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a white silky rayon through the bodice. The skirt has an underlying inner jersey skirt. Note that the hip measurement is taken from this inner skirt and if you needed more room through the hips it would be very easy to add some fabric and it would never show. Lightly boned through the bodice and closes with a painted metal back zipper. Appears to have never been worn

Bust: 17-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1594

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

This gorgeous dress is by Bob Mackie who is best known for dressing Cher and for his love of opulence and bead work. He worked for both Edith Head and Jean Louis before starting his own label and his love for the big screen and glamor of Hollywood continued through his career. His work is always extravagant and glamorous in the best possible way. This silk chiffon dress in a beautiful ivory is a combination of silk chiffon and bead work. The bust is strapless and fitted to the body with hand applied rhinestones, silver and clear glass beads and dangling strands adorning its surface. It would not be a Bob Mackie without some glitz after all. Under that beautiful beaded bust, silk chiffon skirt flow the floor and swirl around you as you move. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a white silk that is completely hand set, with a boned, slightly padded bust and waist stay interior. It closes with a back painted zipper. Hand finished throughout. Two layers of silk chiffon over the inner lining of the skirt. It is numbered by hand on one side of the interior. I see a couple of very minor marks and a small repair on the top layer of silk near one side at the back but you only spot these when it is laid out flat due to the yards and yards of fabric in the skirt. In person it is a touch more cream then how it photoed

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 49" from top of dress to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2748

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

Jacques Griffe was considered to be one of the great French couturiers and was one of very few designers capable of the complete design process from sketching to draping, cutting, and sewing the garments. He trained early on with a local tailor, and later, in Paris with Madeleine Vionnet from 1936-39. Vionnet exposed him to unique ways of cutting, and how techniques in draping that enhanced the female body. It is interesting to note that while working under Vionnet he also learned her technique of draping and cutting the fabric using a small jointed mannequin and like Vionnet, he designed by draping fabric directly onto a mannequin for the rest of his career. She actually presented him with a wooden mannequin for this purpose when he launched his own fashion house in 1941 and a ready to wear line in 1947. He continued to design until 1968.

This is a gown that showcases some of his signature design elements. The strapless bodice was a favored silhouette and the rich silk satin used is of very high quality and gives the otherwise simple piece an extra layer of texture and richness. The silhouette is that of a sheath, with a defined waist. The skirt wraps around itself and curves gently upwards at the back where the ends overlap each other giving it a graceful feel. The bodice is fitted and the inner construction is boned and has small front padding so the wearer can forego undergarments there is she wished. An attached panel in the same fabric gracefully curves up and over one shoulder to fall in a trail of silk satin behind you. The inner construction is entirely done by hand and the workmanship refined. This is a beautiful, graceful and exemplary example of one of the great Couturiers of our time. Excellent condition

The dress is unlined through the skirt and lined in a fine black silk through the bodice. There is wire boning and padding inside the bodice interior. The dress is entirely made by hand as Haute Couture demands. The zipper has separated from the dress in some parts. Since this a rare and fine, early Haute Couture example I have decided to leave it entirely original. If the new owner wishes, I can have this done by my tailor prior to shipping, however, some collectors prefer no new stitches be added so I leave the choice to the buyer. The silk satin shows normal patina for its age. There are no significant pulls or scuffs.

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 42.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2726

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

At the height of her popularity in the eighties Vicky Tiel was best known for her body hugging, sexy, fitted designs and her elaborate gathering of fabric on her dresses. This dress is from her couture line which by Couture standards would be considered as a demi-couture piece. Under the label is a second label that denotes the model name of the dress "Kaimak" along with other hand written information. It is very well made and with that signature fitted Vicky Tiel cut. The body of the dress is made of a beautifully and extensively draped silk net chiffon that is entirely hand set into place. This creates a head to toe gathering of soft drapes that cover the entire dress, back and front, top to bottom. It is cut to hug your every curve and shape the body. The bodice has interior boning to form and shape the bust. Set into the top is a panel of extensive bead work on a backdrop of black lace. This peeks put as if it is a separate undergarment and adds to the sensuality of the dress. Her best pieces have that old world, high glamour sense of the "Femme Fatale" and this dress has that in spades. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silky rayon and closes with a back metal and nylon zipper. Boned through the bodice. It has a 16" opening/slit up the back to allow for walking. Appears unworn. Tagged a 40 with handwritten tag. Hand finishes throughout

Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length 53" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD1384

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

The Hardy Amies couture house launched in 1946 and he added RTW in 1950. In 1951 Amies was chosen to design some of the wardrobe for Princess Elizabeth’s tour of Canada. That led to Amies appointment as the Royal Dressmaker in 1955 after Elizabeth became the Queen. He was known for his fine, elegant lines and love of the best of the best fabrics. A signature touch of Amies is a slightly dropped waistline as he thought it was more flattering and elegant.

This is a early example form his couture line and it is exceptional. It would make a stunning wedding gown for the bride who wants to wear vintage but because it is not a stark white could easily be worn as a gown to any event. The construction is entirely by hand and this would date to the late 1940s, early 1950s. It is made from layers of silk. Two layers of a soft grey-white silk organza on top, with a third layer of a heavy silk for the interior lining in a soft taupe grey. The deeper color of the silk interior comes through the layers of the exterior so the gown has a slight grey cast to it that is very soft and pretty. The interior construction is fabulous with boning and structure through the bodice and built in cups. On the outer layer the bodice and skirt are all pleated with flat knife pleats, pressed and sewn into place by hand. I love the expanse of cotton lace that wraps around the skirt for contrast. The bodice is strapless and hugs the body. We see that signature dropped waist so that the bodice is curved and love. From there the skirt builds in volume as it nears the hem with excess fabric all through the bottom hem to create those stunning curves folds. It is truly exceptional and a fine example of his work. It presents well but does have some small flaws. Please review the noyes below.

Fully lined in a grey-taupe silk and closes with a side painted metal zipper with hook & eye and snaps on the layers of fabric over the interior zipper. The bodice is boned and it has built in cups. The hem of the interior skirt has a wide horsehair lining inside the hem line so it falls perfectly. The middle layer of silk has an unfinished hem. The outer hem is hand rolled and hand stitched. An inner waist stay closes with hook & eye. There is yellowing and discoloration to the lower hem and the edge of the hem. There is yellowing to the from inner edge of the bodice and fraying to the inner silk along the inner edge of the bodice. I feel that it is entirely wearable as is or if you wished to, would be a fairly simple job to make some changes to make it perfect again but is sold and priced as being all original.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of dress to true waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2657

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

I am always so pleased to have a Helena Barbieri piece come into the shop as they are a rare label to find and each is very special. Her specialty was formal wear and her signatures included embellishment and decadent details making them much desired even now. You would be hard pressed to find modern counterparts as far as the workmanship and detailing in most of them. This one is so beautiful it takes my breathe away and could easily be used as a wedding gown for the bride looking for an alternative or simply as the evening gown that it was meant to be originally. The fabric is a rich, luxurious silk satin, in a champagne color that has just the slightest undertone of pink to it. Over this is a trailing flower design that runs over the strapless bodice, under the band at the waist and trails down and across the dress. This design is hand applied and made of floral lace cut outs that have hand applied sequins over them with little clusters of prong set rhinestone crystals to form each center. The skirt is cut on a slight Aline with a little more fabric at the back between two long inverted pleats. A romantic and extravagant bow sits at the base of the low back draping softly over the back and down to just above the knee. The lace and flower work is so finely done and such a romantic touch that it is quite beautiful. Barbieri specialized in evening wear and it is easy to see why her pieces are so highly prized. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is drop dead gorgeous and in excellent overall condition with a small note on that below.

Unlined with pinked seams and boning through the bodice. The applique work and finishes are all hand done. Closes with a back painted metal zipper and the bow hooks into place. The interior of the bow is finished with tulle to give it a touch of fullness. There is a tiny bit of foxing/storage marks on the bow that get lost in the folds once it is on and draping but there are there. Some slight scuffing/small marks to the silk satin. All minor and it is really a work of art.

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 6" from top of bodice to seam under waist band
Length: 45" from seam under waist band to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2553

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

If you have been looking for a statement dress for the season look no further then this incredible Ungaro dress that is absolutely amazing. That dramatic color is the first thing you see - it's an amazing combination of green and gold and the metallic thread makes it shimmer and glint in the light from bodice to hem. The fabric is quite light in weight so despite the elaborate construction the dress is not heavy to wear but rather, feels amazing on the body. The entire torso of the dress is gathered and fitted around the body with body hugging, hand placed and gathered folds. This was an Ungaro signature and really made his pieces flattering once on. The gathered detailing extends all the way down the torso and past the waist to hug the hips and underneath the skirt it sits like a mini dress. Big fabric rosettes adorn the bodice and hip. The skirt is attached over the inner under dress and wraps the hips all the way around and then floats to the floor on an angle. The fabric here is knife pleated and these falls out like a sculpted fan over the legs. The side not open has extra panels of fabric at its middle so no matter what angle you are seen by there is some interesting element. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a green silk and closes with a side zipper. The bodice is lightly boned. Tagged a vintage Ungaro 8.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from top of dress to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2633

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

This beautiful Scaasi Boutique dress is made from a brilliantly colored metallic lame fabric that has a gorgeous abstract floral design strewn across its surface. The entire fabric has been given a metallic sheen and then there are gold circles woven in and over that. This makes the dress shimmer and glint in the light. The fabric itself is very light in weight and fluid so it really feels almost weightless once on. The bodice is fitted and boned and with a gathering of the fabric at the front that angles down and into the bow detailing at the waist. Under that bow the fabric is again pleated and gathered to angled up to the waist this time for a sarong feel. Under this the he skirt falls to the floor and keeps that sarong type feel as it gathers and dips upwards at the center front. Its very lovely and chic on and I love the colors - so happy and bright. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a red silky rayon and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. Boned through the bodice.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 39" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2632

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

This Helena Barbieri gown is so beautiful it takes my breathe away to look at it. The fabric is a rich, vibrant pink silk that has a wonderful design woven through its surface in a gold lame thread. This design runs over the entire dress from the strapless bodice to the hem of the skirt so that it glows in the light. The combination of the pink and gold are wonderful and in person it is even better then how it photoed and it photoed quite well. The bodice is fitted and strapless and the waist defined with a wide band of fabric. This tops a beautifully cut skirt that has pleats set along the hips so that you get a soft fullness there. The back of the skirt is cut so that it has extra fabric to give it a flared fullness that is wonderful. I love the wrapped effect of the bodice and how it gives the illusion that after wrapping it around your bust, the end of the panels tuck through the waist banding. I am always so pleased to have a Helena Barbieri piece come into the shop as they are a rare label to find and each is very special. Her specialty was formal wear and her signatures included embellishment and decadent details making them much desired even now. You would be hard pressed to find modern counterparts as far as the workmanship and detailing in most of them. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is drop dead gorgeous. Excellent condition with a small item to note below.

Fully lined with pink silk organza through the skirt and a white muslin through the bodice. Ribbon finished seams  at the hem and boning through the bodice with a hook and eye interior waist stay. Hand finishes. Closes with a back painted metal zipper. There is the slightest "loosening" of the thread along the bodice edges at each side but it does not effect the appearance when on. Please see photos of each side.

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11.5" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 43.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2630

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

This dress is so pretty and feminine feeling. It is strapless and has a beautiful blue and green print screened onto the silk chiffon outer layer. The bodice is fitted with an inner boning to add support and hugs the bust and nips in the waist. This tops a skirt that whose outer layer of the same silk floats over an inner silk skirt and is made of yards and yards of bias cut fabric. The effect is floaty and romantic. Helena Barbieri designed evening and formal wear through the 1940s and into the late 1950s. Her work was always very feminine, with simple lines and using only the best fabrics. She then often added elaborate embellishments and detailing that took her dresses to a higher level and really gave them a touch of a Hollywood feel. I love finding her dresses because they feel rather timeless and stand up well to modern pieces. This is a beautiful example of her work whose simplicity is the result of masterful cut. It is the perfect balance of femininity and structure. Excellent condition

The dress is fully lined in a cream silk and close at the back with a painted metal zipper. The inner bodice is boned for support. There is slight discoloration under the bust area of the inner silk but it only on the interior. It has of course been cleaned so is ready to wear and this does not detract in any way from the dress.

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 38" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2628

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

Fantastic fifties dance dress that is beautifully feminine and yet still striking and dramatic with its stark black and cream contrast. The dress itself is made from a heavy silk faille that gives the dress ts structure and body. The fabric makes me think of the type of heavy silk that they used around the turn of the century and I would not be surprised to find out that it was made from a bolt of that early silk. The skirt is wonderfully, fantastically full and I have photoed it with a crinoline underneath so you can get a true sense of the volume that is there. You could go far far fuller if you wished and even if you wore it with no crinoline you would still get a lot of volume and movement. Onto that skirt are huge and dramatic curving "leaf" designs each hand made from silk cord curved around itself and sewn into place. Running down each are three cords of gold for a touch of glimmer. These circle the skirt and add dramatic contrast. The bodice is Spectacular and tops the nipped in waist above the skirt. It is strapless with shaped cups that have that same hand place cording swirling over them and defining each bust with an almost showgirl feel. This is a really outstanding fifties full skirted dress and a real wonderful example of the time period that still feels wearable and fresh now. Presents as excellent condition with some general notes below.

Unlined and the crinoline used in the styling is not included. It closes with a back metal zipper. The interior bodice is boned and it has padded cups tacked into the bust - added at some point but well done and fresh in appearance. They could easily be removed if you needed more room in the cups. It has its original matching fabric slide buckle belt but the belt buckle does show some wear. Perhaps a slight presence of the seams being pressed over the years but nothing to detract. A slight grubbiness on the cording on the bust but this is more time and natural patina. I am being extremely picky. What looks to be a tiny repair to the base of one seam at the back. All hand work easily seen form the back as shown.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10.5" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 29.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# E613

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

I absolutely love the work of Bill Blass during this time period and this particular example is absolutely wonderful. It is made even more so when you consider how perfectly "new" it still looks and feels. Hand dyed silk in a deep golden yellow is mixed with crisp, bright white silk for a wonderful contrast. The gown itself is simple and perfect - a boned and strapless bodice tops a full and flowing silk skirt that falls to the floor. I love how the bodice is a mix of solid white and the patterned yellow silk  - it gives it a stronger visual impact and makes it feel far more couture. The bodice is gathered and wrapped around the bust and the two fabric colors used to highlight and shape the body. The skirt is set into the nipped in waist with soft gathers that give it both a romantic feel and allow the fabric to have volume and movement. It has such a light and airy feeling and is just so pretty. Astonishingly beautiful and a true example of how extraordinary great design can be when the cut and fabric are married to perfection. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a white silk and closes with an offset, painted metal and nylon zipper that is set where the two fabrics meet at the back. Light boning through the bodice. Hand finished.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2596

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

This Suzy Perette dress is absolutely heavenly. I have actually had this in my archives for quite a while and will be sad to see it leave the shop but know that the girl who buys it will be thrilled upon its arrival. Finding pieces like this from this era that are this beautiful is becoming more and more rare.  It is made of brilliant emerald silk that is cut to perfect and has a heavy detailing of 3 dimensional flowers and vines trailing across its bodice and skirt. The work and time to create this level of detail is mind boggling and the end result is just fantastic. The bodice is strapless with a wide band around the upper portion. It is cut to fit and mold around the bust and nips in at the waist. Below that the skirt opens in a wonderful full shape with the illusion of a wrapped over effect with a stunning curved line at the hem. This allows the fabric of the skirt to drape and curve under the hips and the 3D applique follows this beautiful draping so the entire dress has this soft and romantic quality to it. At the waist sits two large hand made rosettes and over and down the draping on the skirt is a trail if leaves, flowers and vines. Each is hand made from the same fabric as the dress and placed by hand to perfectly follow the natural folds. It is just amazing. Excellent condition.

The exterior of the skirt is fully interlined in a green silk organza and then there is an inner lining made of the same fabric as the exterior. The bodice is lined in the same exterior fabric and is lightly boned. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. hand finished and beautifully constructed. The color is a truer, purer emerald green and even better in person.

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: 11" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 26" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2594

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

This gown is incredible and would make a stunning formal wear choice or even a wedding gown if the bride wanted to go very formal and be very daring. It is hand made demi-couture from Andre Odicini who is known for his evening wear and bridal choices so there is no surprise that it is so finely made. The Odicini Couture label by Andre Odicini is one of those labels that is just starting to come into its own in the vintage world and I have a feeling that pieces by him will only increase in value as more time passes. This is an exceptional piece you instantly get a sense of very high end luxury the second you lay your eyes on this dress. It is made of a heavy cream silk satin (a richer, truer ivory color then how it photoed) and that is contrasted with the use of masterfully placed back accents. It is strapless and cut to follow the body with a built on train at the back for high drama and a sense of couture. The underside of that stunning train is finished in a back silk satin and acts like a frame for the curves of your body form the front and adds a sweep of fabric and regal feel from the back. Circling the waist is a wide band of heavy 3 dimensional embroidery and bead work applique that create immense black roses that add a dramatic, yet utterly feminine quality to the gown. This is all Lesage work and very finely done. Absolutely exquisite. Excellent condition

Andrea Odicini is an Italian couturier who is revered in Italy but relatively obscure outside of the country. He came from a wealthy family and that gave him the freedom to choose his clients. If he did not like you he would refuse your money. He was known to use only the very best fabrics and his work in impeccable.

Fully lined in a cream silk through the skirt and a heavier cream silk through the bodice. The bodice has internal boning and structure and elastic around the inner edge to help secure it and hold it in place. Waist stay. It closes with side hidden set zipper and the inner bodice closes with hook and eye. The interior of the train is lined in a heavy black silk satin. All the applique work is hand applied and hand made. If I am being insanely picky I see perhaps a touch of grubbiness here and there long the train but this gown is really exquisite with no true issues to note. Also to note - its a little bog on the mannequin and I did not want to pin the silk satin anymore then needed to show it. It is more fitted and sits proper when it is on the right sized girl

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length of the dress: 50.5" from top of strapless bodice to hem
Length of train: 61" from top of strapless bodice at the back to bottom of train

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2554

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

This fabulous little dress is a gorgeous combination of colors and the cut is very sexy. It also has the added bonus of having that magic little number on its label though in this case I think it defines it as a demi-couture or special order dress as I do see machine work on some of the inner seams. It is short and fitted and I love the two colors together - a brilliant emerald green with an equally brilliant royal blue. The blue is only used for the inner skirt that only shows at the back so you get this unexpected shock of color when you turn around. The bodice is fitted and tight to the body and the skirt fitted as well. Over the front is a wide panel of fabric and they way it sits gives the suggestion of a wide full skirt but this is only an illusion. The finish at the back is gorgeous - a tightly spaced row of glossy black faceted buttons. It's stunning and I love the slightly different textures of the two silks used that contrasts the two colors even more. Excellent condition

The bodice is finished in the same fabric as the exterior green and the skirt unlined. Light boning through the bodice and closes with the buttons down the back as shown. Tagged a 40 but please check actual measurements listed.

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 21.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent XS-SML

Item# DD2552

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

In the 1950s many department stores had Couture salons where you could buy French fashions or have licensed copies of the Haute Couture pieces custom ordered and made through your local atelier. These were often made to the same exacting standards though would be a combination of machine and hand work rather then all by hand as the true French pieces would have been done. Still, the designs and workmanship often rivaled anything being produced anywhere in the world at the time. This is an absolute beauty of an outfit that has come form one of those little salons but no longer has its designer label, it only has the shop label. It is made of a fine silk with a beautiful floral design washed over it in tones of blues, greens and purple. The dress is fitted through the bodice with an unusual wrap design. Panels of the bodice extend into long wraps that you wrap and tie around yourself and that then form the belt of the dress and really cinch you in to accentuate your figure. The little jacket looks like a cropped cape once on.  I love the little details like the silk set at the back of the jacket to hold it in place and that unusual wrap and tie bodice. Really remarkable and in person - even better! If this was a more well known label I would probably have priced it double or more then what it is at now. Excellent condition with one flaw to note on the cape jacket below.

The bodice is lined in a black silk and the skirt is interlined with black silk organza. The skirt has two additional layers of black stiffened organza to create the fullness you see. It closes with a side painted metal, hand set zipper. The bodice is lightly boned. Hand work and finishes throughout. The cape jacket is lined in a purple toned silk taffeta and closes at the neck with hook & eye. There is separation and slight shattering along the back neckline as photoed. Priced accordingly and it seems strong and stable and stood up to cleaning well.

Cape Jacket
Width: 38" from side to side
Length: 15" from neck to bottom

Dress
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10.5" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 27" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# E609

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

This romantic soft pink silk chiffon gown by Scaasi is just beautiful and that elaborately pleated and thatched strapless bodice give it a real Grecian goddess feel mixed with a touch of a Madame Gres feel. The draping details through the skirt and that stunning bodice work in combination with each other to really create something special. The bias cut, layered silk chiffon skirt flows to the floor in a beautiful, floating swoop of silk. At one side of the skirt a panel of silk loops and drapes up on a soft curve to create a that beautiful detail you see. The bodice above the skirt molds itself to the torso and the hand placed, crossed and gathered chiffon is done in a crossed over pattern on a structured inner bodice to create curves and structure. The shoulders are left bare with the strapless design and the peaks of the front set high for a touch of drama. This dress really moves wonderfully when on and is quite beautiful. The color in person is more of a truer "bubble gum" pink then how it photoed and the color richer in feel. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a matching pink silks with some parts hand set through the bodice. Closes with a back nylon and painted metal zipper. Lightly boned through the bodice. The skirt has an inner silk layer with a layer of the chiffon over that.

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2542

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

Helena Barbieri pieces are magic. She designed evening and formal wear through the 1940s and into the late 1950s. Her work was always very feminine, with simple lines and using only the best fabrics. She then often added elaborate embellishments and detailings that took her dresses to a higher level and really gave them a touch of a Hollywood feel. I love finding her dresses because they feel rather timeless and stand up well to modern pieces even though they are all in the 70 odd year old category based on when she was designing. This dress is exceptional and it literally looks like it was never worn. The inside is all done in white and it is as fresh and pristine as it would have been when made. The dress is just so beautiful. It is made of two layers - a more fitted sheath of silk twill that has a silk chiffon overlay. Both layers have that same beautiful print of those huge pink blooms and the effect of the two layers over each other give the pattern depth. The bodice is fitted with an inner construction that adds support, and then the inner layer falls out from that. The outer layer floats over this in a slim column at the front and at the back it is gathered into an extravagant panel that floats to the floor.  At the small of the back two huge deep pink silk flowers nestle and give the dress its final, perfect romantic finish. It is the perfect balance of femininity and structure and this stunning Barbieri dress is like a breath of fresh air. Excellent condition

The inner silk twill part of the dress is fully interlined in a white silk organza and close at the back with a painted metal zipper. The inner bodice has another layer done in a thicker grosgrain like fabric and this portion is boned for support.

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Under Bust: 13.5"
Natural Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 48.5" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2541

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