This is perhaps one of the best 1940s tops I have ever had in the shop. It is made out of a black moss crepe and it was this exact kind of a piece that you can see where Ossie Clark would have gotten his inspiration from. It has the feel of one of his pieces but with those extraordinary hand embellishments added. It has a high neckline with an attached tie that extends out from either side of the neck. The top skims over the bust and it is heavily gathered across the shoulders. It buttons down the front with a tightly spaced row of hand covered buttons and hand made and placed fabric loops. The waist is brought in slightly and then it flares out a bit under that. The sleeves are amazing. They are huge and cut to pouf and balloon out over the wrist. Just the lines of the top are perfection on its own. And if that was not enough it was then embroidered and beaded and all of the detailing is done by hand. The band at the waist is entirely covered with a combination of raised embroidery, metal thread and beadwork done with the tiniest possible seed beads. Then on each sleeve there is a huge medallion of the same embroidery and bead work. The colours pop off the black beautifully and the fact that this was all done by hand is just amazing. It is truly a piece of history and a work of art. It is a superb example of this time period. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes down the front with a series of fabric covered buttons and fabric loops. Each sleeve ends in a gathered elastic cuff. It is in remarkable condition for its age. It is meant to fit generously. It might fit a large if you are narrow through the shoulders

Sleeves: approx 25"
Shoulders: approx 15" but there is no true defined seam
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 25" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S954

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 late 1940s topper is very chic and dramatic. Elmar Designs was a small millinery shop that operated out of New York from the 1940s to the 1960s. One of their hats is held in the Indianapolis Museum of Art's permanent collection and they seem to have centered primarily around making hats with veils. This example of their work is quite charming. The top portion is a flat disc that has deep charcoal grey and black feathers placed around an center midpoint. Detailing the midpoint is a little spay of feathers placed to hide the ends of the ones that extend out and around the head. Under this is a little silk net veil that dips down to just past the cheeks. There is a little black velvet bow that scoops the netting up at one side and you can really play with the placement of it to create different looks. It is very chic and film noir. Excellent condition

The veil is 27" around and about 8" deep from the crown. 

Item# A390

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 one of the most incredible things I have ever had. At first glance I thought that it must be from the 1940s but I actually think it is earlier that that, largely due to the fused/glued on sequins that are attached directly onto the fabric. You usually see this done slightly earlier in the timeline. Beyond dating, it is just incredible. The set consists of two pieces; a soft halter and a sarong style skirt. The halter is soft and wireless as fitting for the time period and it is backed in an ivory silky rayon. I photoed the back of it for you to see. It simply hooks into place and ties around the neck with nude coloured ribbon. It is cut fairly wide and has just a simple seam down the front. The sarong is equally as simple. It wraps around you and hooks into place under the attached ties that extend out from the skirt. It slightly overlays but is open all the way down under where it hooks. I photoed it at the side but you could also wear it with it hooked just under the belly button. The fabric is absolutely incredible and a really stunning example of textiles from this era. It is a soft coral tinged red that has an extensive print covering its surface that depicts Hawaiian life. I have photoed several of the vignettes for you to see. Worked into the design are words that include Aloha. Highlighting this are hundreds of little sequins in red, green and gold that are fused directly into the fabric. These catch the light and give the set an extra shot of glam. You could easily see some Hollywood starlet wearing this and it is truly incredible. Excellent condition 

The halter is backed in a silky rayon and hooks to close and the back and ties around the neck. The ribbons seem to be original. The skirt is unlined and hooks to close. The sequins show some patina from age but overall for its age I would rate it as excellent. A remarkable find

Halter
Bust: measures 31" flat end to end from where the hooks are currently set 
Height: each cup is 6" tall at its widest point

Skirt
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 34" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# D624

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