This dress comes to me from my same client whose aunt purchased from both the couture houses and Ady Couture while she was living in Switzerland during the eighties and into the nineties. Prior to that, during the late sixties and into the early 80s her aunt lived in both France and Brussels where she purchased pieces from Louis Mies along with the couture houses. Mies was a small independent couturier who did custom work for his clients to haute couture standards. He designed many pieces for the Queen of Belgium and like Ady, he had permission from several of the Haute Couture ateliers to produce their Haute Couture pieces and bought the fabric directly from them. I have some new information that he might have sold actual couture pieces through his salon as well. This dress bears a striking similarity to some of the 1977 Valentino couture collection pieces and I have included some of those iconic photographs here and if nothing else to show you how this dress will look on an actual body. It is absolutely unbelievable in person and one of my favourite personal pieces from her estate so far. 

The level that this dress is made to is incredible. The fabric is a fine black silk taffeta and then parts of the design are edged in a beautiful French Chantilly lace. There are yards and yards of fabric used in the construction of this piece but once on the body it is all perfectly balanced. It sits off the shoulder to leave a bare expanse of skin showing that balances the volume of the dress below. I love the cut of the top. There is a six inch caped ruffle that wraps all the way around your shoulders and is edged with a 3.5" band of lace. Under that are extra extra wide sleeves. The width of the inner sleeves give the illusion of a layered caped detailing but they are actually true sleeves. Each sleeve is edged in that same lace to give the bodice a tiered effect from the side. The bodice is cut to skim over the body and then the waist is seamed to nip in for shape. I added a grosgrain ribbon to define the waist even more and this will be included. The skirt curves out from there and falls to the floor widening out to be very full as it nears the hem. The skirt is made up of three layers. The innermost layer is a full built-in black silk under-skirt that has wide bands of stiffened netting at the hem and then again part way up the skirt. These bands help to hold the volume. There are these little ruffled details that run along the seams where this inner layer is pieced together despite the fact that no one would ever see them. I love that. The second layer over that is made of black silk taffeta and it has two ruffled tiers at the hem that are both edged with black lace. The final top layer sits over both these and it curves up at the front to meet the seam at the waist. It is stunning. The dress is completely made by hand and I have included a couple of shots of one of the inner seams for you to see the amazing handwork. Excellent condition with a note below

Fully lined through the bodice in a black silk and the skirt is constructed as described above. It closes with a painted metal zipper at the back. Made by hand to couture standards. There are a couple small repairs / tiny holes on the ruffle on the neckline. There is so much fabric they get lost in the folds. Please see the final shot after the label. It otherwise looks unworn 

Bust: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of natural shoulder to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3882

Reference photos: Valentino campaign 1977 shot by Deborah Turbeville

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 point that this set would have been made in Halston's history, he was at the top of his game and anyone who was anybody was wearing the Halston label. His prices were sky high for the times and the work put into the pieces was impeccable. This is a fabulous example of his work and it is even more incredible when you realize that are the bead work has been done by hand. It is an amazing set and even better once on the body.

Halston's beaded and sequin pieces were being made in India during this time period. Halston personally chose the fabrics and materials that were used for each piece of his collection and then sent them to India where they were beaded and sequinned to his specific instructions and assembled. The pieces were especially intricate and the majority of the garments being made this was were heavily beaded like this set. This set is absolutely gorgeous and all of the bead work on it is completely done by hand. Yellow glass tube beads are mixed with little slightly silver toned seed beads and then these are laid out in an intricate geometric pattern that completely covers both pieces. Each bead has been hand applied onto a yellow cotton faille backed by a yellow silk organza and these layers have the slightest bit of transparency to them. I love the boldness of the yellow and how both pieces glitter and sparkle in the light from every angle. The pieces are simple in design to work in harmony with each other. The skirt has an elastic waist and snap opening. It is cut to skim over the hips and then falls in a fairly straight line from there. There are slits running top each side so when you walk you get an unexpected flash of leg. The top is amazing. It is so simple and easy on the body. It is cut with a slight oversized feel and it closes at the front with hidden hook & eye. You can also wear it open and layer it over things or wear it on its own. It has a neat rounded collar that shows the silk organza underneath. It curves down and around the hem and is cut to skim over you. The pattern of the beads emphasizes the cut and the shoulder are set to slop off the top of the shoulder to give the suggestion of the tiniest capped sleeve. I love it and is pure glamour. I also love the versatility of having the two seperate pieces because you can mix and match them all with other pieces from your wardrobe. Even just wearing a set with something layered over or under the top would dramatically change the feel of it. This is a beautiful and classic example of Halston's work. Excellent condition with a tiny note below. 

Both pieces are lined in a yellow silk organza. the skirt closes with hook and eye at the waist. Elastic through the waist of the skirt. The top closes down the front with hidden set hook and eye. The bead work is hand done. There is perhaps the occasional area of loose or missing bead or thread here and there. The elastic in the waist could be easily taken down more if you needed the waist smaller. I see an older  tiny repair at the top of one slit on the skirt and to the lining at the same spot in both sides. Very minor and mentioned for accuracy. The yellow is a touch brighter in colour in person

Bust- bottom: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 30" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 36" from waist to hem with 3.5" turned under the hem
Slits: 16" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4479

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 love all of the pieces by Bill Tice that I bring into the shop. Most, including this one, were made in the 1980-1981 time period. His easy-to-wear and glamorous pieces have been worn by countless celebrities for the red carpet and events. Every girl that has bought one of his pieces through me has absolutely loved it. I recently put a long open jacket that would match this dress in the shop that you can see here.

The dress is made out of a pretty peach jersey fabric that is meant to mimic the feel of silk jersey. This is one of those things that is a fail-safe piece that you know is going to work every time you put it on. This fabric has the added bonus of traveling very well. It is the kind of piece you can throw into your suitcase and slip on over just about anything upon arrival with either flats or heels and you are instantly ready to walk out the door. It is cut to feel long and slim with pleats running down its full length. The dress is cut to be  loose and easy over the body. It is suspended from the shoulders by two straps made of the same jersey fabric. The neckline scoops across ad plunges in the center with a tiny open keyhole that is very sexy. The cups of the bodice are detailed with his signature gold banding for a little bit of glitz. The back is a panel of elastic for even more added comfort. From there it falls to the floor in a loose and open cut around the waist and hips as the jersey drapes down and around your body. It widens out as it nears the hem. It is pure ease mixed with sexiness. Excellent condition

Unlined through the body and slips on to wear. The easy cut and open front should allow it to fit a range of sizes

Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 57" from top of the shoulders to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4471

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 my favorite Bill Tice prints. Pieces with this particular pattern are tough to find and this little jumpsuit is super special. I love all of the pieces by Bill Tice that I bring into the shop. His easy-to-wear and glamorous pieces have been worn by countless celebrities for the red carpet and events. Every girl that has bought one of his pieces through me has absolutely loved them and this jumpsuit is exceptional.

This is one of those great little pieces that you will only ever find with vintage. It is made out of a light scarf weight tissue silk that is printed with an oversized floral print on a soft peach base. The fabric choice makes it extremely comfortable to wear and it drapes and falls incredibly on the body. It weighs ounces and when you put it on it feel like you are wearing almost nothing. It is all one easy piece and you just slip it on to wear. The front is a single piece of fabric that is piped around the edges. Those extend out to ties that you tie behind the neck to hold the halter in place. This leaves the entire back and sides bare. The waist is detailed with a wide band that has his signature top stitching and a bit of padding inside the layers to give it some support and detail. I love how it buttons with the little silk covered buttons at the back. From there it skims over the hips to long pant legs that are cut wide and full through the legs. The pants are extraordinary. As they reach the bottom hem they are cinched back in and gathered through the seam at the bottom. This creates a balloon / harem effect that is just fantastic. And it has pockets. It is extraordinarily well done and very sexy yet so easy and comfortable to wear. Excellent condition. 

Unlined and buttons to close at the waist with hidden snaps below. A tiny pen mark on the waist. It ties at the neck and gathered in at the cuffs.

Bust: 16" across at its widest point
Top seam at waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom Seam at waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: adjustable with the tie but approx 13" from neck to top seam of waist
Band at waist: 4"
Pants: 44" from waist to hem
Inseam: 32"
Gusset: 15.5" from bottom seam of waist to inside seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4472

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

George Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear and his signature looks often involved draping and the use of multiple layers of silk done on a bias cut. He focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. It was said that his gowns 'seemed to float on air'. He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. The majority of his gowns are almost entirely made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s one of his evening dresses started at a cost of around $8500USD and they went up in cost from there. To put that in modern terms, that would be about thirty thousand dollars now. It was an incredible amount of money at the time and yet women couldn't get enough of them.

The dress is made out of a three layers of a feather light black silk chiffon. Every layer is cut on the bias and the layers float over each other perfectly to drape over the body. It is incredible. The dress is as light as a feather and feels like heaven once on the body. It is incredible how light and airy it feels. The neckline is slightly scooped across the front and then the back dips into a V between the straps to leave a bare expanse of skin showing. From there the dress falls in this extravagant swoosh of bias cut silk. It is cut very long and I love the play on the transparency with the layers stacked on top of each other like that. It falls over you with a loose and easy cut that has an almost caftan feel to it through the body. The bias cut lets it swirl around the body underneath but at the same time it feels insanely comfortable on because the fabric weighs ounces. It is immensely flattering once on and should work an a wide variety of shapes. This is the perfect simple yet striking black dress you will want to wear over and over for every occasion from day to evening. It is truly a remarkable piece and so beautiful. Excellent condition

Made from three layers of silk chiffon as described above. It closes with a back hand set zipper. The dress appears to have been worn very little if at all. The bias cut does have stretch so should fit a variety of sizes

Bust: 13-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

detail

Sleeves: "
Shoulders: "
Bust: " flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: " flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: " flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: " from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: " from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent:

Item# DD4464

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 have had this tucked away for many many years and it still one of the most favourite Valentino pieces I have ever come across. I have always hoped to be able to firmly date it with a reference photo and perhaps one day I will send one to the new owner still. It is just a spectacular piece from this time period of Mr Valentino's work. It perfectly represents what he was doing for his ready-to-wear boutique label during this time period and it is the kind is piece that you will only ever find in vintage. I love it.

I love that this set has those little sleek shorts and not the expected skirt that you would normally see. It just gives the suit this entirely different feel and attitude. It is also a benefit to you that you can mix and match the pieces of this suit with other things already in your closet. The jacket is tailored with a soft cut because of the fabric and the avoidance of over-structuring. It is cut fairly straight through the body and then is has a matching tie belt to cinch in the waist and create shape. The collar is small and pointed. The sleeves are long and gather into a structured cuff that buttons with one of those fabulous gold toned metal dome buttons with the Valentino V embossed on their surface. Round edged pockets are top set on the hips and then tow smaller versions of those sits on each side of the breast of the jacket. Each pocket has a flap to close and a working button hole topped by another deep gold metal button. It closes with seven more buttons down the front. This one even has an extra buttons still sewn into the seam of the jacket. Under that are shorts that are tailored and sleek. The waist is banded and they zip up at the front with neat a little short legs. There is no extra detailing on the shorts. They are simple and neat so that they lie under the jacket without adding any bulk. Both pieces are made from an ultra soft fine wool with a very tiny pattern running through it in shades of brown. The set is very striking and has a strong and fabulous silhouette. Excellent condition

Both pieces are unlined. The shorts have an inner grosgrain ribbon edging. The jacket buttons to close down the front. The skirt has a zipper and flat hook & eye at the waist. Hand finishes. All of the buttons are functional. There is a slight natural patina on the buttons that just adds to the vintage appeal. The colour is a bit lighter and softer in person

Jacket
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam and the belt cinches it in
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27.5" from neck to hem

Shorts
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 14" from waist to hem with just under 2 inches turned up
Inseam: 2.5" from hem up
Gusset: 17.5" from back waist to inner seam
Leg Openings: 24" around

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4457

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

Halston created several versions of these gorgeous Cashmere capes or ponchos between 1970 and 1972. Some had hoods, some were full length, some had closures and then others like this one were a more practical to the knee length and you were able to change the styling depending on how chose to wear it. This is a gorgeous in well-documented piece of fashion history.

The chic soft ivory taupe of this Haslton piece is absolutely exquisite. Its perfect neutral colour will suit most skin tones and it is an easy piece to add to just about any look. It is made from a high end cashmere wool mix. The design is genius in its simplicity and shows what a master cutter Halston was. Off the body it is a simple huge rectangle of fabric with a split down the center at the front and a scoop for the neckline. The split half becomes the front panels and the solid half drapes down the back. Once on the body it seems to magically transform and become a proper evening cape. There are no closures so the cut is open and generous and this will allow it to fit all sizes. It is hard to define it as a true shawl, a poncho or a cape but it is definitely fabulous. You can wear it several ways which I also love. The fabric choice gives it just enough weight to have it sit perfectly once you drape it onto yourself. It is absolutely wonderful in every aspect. I also love that it will work just as well for day or for the evening. Excellent condition with a note below.

Unlined with hand rolled edges. The label was lost on this one at the cleaners a long time ago but I personally saw it before it went there. There are a couple small repairs in the knit hence the price. Please see the last two pictures before the reference photos for the two that show the most. Priced at half what it would be

56" across and 48" long

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD4453

Reference Photos: (1) On Right: Halston ensemble of off white wool, 1970-71 from FIT Museum.  /  (2) Model in Halston for US Vogue, 1971. Photo by Richard Avedon.  /  (3) Anjelica Huston in Halston Resort 1972.

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

Holly Harp opened a shop LA in 1968 where she created custom clothing under the Holly's Harp label. When she started designing her clothing she tended to create her clothing out of a hodge-podge of new and old materials but once she opened her shop her designs became more slinky, and sexy. They began to reference the glamour of Old Hollywood and she preferred the bias cut feel of the 1930s. She had a huge following of Hollywood and Music stars; Liza Minelli, Diana Ross, Ali McGraw, Sally Field, Janis Joplin and Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane were all huge fans. This is a phenomenal dress from the early - mid 1970s and it is even better in person.

This is a beautiful example of her work and dresses like this from her are impossible to find anymore. Her work is magical. The dress is done in the most striking jewel toned red coloured silk velvet mixed with a red silk chiffon. It is completely cut on the bias so very easy and comfortable to wear. The neckline is scooped at the front and again at the back. The dress is suspended from two tiny red silk straps that curve up and over each shoulder. I love the delicate little sprinkle of bead work that sits at the base of each strap. The dress skims over you all the way down the body with no lines to break the eye. The top layer of the dress is a red devore silk velvet on a red silk chiffon base. Worked through the velvet is a tiny bit of silver thread and these catch the light fantastically. Under the top layer of fabric there are three layers of silk chiffon and then a final inner layer of red silk. The inner silk chiffon layers stack on top of each other at a hem that is longer at the center of the front and back. Layering the hem like this combined with setting it all on the bias gives the dress incredible movement. When you move it all moves around you and the lightness of the fabric makes it all feel incredibly easy on. The final perfect touch are red silk cording that are set on each side. These hang off the dress as they near the hem and have beads attached to them. These all move and swing as you walk and move and give the dress a little rick and roll edge. It fantastic. Excellent condition

Fully lined an a red silk as described above. Bias cut and just slips on to wear. Hand finishes throughout. It has a large range of movement and should fit a range of sizes.

Bust: 15-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 60" from top of bodice to longest point of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4096

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

Pierre Balmain began his career at Molyneux where he worked part-time until 1936. After a brief stint serving in the military he landed at the house of Lucian Lelong. He eventually made the leap to independence and his first show was held on October 12th, 1945 at his salon at rue Francois 1er. This is a dress that perfectly shows that Haute Couture does not always have to be an elaborate over the top creation. Sometimes the beauty of couture lies in the restraint of the cut and a simplicity that belies the hours and hours of handwork put into each piece. This dress is a numbered and a true piece of Haute Couture piece. It is a gorgeous.

The dress is made from deep burgundy red silk. The top is cut into a V at the front with slight gathers where it inserts into the shoulders. The way that it is made gives it the appearance that it is a separate top that sits over a skirt but it is a true dress and one piece. Each sleeves is cut to balloon out slightly above the fitted cuffs. They are cut on a curve in the traditional dressmakers technique and I love how each cuff has a little pleated detail to pick up the pleat work of the skirt. Three silk covered buttons sit on each cuff and each one of those is placed to sit perfectly in the center of a pleat. I love how this small touch shows you how no detail is too small in the world of Haute Couture. The bodice skims over you and falls slightly over the skirt at the waist. The skirt falls from under that and it is attached to its own inner silk bodice. The skirt is fantastic. Each individual pleat is perfectly matched to its neighbor with meticulous precision. When you stand still the dress falls more in a column and then when you move you get incredible movement and fullness because of the pleats. Depending I hate this will be full length or fall to the ankle. It is a brilliantly cut dress. Every stitch has been done by hand and it is a lesson in precision. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a matching red silk and closes with an inner handset back painted metal zipper and then closes with a second zipper on the outer bodice layer over that. The cuffs snap into place under three silk covered decorative buttons. The Haute Couture label is present with couture tape under the tag numbered 157888. Hand finished to couture standards throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Sleeves: 27"
Shoulders: no true defined seams
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55.5" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD2913

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

James Galanos launched Galanos Originals in 1951. He was only 27 years old.  By 1954 he had won a Coty award and the Neiman Marcus award. By 1958 he was producing clothing that could range in price from $200 to $3000, an astronomical price for ready-to-wear for that time period. When you covert to modern dollars the top end figure would be about $31,000 today. His ready-to-wear was made to couture standards and on par with the French couturiers of the time. Grace Kelly was a huge fan and his work is held in all of the major museums around the world. He is one of my personal favourites and this set is an exquisite and very special example of his work.

This set was custom made for, and is from the estate of, 1950s model Betsy Pickering Kaiser. Betsy appeared on several Vogue covers in the 1950s and it was during that time period time period that she met Galanos. They were friends for over 60 years. She collected and wore Galanos pieces her entire life and was his friend and muse. He once told her husband ‘I would rather have Betsy wear my clothes than any other woman’. She was a constant presence on the International Best Dressed List and and was added to the Best Dressed Hall of Fame in the early 1970s.

This is gorgeous. It is made from a beautiful printed light weight silk chiffon that is combined with a red lace that has a metallic finish. The entire set combined weighs ounces. Huge flowers cover the entire surface of the silk chiffon. The pants are made from two layers of the chiffon and they are cut long and wide. An elastic waist makes them very easy and comfortable to wear. You then slip on that long piece over the pants. It is also constructed from two layers of silk that fall from under the lace bodice. Each side is slit open right up to the lace top. This gives the top piece a ton of movement and creates this fabulous floating effect around you when you walk. The bodice part is made of two panels of a metallic red lace that is connected along each side with a bit of a angled plunge above where they connect. The lace has that fantastic metallic finish to it for contrast against the pattern in the silk chiffon. The bodice has an inner nude silk lining so that from a distance you look like you are wearing nothing underneath it. The top is suspended by four tiny silk straps that curve over the shoulders. This set is tremendously good in person and it really needs an actual body to come to life. Cut supermodel long in length. Excellent condition

The pants are made of two layers of silk chiffon and close with a back zipper and elastic through the waist. The outer layer is lined with a nude silk chiffon through the bodice and the skirt is made from two layers of the silk. The outer layer closes at the side with hidden fabric covered snaps. There are a couple of very minor repairs and light snags near the hem of the overlay. This is a one-off, unlabelled custom piece made for Betsy and came from her estate. 

Over dress
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 62" from shoulder to hem

Pants
Elastic waist: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Pant: 45" from waist to hem
Inseam: 32" from inner seam to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD2278

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

Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional. Hanae Mori excelled at these beautiful prints that combined nature and elements of her homeland. I have two jumpsuits today that both have that very caftan feeling so desired with her work and these are so very hard to find. When I find pieces like this one that is such a stunningly beautify example of her work I am very happy. I feel that pieces like this are among the very best representations of her work.

This is everything you look for in a piece by Hanae Mori. The entire piece has one of her custom designed prints screened onto a feather light silk chiffon. Think the finest silk scarf you could have in terms of weight and feel. It has all been printed with a really outstanding huge floral design and the colours are fantastic. That combination of turquoise and pink cannot be beat. The jumpsuit has a shallow V neck at both the back and front for just a little bit of skin to show there. The top skims over you and has one of the big pink flowers at the front. The waist is generous in cut the jumpsuit comes with its original silk ribbon belt. This belt is made from multiple pieces of silk piece together in rows and then the ends are all left as individual ribbons. When you tie this around your waist it helps to add to the drama of the overall set . The pants fall from under that and are cut to be very very wide and full so you get this incredible movement when you move. To make them opaque enough to wear each pant leg has an inner layer of silk twill with that same print on that inner layer. As with the best of Hanae's pieces the effect of having the same print on the top layer and the inner layer gives the design added dimension and depth as they float over each other. The added width of the pant also let them float and move at your slightest movement. The sleeves on this piece are spectacular. They are attached around the upper two thirds of the arm hole and each is made from two panels of fabric that float all the way down the length of the jumpsuit to just a little past the hem. They are open on each side so move independently from each other. Because each panel is a single layer of that bias cut silk chiffon this means that they catch the slightest bit of air and move and float dramatically around you. The beauty and drama that this creates is astonishing. The floral print that covers the jumpsuit is one of her best. The movement and beauty of this piece is extraordinary. This is a piece that you slip on and feel completely comfortable when wearing it and yet it has as much drama and impact as you could ask for. It is a stunning example of her work and beautifully made. I love it. Excellent condition

Fully lined through the bodice in a white silk and a printed silk twill for the pants. The sleeves are unlined. It zips to close at the back. The belt ties into place. All of the edges have been hand rolled and it is hand finished through out. Tagged a vintage 10. It appears to have been worn very little if at all

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Pants: 38.5" from waist to hem
Inseam: 25" from the inner seam to hem
Gusset: 32" from back of neck to inner seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4451

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

Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional. Hanae Mori excelled at these beautiful prints that combined nature and elements of her homeland. I have two jumpsuits today that both have that very caftan feeling so desired with her work and these are so very hard to find. When I find pieces like this one that is such a stunningly beautify example of her work I am very happy. I feel that pieces like this are among the very best representations of her work.

This is everything you look for in a piece by Hanae Mori. The entire piece has one of her custom designed prints screened onto a feather light silk chiffon. Think the finest silk scarf you could have in terms of weight and feel. It has all been printed with a really outstanding scenic design and the colours are fantastic. It is two separate pieces. There is the inner jumpsuit and then you wear the more caped feeling overlay over that. The inner jumpsuit has a V neck at both the back and front and is sleeveless. The top is made out of a pale blue silk chiffon backed in a silk and once this is under the print of the outer later it virtually disappears underneath. The waist is generous in cut and the the chiffon pants are set into the seam. The pants are cut to be very wide and full so you get this incredible movement when you move. To make them opaque enough to wear each pant leg has three layers of silk chiffon. The two inner layers are the same pale blue chiffon as the bodice and then the printed layer is stacked over those. The printed layer has that same scenic print as the cape and you can tell it was all pre-planned to sit perfectly when the entire look is put together. The cape that goes over this is spectacular. It slips over the head to wear and the neckline is set in a slight scoop. It does up down the back with a series of her signature teeny tiny silk covered snaps. The colours start out mainly in that pretty turquoise and then it changes to the scenery all the way around. I took lots of close ups of various parts of the print for you to see. When on that top layer is put on it suddenly takes on a more caftan feel. It fully covers the inner jumpsuit and falls at the front and back to about the knees. It is cut on a curve to be a little shorter on the sides for your arms to be free and is wide and full. As with the best of Hanae's dresses the effect of having the same print on the top layer and the inner layer gives the design added dimension and depth as they float over each other. The movement and drama this creates is extraordinary. This is a piece that you slip on and feel completely comfortable when wearing it and yet it has as much drama and impact as you could ask for. It is a stunning example of her work and beautifully made. I love it. Excellent condition

The cape is unlined and the inner jumpsuit is lined as described above. The inner jumpsuit zips to close at the back and the cape closes with a series of tiny snaps down the back. All of the edges have been hand rolled and stitched including the edges of the inner lining of the pants. Tagged a vintage 10. It appears to have been worn very little if at all

Inner jumpsuit
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Pants: 44" from waist to hem
Inseam: 30" from the inner seam to hem
Gusset: 32" from back of neck to inner seam

Cape overlay
Neck: 15" around
Width: 60" from side to side at the widest point
Length: 41" to longest point when on

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4449

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 very chic 1970s Christian Dior dress from the Marc Bohan years. It is a wonderful example of the work being done during this time period. The dress perfectly shows the restraint that the label could have when it delved into minimalism. At the same time it is a definite statement piece with that bright shock of colour. The jersey makes it a very easy and comfortable dress to wear and don't let the simplicity of it fool you. This is a dream to wear and the simple lines are offset by the high quality silk jersey and the ease and beauty it has once on.

The dress is made from a silk jersey fabric that drapes beautifully over the body. Both the back and the front of the bodice has a scoop for a bit of skin to show. It is suspended from the shoulder by two skinny straps in the same fabric and skims over the bust. The waist is seamed and it is set slightly dropped for a long lean feel. I added a grosgrain ribbon tie belt in the same colour and  you can use this to make the top blouse over more or wear it without the belt for a looser feel around the waist. The back drops just a touch lower that then front for a bare expanse of skin to show. It falls to the floor from there, skimming over the hips and then falls in a series of three tiers of jersey ruffles to the floor. These tiers give it the most incredible movement around you when you move. It is cut super model long and it is in its original length. This is a dress that you just slip on and it is perfect for day or evening. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Unlined and it closes with a hand set back zipper. The ribbon at the waist is not original to the dress but will be included. I see a minor repair / fraying at the base of the zipper and a pinhead size dot near the waist that is hidden when it blouses over. There are some minor marks and a couple of pinholes on the lowest tier that are covered by the tier above but mentioned for accuray. Please see the photos after the label shot. The colour is better in person

Bust: to 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 18" from top of shoulder to waist seam
Skirt: 46" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-SML

Item# DD4327

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

Madame Gres' work has had profound effects on Haute Couture and her influence still resonates to this day. Her attention to detail, master draping techniques and respect for the female form is unparalleled. She was known for designing and creating garments directly on her models and this became a signature of her work. She opened her first atelier, La Maison Alix in 1932. A partnership briefly changed the house's name to Alix Barton and then the label went to simply Alix. In 1942 she married, and the label made its last change to became Madame Gres, which was a partial anagram of Serge, her husband's first name. Her work spans over five full decades with the vast majority of it, with the exception of a short-lived RTW line begun in 1980, dedicated solely to creating Haute Couture. She is one of the greatest couturiers of our time and her pieces are very rare and hard to find. This set is from the early to mid-seventies and it is fabulous.

This is an amazing vintage set. I love the camel coloured wide legged jersey pants with their wide cut legs. The jersey they are made out of is the soft wool that she used extensively during this time period and it has a soft finish to it that looks and feels heavenly once on. The pants are banded at the top with a wide gathered sash of a pale yellow jersey for contrast to the camel colour below. This hooks to the one side and there is built-in boning at the sides to hold its shape around the waist. It is a touch wider on one side then the other to create a pretty curve. The pants fall to the floor and widen out to be 64" around at each hem. The top has a metallic finish to it and the contrast between the two fabrics is fantastic. The silk has actual metal thread woven through it and this gives it a subtle glint from all angles. A design runs through the silk and the metal thread is woven onto that in a floral design The neckline is scooped and it skims over you to the waist. The sleeves are long and simple. It ties into place at the back with ties made of the same fabric. These sit on an angle that starts at the neckline, run across to one side and then go straight down to the hem of the top. This leaves a little bare expanse of skin showing between the ties. I photoed the top un-tucked and tucked as it can be worn either way. Both pieces have a Haute Couture label in them and the top has an additional handwritten numbered tag inside. This is an incredible and rare opportunity to own a beautiful piece of her work and it is that much more versatile with the two pieces since you can mix and match with pieces from your exiting wardrobe. Excellent condition with a small note below.

Both pieces are unlined and have been completely finished by hand. The pants close with hook and eye at the band and a zipper under that. There's a small repair to the jersey inside the inner structure of the band and then one of the fold along one side. Neither is seen once on. The top ties to close at the back.

Top
Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom seam: approx 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 12" from shoulder to hem

Pants
Waist: 12" at top of band and narrows to 11.5" flat across from side seam to side seam of true waist
Band: 3.5" high on the boned hook closure side and the other side will widen to approx 9"
Hips: open
Length: 40" from true waist to hem
Inseam: 29"
Rise: 15" from true waist to inner seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD4182

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 twin of this dress walked the Spring 1979 runway and I love having that reference photo for you as it shows just how fantastic these are on the body. This is classic Halston from his main label couture line. These one shoulder pieces are one of the most instantly recognizable of all of the looks that he ever created and have had a lasting impact on designers and their work since. Halston defined how woman dressed in the 1970s and these one shoulder dresses in particular were tremendously flattering to the body and have since risen to icon status.

This is an amazing couture Halston dress and a very special find especially since it does have the runway documentation that we found for it. It is entirely cut on the bias and utilizes his signature minimal seaming. It is also insanely sexy while still being extremely comfortable to wear. It is made out of three layers of a feather light bias cut silk chiffon in black. Even with the three layers stacked on top of each other it is so light that you are barely conscious of wearing anything. The lightness of the fabric allows it to move and drape beautifully around you. The dress is suspended by one hook at the shoulder and then you wrap and hook the outer layer around you at the waist. There is an elastic band through the waist that lets you let it sit lower at the top of the hips like I have shot it or wear it higher and belt it for added shape which gives you an entirely different look. One side of the skirt curves up and creates a ruffle and once hooks this sits perfectly at the side of the waist for pretty detail. The back of the skirt is longer then the front and falls to the floor. Where the skirt wraps over itself creates a high slit up the side for your leg to show when you walk or sit. The bodice is cut to skim over you and fall right to the waist in an open V plunge on the one side. It is spectacular. This is a rare example of Halston at his very best. Excellent condition

Constructed from three bias cut layers stacked over each other with elastic through the waist that wraps and hooks to close. It also hooks at the top of the shoulder. Hand finishes. It is all bias cut which should allow for a larger range of sizing. A wide grosgrain ribbon that is not original to the dress will be included (not photoed).

Bust: approx 14-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: approx 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: no true defined seams because of the wrap
Length: 41" from shoulder to the front shortest point and 65" to the very longest point on the hem but will come up a bit on once on

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4445

Reference Photos: Spring 1979 Halston Runway.

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 the prettiest example of Courreges and the more romantic work that Andre was doing during that time period. I love that it is not his typical mod feel and shows his softer more romantic side as a designer. The photos don't come close to conveying how beautiful it actually is in real life. I am sometimes more excited to find these dreamier pieces from him then the more common mod feeling ones. This one is also numbered on the back of the label. It is just gorgeous.

This beautiful dress is made out of a black silk chiffon and then it has a floral design that it's fused onto the silk. The colours that are used are absolutely gorgeous. They range from this deep fuchsia to brilliant pinks and then they slowly change to soft corals and even pale lavenders in parts. The effect of the velvet popping off of the transparent silk chiffon is this fantastic play of texture and colour that has to be seen in person. As with many of his pieces there is a play on volume and proportion in the dress. It has a slight dropped waist that blouses over an inner seam set around the top of the hips. The neckline is squared off at the front and at the back. I love how it is edged in a little black velvet ribbon. Running across the front of the neckline is a thin velvet strap that has a flat bow at its center. Each sleeve is cut full and end in the same velvet ribbon edging. The bodice skims over you and then the skirt falls from there and is actually quite full. When you're standing still it hangs straight but when you move you get this beautiful volume and floating affect around you. An attached velvet ribbon sit on one hip and wraps around you to tie in a bow on the other side. This is a dress that really only comes to life once it's on the body. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a single layer of silk chiffon through the bodice and has two layers of chiffon through the skirt. Slips over the head to wear and has elastic through the seam at the top of the hips. You can use the ribbon to tighten it further around your hips. Tagged a Courreges 0 and has a numbered tag on the back of the label. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The easy cut should allow it to fit a variety of sizes

Sleeves: 14" and the ends are 10.5" around
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: open
Elastic seam at top of hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 22" from top of shoulder to elastic seam at top of hips
Skirt: 29" from elastic seam at top of hips to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4149

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

For the lead up to the spring 1974 collection the Daily Express said "It's Valentine's Day.... Tonight the Roman fashion designer, whom Jackie Onassis calls from New York to say -make me a dress for dinner a week on Thursday anything you like- will put on a gala show of 200 of his creations in London." 1974 was also the year he opened his first British RTW shop in London so this was a pivotal year for Valentino. Women's Wear daily reported that Mr. Valentino told them that the theme of the show was 'feminine, relaxed, simple and sexy.' and that is exactly what it was.' I was also happy to find that the twin of this set was used for the ad campaign that year and a dress in the same print and similar overall cut was shot for Italian Vogue. I love having these reference photos for you because it shows you just how elegant and gorgeous this set is on the body. 

There are Valentino prints and then there are the really iconic Valentino prints. This is one of those iconic house prints and it is instantly recognizable as being his. It is so iconic that Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. touched upon it for their 2015 collection for the label. And have such a well documented set from this time period is just heaven for the vintage collector.. The set is heavenly. Both are a soft pink but in slightly different shades so that they have some contrast against each other. The are both covered in a perfect little shell print and the size varies. The ones on the skirt are a touch smaller and more defined and clear and then the ones on the top are bigger and softer. The silk of the top is feather light in weight and just floats beautifully over the body once on. The neckline is high and has a small neat collar. There are long ties attached to neck that are quite long. This allows you to style it in a bow at the front or to wrap it around the neck and wear it at the back with the tails trailing, or you can really wrap them to create a taller higher collar. It is lined in a single layer of pink silk chiffon but still has a sense of transparency to it. Each sleeve is cut full and billows out above its elastic cuff. The waist has elastic as well so that when on it blouses up a bit through the body.  You could remove this for a sleeker look and have it lie straight as it is just tacked in. The skirt falls to the floor under that and widens out beautifully as it nears the hem. The skirt is made from a silk twill and is gorgeous. I love that it is two pieces so you can mix and match with other things you already own. It makes the set extremely versatile. It a just gorgeous and even better in person. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The top has a single layer of silk chiffon through the body and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a handset zipper at the back and has elastic on each cuff. The skirt closes with a zipper. There is a touch of fading across the top of the shoulders on the top and a couple tiny areas where the silk is thinning on the sleeve. It's stable and strong still. I see some very small marks on the skirt. All minor. Please see the photos after the label shot. Pockets on the skirt

Note the top is slim cut through the upper bodice and shoulders

Top
Sleeves: 25"
Inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom edge: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 43" waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4441

Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1974 Valentino Ad photographed by Gianpaolo Barbieri.  /  (2) Model in Valentino for Vogue Italia, July 1974.

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 an incredible Haute Couture dress that came to me from the niece of the original couture client and is unlabeled. In our hunt for more information on it we found the runway photos from the 1979 Yves Saint Laurent dress and you instantly see that it is its twin in all ways except for the length. It is always the prerogative of the couture client to change some elements of the dress to suit their needs and in this case, this woman attended many functions where a full length dress was required. She frequented the Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Ungaro ateliers. She often removed the labels to avoid customs and it is fantastic to be able to verify which designer and collection this one is from as many of the records she kept were lost. The dress is completely made by hand to Haute Couture standards and it is incredible. I love having the runway photos so that you can see just how amazing it is in the body.

The dress is made from a crisp black silk and this fabric choice allows it to hold those beautiful lines that you see. It's beautiful shape is a testament to the level of workmanship that you only see in true couture pieces. At the front the neckline dips into a V and the dress is vertically seamed to follow the curves of the body. The sleeves are amazing. Each is cut on a curve to follow the shape of the arm in the traditional manner of making a sleeve. They are set into the shoulders with a beautiful series of soft pleats so that you get a bit of volume at the shoulder. They puff out slightly around the upper arm and then narrow down at their ends. At the back the dress scoops low to give you a bare expanse of skin. The back has a low set seam under the open scoop and this allows the top of the back skirt to lift slightly off and away from the body. A tiny detail that feels very sensual on the body. That same seam curves around the hips and angles up towards the waist at the front and then the skirt at the front is cut on a stunning curve that widens out as it reaches the hem. The back is fuller and it also falls a touch longer to give it the feel of it sweeping out behind you. Built in underneath the skirt is a ruffled black silk net underskirt and when you move or sit you see just a peek of the ruffle around the inner hem. Built inside the top of the inner skirt are layers of silk net that help to hold the fullness around the hips. The dress is detailed with hand applied sequins to form little varying sized circles that run over the entire bodice, the waist and the top part of the skirt. Two types of sequins have been used, tiny silver sequins one and others that are an iridescent pale blue. The blue ones catch the light and range in colour from silver to an ice blue. It is incredible. Mixed into that are some circles that are made from little glass crystal beads. All are hand applied and the entire dress is completely hand made to couture standards. I have taken some detail shots of the interior seams for you to see the fine Haute Couture workmanship inside. It is an incredible piece and just beautifully made. Excellent condition with a small note below

The bodice is unlined and the skirt is fully lined with a built in underskirt in a black silk net and taffeta. Built in panniers around the hip area that I have photoed. It closes with a hand set back zipper and the skirt snaps into place with silk covered snaps over that. Hidden set zippers at each wrist. Hand finished throughout. There is the occasional sequin or crystal missing on the dots here and there and I have photoed one area for you to see as an example. Please see the last detail photo for that. Unlabeled. Made to Haute Couture standards with a tremendous amount of detail put into its construction.

Sleeves: 24"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 58" from top of shoulder to front hem, 60" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3677

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

John has dived into his archives once more for me and today I have two more of the dresses he sent for you with one last one to come still. This is a runway piece from the early seventies just after he launched his label. Like the ivory coloured one already in the shop, the bead work on the dress was done by hand by Madame Gandini, who did beading for many of the Couture houses of the day. John is one of my favorite American designers and right out of the gate he won the Coty Award for his work. The first time in 1972 and then again in 1976. He designed clothes that were simple and elegant but glamorous. His work veers towards minimalism with sharp tailoring. Striking evening wear was his signature and he is renowned for his cutting and tailoring. It is an extraordinary privilege to have pieces directly from his archives and these are things you will never see again.

John's business was all done on a made to order basis. That means the majority of pieces you will find are a one-off, or if there are similar pieces, very few of each piece exist. This personal attention to each dress is clearly seen in the workmanship of his pieces. His work is very expensive and beaded pieces like this sold for over $10,000 even in the 1970s. If you convert that to modern dollars you get to about $68,000 which is incredibly still less then a modern couture pieces done to this level would be. Having this actual runway samples that John pulled from his own archives to share with you is just amazing.

This is an amazing dress that is heavily and densely beaded. The base of the gown is made of an black silk chiffon and then onto that are thousands of vertical rows of glossy black glass tube beads laid out in to fully cover every square inch of the dress. The dress is already spectacular on its own and the addition of the thousands and thousands of glass tube beads give the dress an extra layer of texture and glamour. Every square inch of the dress catches the light and sparkles. As a result the dress is fairly heavy off the body. We weighed it and it is almost 10 pounds because of that extensive bead-work. Yet once on the body it perfectly drapes over you in a way that it is balanced and not at all unwieldy. The impact of all those beads from head to toe is stunning in the light. If you even remotely love it in the photos you will gasp to see it in real life. This needs a body to give it a life of its own and the camera cannot capture just how gorgeous it is and how the beads catch the light. The cut is sublimely simple. The bodice has a high collar and the bead work there is done in a slightly different pattern  so that it has just a bit of added detailing. The rest of the dress falls from there in a beautiful column of beads to skim over you all the way to the floor. There is just a suggestion of the waist and it skims over the hips. The sleeves are long and equally as simply. They have that same slightly different bead work to give them a cuffed detail that is perfect. The back is just one long column of the bead work. The skirt widens out just a touch as it nears the hem and there is an extremely high slit up the back. You don't get as much sense of it in these photos but once on the body this really adds a high flash of bare leg as you walk away. It is insanely sexy. As good as it photoed, the effect that this dress has once it is on an actual body is far more dramatic and fabulous. If you even remotely love it in the photos you will dance when you see it in person as it is so much better in real life. It is completely made by hand and you would never be able to find its modern equivalent. It is stunning. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk chiffon and it closes at the back with a metal and nylon zipper. Hand finished throughout. As noted above it has a good weight to it since it is fully beaded from top to bottom with glass beads but feels balanced when on and comfortable. There is perhaps the occasional bead missing here and there but no bare areas. Numbered sample tag on the inner hem.

Sleeves: 22" and 10" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from neck to hem
Back Slit: 30.5" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-SML

Item# DD4404

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

Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate fabrics and avant garde ways of defining the body. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. By the seventies and eighties he was experimenting with volume and proportions and new fabrics that at the time were all cutting edge. This is a stunning example of his work during the mid-seventies. When researching we found several examples of dresses from 1973 that utilized the same jagged flame pattern and sequins against silk chiffon. This one actually looks like a sleeveless version of the one shot on Marisa Berenson. This is a label that I really love and am always happy to find pieces from.

This is a gorgeous dress. It is really one that will come to life even more once on an actual body and I hope the photos convey enough of how fabulous it is because when worn this one will be even better. The entire body of the dress is covered with densely applied black sequins and these catch the light from every angle. This covers you from that jagged design on the bodice down and over the hips. The sequins extend right from the flame design at the front and then are set in long vertical rows to the hem. The top of the bodice is a single layer of black silk chiffon. This bit of transparency  adds an incredibly sexy feel. He used that same silk chiffon down the back where it dips into a low scoop. I love the way that the jagged flame pattern defines the bust and that low scoop at the back. A high slit up one side lets you have the perfect flash of skin when you walk or sit. It is fabulous once on an actual body. Excellent condition

Fully lined through the body in a black silk and it zips to close at the back.

Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 57.5" from top of shoulder to hem with 2.5" turned under
Slit: 19.5" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-XL

Item# DD4403

Reference Photos: (1-3) Marisa Berenson in a Loris Azzaro. October 1973. Photo: Michael Holtz.   /   (4) The cover of the book "Azzaro" for Assouline - Marisa Berenson and Loris Azzaro photographed in 1973, for issue 604 of L'Officiel de la Couture et de la Mode de Paris, by Roland Bianchini.  /  (5) Image from the book "Azzaro: Fifty Sparkling Years"  /  (6) Magazine spread featuring a model in Azzaro, 1973. / (7) Spring 1973 Loris Azzaro Couture.

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

John has dived into his archives once mnore for me and today I have two of the dresses he sent for you with more to come. This is a runway piece from the early seventies just after he launched his label. The bead work on it was done by hand by Madame Gandini who did beading for many of the Couture houses of the day. John is one of my favorite American designers and right out of the gate he won the Coty Award for his work. The first time in 1972 and then again in 1976. He designed clothes that were simple and elegant but glamorous. His work veers towards minimalism with sharp tailoring. Striking evening wear was his signature and he is renowned for his cutting and tailoring. It is an extraordinary privilege to have pieces directly from his archives and these are things you will never see again. This one might even make an amazing wedding dress for the bride looking for a non-traditional choice or as an alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration. And of course it could also be worn to any event. It is a work of art. 

John's business was all done on a made to order basis. That means the majority of pieces you will find are a one-off, or if there are similar pieces, very few of each piece exist. This personal attention to each dress is clearly seen in the workmanship of his pieces. His work is very expensive and beaded pieces like this sold for over $10,000 even in the 1970s. If you convert that to modern dollars you get to about $68,000 which is incredibly still less then a modern couture pieces done to this level would be. Having this actual runway samples that John pulled from his own archives to share with you is just amazing.

This is an amazing dress that is heavily and densely beaded. The base of the gown is made of an ivory silk chiffon and then onto that are hundreds of vertical chevron bands of a silver coloured glass tube beads laid out in to fully cover every square inch of the dress. The dress is already spectacular on its own and the addition of the thousands and thousands of glass tube beads give the dress an extra layer of texture and glamour. Every square inch of the dress catches the light and sparkles. As a result the dress is fairly heavy off the body. We weighed it and it is almost 10 pounds because of that extensive bead-work. Yet once on the body it perfectly drapes over you in a way that it is balanced and not at all unwieldy. The impact of all those silver ivory toned beads from head to toe is stunning in the light. If you even remotely love it in the photos you will gasp to see it in real life. This needs a body to give it a life of its own and the camera cannot capture just how gorgeous it is and how the beads catch the light. The cut is sublimely simple. The bodice is cut with a V and there is a border of the bead work following the V to highlight it. The rest of the dress falls from there is a beautiful column of beads to skim over you all the way to the floor. There is just a suggestion of the waist and it skims over the hips. The sleeves are long and equally as simply. They widen out as they near the hem and this graceful line of the sleeves with their bordered cuffs is perfection. The back is just one long column of the bead work. The skirt widens out just a touch as it nears the hem. As good as it photoed the effect that this dress has once it is on an actual body is far more dramatic and fabulous. If you even remotely love it in the photos you will dance when you see it in person as it is so much better in real life. It is completely made by hand and you would never be able to find its modern equivalent. It is stunning. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in an ivory silk chiffon and it closes at the back with a metal and nylon zipper. Hand finished throughout. As noted above it has a good weight to it since it is fully beaded from top to bottom with glass beads but feels balanced when on and comfortable. There is perhaps the occasional bead missing here and there - a bit of the top row on the back of the collar is missing - but no bare areas. There is a slight darkening to some of the beads just above the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot. It feels more ivory silver in person.

Sleeves: 22" and 12" around the upper arm
Slightly dropped shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4398

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

Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional. Hanae Mori excelled at the beautiful prints that she created and they always have a hauntingly organic feel to them as she was constantly inspired by nature. This set is just absolutely gorgeous and pieces like this from her are getting increasing hard to find so it is a true treasure.

This is a gorgeous Hanae Mori piece. It has a wonderful custom designed print that is screened onto feather light silk on both the top chiffon layer and the silk twill layer underneath that for the skirt portion. It also comes with its matching extra large scarf / shawl piece that I love. It gives you the option to cover your shoulders with it, wear it around the neck or even use is as a head scarf or turban. The dress is strapless and there is just a hint of the print that curves over the bodice here and there. The bodice has a slight padded feel to it and it is banded under the bust to separate it from the skirt. The skirt fall to the floor under that and gently widens out as it nears the hem. The skirt has two layers. There is an inner silk twill skirt that has that same pretty floral print on it. Over that is an attached outer layer made of a feather light silk chiffon that has the same print screened onto it. The two prints layer over each other and create the prettiest effect. This layering technique with silk & chiffon is one of her signature techniques and she was a master at it by this point in her career. I love the floral design on the silks and the pretty effect is has as it goes from the field of flowers to the green at the bottom. Using silk chiffon for the top layer is what gives the piece its light and airy feel and when you walk that layer billows out around you. It is a stunning example of her work and beautifully made. It even has hidden weights set inside the inner skirt so that it falls perfectly. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Fully lined in white embossed silk and has a built in lightly boned and shaped inner bodice. Both the inner bodice and outer dress closes with their own back set zippers. Unlabeled but the lining is embossed with the Hanae logo throughout. The inner hem of the dress shows some grubbiness along the edge. There is a slight darkening near the edge of the bodice along the sides. A spot or two on the inner skirt. Please see the photos after the inner logo shot. Hand finished throughout with hand finished inner seams. The scarf has hand rolled edges. 

Dress
Bust: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam with room for up to a small B cup at the front
Inner waist: to 13.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10.5" from top of bodice to inner waist, 6.5" from top of bodice to seam under bust on the exterior
Skirt: 45" from seam under the bust to hem
Scarf: 104" x 34"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4371

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

Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate fabrics and avant garde ways of defining the body. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. By the seventies and eighties he was experimenting with volume and proportions and new fabrics that at the time were all cutting edge. This is a stunning example of his work during the mid-seventies. When researching we found several examples of dresses from 1973 that utilized the same jagged flame pattern and sequins against silk chiffon. I've included those so you can get an idea of how great this looks on a body. This is a label that I really love and am always happy to find pieces from.

This is a gorgeous dress. It is really one that will come to life even more once on an actual body and I hope the photos convey enough of how fabulous it is because when worn this one will be even better. The entire body of the dress is covered with densely applied black sequins and these catch the light from every angle. This covers you from that jagged design on the bodice down and over the hips. And because of the way the pattern is done on the bodice the sequins also extends down to cover each arm. I love it. Where it meets the skirt is finished in the same jagged pointed pattern all the way around. And then what is perhaps my favourite detail is that the skirt is actually made up of individual patterns that are each sat up and into the points. There are 12 of them all together and they go all the way around you. Each panel is a single layer of black silk chiffon that is incredibly light in weight. When you move sit or walk they have tremendous movement around you. And because each is an individual panel that is only attached at the top you also get glimpses of bare skin between each panel. It's incredibly sexy. He then used that same silk chiffon at the top of the chest and down the back where it dips into a low scoop. It buttons down the back can you see a hint of skin between each button. I absolutely love the way that the jagged flame pattern defines the bust and runs all the way around the scoop at the back. It makes it instantly recognizable as an Azzaro piece. It is really gorgeous. If there was ever a dress that needed a body inside of it to bring it to life, this is it. It is stupendous once on. Excellent condition

Fully lined through the body in a black silk and the rest is as described above. Each sleeve is unlined so you get a bit of transparency between the sequins. It closes with a buttoned back. Each sleeve has a small zipper closure. Where is one of his signature strapless bras attached inside the bodice which could be easily removed if you wish. The colour is a perfect solid black. Any green or any other colours you see are just the light reflection from the camera

Sleeves: 23" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from top of shoulder to the longest point of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4347

Reference Photos: (1-3) Marisa Berenson in a Loris Azzaro. October 1973. Photo: Michael Holtz.   /   (4) The cover of the book "Azzaro" for Assouline - Marisa Berenson and Loris Azzaro photographed in 1973, for issue 604 of L'Officiel de la Couture et de la Mode de Paris, by Roland Bianchini.  /  (5) Image from the book "Azzaro: Fifty Sparkling Years"  /  (6) Magazine spread featuring a model in Azzaro, 1973.

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

Valentino launched his ready to wear label in 1962 just two years after opening his first salon in Rome. He eventually expanded and added other boutiques. His first New York boutique launched in the fall of 1970 and it caused a sensation. Traffic was backed up 3 blocks with everyone who was anyone trying to get in on opening night. More boutiques followed including one at Bergdorfs. He encouraged his couture clients to also shop in his boutiques. He wanted everyone to have the Valentino experience and noted that he often carried the lines he created for his Couture label into the boutique work. The fabric and construction details were still remarkably close in quality to his couture pieces at this point in time. The line between the two was often blurred and on this set you can see that in the hand finishing that is has. This is one of the most beautiful Valentino pieces I have had in the shop.

The dress is made out of a black silk taffeta that holds its shape and volume beautifully. This is a two piece set made up of a dress and its matching jacket. They are fantastically beautiful worn together but I also love that having the two pieces gives you more styling options and extends the life of this in your wardrobe. The dress is suspended by two tiny straps that curve up and over each shoulder. The bodice dips into a wide set V at the front and dips lower across at the back to leave a bare expanse of open skin. It is cut to be more fitted to the waist and then under that it is all volume and drama. The skirt has an incredible amount of volume to it that shows best when you move. The lightness of the silk causes the skirt to billow out and move around you as you move yet it still has enough weight that it holds that full feeling when you stand still. When this is on and you are walking the effect that this creates is absolutely gorgeous. The 13" ruffle that circles the entire lower hem is actually added on top of the skirt and not simple seamed onto the edge. That means the ruffle has the inner part of the skirt behind it and this extra weight and fabric helps to hold its shape. A very clever little construction detail. The ruffle also adds an extra touch of romance to the piece. And it has pockets. Over this pops the jacket and it is a thing of beauty in its own right. The body of the jacket widens out from the soft shoulder and curves around and up from the hem to the neckline. I love the ruffle finish that follows all the way around the edge. The sleeves are incredible and each is cut to be very wide by the time they reach their ends. The seam above the ruffle finish on them is a full 20" around and the ruffle makes it go beyond that even. It is absolutely beautiful. This is Valentino at his best and a tremendously beautiful dress and jacket. Excellent condition. 

Fully lined in a black silk. The dress closes with a back zipper and there are two hidden hook and eye at the base of the jacket at the front. Tagged a size 6. 

Dress
Bust: to 16.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Jacket
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Sleeves: 22.5" long and 14" around the top part of the arm
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 17.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4054

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 was designed by Jules-Francois Crahay, who headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984. He has been noted as one of fashion’s 'great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugel​y ​desirable and influential.' His time at the Lanvin label is one of my personal favourites for the house. I especially love his work during the period through the late sixties and into the early 1970s. He was a genius at print and colour and he pushed the envelope in his work with colour and cuts. This dress is extra special because we actually found documentation on it which gives us the exact date on it. It has one of the best prints I have seen and it just feels happy.

This Lanvin dress is gorgeous and is from the main label. I am in absolute love with it. The dress has a gorgeous bright colour and print combination. It uses two fabrics and both hold colour exceptionally well so the colors are still crisp bright and true. The top portion of the dress is a almost T-shirt feeling cotton and then the bottom skirt is smooth finish fabric that feels like a mix of silk and cotton. The sleeves go to just past the elbow and each is cut straight and wide. The neckline is scooped with a slightly wide cut. The top skims over you with a seam set under the bust. Then there is a wide band of fabric the circles around you for a bit of shape. Both of those parts are the same fabric and have an abstract circle print with red, blue, green and pink on a white backdrop. The waist is cut with a loose and easy cut. You can wear it like that or tie the matching fabric tie belt to cinch it in more. From there the skirt falls to the floor and it widens as it nears the hem. The fabric change on the skirt gives it a touch of weight so that it holds the shape well. It is set so that it ends in a pink print border down the center at the front with an open vent at the hem. The skirt has an abstract pattern with lots of flowers in it but the pattern uses the same colours at the top. So even though it's a mix of two crazy patterns it works exceptionally well. This full on pattern also makes the dress instantly recognizable as a piece of his work. It is fabulous. Excellent condition

The bodice is unlined with finished interior seams and the skirt is fully lined in a white silk. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Hand finishes. Original tie belt. Set up to have been worn very little if at all.

Sleeves: 21"
Shoulder: 14" across
Bust: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11" from shoulder to seam under the bust, band is 5" high
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem with 5" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4307

Reference Photo: Spring 1974 Lanvin Runway.

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

Bill Gibb was one of the most influential designers in 1970s Britain and his clothes were sought out and worn by the rich and famous. His work always has a high fantasy element to it and he was crowned Designer of the Year in 1970. Much of his work verged on couture and he was unrelenting in striving for perfection. Every piece I bring into the shop that was made by him is very special and this one is no exception. Bill had a great fondness for history and looked globally for his inspiration. This set pays homage to Asian culture and I love how he combined the traditional cherry blossom print with English roses. It is gorgeous.

I love that you can wear this set together or as separates to extend their wear. It is absolutely gorgeous either way. The skirt is made from two long panels that are attached along the waist band and part way down each side. This creates this wonderful line from the hip to the hem. It is seamed down each side to just past the hips and then below that it is completely open. When you move or sit you get this long flash of legs all the way up. It is almost scandalous for its time period. The jacket is cut with more of an oversized feel. The front has no closures. You just slip it on and go. The top of the collar flares out for a bit of detail and the sleeves are cut wide and full. The jacket is detailed with black flat braiding that highlights the cut and adds detailing. More braiding runs along the edges of the skirt. The fabric is a beautiful red silk with little cherry blossoms and English roses woven through it in a slightly metallic finished thread. This is one of those pieces that in person and on an actual body it is even better then how it looks on my dress form. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Both pieces are fully lined in a red silk. The skirt closes with a metal and nylon zipper. The jacket has no closures and slips on to wear. I see a tiny touch of foxing on the side of the skirt, a tiny pen mark on the front of the jacket and some slight lines running up the satin on one sleeve. Please see the photos after the label shot. All these are very minor. Tagged a vintage UK 8. You might be able to add a little extension at the waist to get a bit more room if needed

Jacket
Sleeves: 24.5
Shoulders: 15" across
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 13" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 11.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 43" from neck to hem
Slits: 20" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3436

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 two dresses that I have in the shop from Blass from this time period and it is incredible. Bill Blass worked for the Maurice Retner label for 10 years as the chief designer. In 1968 the Bill Blass Inc label became a subsidiary of the Retner label. Then in 1970 he fully bought out his partners at the Maurice Retner label and re-launched it under his own name as Bill Blass Ltd. 1970 was the same year that he won his third Coty American Fashion Critics' Award and with it, his lifetime membership in the Coty Hall of Fame. By 1980 the company was doing 20 million dollars in revenue. He was arguably one of the most famous of all the American designers. By the eighties his work was even more ornate and luxurious than what he had done in the past. Prices for dresses could be as high as $5000 (which would be about $15,000 today). He was once asked why his clothes were so expensive and he replied, 'I'm an avid believer that we have to have clothes made in this country. Therefore we pay more money. ... The cost of labor and fabrication is what makes the clothing expensive.'

This is an exceptional dress. It is a stunning example of his work during this time period and these metallic pieces are among my favorites by him. This one even more so with its pretty pink colour and extraordinary fabric. The fabric is the perfect shade of soft pink used to create a floral design and that is mixed with a soft green for the leaves. Some of the pattern is raised and has been embroidered into the fabric. The thread used is incredibly soft and this adds yet another dimenesion to the dress. Woven over and through the silk is a muted gold lurex thread that give the fabric its metallic glitz and makes it gleam and glitter in the light. This same thread is also used to create the horizontal rows that you see. The gold covers the dress from head to toe. The neckline is a cut into a high V and the bodice crosses over itself and skims over you. This is then is balanced beautifully by those spectacular sleeves. Each sleeve is cut extra long so when it is on an actual body it will bunch up a bit on the arm for added texture. Set just under the bust is a wide band of the same fabric that wraps all the way around you and snaps and hooks into place. The crossed over bodice above and this wise high set belt is what gives the dress its nod to a kimono and obi. This tops the skirt that is set to widen out as it nears the floor. On one side and extending down from where it crosses on the bust it has a soft pleat that falls all the way to the floor. This adds a little extra detail and volume and it also hides a small pocket set along the inner seam. The hem has been let down at some point and it is supermodel long as a result. Blass did a soft version of a kimono inspired dress for this collection as well and that one was photoed on Candice Bergen. I have included it here as they do share some similarities. This dress is an absolutely beautiful. Excellent condition with a note below.

The fabric is self backed in a muslin throughout. You step into it and then it closes with a series of hidden snaps. The belt is attached and it snaps and hooks into place. Hand finishes. The hem was let down at some point and it is ribbon finished. It poufs a bit at the edge as there are spots where it was stitch in to sit proper when it is hemmed. If you needed the full length you could just take those out. It could be worn as is but I've left it so you could redo the hem to your perfect length. You can see a slight grubbiness here and there were the hem was. The hem was very deep and the length turned up under the sleeves is also very deep.

Sleeves: approx 25" w 3" turned under. It is 16" around the widest part of the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of shoulder to seam under the bust
Skirt: 52" from seam under the bust to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4293

Referece photo: Candice Bergen Wearing A Bill Blass Dress, Vogue 1970

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 stunning skirt was designed by Belgian-born Jules-Francois Crahay, who headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984. He has been noted as one of fashion’s 'great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugel​y ​desirable and influential.' His time at the Lanvin label is one of my personal favourites for the house. I especially love the his work during the period through the late sixties and into the early 1970s. He was a genius at print and colour and he pushed the envelope in terms of using cutting edge fabrics available during this time period. His use of print and colour is just outstanding. This skirt has a boutique label but also has the inner handwork, the seams especially, that denotes it to be made-to-measure special order piece that would be considered demi-couture.

This Lanvin skirt is utterly fantastic. I am in absolute love with it. The color, the crisp design, the workmanship - everything about it is perfection. The silk it is made out of is a fine silk twill which gives it the perfect touch of weight to hold the lines that you see. The pattern is screened onto that and combines florals and leaves running in horizontal rows across the skirt. The backdrop is a clear red and then greens, blues and soft pinks are layered over that to create the print that you see. A Crahay signature was to finish his hems with something that contrasted the prints that he used. Here we see that done a flat pleated deep green silk wide ribbon that is then finished with a black lace under that that picks up on parts of the design of a silk above. The bottom detail on his pieces were not only a beautiful visual addition to his work but also help to anchor and hold the fullness and shape that he desired. The skirt falls from the nipped in waist and gradually widens out to the hem. It is quite full. I did not photo it with any additional underskirts but if you wanted more fullness you could easily add one. Inside it has a full separate red underskirt detailed with black ribbon near its hem. The beauty of the color combination is equaled by the fine workmanship that has gone into constructing it. It is really a work of art and a very special piece. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a red silk as noted above and closes with a painted metal zipper and a button at the waist. A combination of hand and machine finishes with all the internal vertical seams finished by hand. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Hips: open
Length: 37.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S990

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

Madame Gres' work has had profound effects on Haute Couture and her influence still resonates to this day. Her attention to detail, master draping techniques and respect for the female form is unparalleled. She was known for designing and creating garments directly on her models and this became a signature of her work. She opened her first atelier, La Maison Alix in 1932. A partnership briefly changed the house's name to Alix Barton and then the label went to simply Alix. In 1942 she married, and the label made its last change to became Madame Gres, which was a partial anagram of Serge, her husband's first name. Her work spans over five full decades with the vast majority of it, with the exception of a short-lived RTW line begun in 1980, dedicated solely to creating Haute Couture. She is one of the greatest couturiers of our time and her pieces are very rare and hard to find.

This Haute Couture dress is exceptional. It comes to me directly from the family that the other recent Gres pieces have come from. Her son told me that 'Madame Grès would let her wear many dresses as she was size model and those she really liked she purchased afterwards.' This was one of those that she kept and it is a very special piece. He remembers her wearing this around 1960 to some galas. This is also the time period that she would have had that relationship with Madame Gres. In the course of researching the dress we found that the 1958 and 1959 collections in particular were ones that featured braided details and cape elements like this dress has. I have included here some examples other dresses by Gres that share some of those common elements to this one from those years for you to see.

This is one of the most stunning dresses I have ever had in the shop. It is made from a biased cut silk chiffon with a small abstract print on it. From a distance it gives you that beautiful mottled red effect. Then as you look closer at the fabric you see that there is a deeper red, coral, soft green and a blue that all work together to form a pretty abstract floral print. The dress itself is simple and minimalist. It falls from the shoulder with wide straps that are made from hand gathering the silk chiffon and hand stitching them in these incredible little curved sections to create the illusion that the silk has been braided. These curve over the shoulders and then follow the neckline for a square off feel at the front. At the back they run down to the mid back and then run across in a straight line there as well for that same squared off finish there. The body of the dress falls from under that detailing in a swoop of bias cut silk. By the time it reaches the hem it is quite full. When you are standing still you get a soft column feel but then when you move you get incredible movement. The dress is lined in a layer of biased cut ivory silk and this gives the top layer and that pattern more depth. The silk is as light as air. Every seam on the dress has been finished by hand. Working with a silk chiffon as fine as this makes that an incredible achievement that would've taken countless hours of handwork. The dress is stunning on its own but this is a set and it comes with a incredible matching caped piece that has such  an unusual and beautiful design. Two wide panels done in a single layer of silk chiffon are sewn together at the top of the neck at the back and then they hook together at the front. The panels fall over each shoulder to the floor and just past the hem of the dress. It is incredibly light in weight. This allows the slightest bit of air to pick them up so that they waft and float around you as you move. If that was not already beautiful enough the cape is topped by an oversized hood made of the same silk chiffon. It is cut extra long at the back and in such a way that when it is off the head the ends twirl on their own. I have taken a photo of this for you because it is just such an incredible detail. It's something that happens naturally and on its own as a result of how the silk has been placed and sewn into place. When the hood is up it falls gently around the face to frame it. The dress is in incredible condition and appears to have never been worn. It is literally a work of art and one of the most special things I've ever had in the shop. This is truly an extraordinary piece of modern couture and is exceptionally beautiful. No matter how good you think it looks in the photos, it is better in person. Excellent condition.

The dress is lined in a fine ivory silk. There is handmade soft inner corset set inside and under the ivory layer and it closes with its own zipper. The ivory silk lining closes over that with its own zipper and then the outer layer of the dress closes with hidden set tiny snaps. The cape hooks to close at the front. An inner waist stay hooks to close with metal couture hooks. I see a very tiny and finely done seam at the base of where it snaps to close at the front and I'm not sure if it is there deliberately or if it was a repair at one time but it's invisible when the dress is on. Please see the photo after the label shot. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The dress is finished to Haute Couture standards and entirely made by hand. The proper Haute Couture label is present. The bias cut of the dress does allow for a range of measurements and I have listed those below to the comfortable range laying flat where that applies. Note that due to the value of this dress returns will not be accepted so that it ships only one time.

Inner waist stay: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from top of shoulder  to hem
Cape: 65" from neck to hem and will come up a touch when on the shoulders

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4254

Reference Photos: (1) 1958 Madame Gres Evening Dress in The MET Collection. /  (2) Madame Gres evening dress, L'officiel de la mode, 1958.  /  (3) 1959 Madame Gres Evening Dress in the Chicago History Museum Collection.

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