I love Josefa caftans and have covered the history of the label a couple of times in my instagram. They are like owning a piece of wearable art. Every single one of them was entirely hand made, detailed and embroidered. They were made in Mexico in the late sixties to early seventies and were the epitome of Bohemian chic in their day. They are easy to wear pieces that can go from the beach, to exploring far off markets, to being worn as an evening piece depending on how you style them. This one with its pretty pink tones is a beauty and it is a little extra interesting because I have had its twin in blue in the past. I love knowing that they were made in different colours

This is a gorgeous example of her work. The cotton is still crisp and fresh feeling and it would have been hand dyed to the beautiful pink colours and then screened with the striped pattern. It has embroidery work down the front and back. More embroidery is worked across the top of the shoulders and onto each sleeve. Then all of the lines are accented with hand applied pink ribbon on two different tones. The sleeves are incredible. Each is cut straight and wide and I love the detailing and pattern that runs over each. There are even ribbons that hang down on each side on the sleeves and loop at the bottom. I left them hanging down for these shots but you could also clip the bottom so that they separate and then you could tie them into pretty little bows if you wished. The neckline is squared off at the front and the back. From there the dress falls to the floor and widens out as it goes. It is cut to skim loosely over the bodice and then it flares out dramatically as it reaches the hem. It even has pockets hidden along each seam at the hips. It is also a good long length which is sometimes hard to find with vintage from this time period.  It is easy to wear and a great statement piece. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips over the head to wear. The fabric has natural variations in it. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. The colour in person has a slighter more natural, paler feel to it then how it photoed. It's even better in person I think. The loose cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. There is a small faint mark on one side. Please see the photo after the label shot

Sleeves: approx 18"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4066

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

Paco Rabanne was a Spanish designer who became known as the 'l'enfant terrible', or unruly child, of the 1960s French fashion world. He began his career making jewellery in unusual materials for many of the French couturiers. In 1964 he was only 30 years old when he presented his first official collection. In 1966 he had his breakout show: 'Twelve Unwearable Dresses in Contemporary Materials.' and it was with this show that he found his calling. The Met museum noted that 'unlike Pierre Cardin and André Courrèges, who employed traditional couture techniques for their "futuristic" designs, Rabanne was interested in creating fashion with uncharted and imaginative production methods using novel postwar industrial materials.'  After a few attempted revivals the label is doing very well under Creative Director Julien Dossena. He has been integral with giving new life to the brand. 

The Paco Rabanne pieces made from a fine Oroton metal mesh were a spring board from the earlier chain mail examples and were heavily sought after and collected - then and now. This is a classic design that has been re-issued a couple of times since Julien came on board. My client bought this a few years ago and there is an identical gold version coming soon to the Paco website priced at $6400USD. 

The dress is completely made from a gold metal mesh. The mesh has a good weight to it but settles onto the body wonderfully and feels spectacular once on. The metal is very cool at first but once your body heat warms it up, it stays at your body temperature and feels quite sensual. The dress is fairly simple yet complex in its design. You slip it on and it drapes loosely across the shoulders and plunges under the arms. Snaps run along the top of one shoulder and then it snaps to close down one side. The snaps are spaced looser apart along your side but then when it hits the hips the snaps are placed closer together. This causes the fine metal mesh to have a draped effect and hikes the dress up on that side. It snaps to close at the top of the side of each waist. At the back it drapes over your curves in the most beautiful of ways. The mesh creates an almost bias cut effect so that is follows the movement of your body. It has just a touch of transparency to it cause by the tiny spaces between each piece of the mesh. On one side of the bust the mesh is fused together slightly differently to create the slightest illusion of a triangle pocket. It is just stunning and on an actual body it is even better as the mesh moves like molten liquid over you and catches the light from every angle. Exceptional. Excellent condition

It slips on and there are snaps on the shoulder and then along one side as described above. Each snap is engrave with the PR initials and the metal Paco Rabanne tag is attached at the back neck. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a 38. It is cut looser through the top and narrow through the hips. Once on the waist does drape over a bit 

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 38" from shoulder to shortest point of hem, 44" to the longest.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3909

Reference Photo: From the Paco Rabanne Website.

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 those magical things that you will only ever find with vintage. It has no labels and no indications of any designer but is very well made and just such a lovely thing to see. It is a set that has a dress and full length coat that goes over that. Both of the pieces are made specifically for each other but you still could break them up and wear them separately to extend the life and wears of them in your closet. The set has a nod to the regency period in its design combined with a bit of a sixties feel. The dress has a scooped neck and empire waist that sits under the bust. The sleeves are capped and poufed. The skirt falls from the seam under the bust and widens out gently as it nears the floor. All of the seams are covered with a metallic gold applique that has these huge oval milky faceted plastic beads sewn into place. At the base of the neckline and connecting to the waist they form a medallion effect. An even denser application is down at the back. There is even a row of it down each side of the skirt. That same applique work runs over the matching coat. More gold and beads circle the neckline, the edges of the sleeves and run around the waist and down the front to then run around the hem. The coat is cut to closely follow the lines of the dress underneath with capped puffed sleeves and a scooped neckline. It closes with a wide strap that runs just under the bust and this holds it in place but keeps it open and the edges apart about 2" so that you still see the dress underneath. It is gathered at the back so that is falls in more of a sweep of fabric there. The fabric itself is a silk chiffon in a soft lime colour. It is hand lined in an ivory silk. It is gorgeous and I love the versatility of the two pieces. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Both pieces are fully lined in an ivory silk. The dress closes with a back zipper and the coat closes with hidden set hook & eye and snaps. There is a tiny area of soft faded marks on the side of the waist. The front hem falls just a tiny bit short from the underskirt. Please see the last two photos. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all. Well made with tons of hand finishes throughout.

Dress
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 16.5-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Empire waist: 14.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 47" from waist to hem

Jacket
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# E709

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 little dress is the ready-to-wear version of the Haute Couture dress that Yves created. I have included the runway photos of the couture version that walked the runway and that was featured in an editorial that year so that you can see how the dress looks on. The ready-to-wear version is a slightly simplified version of it but otherwise looks remarkably the same. He often did this with a few select pieces from his collections so that his non-couture clients had access to his work as well. The 1987 collection is one of my all time favourites and I am very pleased to have this wonderful example from it in the shop for you.

If you are a Yves Saint Laurent fan the second that you saw this dress you would have known that it was his work. This was a definitive look of the Couture collection and I love that he made a ready-to-wear version. I am also glad I have reference photos for you because if there was ever a dress that needed be seen on a body this is it. It really is not being done full justice on my dress form but it is gorgeous on the body. The dress sits off the shoulders to leave a bare expanse of skin. The sleeves are cut to follow the arm to just past the elbow. A pretty chiffon ruffle edges the entire neckline and then another ruffle curves around each wrist. The bodice skims over the bust and comes in at the waist. Under that the skirt flares out dramatically and is quite full. The front of the skirt is cut to the knee, or just above depending on your height, and then the edges of the skirt curve down and around to a full length at the back. The fullness and the length change give it a ton of movement when you move. The fabric is a segment in itself. It is made from a black silk net backed by a black silk tulle. Then onto the top net layer is a design made of black raffia. This gives the dress an incredible texture and the raffia catches the light fantastically. It also means that the parts of the dress that are not lined have a touch of transparency which is very sexy. This is an incredible piece of Yve's history and an absolutely gorgeous dress. Excellent condition with a minor note to review below 

Lined in a layer of tulle as described above and then there is a inner lining though the bodice and to just past the hips that is made out of a gold nude toned silk chiffon covered in a layer of black silk chiffon. It closes with a side set zipper. The raffia has small breaks in it here and there. I have never seen a vintage piece with raffia detailing that does not do this as it ages. It is inherent to the material and normal wear. 

Sleeves: 18"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam before it flares out
Length: approx 35" from natural shoulder to front hem, 52" to lowest pint of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3888

Reference Photos: (1-2) S/S 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway Show.  /  (3) Brynja Sverrisdottir in S/S 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Couture. Photo by David Bailey.

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

Stephen Burrows was known for his innovative use of matte jersey fabrics in a rainbow of colours. He colour blocked it, detailed it with beading, draped it on the bias and added cutouts to highlight the body. He used the Jasco-brand jersey for his work which was light in weight and had some stretch. Many of his pieces, including this one, had their hems finished with a complex zig zag edging. This became known as a 'lettuce' finish and became his signature. His first boutique was simply known as "O" and opened in 1968 with a cofounder. The “Stephen Burrows World" label launched in the summer of 1970 as part of an exclusive in-store boutique for Henri Bendels. In 1973 he was one of the five American designers that participates in the “Battle of Versailles” fashion show, a spectacular competition between American and French designers. That year marked his first Coty win, which was also the first win by Black designer, and he won it again in 1974 and 1977. He left Bendels shortly after only to return again in 1977, 1993 and 2002 for short stints each time. By the late 70s and into the 80s his work was being worn by some of the biggest names in Hollywood like Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Cher. His work was the subject of the 2013 exhibit titled 'Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced' and which was the first major exhibit of the work. Another followed at SCAD who presented “An American Master of Inventive Design,” in 2014. This is an amazing example of Stephen Burrows work and it feels as relevant today as it would have when it was made.

The dress is made from his signature slinky and sexy black jersey. The entire dress is suspended from two tiny straps at the shoulder and falls from there in a beautiful bias cut that ends with an angled asymmetrical hem. This angled cut leaves one leg more bare so that when you walk or sit you get a flash of more skin on that side. He designed his pieces to not be worn with undergarments believing that they should just skim over the body like a dancer. The jersey is opaque enough to do this and he was after that simple and easy dancer feel that the dress has. It is a dress that just slips on and falls into place, floating over the body, without being too tight in any area while still fully highlighting the body beneath. The bodice is truly spectacular. It is fully hand beaded across the bust and down the center front in a densely applied mix of tube beads, seed beads and faux pearl beading. The bead work has all been applied by hand and you can clearly see this is the case on the back side of the fabric. The lower edges of the dress are finished in his signature lettuce hem seaming. It is a fabulous example of his work and I love it. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips over the head with no closures. Tagged a vintage 10. The fabric does have some stretch so will accommodate a range of sizes. I have provided the comfortable range of stretch when laying flat. Perhaps a bead missing here or there but no bare spots.

Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to longest point of hem, 38" to the shortest

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4053

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 gorgeous lace piece from this time period. It is so hard to find these in such wonderful condition like this on is in. Both the dress and matching jacket are beautifully finished. The dress is fabulous but was a challenging piece to photo since it is entirely cut on the bias and it is really meant to come to life on an actual body. My dress form is not doing it anywhere near the justice it deserves. If you even remotely love it ion the photos know that it is better in person

The dress has a higher set V scooped neckline at the front and the lace of the upper bodice is lined in a nude silk chiffon so you have the illusion that you can see your skin through it. Where the lace becomes opaque starting the top of the inner bodice it is cut into a modified sweetheart. Nestled in the V there is a little cluster of pink flowers. You get just a glimpse of the pink through the layer of black lace over the flowers and it is such a pretty detail. The waist is cut to be full and loose and the skirt falls under that in a column of lace. The skirt has yards of lace it in and when you stand still it falls in a smooth column but when you move it moves very prettily. There is a tier of lace that follows the angled seam at the low set hip and then a layer of lace falls over the inner silk skirt under that. At the back it has that same illusion panel trick over the shoulders and upper back. Over the dress goes the little matching jacket. It is cut to be very simple but with lots of impact. The shoulders are soft and it has no closures. Each sleeve goes to just above the wrist and then flares out in an incredible full circle of the same lace. This one also comes with its original belt. The belt is meant to sit low on the hips and is the final pretty detail with its silver metal buckle and inlaid rhinestones. Once on an actual body this set really comes to life. It is truly incredible and if you are a fan of these pieces from the late twenties / early thirties you know just how exceptional and wonderful it is. The entire thing weighs ounces. Excellent condition with minor note below

The dress is lined with a black silk through the body and nude silk chiffon through the upper bodice. It closes with a series of snaps down one side. The jacket is unlined with no closures. There are a slight marks on the lining of the dress under the arms but it does not show through from the exterior. Please see the last two photos. The hook on the belt seems fragile and easily bends but is there and functions. It may have to be reinforced at some point. For a garment nearing 100 years old it is in amazing condition

Jacket
Sleeves: approx 24"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 17"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 20" from neck to hem

Dress
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# E701

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 Oscar de La Renta boutique label first appeared in 1967 which makes this dress from one of his very earliest collections for this line. His boutique label is important as is marked the first ready-to-wear line for a Seventh Avenue designer to be launched. These early pieces have lots of hand finishes and are just stunning example of his work during these early days of his career. 

I love this dress. It is made out of a gorgeous deep brown velvet that gives it a really beautiful texture. The velvet has a flat pile and there is a bit of a vertical texture worked into it that helps add length when you have it on. It is a really stunning detail. To contrast this and give the dress a touch of a metallic feel Oscar then added a wide silver and gold metal thread panel of ribbon to follow the notched neckline. This panel of fabric runs down each side of the neckline and then circles around the collar. That same metallic fabric is used to cover the edges of the matching belt. The belt is fabulous in its own right. It is cut wide and then peaks where it meets in the middle. To close it, it has a long matching velvet tie that loops through the brass coloured grommets and then laces up as tight as you wish. The fabric of the dress is light in weight so that the dress is very easy to wear. It has long sleeves and each sleeve poufs out over the cuff. The cuffs are done in the same metallic fabric to pick up on the belt and neckline. Each is also slit down the sides so you see part of your arm. Very unusual and very chic once on. The skirt cascades to the floor gently widening out as it nears the hem. And it has pockets. It is really a gorgeous dress and very well made. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in a brown silky rayon. Closes with a back zipper and a hook at the top of the neck. Each cuff snaps to close. The inner back of the belt has stiffened a bit and it was stored folded. This does not effect the front at all but you see the fold lines on the back. 

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to centre of band at waist
Skirt: 41.5" from centre of band at waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3878

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

Zandra Rhodes is one of my favorite designers and it is always a treat to have one of her pieces for you. This is an incredible cut velvet fabric that she has had custom made with one of her own proprietary designs. It gives it that incredible Zandra Rhode touch while hearkening back to the decadence of the twenties in feel. 

The fabric on this dress is just stunning. It is a cut fused velvet in a chiffon with one of her signature designs made from the velvet parts. The velvet is in a rich deep burgundy red colour that catches the light beautifully. This is fused onto a black chiffon base and the contrast between the two is fabulous. The chiffon parts are partially transparent so you get a sense of that but the dress is but it is also line in black so that it is not completely see-through. The addition of the velvet gives the dress an incredible sensual feel and it feels wonderful when on the body. It is cut in an easy to wear and flattering cut. It simply skims over the body past the bust to the loose and easy cut waist. It skims over the hip and gently widens out as it nears the hem. The bodice has extra detailing across the front with hand applied sequin and beads. The sleeves are unlined and are cut to be wide and full to just about the elbow. Each sleeve is open along the inner seam and the edges slightly overlap so that when you move they have incredible movement. The end of each sleeve is finished beads and sequins. At the wide cut neck there is a panel of silk that is gathered with beads for the perfect finishing detail. The dress appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

The dress is fully lined in a black silky rayon and it closes with a back zipper. The bead and sequin work detailing are hand applied. This came from the estate of a very good Zandra Rhodes client and was most likely a custom/direct order.

Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 19" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15.5" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Length: 53.5" from shoulder to longest points on the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3528

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

Geoffrey Beene was one of the great American fashion designers and he was recognized for both his artistic and technical skills. He launched his label in 1963 and a piece from his very first collection landed the cover of Vogue. A Coty award followed a year later and in 1984 the Council of Fashion Designers created the annual Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award in honor of Beene's fashion legacy. This dress is from one of his early labels done to reach a younger audience and it is literally one of the cutest sweetest dresses I have ever had in the shop

The dress is a riot of print and colour and I love it. The bodice is done in a deep blue that has white and soft grey dots. It is cut to skim over you and then the neckline is cut wide. If you are small through the shoulders you might even get away with wearing off the shoulder. The sleeves are barely a cap and they are finished in the same joyful ruffle that the neckline has. The waist cinches in and is set a bit higher for a slight empire feel. The dress comes with its original striped belt that lets you cinch it in even more. Under that is cutest skirt with a vivid floral design in a riot of colors. The three patterns should not work together but they do. And the skirt even has pockets. Great condition with one note below

Unlined and closes with a hidden set side zipper. The belt hooks to close. There is some fading to the fabric at the top of the shoulders that you don't see once it is one due to the volume of fabric there. Please see the photos after the label shot. The belt shows a tiny bit of normal wear to the back.

Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 24" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4129

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 was known as the designer that could rival the French in terms of construction and design. He launched his atelier in 1951 and though he was never a designer that was formally made a couture house he certainly produced clothing with many of the hallmarks that define couture, thus giving him the status as being known as one of the 'American Couturiers'. 

This dress is very unusual and I had a hard time deciding how to best have it sit on the dress form. It definitely works as a halter with the hook placed at the back of the neck. These leaves the upper back entirely bare and open and the ruffles that edge the halter run down the sides of the bust and around the neck. However, it also could potentially work with the hooks done up on the top of one shoulder. It does leave one breast exposed this way but I feel that you could wear it like this and have a bandeau underneath and it would be as amazing. You could also replace the elastic that edges the bodice and it would sit higher. The fabric is beautiful. The top layer is a floral print on a fine silk chiffon. Under that are four attached layers of a solid green silk and at the edges he has set these so each layer's edge can be seen. It gives the dress an opaqueness but it is still light as a feather. The bodice is finished with a ruffle that follows the curve of the fabric there. It wraps and hooks to close and inside there is a little label that says front on the inner waist band so you know which side to place at the front of you. The skirt wraps over itself and fall to the floor in a column of silk. It is fabulous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in the four layers of green silk. Hand finished throughout. It wraps and hooks to close. Elastic through the edge of the halter top. There is a small areas that does not seem quite as tight as the rest of it and I think you could tighten this and it would sit higher and cover the breast on that one side.

Bust: open
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bust: approx 18" from shoulder to waist but meant to drape a bit
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3398

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 Nina Ricci brand was founded in 1932, at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris and quickly became one of the top couture ateliers in the world. In 1964, Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant, as head of the brand. Over the following three decades, Pipart's couture vision 'celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day.' This dress Is one of his more quirky pieces and I am obsessed. I have had piece in the shop in the past that has this faux handbag applique but they were all from the 50s and 60s when that was a bit of a rage. I loved finding this 1980s designer version.

This dress is so eighties in every way and I love it. I am almost sad at how it photoed on the mannequin because on person its so much better. And these on the body are fabulous. Dresses like this really need a person in them to come to life. The dress is made out of a fine black wool that has a silk like finish to it. The fabric choice helps to hold the shape and support the applique work done onto it. The shoulders are set wide and there is light padding underneath. Each sleeve is gathered at the top of the shoulder and is meant to pouf a bit. The sleeves narrow down to a gathered cuff that hide a zipper. The body of the dress is full and easy with no defined waist. It simply falls from the shoulders so that the volume is on the top and then narrows down to skim over the hips to a pencil cut skirt. Then appliqued onto the dress is that fabulous faux bag that crosses over one shoulder and down to the hip. The strap is a wide silk textured ribbon that is finished in a flat bow at the top of the shoulder. This angles down to meet the 'bag' made out of a metallic embroidered velvet. The upper edge of the bag is gathered in and finished with a ruffle of a bright blue silk for an unexpected pop of colour. Anther bow sits below that. The best part? It is open at the top so that it is a functional pocket. The final little detail is the inside lining of the collar. It is the same blue as the ruffle on the bag. I love this little hidden secret. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk and closes at the back with a zipper. Padding in each shoulder and a hidden zipper at each cuff.

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4104

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