Donald Brooks pieces are always very well made and the pieces from his Boutique line have a real sense of ease and fun about them that I love. Brooks launched his main line label in 1964. He only designed for a very short time, closing his business in 1973. He had a secondary, boutique line that he started in 1971 that also closed in 1973. This set is from the boutique line which gives us that small time period from 1971-1973 for its date.

This is a super cute and fun cropped skirt and top set that has that perfect seventies feel to it. This set is especially cute with its bright and cheerful print on a white cotton base that really lets the colors pop. The top has extra wide sleeves that come out from the bodice so they kind of slouch with an easy feel once on. It has no closures down the front at all, instead it has ties that extend out from the cropped bottom and then you tie it into place. This cropped length gives you an expanse of bare skin between the bottom of the top and the skirt. The skirt is long and is cut more on the fuller side with a banded waist and buttons that run all the way down the front. I love that it has pockets on each hip. On both pieces that pop of the bright colors against the white is just amazing. Excellent overall condition with a minor note to review below

Both the top and skirt are unlined. The top ties at the front to close and the skirt buttons down the front. Pocket on each hip of the skirt. There are some small faint marks at the front of the skirt and along the waist as well as one on the top. All minor. Please review the photos after the shot of the label

Top
Bodice: no true side seams
Waist: adjustable with the tie front
Length: 16" from neck to hem and you can tie to adjust shorter if you wish

Skirt
Waist: 13" from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 40" from waist seam to hem with 3.5" turned up

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3480

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

In the 1960s if you wanted to wear something with a dramatic flare then you chose the work of Ronald Amey. He was known for his original use of fabrics and colors and his dresses were priced into the thousands even in the 1960s. His career was very short-lived. From 1959-1969 he designed under the label Burke-Amey. Joseph Burke, his partner, took care of the business side of things. In 1970s he bought out Burke and renamed the company Ronald Amey where he continued to produce his dramatic clothing until the label shuttered in 1976. His clothing was of very high quality and he incorporated many couture level details into their construction. All of his pieces were sewn in-house at his New York atelier

One of his signatures was to combine bold colors, prints and fabrics in interesting, unusual ways and this dress is a splendid example of that. The colors are bold and the mix is dramatic. The bodice and sleeves are sheer orange printed silk chiffon that is layered over the same printed coral ribbon silk that you see used for the skirt. This gives the top a very couture and quirky feel. The neckline is cut wide across the collarbones and it is anchored by a wide band of blue silk satin that is top-stitched in gold thread. This curves around the neckline and then down the front on either side of the notched front. The panel continues past the seamed waist and runs down the center of the skirt where it ends with a large diamond of the same fabric in brown. More of the blue runs around the hem and then is used again for the cuffs on each sleeve. The combination of the orange, coral and blue is spectacular . The heavy dose of all those prints, colors and patterns should not work but it does. The perfect finish is the wide fabric belt made of the same blue as the banding and this wraps around the waist where you can cinch it in and leave it simple as I did or tie it in a far more elaborate way. The exterior is in excellent condition with a note about the lining to review below.

Fully lined in a bright peach silk throughout. Entirely hand finished. It closes with a front zipper and there are zippers on each cuff. The zippers stick a bit when you open and close them. There is shattering of the silk around each arm on the interior. The exterior fabrics are sound and show no wear at all. The exterior of the dress appears to have been worm very little. The dress is even better in person.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 40.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3478

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

From the Spring 2015 collection comes this fabulous little denim mini from Mother denim. With the craze for micro short pieces still going strong it almost feels more relevant now then it did when it came out. The skirt is made from a washed and distressed denim that has a raw cut edge. It has classic front pockets and two back pockets with the M logo stitched on both. It is cut to sit low slung on at the waist and flares out slightly as it nears the hem. This is a classic denim mini that will never go out of style. Unworn and with original tags. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a button front. Tagged a 27. New and unworn with original hang tag still attached

Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 14" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S914

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

When Alexa Chung announced that she was doing a collaboration with AG Jeans, the fashion crowd immediately took notice. When the collection was released the pieces sold out worldwide. This little denim mini was the stand out piece from that capsule. The skirt is in immaculate condition and still has all of its original hang tags and shop return tag attached. It is made from a stretch denim so is extremely comfortable to wear. It closes with a series of snaps down the front, each embossed with the 'Alexa Chung for AG' circling around a little flower. The waist cinches in and then then skirt flares out on an angle from there. Its a very easy to wear and a very fun piece. Excellent condition

Unlined and close with the snaps at the front as seen. Tagged a brand size 29. The fabric has some give and stretch. Never worn with all original tags attached

Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 17" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# S915

Reference Photo: Alexa Chung for AG Denim, Spring/Summer 2015.

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 was a key piece from the 2015 Balmain Resort collection. This collection created a frenzy for the pieces offered and this skirt in particular sold out and was wait listed world wide. I think everyone wanted one and almost every brand out there made a copy of it. The skirt has never been worn so is showroom fresh.  It has that curved and fitted cut that Balmain is known for and has the added dimension and texture created by what it is made out of. The denim is heavy distressed denim. This gives the skirt an extra dimension and depth that it would not have otherwise. It is cut to sit high up on the waist and is fitted to hug your hips. At the back is the signature Balmain chunky zipper. The front has pockets on each hip and large gold domed buttons run down each side. It has all its original tags still attached and has never been worn. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes at the back with the zipper you see. Tagged a modern 40. Unworn.

Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 17.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S916

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 Chanel jumpsuit is fantastic. It has simple lines but they are perfect and its easy to wear cut will make throwing this on and wearing it a breeze. It is made out of two different fabrics. The bodice is a ribbed jersey, a classic fabric that Karl was using during this time period, and the pants are a silk/wool mix crepe. They are two different shades of black so they slightly contrast off each other. Inside the jumpsuit the bodice is lined in a super soft, very fine sueded silk that feels like heaven against your skin and the rest of is is lined in a silk crepe. The front and back are scooped and the straps extend from the bodice and curve up and around the shoulders. It skims over the waist and there are pockets built in along the inset seams at the front. It starts to widen out at the hips and then the legs are cut straight and wide and slightly cropped. Each is a full 28" around by the time they reach their hem. It is quintessentially Chanel and has a very French feel to it. You can wear it in its own or with layers under it or over it. The double C logo is embroidered at the very front. Excellent condition with a minor note below

The bodice is lined in a black silk and the waist and pants are lined in a black silk crepe. Closes with a hidden set back zipper. No size tag present. There is the teeniest of pilling present on the bodice. Its very minor and I am being picky.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from top of bodice to seam under the bust
Length: 56" from shoulder to hem of pants with 2.5" turned up under the hem
Inseam: 27.5" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3275

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 the late 1960s and created custom clothing under the Holly's Harp label. She tended to create her clothing out of a hodge-podge of new and old materials. In the beginning she favored things like feathers and fringe but her aesthetic became more 'grown up' and glamorous as her career progressed. She was an avid thrifter and you can see the influence of earlier decades in her work.

This is a great set that is made form an easy to wear and care for jersey. It is two pieces. A pair of loose and easy pants and a top that you just slip on over your head to wear. The pants are have a banded waist and then are loose and generously cut through the hips. From there they taper down to the ankles where they have a high slit that runs almost to the knee but us partially hidden by the way the fabric is set to slightly overlap. So you only get the idea of the opening when you move or sit. Down each side of the pant is a large ruffle of fabric that has a wavy finish to it. These give the pants lots of movement when you move. The tap is made out of a loose cut tank that is topped by an almost cape like outer layer. It is cut angled up higher at each side and then ends in a point at the front and back. The neckline mirrors that same v and there are little weights inside the base of the v at the neck so that is draped perfectly once it is on. It really transforms on an actual body and its fantastic. Being two pieces means you will be able to endlessly mix and match it with other pieces too. Excellent condition

Unlined and the pants zip to close and the top slips over the head. Attached weights at the V of the top so its sits properly on you once it is on. Both pieces are tagged a small but the pant waist is cut generously.

Top
Bust: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 18" from top of shoulder to shortest point, 24" to longest

Pants
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 40" from top of bodice to waist
Inseam: 28.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3474

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 was one of the key pieces from the 2015 season and it is brand new with its original tags still attached. It was look 15 on the runway and all of the pieces from that collection with this graphic stripe were sold out and wait listed around the world. The skirt is a slim cut with a smooth fit around the waist and hips. It is meant to sit a little low on the hip so the waist is cut more generously. I love how the stripes are set to highlight the cut of the skirt. He uses two different stripes to achieve the look that you see. The main stripes through the body are a deep black and the stripes that are set around the waist and highlight that amazing and sexy cut out slit at the front are a more charcoal grey. This is a classic and as covetable now as it was when it first hit the racks. Excellent condition.

Partially lined through the waist band and unlined below. A pocket on one hip that is still tacked shut. Closes with a side set zipper. Tagged a 38. Has all its original tags including the Net-a-porter return tag. Unworn

Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S911

Reference Photos: (1) Spring 2015 Altuzarra Runway, Look 15. Model: Magdalena Jasek.  /  (2) Sienna Miller in Altuzarra, 2015.

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 pleating technique that Issey Miyake was to become famous for was begun in pieces produced during the 1980s. They soon became his signature and an integral part of his brand. Part of the incentive behind using pleats in this manner was to give his clothes a sense of ease. He wanted his clothing to have freedom in the way that they moved and for him it was always about the shape of the body rather then the shape of the clothes. That is why the best of his pieces only come to life when they are on and moving along with your own movements. This is a beautiful and earlier piece of his work and the tag style dates it the early 1990s. It has an elastic waist and the skirt falls to about midi length with the hem falling at various lengths once on so that some parts hang slightly longer. The fabric is completely pleated and has a wide blue toned grey stripe worked through it. The stripes have been laid out in different directions and there are also panels worked into the skirt that are set on a curve. This creates amazing movement once it is on. I love how the stripes work together and contrast against the pleating. There is a very generous amount of fabric in the skirt and I would bet that if the skirt was laid out flat and it was un-pleated it would be a full circle skirt. It is fantastic. Excellent condition

Unlined and has elastic at the waist. Tagged a size Small. The easy cut should fit a range of sizes.

Elastic waist: 11-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Skirt: 34" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# S912

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 was a key piece from the 2015 Balmain Resort collection and its twin was Look 29 on the runway. The skirt has never been worn and it still has all of its original tags. This collection created a frenzy for the pieces offered and this skirt in particular sold out and was wait listed world wide. It has that curved and fitted cut that Balmain is known for and has the added dimension and texture created by what it is made out of. The black and white stripes that you see are a raffia feeling material that is set in horizontal rows. This gives the skirt an extra dimension and depth that it would not have otherwise. It is cut to sit high up on the waist and is fitted to hug your hips. At the back is the signature Balmain chunky zipper. It has all its original tags still attached and has never been worn. Excellent condition.

Fully lined with their signature black ribbed fabric and closes at the back with the zipper you see. Tagged a modern 40. All original tags attached including an attached StyleBop return tag. Unworn.

Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S913

Reference Photos: (1) Resort 2015 Balmain Collection, Look 29.  /  (2-3) Erica Pesolini, Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2015.

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 fall 2008 collection was called 'The Girl Who Lived in a Tree'. The 2008 collection was inspired by a combination of McQueen's trip to India and a 600 year old elm in his garden. I have included two photos from the runway that year and you can see how the elements from these pieces were combined to create this gown which was a part of the production run  sent to stores that season. We also found a photos of a very pregnant Ashley Simpson who wore thew twin of this dress ot the 2008 VMA's that year. Pieces from this collection are some of the most valued by collectors. The V&A Museum says of this collection: 'McQueen’s Autumn/Winter 2008 collection centered on a fairy tale narrative devised by McQueen about a girl who descends from a tree to marry a prince and then become a queen. It was inspired by a 600-year-old elm tree in the garden of the designer’s Sussex home. At the center of the set stood a giant tree swathed in fabric, inspired by Bulgarian artist Christo, who is renowned for wrapping buildings with material.' This dress feels a bit like the embodiment of that center piece they refer to, as you are wrapped an swathed in fabric once it is on.

The dress is astounding and the work of a master tailor. Rarely does one see this level of workmanship in ready to wear. The fabric is a beautiful silk chiffon with a soft almost waffle finish worked into it. This gives it an incredible amount of texture while the silk used is feather light. The dress once in feels like it is floating around you, like wearing air. The cut is pure McQueen with a low, almost scandalous, dipped neckline with just the suggestion of a seam that is created through a line of hand placed stitches on the exterior that run just under the bust. This gives that dress its empire feel. The texture and design that is worked into the silk make the dress feel like it has been gathered into little pleats over the bust and the final effect is beautiful. Inside, the bust is more structured and supported and it is incredible that the support comes mainly by seaming and fabric rather then extensive boning. The skirt falls to the floor from beneath the empire cut of the bodice and there are yards and yards of silk used to create the skirt. Once side is caught up and drapes and is attached to the top of the shoulder creating that stunning looped effect that you see in the photos. The back trails out behind you in a long train. It is important to note that the train on one has never been altered or shortened. I have seen others of these come to market and the trains have often been changed but this one is entirely original. It is a work of art from one of the great designers of our time. The dress has its original hang tags in place. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in black silk sating through the bust and black silk chiffon through the skirt. It closes with a hidden set zipper at the back. The interior bust is shaped and lightly boned at the sides. Original tags attached. Tagged a McQueen 38 and appears unworn.

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: open
Hips: open
Bodice: 10.25" from shoulder to seam under bust
Length: approx 60" from shoulder to front hem and the back trains adds another approx 30"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML, will fit a small busted MED

Item# DD3473

Reference Photos: (1-2) F/W 2008 Alexander McQueen Runway Collection (Look 7 & Look 27).  /  (3) Ashlee Simpson at the 2008 VMA's.

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

This dress is made out of a rich black silk jersey that gives it that beautiful draping effect that you see. Its rich pleats and the way that the fabric is draped and placed gives it a touch of a Madame Gres feel and it is insanely beautiful. It has both a refined simplicity and yet is is very complex at the same time. The depth that the jersey creates adds to this while the fabric is still soft enough that it retains a sensual feel. The dress flows to the floor in a long and dramatic swoop of jersey. The skirt is set under the corseted top in a way that when you are standing perfectly still it falls in perfectly soft rounded pleats. This is very difficult to achieve with this type of fabric. The bodice is shaped and softly boned so that it has a more structured.feel to it and this is added to by the high peaks of the front bodice. The jersey is draped over this and crosses over the bust in the most beautiful of ways. The sleeves are very unusual. Each is a single layer of jersey with a peaked part created near the shoulders. You could wear then up and on the shoulders but I think they are best worn when they are left draped down and off the shoulders. This leaves the shoulders completely bare and that peaked cut  on each of them turns into a soft, wide draped along the upper arms. The cuffs narrow in for a simple finish. The dress is finished with lots of handwork and high quality construction technoques. The photos do not come near to how amazing this dress is in person. Excellent condition

The bodice is fully lined in black silk and the skirt unlined. It closes with a hidden set side painted metal zipper. Boning through the sides and bodice. Hand finishes throughout. Tagged a 38. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Sleeves: approx 24"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 46" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3472

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

This dress is cut with a simple and beautiful line and the print and color combination is a striking statement. It dates to the late 1970s, early 1980s and it is an absolute work of art. 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. This one clearly has its RN number which I was able to use to date this to 1969-1970.

The floral print is closely associated with the work of Hanae Mori and her designs and this dress feature one of those prints in the most beautiful way. This 1970s silk and silk chiffon dress is a stunning example of the work she was doing during this time period. This is everything you look for in a Hanae piece. It has that wonderful custom designed floral print screened onto both the exterior silk chiffon overlay and on the inner silk twill dress. This allows the two prints on each layer to be slightly offset and gives the print an extra dimension of depth. The cut of the top layer has that draped flowing feel to it that collectors crave when they look for the best of her pieces. The inner dress is made of a scarf weight silk twill with an inner silk lining and is cut in a simple sheath silhouette. Over this a floating sleeveless caftan made of silk chiffon that is attached at the shoulders and around the arm openings to the under dress. That top layer is slit up the front all the way to the neck and this allows is to float and flow around you when you move or walk, adding to the floating feel of the dress. I love everything about it. Overall excellent condition with notes to review below

The inner dress is lined in an ivory silk. It closes with a back painted metal zipper and the outer chiffon layer closes at the back with her signature tiny silk covered snaps. Hand finishes throughout There are a couple of tiny storage marks on the exterior silk and a couple of marks on the inner bust that the exterior layer covers when it is one. A slight yellowing to the upper part of the back and the faintest smudge under one arm. None are outstanding or detract once it is one. Please review the photos after the label shot.

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from neck to hem with just over 3.5" turned up under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3471

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 belt by Yves Saint Laurent and dates to the time period from when he was creating his famous Russian collection. You can see in the reference photos how this style of belt was used in a variety of colors and finishing details to perfectly set off the collection. This one is a chic cream ivory canvas on a natural leather base combination. It is trimmed with an ivory and gold braiding with long ivory and deep goldr braided ties. At the end of each tie is a knot and a large glossy white bead. It simply wraps and ties at the front and can top just about anything. This is an important piece of fashion history and a rare find. Excellent condition

Marked a brand size 3 and measures 27" from end to end of the actual belt part and then the braided ties extend a 21" on either side. The total length including the ties is 69". The belt itself is 2.5" wide. Perhaps a touch of grubbiness to the braiding but no true flaws

Item# A374

Reference Photos: (1) F/W 1976-77 Yves Saint Laurent evening ensembles from The MET Collection online.  /  (2) 1977 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Ad.  /  (3) 1976 Yves Saint Laurent Peasant collection for American Vogue.

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

This dress is gorgeous with its bright meadow green and white print and yards of bias cut silk chiffon that has been used through the skirting. The color is just gorgeous and is a bright clear green that is even better in person then how it photoed. The dress has a simple cut. The bodice is sleeveless and the openings for the arms are cut to angle up and toward the neck. It dips into a fairly low V at the front and all of the edges of the bodice are finished with a band of clear sequins and tiny white seed beads. These are set in rows along all the seams and around the waist to highlight the cut. More of the same sequin and seed bead combination has been scattered over the rest of the bodice fabric. Under that the skirt flows to the floor in a cascade of bias cut silk and there are yards of fabric used for it. So when you move it can create a lot of movement and flow around you. The chiffon has a pretty, brushed abstract pattern screened onto it. All the bead work is hand applied and gives the dress an added bit of high glamour while still keeping a romantic, feminine feel. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in a matching green silk. It closes with a painted back metal zipper. Hand applied bead-work. Tagged a vintage 10. I see a couple of sequins missing here and there. A slightly lighter green in person.

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3470

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 stunning example of the couture work being done by the house of Lanvin during the years that Antonio Castillo headed the atelier. Castillo started off his career at the houses of Paquin and Piquet. He also did a stint designing accessories for Chanel. In 1950 he became the head designer at the House of Lanvin. The press at the time lauded him, along with Balmain, Dior and Balenciaga, as the new generation of the Paris Couture designers. During his time at Lanvin the house was known for the simple and elegant lines of the clothes and his metallic pieces were particularly sought after. This is a rare Haute Couture dress from that period whose label is the one used from 1954 to his departure in 1962. I found a couple of photos of a 'gold organza' dress that has the same pleated metallic skirt treatment that this one does and was able to date it by those. It is very beautiful. 

The fabric of this dress is the undeniable focal point of the dress and it is just wonderful. The bodice is a heavy silk faille dyed to a brilliant emerald green. It is cut to skim over the bodice with a seamed waist that has a matching fabric belt in the same green silk. It is sleeveless and the front is detailed with a cleverly built in pleating effect that gives a nod to the Lanvin bow but without adding bulk to the bust area by adding an actual bow there. Variations of these 'built in' bows were used extensively during the collections of 1954 and I think this is one of the best versions. The skirt is a masterpiece and you can see in the reference photos just how wonderfully it will move. I have photoed it over a light crinoline so that you can get a better idea of the full shape. The top layer is made out of a fine metallic thread silk organza that has a bias cut fine line worked through the fabric. This tiny angled line contrasts with the sharp knife pleats that the skirt has and lets the gold thread catch the light even more then it would otherwise. In person the fabric almost seems to glow. The gold color is not quite captured in these photos and I think it is far better and richer feeling when you have it in hand. Under the top gold layer is an inner silk skirt that has a deep stiffened hem to help give the skirt volume and hold the pleats true. The entire dress is made with masterful seaming and cut. The fabric choices are just extraordinary. It is a stunning and rare example of the Haute Couture pieces the house was producing in this time period. It has its Haute Couture label which is hand numbered on the reverse side. The inner silk is stamped Rhodia along the seam. Excellent condition with a small note below

Fully hand lined in silk and all done and hand stitched on the interior to Haute Couture standards. The dress closes with a side set painted metal zipper and snaps and hooks on the inner layer. Inner waist stay that hooks to close. The matching fabric sash circles the waist and there is a combination of hook & eye and hidden snaps to secure it. The inner skirt shows grubbiness and marks around the hem. Grubbiness along the edge of the hem of the outer skirt here and there and I see one teeny, well done repair on the outer skirt. If not for that it would look unworn. Hand numbered Haute Couture tag

Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam but see above notes
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3468

Reference Photos: (1) Lena Madsen in evening gown of finely pleated 'opaline' gauze by Lanvin-Castillo, photo by Guy Arsac, 1954.  /  (2) Gold organza gown by Lanvin-Castillo, 1954.

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 rare example of the work that Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell were doing together in the very early 1970s. It's an early version of what would go on to become one of Ossie's most famous and recognizable designs with that signature plunging squared off neckline. Various versions of these in solid colors are held several museums. I have only seen a couple of these and this one is entirely original.

It is said that the original design of these front plunging dresses were loosely based on the designs of a graduation gown. If that is the case Ossie somehow managed to take that rather conservative feeling piece of clothing and work in the flow and drape that he was known for. His pieces always have a touch of an overt sexuality that became one of his trademarks and here we see that in the ultra low front plunge. This one also has a touch more shape through the waist then we see on the longer maxi versions with that same neckline. On this dress, the plunge dips into a deep squared off shape that is cut to just above the seam at the waist. The waist is banded all the way around with attached ties on both sides. These wrap around and ties to cinch in the waist and it also keeps the plunge from moving. The skirt flows out from there with lots of fabric in it that gives it tons of movement when you move. The sleeves are slim cut and have a row of silk covered buttons at each wrist. The fabric itself is a silk crepe with a deep navy base. Onto this is that spectacular fan print by Celia Birtwell in blue, green, yellow and red. This label is from the couture Ossie Clark line and it also has the Jeeves Dry Cleaning, Quorum recommended, tag. The midi length makes it extra versatile and it is a dress that you will wear over and over, easily able to go from day to night. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Unlined and slips over the head to wear with attached ties at the waist and a side set zipper. Each cuff has three fabric covered buttons at the wrist. There is a small faint mark at the front. Please see the photo after the label shot. Tagged an vintage UK 10. The flowing silhouette, waist tie and deep decolletage suit a variety of figures and sizes.

Sleeves: 22.5" but come up when cuffs are buttoned
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam and can be cinched in more by the attached tie
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Plunge: 13" from neck to bottom
Skirt: 34" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3467

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