From the front this Thierry Mugler dress falls in line with his more stark pieces with its all black color and sharp line, but the second that you turn around it is almost shocking. This is classic Mugler and the back has that wonderful, overt sensuality he worked into his clothes. It is made out of an inky black stretch jersey and is cut to hug your curves. The bodice is cut along those classic Mugler lines with rounded shoulders and a sharply pointed notched collar. The seams are all set into curving lines and they help to give the dress a touch of structure, shape and support. The waist nips ion and the hips curve out following the lines of the body. The skirt is cut to about the knee and curves in at the hem for a fitted silhouette. The back is spectacular. The entire back has an open cut work lace in lieu of the jersey. So you are completely covered but at the same time exposed to an almost scandalous level as the bottom of that panel dips quite low. Again at the back the seams are curved so add to the curves created by the dress already. Each sleeve is capped and has a little snap that adds just a touch of volume above them, The dress simply snaps down the front and can come off as easily. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes down the front with snaps. Each sleeve has a snap as well. Light, rounded padding in each shoulder. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a vintage Mugler 42. The fabric does have some stretch

Shoulders: approx 15" but no true defined seam
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
length: 42" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3221

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

Giorgio Sant' Angelo launched his label in 1966. He was a designer for whom the fabric was always the start point and worked closely with his fabric mills in developing new textiles and he also often developed his own prints. It was said the he 'he ornamented the body and made fantasy wearable'. He was the winner of two Coty Awards, the first in 1968 and the second in 1970, and two Council of Fashion Designers of America honors.

Sant' Angelo often cited various native and ethnic cultures as the inspiration for his collections and you can see that he has given this dress a touch of that homage through the bead work that adorns the dress. The dress has absolutely beautiful lines. The bodice is a halter cut with a deep front plunge. It curves up and behind the neck where it hooks into place. Along the edges it is beaded in a combination of bright coral, neon yellow and turquoise. Additionally, there are prong set rhinestones that are set all through every inch of the beading. The beads are laid out in rows along the edge. The waist curves slightly up to meet the plunge and then it too is extensively beaded. Here we see beautiful motifs worked through the band in a wider and more complicated beaded pattern. The skirt falls from there and is cut very long. It is slit high up the front and the edges are again completely beaded. These adds color to the stark ivory back drop and also define the cut of the dress. Attached to the top of each shoulder is a long silk chiffon scarf. These can be worn fully at the back for a more caped effect but I love them draped over the shoulder. When worn this way they feel like magical sleeves that extend all the way to the hem of the dress. At the bottom each is affixed with a strip of a fine orange silk and then hand stitched over that are two hand-dipped silk ribbons. The process to create the dipped silk gives them a slight ombre, watercolor effect. They pick up all of the colors used in the dress and bring a pretty romantic feel to the gown that it would not have otherwise. It is just pure genius. It is extremely beautiful and its extensive hand finishes let us know that this is one of his custom, couture pieces. Excellent condition with a tiny note to review below

Fully lined in a fine, hand set ivory silk and closes with a back painted metal zipper. It hooks to close at the back of the neck. Hand work throughout. The beads and ribbons on the scarf sleeves are all hand applied. There is some slight grubbiness/yellowing to the silk on the interior of the halter neck and a couple of beads missing near the edges of the back neck closure. I photoed the area and it can be seen after the label photo.

Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 14" from top of bodice to top waist seam
Waist band: 3"
Skirt: 43" from the boom of the waist band to hem
Front slit: 25" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3220

Reference Photo: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton 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.

This is an extremely rare Jeanne Lanvin Haute Couture dress designed by Antonio Castillo. 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, 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 embroideries were particularly sought after. This is a rare Haute Couture dress from that period and is very beautiful and representative of exactly those attributes. 

The fabric of this dress is the undeniable focal point of the dress and it is just wonderful. It is a very fine silk brocade woven with a very slightly raised pattern of flowers. Into the cloth are metallic threads of silver and gold and the give the dress an overall sheen that catches the light quite beautifully but is very subtle. In person this fabric almost seems to glow from within and it is very beautiful. The color is not quite captured in these photos and I think it is far better in person. The dress is cut to skim over the bust with a softer feel to it. The waist is shaped by a complicated crossing of flat ties that hook and snap into place. I tied it in the front but think it could be done to all sit flat as well. The skirt falls and flares out softly to just past the knee. It gently widens as it nears the hem and when you see it in person you will feel that there is more fabric in the skirt then how it photoed. The neckline is finished in a simple scoop that feels perfectly in tandem with its stark and simple line. It is made with masterful seaming and cut and the fabric is just extraordinary. Excellent condition.

Fully hand lined in silk and fully hand stitched on the interior to Haute Couture standards. The dress closes with a side set painted metal zipper. The straps circle the waist and there is a combination of hook & eye and hidden snaps to secure them. Real metal thread has been used to create the fabric. Note that the way the ties wrap the waist is brought in to about 12" flat across - you could move where the ties are attached to get the full waist if needed.

Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam but see above notes
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 45" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3217

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

Ceil Chapman was an American designer of classic cocktail and party dresses who successfully took the revered Christian Dior "New Look" haute couture designs that most woman could not even hope to afford and reworked them into designs that American woman could attain. She won the Coty American Fashion Critic's Award in 1945, the John Wanamaker Award, Foley's "Golden Year" Award, and the Strawbridge and Clothier seal of confidence, for creative contribution in the area of American fashion. In 1955, she won the Mademoiselle Merit Award, after a poll asking college girls to cite the country's most popular designer for the young. She won by a landslide.Her self-named label was launched in the mid-1940s and continued to the to the mid-sixties.

This dress is one of the prettiest pieces I have ever had in the shop. It is not perfect but its imperfections can be worked with and I think that some girl out there is going to feel very, very lucky to have snagged this dress at this price. It is cut into that classic party, cocktail dress of the era, with a fitted bodice, nipped in waist and a very full skirt. The fabric is a very fine silk organza that is the palest possible blush nude pink. The interior layers are finished in the same color and the layers of silk, netting, tulle and more organza, give it both structure through the bodice and fullness through the skirts. There are no extra crinolines used in this photo. The volume that you see is all the interior skirts that are built in. The dress is covered in a pale mint green velvet ribbon trim mixed with a second ribbon that has the sweetest little flowers made out of the ribbon fabric. Over the bodice the ribbons are set onto the silk in a basket weave pattern that emphasizes the fit. They are also set to bring extra attention to the bust. On the skirt these ribbons are set in rows that circle all the way around the skirt. I love how she has used this detailing to highlight the cut of the dress but it also gives the already feminine dress an even more romantic feel. It is an extraordinary dress in every way. These early Chapman pieces are very hard to come by and you can see the masterful dressmaking techniques she employed in this piece. This would also make a wonderful wedding dress for the bride who does not want to wear a traditional white dress. It presents as excellent condition but does have some areas that will need further reinforcement. Please review the full condition notes below.

Fully lined in a combination of palest pink silk, netting, tulle and more organza. The interior bodice is lightly boned and shaped and the interior layers of the skirt are built in. It closes with a side painted metal zipper. The organza between the two types of ribbon at the top of each shoulder is shattering. It is at the very top of the shoulder and then extends part way down but does not go into the bodice. I see one tiny area of shattering on the silk near the back of one arm hole that appears very stable. All the rest of the silk appears stable at this time. The straps could be backed with a similar colored, or nude colored silk and stabilized. There is an area of the inner layer of the skirt at the back hem that has a part of the edge missing. The way the skirt seems to falls once it is on the body, the hem area where this flaw is seems to land inside a soft inward fold and it is the layer under the exterior layer, so you really only notice it when it is off the body and laying flat. Some minor grubbiness to the fabric here and there. Photos of these areas can be seen after the photo of the label. It is sent in as found, clean condition and is sold as a final sale.

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 33.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3216

This item is in sound, as found condition

This top still has all of its original tags and sold for an incredible $3990 usd in the early to mid-2000s. It has beautiful lines and the effect of the densely sequinned pattern on the light silk chiffon is wonderful. It is sleeveless and the front plunges right to the waist. Below that the silk flares out and is quite full. The silk has been gathered just under where it is caught up at the front and this adds to the soft volume of the lower portion of the top. Where it is gathered, it is highlighted by a band of large rectangular stones that are set within a border of prong set rhinestones. More rhinestones anchor each of the bursts of muted gold sequins that make up the design covering the top. Depending on how tall you are and how brave you are you might even get away with wearing this as a micro mini with the right foundation garment under it. It is an incredible piece of modern day demi-couture. All original tag attached. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a fine, soft taupe colored  silk chiffon and closes with a hidden set back zipper. All original tags and unworn. Tagged a modern 6 and comes with its original bag of replacement sequin and rhinestones.

Bust: 17" 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
Length: 29" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S863

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

This beautiful and regal feeling gown by Oscar de la Renta is even better in real life. I love the combination of the deep blue grey silk taffeta with the black velvet applique work over it and those spectacular sleeves. The neckline is scooped at the front and the black silk velvet bodice is cut to hug the bust and waist. The waist nips in with seaming to shape it inwards. The skirt flares out from just under the seam at the low waist in a beautiful curve of volume. Through the interior there is the addition of a stiffened fabric added all the way around the o]upper part of the skirt. This keeps that sculptural, shelf effect that you see, and hold the shape when you move so that exaggerated hourglass feel is kept from all angles. To showcase this part of the dress even more, the panel of silk at the top of the skirt gradually forms into hand placed applique work. These velvet applique trail down and circle the upper part of the skirt. The skirt has its own interior layers of silk and tulle lining and I used no additional crinolines to achieve the shape that you see. The sleeves are the perfect  dramatic finishing detail to balance the skirt. Each is cut with an elastic at the cuff and are a huge, tremendously full pouf above. A finish of the same applique that you see on the skirt circle each of the sleeves for the perfect finish and balance. It is absolutely gorgeous. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a fine black silk through the bodice and a silk organza through the sleeves. The skirt is interlined in a black silk organza with an interior silk organza lining that has horse hair bands around the hip portion of this inner skirting. It closes with a back zipper. Each sleeve has an elastic finish Beautifully finished and appears unworn.

Sleeves: 17"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 60" from natural neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2838

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 Western world in the twenties to fifties had a special fascination with the far Eastand this highly influenced the fashion of that time period. Japan and China especially began to export and sell pieces made specifically for the tourist market that combined classic design elements of the respective cultures with a slight western twist to the cut and colors. You often will see the shorter jackets come up for sale but the coats are a little harder to find and far more versatile in my opinion. These were the most prized both then and now. This one is stunning and done in a high grade, fine red silk with off white detailing to contrast the cuffs, collar, front and hem. Over this is is embroidered with absolutely brilliant colors. The floral pattern in its soft pastel tones and the overall design are exquisite. Its lovely and light so easy to wear. This one is not 100% perfect but still has lots of life left to it if you don't mind wearing vintage with a flaw or two. Presents as excellent condition at first glance but does have flaws as noted below.

Fully lined in red tissue silk, it closes with frog knots at the front. In person it is a more vibrant red with a slight cherry cast to it. There is a dark mark at the front and the fabric has thinned, I see grubbiness and spots to the cuffs, fraying along the side slits, on one arm and some small interior fraying and shattering. I have photoed all the areas and these photos can be seen after the label shot. It is in fabulous shape other then these areas. Priced accordingly. The loose cut should fit a range of sizes. This is sold in as found condition and as a final sale.

50" from the end of one sleeve to the other flat across
Bust: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 43" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# C514

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 remarkable coat or full length dress, that was constructed with a level of hand work that is getting harder and harder to find. The photos do not come close to doing it justice. It is not 100% perfect but its construction and beauty far out weigh its few flaws. The exterior is extensively covered with a beautiful crewel embroidery technique that is done by hand. Despite its age the colors are still fresh and vibrant. The design work is exceptional. Dense embroidery work form beautiful bouquets of flowers that circle all around the hem, cover the upper back and run down each sleeve. The collar is a soft rounded notch collar and this is embroidered with flowers that then trail down the front. The hand embroidered design is a pattern of soft flowers and leaves in a variety of pastels, an unusual color choice against the red, but one that works. The base is a fine and light deep red colored wool and I love the sweeping cut of the lower portion. Every detail is perfect down to the hand embroidered buttons. You can wear this as a spectacular evening coat, or because it does do fully up you can wear it on its own as a dress, or keep it as a boudoir piece. It is exquisite and a testament to the great craftsmanship and highly skilled technique that is rapidly being lost. Presents as excellent condition but has a couple of small flaws noted below.

Fully lined in red silk and closes with those amazing button and loops at the front. I see a dark discoloration on the back of one sleeve and some light marks where it was folded for many years and faded slightly, these go all the way around and are less visible in real life then how they photoed. Please review the last two photos for these areas. I have also included detail photos showing the hand work on the embroidery. The red is a touch more vibrant in person.  Please remember that pieces of this age will have a natural patina and should not be expected to be absolutely perfect (though this is close).

Sleeves: 18"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 38" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# C512

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 wonderful dress from the fifties that is beautifully feminine and romantic in feel. It is so rare to find these really outstanding fifties pieces any more and I am extra appreciative when they come into the shop. The fabric that has been used for the base is a lightweight soft cotton mix. It is almost surprising to see such a light and supple fabric used for a structured dress like this. It is all the work on the inside that give it the lines that you see. The skirt is cut to be very full. It has a built in underskirt that is made of a starched/stiffened muslin that is then finished with a layer of tulle along the bottom for volume. I then photoed it with an additional crinoline underneath of that layer so you can get a true sense of the volume that is there. You could even go fuller if you wished. If you chose to wear it with no crinoline you would still get a lot of volume and movement. The structure through the bodice comes from the extensive ribbon embellishment. This has been hand applied onto the fabric so that is completely covers the bodice to the waist and then tapers off into pretty tendrils as it trails down and over the skirt. The ribbon on all of these places panels has been shaped and made by hand out of an ivory crinkle ribbon and then the panels hand sewn into place onto the dress. Ivory silk cord is stitched around the tendrils of the skirt so they have a more finished feel. The applique work runs over the full front and back of the dress and add a beautiful 3D element to it. The waist is nipped in and the bodice is sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline at the front and a dipped back. This is a really outstanding example of the work being done during this time period. Overall excellent condition with some very minor notes to review below.

The bodice is lined with the same blue fabric as the exterior and the skirt has a built in skirt as described above. The dress closes with a side metal zipper. Note in person the blue is slightly more a true baby blue and the ribbon has a slightly more ivory tone to it and it not a true stark white. There is a very slight storage spot on  the ribbon on the top of one shoulder (see the very last ohoto) and perhaps some slight grubbiness to the ribbon along the edges here and there but this is more a cause from time and natural patina. I am being extremely picky. The hand work in the dress is easily seen from the back. The crinoline used in the styling is not include.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 46" from top of shoulder hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# E661

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 every inch that classic, couturier inspired, tent coat of the fifties and sixties except it has been done in a soft suede and has the option to cinch in the waist for added shape. I think the cut is wonderful. I have to say that the photos of it on the mannequin do not convey how great that this will sit on a real girl. If you are a fan of these coats then you already know how wonderful these are. To see one made of suede is not something you will see every day. The suede gives it enough body to hold the form and structure of the coat. The cut gives it lots of swing and volume. A pointed collar sits at the neck and each sleeve is cut wide and turns up to make a wide cuff. All of the volume comes out from the shoulder and once on it creates the most dramatic silhouette. It comes with its original matching belt and the suede is soft enough that it easily will cinch and tie for a completely different look and feel. I love the top stitched detailing where the panels of the coat connect and that is has hidden pockets on each hip. Excellent overall condition.

Lined in quilted rayon that is backed with padding. It buttons to close at the front. The suede shows some minor patina from age and normal wear but nothing that doesn't just add to its vintage character. Pockets sit on each hip. The cut will allow for a range of sizes. In person the color is a touch more vibrant and even better.

Sleeves: approx 25" from natural shoulder
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 43" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C512

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 coat is stunning in its simplicity and sense of timelessness. It is made out of a light wool that has almost a jersey finish to it. The color in person is more of a true camel than how my camera could capture it and I think the color is far better in person. This is a classic Courreges choice of fabrication and he often used variations of this fabric because of how it would hold his desired shapes but still feel comfortable on the body. There is a slight ribbed texture to it and this picks up on that intricate seaming that details both the back and front of the coat. Each seam is set on a sharp angle that angles in towards the waist. This visually gives the illusion of shape even though the coat is cut fairly straight on the body. It also adds an interesting design element to an otherwise fairly simply cut coat. The collar is pointed but not overwhelming in size. This tops a row of small neat buttons that loop to close through fabric toggles. It is cut to slightly curve in at the waist and then gently flare out to the hem. Two decorative toggle buttons sit at the back to carry the design through. I love how the pockets that sit on each hip are hidden along one of those angled seams. Very chic and very couture in feel. Excellent condition with a very minor note below.

Fully lined in a matching colored silk. Buttons to close at the front with decorative buttons at the back. Hand finished throughout. The color is a more true camel in person. There is very minor chipping to the buttons edges at the back (please see photo after the label shot), but otherwise looks to have been worn very little, if at all. The easy cut will fit a variety of sizes. Tagged a Courreges B

Sleeves: approx 22" from natural shoulder
Dropped shoulders: 20"
Bust: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 46" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C511

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 coat is extraordinary. It bears the Eisa label, originally launched by Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1917. The name came from the shortening of his mother's maiden name. During the Spanish Civil war the label briefly closed but then re-opened in 1939 until it was closed permanently in 1968. Cristóbal himself oversaw this line and items were made to couture standards. Based on the cocoon silhouette and the work he was doing in that time period this coat dates to approx the late 1950s, early 1960s. Cristobal Balenciaga was known for his fine tailoring and sculptural approach to design. The restrained and refined lines of this coat showcase exactly that aesthetic. Even Dior himself declared Balenciaga as 'the Master of us all' and Balenciaga's impact on fashion cannot be underestimated. He passed away in 1968 so any time I acquire a piece that pre-dates his death, I am especially thrilled.

The coat bears that elusive Eisa label and would have been made by hand n the atelier. It is extremely well made as one would expect. Cristobal was known for doing fitting with clients himself, from the initial muslin stage all the way through to the final fittings. This coat, having been constructed during the years he was alive, means that it would be one of those a garments that were fitted by him. It is cut with the volume and curving cocoon silhouette that defined the era. I love how the buttons run almost right to the bottom hem. This in itself is unusual and a clue to who designed it without even seeing the inner label. It does up right to the collar. When it is completely close the collar is a small and neat circle around the neck that wraps over itself. When it is unbuttoned it softens and becomes more pointed and feels larger. A clever little design detail. The seams are cut gracefully on a vertical line and kept to the absolute minimum. The cut of the coat is simple, yet extremely beautiful. The subtlety of the seams is fabulous in person. The shoulders  are dropped and curved. The arms cut tot just below the elbow. Volume is built in through the body. These are all classic elements of his iconic cocoon or egg coat. Front pockets are hidden along the seams that runs down the front. The fabric is a wonderful element all on its own in this coat. It is a nubby textured wool that has been dyed to a brilliant and striking orange with a hand dyed silk lining to match. The color alone makes it brilliant. It still feels insanely modern and is a rare and collectible piece of mid-century couture. Excellent condition

Lined in hand set orange silk taffeta. It buttons to close and has pockets on each hips. Each pocket is lined in silk. Proper button holes and hand finished. The easy cut will allow it to fit a range of sizes

Sleeves: approx. 21"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 27" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 38" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C510

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

Anna Molinari and husband Gianpaolo Tarabini launched the Blumarine label in 1977 out of Capri and had their first catwalk show in 1980. By the 1990s they had opened  their first stand alone shop. For the Autumn-Winter show of 2000-2001, they launched the special 'ultra-luxe cardigan', a unique one-off item with diamonds and pearls embroidered on the handcuffs, which became famous all over the world. This jacket an extension of that first ultra-lux cardigan idea and comes from just a couple of  seasons later. My client originally paid just under $5000 for this when it was first issued.

The jacket is extraordinary. It is covered extensively in heavy, real metal discs, silver metal sequins and silver rings that are all hand applied onto the jacket. Carved squares and triangle beads that look to be mother of pearl are set in and among the silver. Fragments of shells created a 3D border around the pocket areas and everything is set on a ivory silk brocade. This gives the jacket a warm ivory tone and picks up the ivory and richness of the MOP and shells. The silver is muted and I love that there are little red tube beads interspersed though the design for the tiniest pop of color and even some prong set rhinestones in the mix. It hooks to close at the neck, highlighting the densely embellished collar, and then is open down the front under that. The cut has been kept simple so that the embellishment can take center stage. The sleeves are cut long and straight and the jacket is also cut straight and loose through the body. Big pockets sit on each hip and these have also been completely covered. It is heavy, but once on it feel perfectly balanced. I love how the bottom edge has the metal sequins trickling down over the silk underneath instead of ending in a solid finish of silver. It is just one more elaborate and special detail on a piece that is already ever so special. It is wonderful and far better in person then how it photoed. The overall feel is richer and more luminescent then how the camera could ever capture it. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a cotton muslin and closes with one hook at the neck. There may be the occasional metal sequin missing but nothing that leaves an super noticeable bare spot. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The pockets has been hand tacked . Hand work throughout. The easy loose cut and drop shoulder design will allow it to fit a range of sizes. Tagged an IT40

Sleeves: 18" from dropped shoulder seam
Dropped shoulders: 18"
Bust: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 35" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C508

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 coat is utterly amazing and a true work of art. The base is a luxurious gold toned silk velvet that drapes to perfection over you when you slip this wonderful coat on. It is made in that classic late teens, early 1920s evening coat style with a low slung button at one hip. The coat is cut to elegantly drape over the body when its worn closed. It is unlabeled but so exceedingly well done that it could perhaps be one of the great designers of that time period. The base is golden silk velvet that is incredibly soft to the touch. Inside is a matching silk that is bias cut and equally luxurious. Onto the silk velvet is an extensive, meticulously hand done and beaded design that runs all around the lower half of the coat and down each sleeve. The design combines tiny little, silver interior coated, glass tube beads, with white seed beads and prong set rhinestones. Each and every one of those are hand set and carefully worked into the design. As it nears the bottom hem and the edge of each sleeve, the design becomes denser and more elaborate. The back suggests a huge Art Deco fan, fully open and beautiful. My photos do not do it justice and the camera picks up the more grey tones in the beads, in person they have a softer feel with less contrast and it is just beautiful. The coat is cut loose and easy with a large, soft shawl collar. Each sleeve widens out at it nears its end and is cut on a angle at the wrist. This allows the outer side to drape down and over the hand and is so beautiful once on. I love the beautiful draping created when the coat is done up. This is a shape that would have been the height of fashion in the twenties and designers like Paul Poiret and Chanel were particularly adept at this silhouette. Though this piece is unlabelled it does have the feel of a couture piece. The large velvet covered button at the front, held by a loop of silk velvet, is the perfect finishing detail on this extraordinary piece. In person it is even better. The camera comes close but does not fully capture its beauty. Excellent, museum quality condition. 

Fully lined in gold silk and closes at the front with the velvet button and loop on the outside and then it has interior ties on the inside. The fabric is wonderfully clean and strong. There are no real flaws to note other a tiny bit of darkening  to the silk here and there and a small repair near the interior seam of the collar. The fabric is strong and wearable with no real flaws to note on the exterior. The interior is also  excellent and I suspect it may have been changed at some point as it is very pristine. It is a garment that is nearing 100 years old and should be treated with love and care when worn and stored. Hand finishes throughout. The easy cut will fit virtually any size.

Shoulders: are 18" across the interior seam
Sleeves: to 28"
Bust: to 23" flat across the inside back from side seam to side seam
The coat widens as it reaches the bottom hem so waist and hips are open
Length: 43" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Note that antique and twenties pieces are final sale. They will be packed exceedingly well and we only sell pieces that will stand up to the stress of shipping, however, having pieces potentially shipped multiple times through multiple customs and countries is too hard on garments that are historically important and deserve to be treated with love and care. Please purchase accordingly.

Item# C509

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

I am always so pleased to have a Helena Barbieri piece come into the shop as they are a rare label to find and each is very special. Her specialty was formal wear and her signature looks included decadent details and extremely fine, unusual fabrics. You would be hard pressed to find modern counterparts as finely done and constructed as far as the workmanship and detailing in one of her gowns has. This one is especially beautiful and it literally made me gasp out loud when I first saw it.

The fabric on this dress is a beautiful silk brocade that has a secondary gold design woven through its surface. This design runs over the entire dress and the silk seems to almost glow from within as a result of this color combination. The pink has a very rich and vibrant feel to it and in person, it has a more luminescent effect to it then how it photoed. I know the person who buys this will be very pleased once they see this one in real life. The bodice is strapless and it is cut to curve around the bust in a way that makes it appeared to be wrapped and tied into place. The waist is defined below this with a wide inset band of the same fabric. This tops a beautifully cut skirt that has pleats set along the hips so that you get a soft fullness there. Once you move you realize that there is also a good deal of fabric in that skirt and it moves wonderfully. It is cut to be slightly longer at the back. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is also drop dead gorgeous. Excellent condition with one small note below to review.

Fully lined with pink silk organza through the skirt and a white muslin through the bodice. Ribbon finished seams  at the hem and boning through the bodice with a hook and eye interior waist stay. Hand finishes. Closes with a back painted metal zipper. There is the slightest loosening of the cross weft of the silk along the bodice edges on each side but it does not effect the appearance when on at all. I photoed each side and you can see these after the label photograph. The price has been reduced quite a bit as a result. It is very strong and wearable as is.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to front hem, 44" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2630

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

This is a wonderful 1960s jumpsuit that is made from a pretty metallic brocade that has a raised pattern woven through it. It combines a soft pink with pops of a pale lavender and these are woven directly into the fabric along with a gold thread. The pattern is that of little circles all attached like a honeycomb with the gold thread. This along with the way the thread is applied gives the fabric a textured, slightly poufed effect. This covers the jumpsuit from shoulder to hem so that the entire piece has a golden tinge to it - even more apparent in person then how it photoed here. The fabric is the perfect contrast to the heavily embellished neckline and waist. The neckline is cut onto a deep V at the front that plunges right down to the embellished waist. A wide band of primarily gold lurex braiding accents the neckline and circles the waist. Mixed in with the gold are faux pearls, pink beads and sequins and silver thread that are all set by hand to define that neck and waist. Below the waist the legs are cut extra wide. At first glance it appears to actually be a skirt but as soon as you move you realize that it is really very wide cut pant legs. At the hem of each leg they are a full 63" all the way around. Wider then some skirts on their own. It is even better in person as the gold has more of a presence then how it photoed. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a pale lavender silk and closes with a back painted metal zipper. Some hand finishes. Pockets hidden along the hip seams. 2" turned up hem

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" when measured flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from the shoulder to top of the waist band
Pant length: 43" from bottom of waist banding to bottom hem
Inseam: (dropped) 27"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3213

Reference Photo: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton 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.

George Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear and his signature looks that 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. His dresses were made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there. That starting price point equals to around $26,000 USD in modern terms. So when you buy a vintage Stavropoulos gown you are getting incredible value for your money.

This is a wonderful example of his work and the construction is on par with demi-couture. It is also a soft and romantic shade of pastel pink that I love. It is a color that is very flattering on most skin tones. The dress is constructed from layers of light weight silk chiffon. It is a strapless and the silk chiffon layers float over an inner, more fitted dress that is made of a silk crepe in a slightly more vibrant shade of pink. This inner dress has a corseted, boned inner bodice that keeps the dress in place. From there it skims over the body in a column to the floor. Over this interior structure are three full layers of a soft pink silk chiffon. It is cut so the back has an extra feel of volume and you get a more cascading almost caped feel. I love how the layers softly tier at the front breaking the line just a touch and giving the eye a bit of visual interest. It is very beautiful in person and better then how it has photographed. Excellent condition

Fully lined in pink silk crepe. The interior lining is constructed so it is like a full finished dress inside and out, over which the chiffon layers float. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Hand finished throughout. The bodice has interior boning through the lining and smaller, fabric encased boning spaced around the bust area for a little additional support. The pink is a slightly softer pink in person. 

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam the inside dress
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam the inside dress
Length: 50" from top of bust to hem at the front, extending to 52" to the back

Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3212

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

Michaele Vollbracht began his fashion career working for Geoffrey Beene in 1969, where he eventually designed the Beene Bazaar line. He stayed there for two years and then moved over to Donald Brooks. After a stint there, he worked for Henri Bendel's and then Bloomingdales as an in-house illustrator. In the latter half of 1978 he decided to go back to fashion and launched his own label. By his second collection he had done so well that he earned a Coty award. Elizabeth Taylor was a huge fan and owned many of his pieces. The company folded in 1985 giving us a small, precise window to date this piece.  

This set is so spectacular that it really belongs in a museum and would certainly be the show piece of any collection or exhibit focusing on Vollbracht's work. It is made of a fine silk with a hand painted floral design that runs down each side the pants and down each side of the matching poncho top. Both the pants and the poncho are cut to fall loosely on the body and the beauty of the piece lies in the way it  drapes once on. It is far far better on an actual body then my dress form and really transforms. Both pieces are made from a fine lightweight silk. The pants are cut wide through the legs and by the time they reach the hem they are a full 29" around. They simply slip on with an elastic running through the waist. This makes them very comfortable to wear. I love how each pant leg is a divided into four quadrants with the two colors and how the hand painted flowers run down each leg, adding length to each. The poncho is equally amazing and also plays on that dual tone of blue and black. What I love about it, is that you can wear the poncho so any of the sides are facing the front. By changing what part of the poncho goes toward the front, it gives you a totally different look with each option. The poncho is made from one long rectangle of silk that folded and with a slit cut out for your head to slip through. One side hangs longer then the other which is what gives you the different options once it is on. You can see that I have styled it in each possible way. By turning it around it creates different lengths and looks from a crop top at the front, to a longer at the front, shorter at the sides, and with the bead design floating down either the shoulders, or the front and back. Onto the poncho is that same hand painted design on both main sides and then these are covered with extensive bead work that follows the pattern on the silk. This gives the fabric a bit of weight and helps it to fall into place perfectly once on. All the bead work is done by hand. The beaded part of the design combines silver and green glass tube beads and this gives the set a subtle added sparkle. There is also a charming little silver beaded butterfly added on both sides of the poncho that I love. The pieces look amazing together and are also very versatile as they can be split up and worn separately. Excellent condition

Both pieces are unlined and slip on the wear. The pants have elastic through the waist. Hand finished and the fabric of both pieces are hand painted and have his logo screened into the silk as well. I have marked it suitable for a variety of frames as I feel on a smaller frame they just drape more.

Poncho Top
Total Width: 25" from top to bottom on one side, 15" from top to bottom on the other side
Total length: 63" from side to side

Pants
Elastic waist: 12-18" from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" from side seam to side seam
Length: 43.5" from waist to bottom hem
Inseam: 31.5" from inner seam to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# DD3210

Reference Photo: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

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 Look 38 on the runway for the Fall of 2007. At this period in time, Oscar was still alive and the Creative head of his self named label which means this would be one of his designs. Nicole Phelps of Vogue said of this collection; 't could've been a movie, so picture-perfect was Oscar de la Renta's take on the good life. From beginning to end, and day to night, the collection sparkled.' Indeed the entire collection that season was embellished and detailed with glitz. This dress was a stand out and has an interesting mix of feeling perfectly feminine and proper, while the extensive matte pewter bead work gives it an almost armor feel.

The dress is superbly constructed and feels high end form the first glance. The base fabric is a textured ivory boucle that has just enough weight to it that it feels luxurious but is not too heavy to wear comfortably. Onto this is an extensive design made of square matte silver sequin beads, mixed with matching crystals in a variety of sizes and and large pailettes that are all hand placed and applied to the dress. These circle the neck where they are set on little triangles and have rhinestones scattered in the design as well. Around each sleeve is a wide band of the square sequins with bead work detailing each sleeve further. Two wide bands of embellishment circle the hem. Around the waist is the most extensive beading of all and these are also detailed with large square sequins and more beads. It is quite striking and dramatic and yet still retains that classic elegance that the best of Oscar's work has. The dress is new and has never been worn. It still has all of its retail tags attached. Excellent condition. 

Fully lined in an ivory silk and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The dress has all of its original tags attached and has never been worn. Tagged a US 4 but seems generous in its cut so p,ease know your size in ODLR or make sure to check the measurements below.

Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 23.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3207

Reference Photo: (1) Oscar de la Renta Fall 2007 Runway, Look 38. Model: Caroline Trentini

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 2007 it was Matthew Williamson that was the Creative Head for Pucci and this particular dress was a stand out that season. Vogue's review of the collection said in part: "It's for the kind of young and ravey party girls who look to Zoe for tips, ideal for being papped in from beach to nightclub, Ibiza to Bali, Saint-Tropez to South Beach....As you'd expect from a British designer who's made it his business to hang with It girls, Williamson treated Pucci to a dose of what's going on in the London club scene...He took Pucci archive prints and punched them up into the brightest turquoise, aqua, peach, purple, orange, and electric blue, styling them with mirrored cutout wedges, sixties enamel disc pendants and giant cuffs"

This was Look 15 on the Runway show and it feels as fresh now as it did then. Williamson's time at Pucci may have been short, but there were definitely stand out pieces from that period of Pucci's history and this dress is definitely one of them. On the runway a silver collar was styled with it and  layered over the neckline - an easy trick to duplicate if you loved that more sixties feel. The sixties influence is readily apparent in this dress. That halter is the exact cut of pieces of original Pucci I have had and sold. Williamson took that archival cut and then made it shorter and covered the surface with sequins. It is also elaborately beaded with 3D detailing in twisted ropes of pink and green. The beading is set as a giant medallion at the front and details the neck, hem and sides. Big stones are set in the design and the closer you get the more you fall in love. The ivory, iridescent sequins that cover every other inch of the surface catch the light beautifully. The dress ties around the neck and is easy to wear through the body as it is fairly straight in its cut with just the suggestion of indentation at the waist. The dress is new and has never been worn. It still has all of its retail tags attached. Excellent condition. 

Fully lined in a white silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. All original tags attached and was never worn. Tagged a US 8, IT 42, UK10

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 40" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3206

Reference Photo: (1) Emilio Pucci Spring 2007 Runway, Look 15. Model: Sasha Pivovarova

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 slightly less intricate version of the Look 20 jacket that Carmen Kass wore on the Spring 2002 runway. Vogue's review of the collection said in part 'Versace's collection could have been designed specifically for Lopez and her fellow members of the red-hot diva society.' This was specifically noted since the then newlywed Lopez showed up to attend this show and caused a bit of a stir.

I love this jacket and I think it is even better in person. It was a touch too small on my dress form so is not sitting exactly how I would have liked it to. You also don't get the sense of movement from the fringe that runs down the front that you do when you see it on and in person. The leather used is butter soft and the fringes are equally as light and soft. This gives them tremendous movement and in person they act more like a fabric then leather. The jacket is cut long through the body just like ton the runway. It nips in slightly at the waist and the shoulders are structured but sift with no extra padding. I love the braided leather cord detail woven through the edge of the collar, cuffs and around the hem. It has hidden hooks to close it down the front and pockets on each hip. It is fabulous. Excellent condition

Unlined through the body and closes with hidden hooks down the front. There is a partial lining set through the upper shoulder and into the sleeves. The leather is butter soft and light in weight. Pockets on each hip. The color is person has a touch of a 'putty' feel to it. Sold in clean, as found condition

Sleeves: 25"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 37" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# C506

Reference Photo: S/S 2002 Versace Runway, Look 20. Model: Carmen Kass.

This garment is sold in clean, as found condition ad has been thoroughly checked over before shipping