McQueen's Fall 2008 collection was called 'The Girl Who Lived in a Tree' and it was inspired by a combination of his 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 dress. 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 centre piece they refer to above as you are wrapped and swathed in fabric once it is on. The way that the chiffon trails behind you is fantastic once on the body. This is an extraordinary example of his work.

This dress is beautiful and rarely does one see this level of workmanship in ready to wear. The fabric is a silk chiffon with a soft almost waffle finish texture to the silk. It is feather light and once the dress in on it is magical. The cut is classic McQueen with a low cut squared off neckline at the front. Underneath the bodice where a seam would normally be there is a barely visible line of hand placed stitches. This tiny little detail adds the perfect suggestion of shape and gives the bodice its empire cut. The silk has been lightly gathered over the bust with the inside structured and supported. The inner support has been done with couture level seam work and the way the fabric is placed and shaped rather than extensive boning. It is genius. The skirt falls to the floor from beneath the bodice and there are yards and yards of silk used to create the skirt and train. Just under the bust on one side the silk extends out into a panel that drapes down the full length of the dress and then loops back up and around to attach to the top of the opposite shoulder. The effect this creates is fantastic and adds extra dimension to the dress. The skirts scoops up to floor length at the front so that you can walk and then starts to extend out at the sides to become the train that wafts out behind you at the back. The back skirts drop out from the  upper seam of the back which creates a fantastic caped feel. As you walk this billows out behind you and it is extraordinary. This is a work of art from one of the greatest designers of our time. The dress has its original hang tags in place and is in its original uncut length. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in black silk satin 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.

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist-hips: open
Bodice: 10.5" from shoulder to seam under bust
Length: approx 60" from shoulder to shortest point of the front hem, approx 90" to the longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3473

Reference Photos: (1-2) F/W 2008 Alexander McQueen Runway Collection (Look 7 & Look 27).

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

During John Galliano's years from 1996-2011 at the house of Christian Dior he arguably produced some of the most amazing bias cut and chiffon dresses in the house's history. His work often has a feeling of the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and thirties with their beautiful cuts. They marry Old Hollywood with the minimalist spirit of the nineties and early 2000s and the results are stunning. This is an amazing example of his work from the Boutique line and it is gorgeous. It is so classically Galliano for Dior in its shape and cut. It is a real beauty.

The dress is made out of a pale yellow silk chiffon that has two different textures running through it. Parts have an almost ribbed texture and others have a smother finish with a bit of a horizontal banded feel worked into the fabric. It is all cut on the bias which is one of his key signatures. The bodice is empire cut and has an inner single silk lining and then the textured outer layer sits over that. This top layer is set to be more bare over the bodice and caught up with tiny stitches at the centre. It dips low at the side and then the back has this almost haphazard feel to the way it is set. A very Galliano detail when he chose to play with the idea of decadence and the feeling of age in his garments. It falls from just below the bust draping down and over the body to the floor. The dress skims and drape over you as it widens out to the hem. The seaming is highly reminiscent of the work you see from the twenties and thirties which became another of John's signatures. The change in the fabric texture helps the dress hold its width through the skirt and the lightness and incredible amount of fabric through the skirt gives you so much movement when you walk. It is stunning. The skirt has some slight gathered stitches on each side and there are two high slits that run on both the over layer and inner lining. So when you walk you get a long exposure of leg. His signature row of tightly spaced silk covered buttons run up one side. The dress is even better in person and on the body as the static photos cannot fully convey how the dress moves once on the body. This is the type of dress that only truly comes to life when worn. It is an incredible example of his work and looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition with a note below

Fully lined in a yellow silk chiffon and closes at the side with a series of silk covered buttons. It is a touch paler yellow than how it photoed. There are a couple of teeny tiny marks on the skirt. Please see the photo after the label shot. The size estimate is based on the tiny bodice even though the rest of the dress should fit a fuller range of sizes. 

Bust: approx 14-15" flat across with no true side seams
Seam under the bust: 12-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Bodice: 8" from shoulder to seam under the bust
Skirt: 58" from seam under the bust to longest points of the hem
Slits: 36" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-SML

Item# DD4478

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 on the cover of Vogue. A Coty award followed a year later. In 1984 the Council of Fashion Designers created the annual Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award in honour of Beene's fashion legacy. This is an absolutely fantastic dress and one of my favourites that I've ever had come into the shop.

This dress is absolutely gorgeous and as good as it looks in the photos, it is even better in person. The deep deep blue silk jersey fabric glides effortlessly over the body and falls like a dream. The jersey is light and fine and this allows it to move beautifully as you walk and move. The dress is suspended from a single wide strap that curves over one shoulder. At the front the jersey extends out from the bodice to meet that strap at the top of the shoulder. It angles down low across to the other side and then curves around to the back. The back is set on a softer angle to leave the one side of your upper back bare. I love that in both sides where the strap curves over the shoulder there is a cut out that leaves an extra little keyhole of skin bare and exposed. Starting just under the bust on the more bare side of the bodice is a small padded seam that curves down towards the other side. Another seam sits under that that curves on an opposite angle and part of that seam is also padded. This gives a slight definition around the waist and plays on the bias cut of the dress. From under that the skirt opens out and falls to the floor in a beautiful column widening out as it nears the floor.There is more fabric in the skirt than you at first expect, and as you walk, this moves fantastically around you. The effect this has once on and when you move is fantastic. It is fabulous on the body. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a hidden set side zipper. The bias cut of it does have some stretch and should allow it to fit a range of sizes. 

Bust: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4474

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4471

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4472

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

This is one of the prettiest Oscar dresses I have ever had in the shop and I love it. The movement it has when it is on and you walk is just incredible. It's twin walked the runway and I have included photos and video of it here for you so you can see how exceptional it is on the body. I think that this dress was one of the best of that season and I am kind of obsessed with it. In the review of the show Vogue's Janet Ozzard said in part; "It’s virtually impossible not to get swept up in Oscar de la Renta’s confident vision of the luxurious life. The designer played to all of his strengths for spring, showing more of the pretty dresses, chic suits, and slim coats that have made him a touchstone of relaxed, modern elegance....Judging from the cuts and colors of this collection, de la Renta has Palm Beach on his mind." and for the evening pieces she noted that; "Turning up the volume for evening, de la Renta progressed from a long, cool pour of pink charmeuse, to a giddy yellow satin strapless dress covered in nosegays of silk flowers, to embroidered and embellished showstoppers guaranteed to make it a memorable night—red carpet or not." This dress is definitely a dress that could walk a carpet and it would also make an amazing alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration or as a guest. It is just the prettiest.

This dress is absolutely dreamy. It is made out of the perfect pale tangerine and white coloured silk chiffon. It is strapless and the upper bodice has a soft rounded shape to it. The silk is draped over the bust to give the feel of a bandeau and gathered in along the center. Inside it is cupped and shaped for support. Under that it is cut to hugs the body and the silk has been draped softly over the inner lining. The gathers are all set to curve and wrap around your body. That stunning colour combined with the soft gathers creates the most gorgeous effect. The dress is meant to hug the body and highlight your curves to past the hips to create an hourglass feel. The skirt is set in at about mid-thigh and it is spectacular. Here you see the genius of Oscar. The skirt has a ton of volume to it that shows best when you move. It is made out of a cascade of raw edged silk ruffles and the many tiers of it become very full as it nears the hem. It is set longer at the back then the front so that you get this pretty curve from the side view and this fantastic sweep of skirts from the back. The entire skirt is covered with individually placed rows of a raw edged chiffon to give the feel of 'feathers' or 'petals' that move with the slightest bit of air and fall softly to the floor. The lightness of the silk causes all those ruffles on the skirt to move with the slightest bit of air. When this is on and you are walking the effect that this creates is absolutely gorgeous. The final perfect detail is that vertical strip of the same raw edged chiffon as the skirt that runs straight up the center of the dress. This little extra and pretty detail adds that perfect finishing element of romance and femininity. This is Oscar at his very best and it is a tremendously beautiful dress. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a white silk. The applique work on the skirt is all set on the edge of the tiers in the skirt. It closes with an inner side zipper to close the built in boned inner support and then a second hidden set zipper over that to close the exterior dress. Lightly boned through the inner bodice and built in hidden cups. Inner waist stay hooks to close. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner corset waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 50" from top of the bust to front hem, 62" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4473

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2004 Oscar de la Renta, Look 45. Model Julia Stegner.

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

Bill Blass launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of  the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with luxurious materials and his evening wear in particular seemed to have a way of flattering the wearer. He knew how to walk that line perfectly. This is a very chic little example of his work from this time period and is a little extra special because we have found its more colourful counterpart on the runway that season. The dress has a dated tag inside from Bergdorf's which was usually a special order. It is easy to imagine the client seeing the orange and yellow version and then ordering it in this very chic all black.

This dress is gorgeous. It is made out of a black silk chiffon that is a very fine scarf weight silk that is very difficult to work with especially given the draping that has been done on this dress. The dress is cut to flow beautifully around the body. The neckline is set high in a halter that comes up in a peek and the extends out into tiny straps that have panels draped over them that curve over the shoulders. The panels continue down to gather over the bodice. They drape down and around to the back in a series of soft gathers and then this top layer buttons over the back zipper. The structure that holds the dress in place is all hidden inside so that there is minimal seaming showing on the exterior. Instead your eye just follows down to the skirt that flows to the floor in yards and yards of silk chiffon. The halter front leaves your upper back bare. The panels that curve over your shoulder from the front extend down to drape dramatically towards the floor and billow out behind you as you move. There is a built in structure through the bodice and then three layers of chiffon float over you to the floor to create the skirt. This gives it the slightest bit of transparency that is fantastic. All of the silk and layers are cut on the bias so the dress really has the most spectacular movement when you move. It is simple and classic but has a high impact feel at the same time. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

The bodice and skirt are lined in black silk chiffon and that part is lightly boned. The dress closes with a back zipper and then the skirt snaps to close over that and the bodice buttons over the zipper above that. The panels drape over the shoulders.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4469

Reference Photos: Spring 1989 Bill Blass Runway.

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

Paul Whitney was a independent designer that there is not a lot of information out there on, but the pieces that I have seen are always extremely well-made. I think he did custom one-off pieces on request for his clients. This dress is absolutely stunning and shows the level of detail that he put into his work. The dress is numbered so certainly was a custom ordered piece. It is stunning.

The fabric on this dress is a beautiful deep red 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 gold thread has been done in such a way that it almost sits on top of the base which gives the design this fabulous 3D feel. The red 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 with inner boning and shaping to the front. The waist is seamed and defined below this with bead work. This tops a beautifully cut skirt that has a soft fullness as it widens out to the floor. The entire bodice is detailed with red and gold beads and there are 3D strands of bead work that sit in each of the medallions that circle the bodice. It is gorgeous. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is also drop dead gorgeous and did not photo anywhere near how good it is in person. Excellent condition with one small note below to review.

Fully lined in a red silk though the bodice. It has an a hook and eye interior waist stay. Hand finishes throughout. Closes with a back painted metal zipper and has silk covered snaps over the bottom part of the zipper. The inner hem is unfinished around its edge.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam with room for a B-C cup at the front
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 46.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4466

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

Richard Blackwell launched his label in the late 1950s and even at that time his dresses sold for between $800 and $1000, which in modern dollars converts to up to $10,000 a dress. Huge numbers for this time period. He dressed many of the big stars of the day including Jane Russell, Dorothy Lamour and Jayne Mansfield. His 'custom' label were the pieces that were made-to-order and were one-of-a-kind pieces that were fitted to a specific client in the couture tradition. This dress came directly to me from the original client which is how I have its exact date. It is an extraordinary dress from this time period and very beautiful

This dress is absolutely incredible and it is stunning to see it in person. The fabric is amazing in its own right and it would not be something you could produce anymore in our modern world. It is a luxurious deep copper gold silk that hold the lines and shape of the dress perfectly. The cut is pure Old Hollywood. The bodice is fitted to your curves and it is suspended from the shoulders by two tiny straps in the same fabric. Vertical panels and seams create the shape of the bodice and these all lead into a sharply angled seam that starts at the waist on one side and dips down tot he hip on the other. The seams are all perfectly place to give shape around the waist without having a horizontal line to break the eye. The fabric is gathered and curves over to one side of the hip and then falls to the floor in a column of silk. A long wide panel is swagged over on one side and then extends around to the back. This panel extends out at the side and falls longer at that side of the hem for a killer sweeping flare. It is just spectacular. This is pure Old Hollywood in the best possible way. The dress came with its original spray of pale baby blue, blush pink and ivory silk flowers that you can pin at the front, side or back depending on where you want to emphasize the shape created. I love the way the back dips low to show some bare skin for the perfect finish to this beautiful dress. Excellent condition with a small note below

Fully lined in a copper silky rayon. It closes with a side painted metal zipper hidden under a seam. Light boning through the bodice. Hand work throughout. I see a tiny bit of colour run near the edge on the bodice and  another small areas near the hem. There is a very small hole on the folds under the swag from the brooch. You don't see this once the flower is in place and its in the fold if you choose to wear it without the flower. Some minor grubbiness on the edge of the hem. The flower shows some storage marks and the petals have softened. Please the photos after the label shot

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam with room to at least a B cup at front
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from top of the shoulder to longest point of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4457

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

The twin of this dress with a blue lining walked the Fall 1999 runway along with an all pink dress that also has the exact same cut. I have included both of these for you so that you can see how beautiful the dress is on and moving. I think that shock of pink is even better then the blue actually. I reached out to Ashley Scott, one of the leading Mugler collectors, who helped me source these runway looks and date the dress She expressed her delight on how rare this dress would be. The dress is stunning on the body and I am very happy to have video reference so you can see just how beautifully it moves.

The shock of seeing that vivid pink against the black when you walk is fantastic to see. The dress is cut with Mugler's masterful eye and attention to detail. It is suspended from tiny straps that curve over the shoulders. All the seaming on the dress is set vertically so that it enhances and highlights the curves of the body. The bust is shaped through the seaming to follow your curves. The neckline is scooped and the waist nips in and it is created by the shaping of those beautifully curved seems. It skims over the hips and then falls to the floor with a slight widening out as it near the hem. Depending on your height the dress will be full length or to about the ankle so that you see your shoes peek out from under the hem. On one side of the bodice the strap leads into a seam that is backed by that vivid pink silk. Where it meets the scoop of the neckline there's a little peak that is formed. I love that little detail. It is so Mugler. That seam has a bit of a stiffening to it so it holds its curve perfectly once on the body. It curves under and around the breast on the one side, then goes across the waist and down and over the other hip at the front. From there it splits into a dramatic high slit that allows your leg to show when you walk just like you see in the videos. The inside of the dress is lined in a vivid bright pink silk satin and as you walk your legs kick the skirt open and you see that flash of pink. It is an extraordinary dress. Rare and exceedingly beautiful. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

The bodice is lined in a black silk and the skirt and behind that front curved seam is lined in the vivid pink as described above. There is a bit of a watermark on the inside hem at one corner. Tagged a Mugler vintage 36.

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 53" from top of shoulder to hem
Slit: 27" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4462

Reference Photos/Video: Fall 1999 Thierry Mugler Runway.

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

This is a more recent Chloe piece and it is gorgeous. It manages to be both sleek and simple and yet has complete drama at the same time. It is so good and so easy to wear.

The jersey that this dress is made of is the perfect choice for it to fall and drape perfectly once on the body. The fabric has an almost soft luxury t-shirt feel to it with enough weight so that the drape down the front is perfectly executed, but it is still light enough to feel extremely comfortable once on the body. The simple yet dramatic cut has that nod back to the glamour days of Hollywood. All of the fabric falls from the piping around the neck where it has been gathered into the neckline at the back and front and then it meets on the top of the shoulders. It snaps to close at the back of the neck and then from there the dress drapes down and around you in this supermodel long sheath of jersey. It skims over the body with an almost caftan cut through the body and then flares out at the hem. I love that one half of the front is done in a deep grey for an unexpected twist. Just the dress in its own is fabulous but then they added that dramatic attached caped panels to the back. These are actually attached to the back of the neck and they they drape down into this fabulously dramatic cape down the back. You can wear it draped over the shoulder or more as a panel behind you. It will catch the air when you move and billows around you fantastically. Under that is a deep open scoop so when you move you get this little glimpse of bare skin. It is simple, sexy and perfect. It looks to have never been worn. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with the snap on the back of the neck. The fabric does have some stretch. The measurements below give you the comfortable range the fabric has when lying flat. The open cut through the body should allow it to fit a range of sizes

Bust: 13-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: approx 58" from neck to hem and the panels extend another 8" beyond the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4463

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

detail

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent:

Item# DD4464

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

Norman Norell was one of the great American designers. His clothes were wildly expensive in their day and he was credited for the unique ability to translate Paris couture into American ready-to-wear. He started in the film industry and then was hired by Hattie Carnegie. In 1941 he left and and joined Anthony Traina where the Traina-Norell label soon appeared. Upon Traina's retirement in 1960 he launched his own self-named label. He won the very first Coty American Fashion Critics' award ever given in 1943 and then won it again in 1951. In 1956 he became the first designer to earn a place in the Coty Hall of Fame. His signature styles for day ran the gamut from shirtwaists, suits, beautifully tailored coats and clothes that seemed simple at first glance but were logistically complex. Norman himself once said 'To qualify as a designer one should not be afraid to repeat a good design, and certainly must have his own signature'. He achieved that and more. I think every serious vintage collector should have a piece of his work in their archives.

The suit is a marvel of construction and is in wonderful condition. It is simple in appearance but this really hides the masterful cut and tailoring of it. The jacket is tailored with a sleek cut. It has a lovely little wide pointed collar. Four pockets are top set on the front. All four are functional and Iove the little nod to a military piece it gives it. The shoulders have the lightest of padding just to create and hold their shape. The deep brown light weight suiting wool it is made out of has enough weight that it holds the lines perfectly once it is on. It has its original belt to cinch in the waist of the jacket and add shape or you can wear it without for a more boxy feel. Each sleeve is long and straight and ends in a proper three button cuff and each button works and has a proper couture button hole. It really is incredible made. The skirt is fabulous. It is a true flaring A-line and that is what lets is fall so beautifully as you can see in the photos. The waist is banded and besides the amazing shape of it is has been kept simple to accommodate the belting of the jacket over it. There are pockets hidden along each hip. Once on, the suit transforms and you can see how beautiful the lines are and this would be even better on an actual person. His suits changed the way we approach woman's wear and this particular one is a particularly wonderful example of how strong his tailoring and lines were. This one is also a little extra special because it has a handwritten tag inside with the name Deborah what looks like the number 604. A mystery as to whether that was a sample or perhaps the runway model or a client tag but it's always nice to see these extra touches in a vintage piece. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Both pieces have a hand set lining in a deep brown silk. The jacket has a three buttons at the front and three buttons on each cuff. All proper buttonholes. The skirt has a zipper and hook & eye at the waist. Two top set pockets on the breast of the jacket and two on each hip. The slip belt is stamped. Hand finished throughout. The backing on the belt is starting to go and that coating sheds just a touch. The front is fine.

Jacket
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 23" from waist to hem with his signature 5" deep turn under at the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4455

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4096

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-SML

Item# DD4327

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD4182

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

The twin of this Dior dress was Look 5 in the Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2011 collection. This collection was shot as a look book that year. At the time Dior said this of John's collection: ”Dior’s Fall ready-to-wear collection takes its inspiration from the legendary love affair between Mrs. Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII. English romanticism is channeled into Balmoral fringed tweeds and candy-coloured tartans with Prince of Wales checks. Ultimate luxury and expertise create evening glamour in elegant draped gowns and head to toe sequins to ensure that every head is turned.” Vogue commented that: "John Galliano galloped the Duchess of Windsor through This Is Your Life, with richly hued musings on what Wallis Simpson in her prime might've worn at specific times of day and across the decades." The Dior team styled the pieces in lavish settings to play on this theme. I think that this was one of the best pieces of the collection and I love having the photo reference so that you can see it on a body. This was John's second last collection for the house.

The dress is a play on a flapper dress with a soft oversized check pattern softened with more pastel coloured version of red and blue. It is printed on a silk chiffon to further soften the feel of the print and give it a bit of a vintage feel. The dress can be worn longer and more straight on the body or you can hike it up to be super short and have the top blouse over as I have done in most of these shots. The front plunges to the waist and then crossed over itself at the base where it meets the seam. It can also be worn long with the seam and the hips and I also shot it that way from the front, side and back. It ties behind the neck and the ties trail down your back. The back is completely bare and it is scooped open right to the waist. A band of the silk chiffon wraps around you at the top of the hips and this is what you use to hold the dress higher or lower on you. The skirt falls under that to the hem and the lightness of the fabric gives it tons of movement. His signature tightly spaced silk covered buttons run down one side of the dress and there is a little bow at the top of the skirt on each hip. These little details are always what makes a Galliano designed piece that much more special. The final detail is the green and red lace that edges the dress. The lace has been stiffened and has deliberate raw edges to further play on that feel of the dress being a piece from the past. It is laid out over a band of ivory velvet and this last little touch ties everything perfectly together. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Fully lined in a fine pink-salmon coloured silk. It closes with the buttons down the side and ties around the back of the neck. At some point someone added a snap under the front where it crosses to make it a little more secure. I have left it but it could easily be removed if you wished. I see a bit of residue on the lining on one side of the bust where a double sided tape was used to hold it in place. Tagged a Dior F 36, GB 8, IT 40, US 4. Note that this was very difficult to measure and depending on where you want the band to sit it should fit a range of sizes

Bust: no true side seam and each halter will easily cover a full range of cup sizes
Waist/top of hip at seam: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam and expanding to 17.5 at the bottom seam of the band
Bodice: to approx 21" from top of bodice to top seam of the waist/top of hip
Band: 4"
Skirt: 14" from waist to longest points of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4036

Reference Photo: Pre-Fall 2011 Christian Dior, Look 5. Model: Alina Baikova.

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 the twin of the dress that walked the Spring 1992 runway and it is fantastic. The show had a string lingerie theme running through it and this dress was one of the most literal interpretations of that theme. This one is also brand new with tags so it's like having address from a time capsule which is incredible. I love that I have tons of runway photos and the video so that you can see just how fantastic this dress is on the body.

The dress is strapless with a cupped and shaped bodice and short cut with a kicky little skirt. It is made from a red lace to really play on that lingerie feel and the lines of it have been highlighted with a black grosgrain ribbon. This little extra touch really adds to the impact the dress has. A pretty little edging of silk chiffon is set in a small ruffle that follows the curving edge of the bust. This continues all the way around to the back. The cups have light boning for shape and then go all the way down and around the back. the dress skims over the waist and hips with long black grosgrain ribbons sewn onto the lace to create curves and length. Another ribbon circles around the seam that separates the lower skirt from the body of the dress. I love the fear of the lower skirt. It is set to be gathered into that low set seam so that it has a little extra volume and flare. The bottom edges are set an a little scallop that follows the design in the lace. The dress is simultaneously beautiful, romantic and full out sexy. It is gorgeous and with its original hang tag in place a little like getting a time capsule piece. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a red silk chiffon and the interior bodice and upper part of the dress is lightly boned for shape and support. It closes with a hidden set zipper under the black middle ribbon. Tagged a vintage YSL 40. New with original hang tag and never worn

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 29" from the top of the bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4447

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 1992 Yves Saint Laurent Runway.

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4445

Reference Photos: Spring 1979 Halston Runway.

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4149

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

This was Look 41 and the second last look of the Spring 2020 collection. Vogie said of the collection in their review: 'Erdem Moralioglu’s long, stately procession of women tread on platform sandals along the gravel of a wide, tree-lined path in a London square. Seeing them silhouetted against the green led to yet another thought: how perfectly they fit into the scenery, like guests at a particularly well-dressed summer wedding.' his inspiration for the show was 'Tina Modotti, whom he characterized as “a romantic and revolutionary, a woman of principle. Each outfit was like a postcard from a part of her life." The pictures of Modotti’s life inspired Erdem’s voluminous proportions, the exaggerated shape of yoke blouses, rose embroideries, and the fringed shawls he tailored to sit on the shoulders without slipping. “It was the waistless-ness, tiers, the combination of Victorian dress and traditional dress that interested me,” he said." This dress exemplifies that Victorian feel that he was after and was one of the best dresses of the collection I think. 

The first thing that strikes you about the dress is the amazing color. It is an almost neon red coral that instantly draws the eye. On the runway it was shown over bare skin but this version includes a matching slip that you can choose to wear under it so you don't get that expanse of skin all the way down through the cut outs. The cut outs are incredible and cover the entire front of the dress. They are embroidered around their edges and have open spaces for your skin to show through between the embroidered flowers and designs. I love how he has carried these from the scooped neckline all the way to the hem and then down each sleeve. The body of the dress is cut to be more fitted across the very top and then widens out considerably as it near is the hem. This dress in particular is where you see that nod to the Victorian era in the way that it has been cut. The lines of it are stunning. The front panel has a more sleek feel and then the sides create volume on each side through vertical panels and then there is a massive amount of volume behind you. The top of the shoulders at the back have the same embroidered cut out continued onto it and then the remainder of the back and side panels are all a solid silk until the bottom of the skirt of the back where the embroidered cut out is again seen. The back sweeps out behind you in a train and I love that he has added a button and loop so you can bring that up so that the length of the back matches the front. This makes the dress that much more wearable because you can now wear it to a more non-formal event where a full train may be too much. It also gives the dress an even more interesting shape when you wear it with the train buttoned up. It is absolutely gorgeous and a wonderful piece of current fashion history. The dress comes with its original tags and has never been worn. Excellent condition

The slip axe as the lining and the dress it's self is unwind. It closes with a hidden setbacks zipper and each cuff buttons to close with for buttons and loops. The train buttons at the back as described above. The originals tags are attached and it has its original price of $6439. The slip is separate and slips over the head to wear. I have provided the slip measurements but you could always wear a slightly larger slip or no slip if you needed a bit of extra room. Tagged a modern UK8, US4, IT40, FR336

Dress
Sleeves: 26"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 58" from top of bodice to front hem and back when train is up, 70" at the back when train is down

Bias cut silk slip:
Bust: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of straps to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4442

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2020 Erdem Runway, Look 41. Model Wang Han.

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

Stephane Rolland took over as Artistic Director for the Jean Louis Scherrer Haute Couture atelier in 1997 at the age of 31 which made him the youngest of the 20 official Paris sanctioned couturiers at the time. He remained as the head of the Couture division until the last showing in 2005 when the house officials shuttered is couture division. This dress is from the Fall 2001 Haute Couture collection and it is the actual runway sample for Look 7 that was worn on the runway. I have included several runway reference photos for you so that you can see just how spectacular the dress is once on an actual body. This dress was also worn by Alexandra Daddario and those shots really showcase just how fabulous this is on an actual body. It is a gorgeous piece of Haute Couture history.

Having the actual couture sample means that Stephane himself would have fit the model to walk the runway that day. Runway samples are as hands on by a designer as you can get. It is an amazing opportunity to own what few people ever even see; a dress that is straight from the atelier, overseen and fitted by the couturier himself for its debut on the runway.

The dress gorgeous. It is covered with various sized panels done in hand cut red silk that has a almost linen feeling texture to them. These have been hand set over the entire dress. The panels start out small and delicate around the bodice and then their size gradually become larger as they run down the dress to the train at the back. This layering technique of the panels gives the dress more depth and texture and movement. In person it is even lovelier then how it photoed. There is a subtle movement when you move that is not truly captured in the still shots. Each panel is secured to the body of the dress along its top edges only and this is what gives them that touch of soft movement as you move. The bodice is strapless and the panels are set slightly more towards one side so that they form a bit of peak. The front inner dress is cut to above the knee so that you get a flash of bare skin as you move or sit. The dress flows back and around you from there. The back is full and dramatic as it sweeps behind you. The interior is corseted and structured so that it firmly holds the dress on the body and gives you shape. This is an incredible piece of modern Haute Couture. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Fully lined in a fine red silk and closes with two zippers. One is on the interior corset and the second is on the outer layer of the dress. The interior corset is boned and shaped. The skirt is lined in a red silk taffeta. Done with Haute Couture construction techniques. The hand written runway sample tag is present. Some grubbiness here and there at the hem and some faint marks on one side. The inner zipper pull is missing and has been replaced by a ribbon.

Bust: 15-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 11.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 26" from top of bodice to actual hem at the shortest point of the front and approx 92" from top of bodice to longest point of the back train

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3054

Reference Photos: (1-4) Fall 2001 Jean Louis Scherrer Haute Couture Runway Show.  /  (5-8) Alexandra Daddario photographed by Storm Santos.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4441

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

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

This incredible dress has it's original tag that appears to indicate that it was a sample from 1998. I have not been able to verify if this dress was produced for the shops or if it remained a one-off sample. If it is the only one that would be an incredible thing to have and even if it was produced it's so utterly beautiful that it would just be adding more beauty to the world if there was more than one. Of course I will continue to hunt for that information and one day I hope to send its new owner verification. Regardless of its production status, the dress is one of the best Valentino pieces I've ever seen.

This is a really stunning dress. And it shows how beautifully Valentino emphasize the female body will always stay completely elegant. The netting treatment on the dress makes you feel like you have been wrapped in the tulle. Underneath, the inner ivory silk taffeta layer gives the dress structure and it makes this beautiful, slight rustling sound when you move. The silk netting over that has a dot pattern over its surface. It is gathered down and along both sides. This creates this fantastic ruching all the way down that highlights your curves. Where it is gathered down both sides there is an elaborate line that has been beaded with two types of tiny black seed beads. The neckline curves around you at the top and then the dress is cut to skim over you with the shape all created by inner vertical seaming. The bottom skirt of the silk ivory underlay has been allowed to peek out from underneath the netting. It flares out and has an elaborate pleated ruffle all the way around. It is cut a little longer at the back and has extra fabric there as well so that you get this bit of a train effect behind you and a little fabulous kicking out of fabric as you walk. This is an incredible dress and one of my favorite Valentino pieces I've ever had in the shop. Excellent condition

The ivory acts as the lining through the body and then the bodice is lined with an additional layer of black silk satin. Lightly boned through the inner built-in bodice. It closes with a hidden set side zipper and the inner bodice piece has its own separate zipper. It has its original tag and appears to have never been worn. Tagged a vintage Valencia 40

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from top of bodice to front hem, 59" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4431

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 Valentino dress whose twin walked the Spring 2002 runway for Look 79. For this show Valentino only showed a few red pieces which is unusual for the Mr. Valentino era as he did love to work the red into shows. This was one of a group of seven presented near the end of the show with only the finale dress also being done in red. I think it was the best of that group and it is a wonderful example of Valentino's work for his main line during this time period. I love having the runway photos and video of the dress for reference so that you can see just how amazing it is on an actual body and how beautifully it moves.

This is an incredible dress. I love its bareness at the top and the bandeau feeling bust that leaves that little keyhole of bare skin at the center. It has a very sexy feel to it in a very easy way yet, as with all his work, it still manages to feel elegant and refined. It is a dress that really comes alive on the body. It is very light and easy to wear because of the crepe silk chiffon it is made out of. It is cut to perfectly fit and skim over the body. The silk is completely covered in a dot pattern and I love how he has mixed two different size dots. This brilliantly plays on the different parts of the dress. The main body of the dress uses a tiny white dot so that the red seems to be more prominent and then the bust and ruffle around the skirt have a larger white dot that really give impact. The bodice is cut across the front and ties at the center with the little opening under the tie. The larger dot fabric continues all the way around the back so you get the sense of it being its own little bandeau top. It skims over you from there and there is no seam at the waist  to break the eye. The vertical seaming and slight bias cut to the silk simply curves it in and creates shape. Under that the skirt flows to the floor and gradually widens out as it nears the hem. It is wider then it feels standing still and I love the way that the skirt cut a little longer at the back to give the feel of a slight train there. Starting at around the hips is a ruffle that is set on a curve. As this wraps around you it dips down low at the back to create the bottom skirt there. The ruffle is made out of a single layer of the silk chiffon. This allows it to really pick up the air as you walk or move and creates a pretty movement around you. It is made out of the same larger white dot silk and this perfectly picks up on the fabric used for bodice. The use of this crepe silk chiffon throughout keeps the dress wonderfully light. It is a beautiful example of Mr Valentino's work. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a red silk crepe and closes with a hidden set side zipper on the exterior and a second zipper on the boned inner corset. The front ties into place and can be adjusted for bust size. Tagged a vintage Valentino 6 but runs small through the bodice

Bust: 15-16" across and the front ties so can be adjusted for cup size
Seam under the bust: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 52" from top of bodice to front hem, 58" to back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD4428

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2002 Valentino Collection, Look 79.

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 instantly recognizable as having been designed by Bob Mackie. He was best known for dressing Cher and for his signature glamorous looks. The best of his work are the pieces like this that are dripping with bead work. Modern girls are obsessed with his vintage pieces. He worked for both Edith Head and Jean Louis prior to working as a costume designer and co-designing with Ray Aghayan. That led to his incredible journey in designing for stars like Cher and Diana Ross for many years. In many ways his creations defined their careers and that era of glamour. His work always has that touch of the best of the bygone glamor of Hollywood.

This is an amazing dress that is extremely flattering even though you are covered completely. The base of the dress is made of a soft peach silk and then onto that is the vertical bands of detailing that completely cover the dress. That design that you see is made up of a combination of muted gold and clear glass tube beads that have been set in vertical rows over the entire dress. There is a more intricate pattern over that on one shoulder, around the collar and down the sleeves that is made up of tinier tube beads, muted gold sequins and rhinestones. And then scattered within all of that are little highlights done in a silver sequin with a tiny clear bead at their centers. This ultra glamorous combination gives the dress an extra layer of texture and glamour as every inch of it catches the light and sparkles. The dress has a decent weight to it when it is off of the body because of that extensive bead-work, and yet once on the body it drapes in a way that it is balanced and not at all unwieldy. The necklace is high and the collar is extremely detailed. I love the detailing on the outside of each sleeve. The waist is brought in just a touch to create shape and that curved down and angled seam there that is detailed with more rhinestones and beads helps to really lengthen the feel of the dress around you. The skirt call store from there and slightly widens out as it nearest the ham. It's a long slim shape combined with all those vertical rows of bead work make you look tall and lean once you are in the dress. Excellent condition.

Lined through the body matching peach chiffon and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a back zipper and each sleeve has a zipper at its end. Padding in each shoulder. A touch more pastel feeling in person. Tagged a vintage Bob Mackie 6

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 57" from neck to longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4426

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

Not only is this dress the twin of this dress was used for the 1992 ad campaign shot by Helmut Newton that featured the beautiful Karen Mulder, we also found the runway shots of it on a young 19 year old Tyra Banks. This one also has its original hang tag in place and on the back it has its original price of $1990, the equivalent of $4335 USD in today's dollars. Pricey then, pricey now, but a bargain as a pristine and collectable vintage piece that has never been worn. This was one of the iconic pieces of that season and I am very pleased to have found this example.

The dress is made from a crisp cotton silk mix that has just enough weight to it so that it sits perfectly once on the body, skimming over your curves in a chic and simple line. The dress perfectly represents this time period and you can see the transition from the stronger, more angular shaped of the eighties slowly moving into simpler shapes for the 1990s while still retaining the emphasis on the shoulders that the eighties had. That touch of excess from the 1980s is still there, but the shape is softening. The neckline is scooped and just deep enough to feel sexy but without being too deep not to be able to easily wear. It has a row of buttons under that that run to past the waist and this is held closed with those incredible poured glass enamel buttons. There are six in total, three red and three green and I love the heart shape they are done in. It skims over the bust waist and hips. The skirt widens out just a touch as it nears the hem. That ruffled shoulder and neckline detail is the star of the show. It follows the cut of the neckline and puffs out above the shoulders for a bit of high drama. I love that we have so many reference photos so that you can see just how amazing this dress is on the body. It still has its original hang tag and was never worn. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes down the front with the buttons as seen. Original hang tag. Tagged a vintage YSL 40

Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 35" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4409

Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Spring 1992 Yves Saint Laurent Runway. Model: Tyra Banks.  /  (5) Spring 1992 Yves Saint Laurent Ad Campaign.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-SML

Item# DD4404

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4398

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

John has dived into his archives once more for me and today I have two of the dresses he sent for you with more to come. This is a runway piece from 2005. The bead work on it was done by hand by one of the same European ateliers who did beading for many of the Couture houses for this time period. John is one of my favorite American designers and right out of the gate he won the Coty Award for his work. The first time in 1972 and then again in 1976. He designed clothes that were simple and elegant but glamorous. His work veers towards minimalism with sharp tailoring. Striking evening wear was his signature and he is renowned for his cutting and tailoring. It is an extraordinary privilege to have pieces directly from his archives and these are things you will never see again. This one is a work of art and it is just extraordinary to see it in person with all of that extensive bead and sequin work

John's business was all done on a made to order basis. That means the majority of pieces you will find are a one-off, or if there are similar pieces, very few of each piece exist. This personal attention to each dress is clearly seen in the workmanship of his pieces. His work is very expensive and beaded pieces like this sold for over $20,000 and more during this time period. Having this actual runway samples that John pulled from his own archives to share with you is just amazing.

This dress is absolutely stunning. The fabric is completely covered in thousand of tiny deep silver seed beads and teeny tiny iridescent aqua coloured sequins.This gives the dress some weight - we weighed it and it is just over 6 pounds - but it is so beautifully made that it balances and glides over the body perfectly and does not feel unwieldy at all. The front plunges right to the waist with two long triangles curving up towards the neck and hooking at the back. On the inside of each triangle there is a panel of the same fabric sewn down their lengths. These drape over the bodice to create a ruffle that falls from the top of the halter to the waist and gives the front a soft and feminine finish. The back is left completely open as a result so when you turn all you see is bare skin I love that curving cut of the sides as it scoops down. The waist is seamed for a bit of definition and then the skirt falls from under there to the floor. It widens out to the lower skirt and this give it beautiful movement when you walk. The colour is this magical deep aqua and silver mix and the way the beads and sequins are set give it a stunning pattern over you. The way this catches the light is fantastic. It is a very special piece. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a low set side zipper at the back and hooks to close behind the neck. Hand finished throughout. Silk chiffon panel finished hem and edges. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Bust: no true side seams
Waist: 12-12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15-16" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 52" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4399

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