An illustration of this dress done in a pink was used in the 1985 ad campaign which gives us an exact date on it. I love that we get to see how the dress translates from his illustration to real life. It is rare the you have a copy of the original sketch to go along with a dress. That plus the fact that it was the sketch used for the ad campaign makes this dress that much more special. Bill Blass worked for the Maurice Retner label for 10 years as the chief designer. In 1968 the Bill Blass Inc label became a subsidiary of the Retner label. Then in 1970 he fully bought out his partners at the Maurice Retner label and re-launched it under his own name as Bill Blass Ltd. 1970 was the same year that he won his third Coty American Fashion Critics' Award and with it, his lifetime membership in the Coty Hall of Fame. By 1980 the company was doing 20 million dollars in revenue. He was arguably one of the most famous of all the American designers. By the eighties his work was even more ornate and luxurious than what he had done in the past. Prices for dresses could be as high as $5000 (which would be about $15,000 today). He was once asked why his clothes were so expensive and he replied, 'I'm an avid believer that we have to have clothes made in this country. Therefore we pay more money. ... The cost of labor and fabrication is what makes the clothing expensive.'

The dress is made from a hand dyed silk organza that has been coloured to the most beautiful shade of yellow. The colour alone makes the dress a showstopper. It is strapless with a very full skirt. On the bodice the yellow silk makes up one half of the top and then the other side is a slightly off-white ivory coloured silk. It is lightly boned and then the fabric has been gathered and wrapped all the way around the bodice. The neckline is curved and the line where the two colours of silk meet on the bodice the resulting line is set on a curve which is very flattering. Under the strapless bodice the skirt falls to the floor in a light and airy pouf of volume. To achieve the volume that you see the skirt has been set into the waist with soft gathers that allow the fabric to have volume and movement. This sits over an inner silk lining but the dress does not have a formal crinoline. The shape created is all from the way it has been constructed. If you wanted it to be very full you could easily add a separate underskirt to really pouf it out more. The dress came with a long matching silk organza sash that wraps around the waist and ties. In the ad they have tied it at the back but for these shots I chose to tie it more towards the side and at the base of the curving line on the bodice. I have tied it in a large bow and because it is made from that same light weight silk organza as the dress it easily holds the shape of the bow. I love the dot and waved line print on the yellow silk. It adds just enough visual interest to the dress without distracting from the beautiful cut. It is gorgeous. Excellent condition with one small note below

Fully lined in a white silk and closes with a back painted metal and nylon zipper. Hand finished throughout. very minor marks on the silk along the back opening over the zipper closure. Please see the photo after the label shot. I see a teeny area of fading and thinning on the scarf. 

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of dress to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2596

Reference Photo: Illustration by Bill Blass, Vogue, April 1985.

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 Frank Usher dress is wonderful. It is full length and the skirt sweeps to the floor with several yards of a bright orangey coral jersey. The colour is bright and happy and the fabric choice means that it drapes and moves fantastically. It is easy to wear and travel with. You just throw it in your suitcase anti is ready to go when you reach your destination. The jersey is synthetic so you can wash and wear it. The fabric of the skirt is all cut on the bias and once it is on it moves with you. Above that amazing skirt the waist is set a bit higher to to sit just under the bust. There are three long skinny ties that are made out of the same fabric and these run through an opening that runs across the front. They let you pull and cinch in the front for more shape and and then you can either leave the ties hanging down on either side or tie them at the back. The top is made from two triangle shaped halters that plunge right to where the front ties meet and then just a little below to make a small keyhole. They are set wide across the chest and then curve up and around to tie behind the neck. This leave the back completely bare. It is an amazing colour on almost any skin tone and its very sexy on. Excellent condition

The bodice is a double layer of the jersey and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a low back set zipper and also ties around the neck. Three ties runs through the front that can be adjusted for the perfect fit. The loose and easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. The color is a touch more coral then how it photoed in person

Bust: variable since it has no true side seams and has stretch
Underbust: to approx 14-16.5" flat across from side to side
Natural waist & hips: open
Length: somewhat adjustable but approx 58-60" from neck to hem it will vary a little depending on how you tie it at the neck

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3335

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 beautiful dress from the late 1970s, early 1980s that showcases his ability to do sportswear feeling pieces, but in a very glamourized kind off way. Here he takes the style of a simple and classic sweatshirt and then he extended it out in length to make it a dress and did it in a gold knit. Ease but with high glamour. Everything about the cut is done to make it feel effortless to wear and still have a beautiful and easy silhouette. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are finished with a ribbed cuff. The dress is cut to just skim over the body underneath so that nothing is tight but it still highlights the body underneath. The fabric is a soft knit in a gold thread so the entire dress shimmers and catches the light. There is soft angled seaming near each shoulder in a nod to the way a sweatshirt is designed. You just slip it over the head and you are done. The super simple cut is in direct contrast to the high evening glamour that is created by the gold knit. This would have been from one of his more accessible lines at the time but is still very well made and the quality is great. It is simple, yet striking, and has not a single unnecessary seam. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. The fabric does have a bit of stretch. The easy cut should fit a range of sizes. It has a slightly more gold feel in person 

Sleeves: 25.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3704

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 such a great little summer outfit and the type of thing that you only ever see with vintage. It has its original Saks Fifth Avenue label in it but no other label to give us an idea on who it would have been by. It is a two piece set and these cropped pant and top sets were THE thing to wear at the height of that early seventies flower power hippie movement. The pants are cut with an extra, extra wide leg and they have a slightly cropped feel to them depending on your height. By the time they reach the hem each pant leg is a full 44" around. The waist is more on the generous side and set a little low. This allows you to wear it more low slung on the hips. The top is cropped and it is cut to be fitted to the bust. The short length of it shows off a bare expanse of skin between the hem and the waist of the pants. It buttons down the front with little round pearl looking buttons and loops. The sleeves are cut to slightly pouf out above their buttoned cuffs. The pants are not lined and are slightly transparent all the way up the waist. To make them wearable there is a built in bottom that is made out of a nude stretch lingerie jersey that is completely opaque. The fabric that it has been made out of is a synthetic ivory lace on a cream chiffon and I love the play of it being slightly see through while you are still covered underneath where it counts. It is very unusual and killer on. Excellent condition with a minor note below

The top is lined in a white organza through the body and the sleeve are unlined. The pants are unlined with a built in inner bottom that has the cut of a 1960s bikini bottom. The inner bottom is made from an opaque nude stretch jersey. The top closes with a series of buttons at the front and the pants zip to close. The back bottom seam of the top has elastic so its has a small range it will stretch to. There is a slight darkening to the lace near some of the seams but the inner gusset is fresh and clean and looks to have never been worn. 

Top
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom seam: 12.5-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 12" from shoulder to hem

Pants
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 39.5" from waist to hem with 3.5" turned under the hem
Inseam: 28.5"
Rise of inner bottoms: 12.5"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# D628

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 fun and sexy piece from Normal Kamali. It is part of her OMO (On my Own) label that she formed in 1978 after divorcing her husband. In the eighties she excelled in twisting the idea of athletic wear and fabrications to come up with new innovative pieces that were easy to wear and high on impact. This is an exceptional example of her work during this time period. It is not 100% perfect but it's flaws are small and fixable and it is in otherwise amazing condition. It is a stretch and fit jumpsuit that fits to the body, molding to your figure when you put it on. The front is cut high to the neck and curves around to hook at the back. The back has a large round cut out that leaves your bare skin exposed. The jumpsuit hugs the waist and hips and then the legs are long and lean. They flare out as they reach the bottom for added shape. It is completely covered in hundreds of thousands of sequins. The ones on the front are a black and then on the back the legs are finished in a blue. I laid it out flat so you can see the interesting patterns that has been worked onto the back of the legs. Its only flaw is that it is missing some areas of sequins around the waist, lower bodice and front of the hips. It could be worn as is and just feel a little raw and deconstructed or you could easily replace the sequins. 

Unlined and slips on to wear. Hooks at the back of the neck and at the back strap. Tagged a vintage OMO Small but the fabric does stretch so should accommodate a bit of a range of sizes. The measurements below show the comfortable range while laying flat. Missing sequins on the front and sides. Please see the last three photos after the label shots and the overall shots for the areas of sequin loss. Priced with this in mind

Bust: 14.5-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 63" from neck to hem but it stretches so will come up a bit once on
Inseam: 31.5"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3702

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 Danskin label was launched in 1882 in New York City by Joel and Benson Goodman who were brothers. They started the company to create goods specifically for dancers. It grew tremendously and went onto to make dance and activewear for millions of people around the world. It is so rare to find an early and original set in such great condition as these were often worn to death and loved until they fell apart. I have dated it to 1987 from the reference photo I have added that ran in Vogue. In that photo is what looks to be the twin of this body suit .

Both pieces are made from a stretch jersey. The finish of the body suit is slightly different from the skirt. It has a slightly shinier look to it and this gives it a tone that is a slight shade different from the skirt. The body suit slips on and because it stretches it conforms to fit the body. It is scooped low at the front into a plunging V and has seams under the cups. The legs are cut low but not quite into a boy short. Little straps curve up and around the neck and then you cross them over each other at the back and hook them into place on each side. The skirt is a large and long panel of fabric that is cut on a curve. You simply wrap it around you and use the attached long ties to cinch it around the waist. It has lots of movement when on and would have been the perfect thing to walk to and from the dance studio in. Both pieces have the original Danskin label in them. This is a rare and nostalgic find. Excellent condition 

The body suit is a medium and the skirt is a small. Both are unlined and slip on to wear. The bodysuit straps hook into place and the skirt wraps and ties. The fabric has stretch. 

Bodysuit
The dress form that it is on measures 33" bust, 25" waist, 36" hips and is 26" from the shoulder to the inside gusset inseam. The body suit has some stretch and it could accommodate someone smaller that that by a couple of inches, or larger, probably up to an inch or two more. The straps are adjustable and can be made longer or shorter so you can increase or decrease the length as needed

Skirt
Waist: variable with ties 
Hips: open
Length: 32" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3698

Reference photo: Alberto Rizzo for Vogue (internet sources dated this to 1977 but given that the company formed in 1982 I think it must be 1987) 

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 when I find these earlier examples of Oscar de la Renta's work. He would have been more personally involved in them and they really showcase the designer he was to become. It reminds me of the butterfly front dress jerry Hall wore for the Fall 1979 show and I suspect that this was made in and around that time period. The dress really showcases the the genius of his work and attention to detail. I love it.

This is an amazing strapless dress that is extremely sexy and flattering. The base of the dress is made of a deep rich jewel tone velvet. This fabric choice give the dress a wonderful depth and texture and the red of it is amazing. The shots are close to the actual colour but it is even better in person and richer feeling. The strapless bodice is cut in a slightly dipped sweetheart neckline and inside there is an attached inner corset to hold the dress in place that hooks to close under the zipper of the exterior dress. It falls over the bust and then is cut to skim over the waist and hips. The waist is slightly brought in to create shape but there is no horizontal seam to break the lines of the design. The skirt is incredible and is cut so that it curves out as it nears the hem. When you stand still it falls in a beautiful column but when you move and walk it kicks out around you for some volume and movement that is gorgeous. The effect of this is far more dramatic and fabulous on a real body. If you even remotely love it in the photos you will love when you see it in person. The finishing touch is of course that stunning large beaded bow that has been added across the entire front of the chest. It follows the neckline perfectly and then curves over the bust. The work is all hand done and made up of thousands of tiny black glass tube beads. Excellent condition with one note below

Fully lined in a red silk and it closes with a painted metal and nylon back zipper. Hand finished throughout. The bust has a built in inner cupped and lightly boned bra corset that hooks to close. I see two small areas on the velvet where the pile has flattened slightly. One on one hip and the other at the back near the seam at the bottom. Please see the photo after the label shot. Tagged a vintage OLDR 10

Inner bust: 17." flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: Will stretch from 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21." flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 52" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3694

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 Maurice label was a contemporary of labels like Pucci and Leonard in the seventies. Maurice used the same type of prints in his pieces to get the feel of those other brands but his pieces where made with a more affordable synthetic jersey rather then the silk jersey his contemporaries were using. His pieces were still very well made and because they were targeted towards a younger audience they tend to be a little brighter and have a little more fun in the way they are cut. The fabric choice also has the added bonus of making them easy to wear and care for. They  are wash and wear and they travel very well. You can throw it in your suitcase and it is ready to wear the day you unpack. I love the nod to the kimono and caftans of the day in the cut and print of this dress. The bodice is cut so that it crosses over itself to create a V at the bodice. The turquoise follows the V of the neck and below that the waist is highlighted and nipped in with a wide printed band in the same fabric. The fabric for the skirt follows the same wrapped over design from the bodice. It also wraps over itself and is edged with a wide band of the turquoise print. It is open the entire length of the wrapped over edge so you you will get a flash of leg showing when you walk or sit. The sleeves are cut to flare out as they near the ends and they are finished with more of the turquoise. The two bright colours against each other are amazing. Excellent condition with one small note below

Unlined and closes at the back with a painted nylon and metal zipper. The fabric is signed throughout the design. There is one faint mark near the elbow. Please see the photo after the label shot. Otherwise looks to have been worn very little if at all. The lower seam at the waist has no give so the waist measurement is firm. The dress has slight stretch otherwise. 

Sleeves: approx 20
Shoulders: no true seam as the shoulders are dropped
Bust: variable as there are no true side seams
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from neck to top of waist band + 4" band
Skirt: 39" from bottom of waist band to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2895

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

Pat Sandler was an American designer whose label existed through the 1960s and 1970s. He launched his label in the early 1960s after working for the Leonard Sunshine label. His label was very well followed and was often used for editorial work during the time period, most notably on Lauren Hutton on several occasions. He was known for his more opulent pieces that featured bead work or gold lame thread like this dress does.

The dress is stunning and it is even pretter in person. The pink is a slightly softer shade then how it photoed and the gold and rhinestones on the bodice have more of an impact. It really is far more magical then how the camera captured it and I think the girl that buys it will be very happy. The dress has a high set bodice that is sleeveless and cut to follow the curves of the bust. It comes down in a V at the front that is set on a slight curve. The bodice is covered with a lattice pattern that is made from several elements. There is embroidery work down in a gold toned metal thread and gold cording. To create the 3D effect it has there is a layer of a metal feeling gold braided cord that is laid over that. Seed beads are worked through the design and then it is finish with large prong set glass rhinestones. It is gorgeous to see and I love how it is all slightly raised off the silk so you get that wonderful added sense of texture. Set in under that elaborately detailed bust the skirt flows out and flares to the ground in a cascade of pink silk chiffon. There are yards of fabric in the top layer so that when you move it moves and floats around you. This lies over an inner opaque silk lining in the same shade of pink. I love it. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a pink silk and closes with a back painted metal zipper. There are some area of very minor fading inside the bodice and it otherwise looks to have been worn very little. 

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
High set waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice:13 " from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3693

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

In 1968 Ossie Clark was designing his own couture line and also designing pieces for Alice Pollock for her Quorum Boutique. The Radley company approached Alice to find out of she could convince Ossie to design a top of the market collection that they would produce and sell to various boutiques and department stores. Dresses like this were the result of that collaboration. Even with this early version of 'ready to wear' the pieces that were made were still never produced in vast quantities and certainly nowhere near whet we think of today as RTW. as gar as quantities.  I have had the twin of this dress in the shop before and always love finding one of these. It is a classic Ossie design and one of Ossie's most famous and recognizable creations. A version in ivory is held in the Victorian and Albert Museum. Lily Sullivan wore a version and you can see how it is transforms once on the body and especially if you wear it with the buttons left open like she did. Those shots give you a great idea of just how fabulous the dress looks like on.

The design of this dress seems so simple when you see it on a hanger and yet it still retains the flow and drape that he was known for. His signature sexuality that he worked into his pieces is displayed in that ultra low front plunge if you choose to wear it open and buttoned. What I really love about this particular style is the ability to fully button it. When you do, it had an almost puritanical feel and you are fully covered, but somehow he still managed to make even that feel sexual. The buttons have been covered in the same moss crepe as the dress is made from. They run from the top of the neck all the way to the waist so you can control just how plunged it is. An attached tie wraps around and ties to give you some the shape and definition through the waist. The skirt flows from under there to cascade to the ground. It widens out quite a bit by the time it nears the hem and there is a wonderful amount of volume that flows around you when you move. This is balanced out by huge bishop cut sleeves that puff up above each cinched wrist. More moss crepe covered buttons close each wrist and there is even an extra button sewn into an inner hem. I own one of these myself and it will always be in my collection and I can tell you from personal experience that it is a dress that you will wear over and over. It easily goes from day to night and it can be worn to feel very sexy or more covered. It is in its original uncut length which is hard to find with many Ossie pieces you now see out there for sale. Excellent condition.

Unlined and slips over the head to wear with attached ties at the waist. It buttons down the front. Each cuff has two fabric covered buttons at the wrist. An extra button is sewn on an inner seam. There is the slightest sense of pressing to some of the seams. The easy cut should fit a variety of sizes

Neck when buttoned: 14"
Sleeves: 29" but come up when cuffs are buttoned
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam and can be defined by the attached tie
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 61" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3692

Reference Photos: (1) 1969-1974 Ossie Clark Dress in the V&A Collection.  /  (2-4) Lily Sullivan at the Inaugural Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) Ball in Sydney, February 2018.

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

I have had the twin of this dress in the shop a couple of times now and it is one of my favourites. It is also a very well documented dress and our research turned up two different ads that it appeared in for Vogue. It also made an appearance in one of Vogie's party round up editorials. The ads were from the September issues of both 1980 and 1981 and this one with its more solid designed gold belt is the 1981 version. Countless celebrities own and have worn this dress. Lady Gaga wore a version, as have girls like Rachel Zoe & Nicole Richie and every girl that has bought one through me has loved it. It is one of those fail safe pieces that you know is going to work every time you put it on. 

The dress is insanely sexy and bare feeling with a halter style front that plunges right to the waist. It ties behind the neck and then the back is left completely open and bare. The dress is made of a wash and wear black liquid nylon jersey. It is so light and slinky and it feels amazing on the body. The fabric is almost weightless. Despite its bareness it is cleverly cut so that when you have it on it stays in place. At the front of the skirt there is a high slit that shows lots of leg when you walk or sit. I love the signature wide top stitched gold fabric belt at the waist. The belt is attached all the way around the back and then ties at the front to cinch you in exactly to where you want. The belt is really what gives it that signature Bill Tice look. The dress has the added bonus of traveling very well. It is the kind of piece that you can throw into your suit case and slip on with either flats or heels when you reach your destination and be instantly ready to go. It packs down to almost nothing and barely wrinkles. Excellent condition.

Unlined and slips on. Ties at the back of the neck and at the waist. Elastic through the front portion of the waist. The easy fit allows it work on a variety of sizes. The gold is a true bright gold in person

Bust: variable as there are no side seams
Partial elastic waist: 13-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 16" from natural neck to waist but can be tied to adjust the length if needed
Skirt: 42" from top of back waist to hem
Front slit: 23" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3691

Reference Photos: (1) Bill Tice for Swirl Ad. Vogue US, September 1980. / (2) Bill Tice Ad. Vogue US, September 1981.  /  (3) Nancy Kissinger in Bill Tice, Vogue, October 1980.

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 Paganne jersey dress is the cutest little dress and it is a dream to wear. It is made from a simple synthetic stretch jersey that is wash and wear. This makes it the perfect travel dress. You can just throw it into a suitcase and it is ready to go at the other end. The jersey gives it a little stretch so that it is super comfortable to wear. It has been worn and loved so has a soft vintage patina to it. For example it looks like the skirt was once pleated but the pleats have softened out with time. It is still completely wearable and I love it just as it is. The top is cut to be more fitted around the bust and then widens out to a looser cut waist. The skirt skims over the hips and flares out as it nears the hem. I love the single sleeve that hugs the arm and how it leaves the other shoulder and arm bare. The print is gorgeous and covers the entire dress. The colour combination mixes a soft red with white, pink, blues and a pale yellow and this is set over the dress to highlight its cut. It is a great little dress and so easy to wear. Just slip it on, add fabulous flats or heels and go. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Unlined and closes at the side with a metal and nylon zipper. No label present but the fabric is signed. The fabric does have some stretch. The pleats in the skirt have softened and i see a tiny dot that looks like a pen mark on the bodice. Please see the last photo. 

Sleeve: 25"
Bust: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 40.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3689

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

James Galanos was known as the designer that could rival the French in terms of construction and design. He launched his atelier in 1951 and though he was never a designer that was formally acknowledged as a Haute Couture atelier he certainly was producing clothing with many of the hallmarks that define couture. This gave him the reputation of being known as one of the 'American Couturiers' and women flocked to buy his creations. The label on this dress is the one used between 1963 and 1977 giving us a window into when it would have been made. It is a gorgeous dress and even better on an actual body.

The dress is constructed from a very unusual fabric combination that gives it the soft and romantic feel that you see. The base layer of the dress is a lightweight silk that is printed with the floral print that covers the dress. That layer is then covered and attached at all the seams with a layer of white silk chiffon. The creates a soft washed filtered effect over the print and softens it. It is a technique that would have been very expensive and time consuming to execute. He then did the same to the interior of the dress which is remarkable because no one would know expect the person wearing it. This inner layer acts as a lining and it is also completely attached at all the seams. The entire dress was then cut on the bias. As the white silk chiffon moves over the middle layer in the small way that it is allowed by the bias cut, you get this pretty and romantic diffused feel to the print. It is such a simple but extremely clever way to create an illusion of softness. The dress is cut to skim over the body and then it flares out from the hip with the back of the skirt cut slightly longer then the front. The skirt has more fabric in it then you would at first think. It falls in a more sleek way when you stand still and then when you move and it flows around you and you realize just how much fabric is there. All of the seams are set vertically and all of them are done by hand. Around the neckline sits an attached panel of silk that floats over your shoulders and arms. At the back it curves around and behind the body for a beautiful capelet feel. It is a very romantic feeling dress that is even better on. Excellent condition with one small note to review below

Fully interlined in white silk chiffon. It closes at the back with a hand set metal and nylon zipper and a silk covered button and loop at the back neck. Hand finishes throughout. I see two very faint marks on the front of the cape. Please see the photo after the shot of the label. It looks to have been worn very little if at all otherwise.

Bust: 17-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from neck to front hem, 58" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3404

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

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

John Bates founded the Jean Varon label in 1960 and it became known for the futuristic designs that Bates created. By the late sixties and into the seventies his work tended more towards more floaty, feminine designs. Some of the very best pieces were made during this time period and his caftans and caftan dresses are some of my favourites to find.

This is one of the best caftans I have seen from this label and it is made even better because it should fit just about anyone and any shape. It is made from a silky synthetic that has just enough weight to it to help give it some shape once you slip it on. It is seamed all around the edges so it is closed down each side. The neckline is done in a wide boat cut across the top seam and there are slits along the side to slip your hands through. The entire body of the caftan is loose and easy cut inside so it's heaven to wear. An elaborate and beautiful leaf and flower design runs over the entire caftan. The backdrop is a creamy ivory colour and then the print is done in soft tones of a blueish grey. As it nears the bottom of the caftan the flowers suddenly start to turn to soft reds and the colour contrast between the two is spectacular. Everything about this piece feels pretty and romantic while still managing to feel strong and bold. The edges of the caftan are all finished in a red piping that matches the color of the print. Attached to one side of the neckline is a piped strip of fabric that has a long corded tassels laced through it and then the cord falls down to almost the hem and ends in the tassels. The exact same detailing is set on the back but on the opposite side of the neckline. When it is on the entire caftan flows around you and the tassels move as well. I love how the bottom hem is cut on a curve and slightly comes up on each side. It is really an exceptional piece. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips over the head to wear. The ties and panels are attached. The open cut should fit a wide range of sizes. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. 

From widest point flat across edge to edge: 52"
Length: 54" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-XL OSFA

Item# DD3688

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 Bessi company was launched in 1950 but it was not until 1968 that it started producing the printed pieces that the label is now associated with. Like Pucci he signed all his prints and created them himself. In terms of style, construction and quality, Bessi dresses were often on par with Pucci and Leonard, especially the ones from the late sixties to mid seventies. This one is just lovely

This dress is made from a fine silk jersey and the colour combination is a little unusual as it is not the typical super bright prints that you more often see with Bessi. The main colour of the jersey is finished in several tones of soft greys. Worked into the print are little pops of ivory mixed with a pale turquoise and a pastel pink. The floral and leaf design covers the entire surface of the dress. A contrasting border defines the cut of the dress and runs around the loose cut waist, up the back, and then circles the collar, cuffs and hem. The sleeves are cut very wide and full. This really allows the print to be shown to the maximum advantage and also gives the dress a beautiful soft feel. That same border was added to each sleeve and runs down the outside to meet the border that circles around each cuff. The bodice is cut to skim over the bust with a high neckline. The collar is finished with a slight pleat detailing that gives it just a touch of volume. The waist is cut loose and easy and the skirt falls and widens out as it nears the hem. Depending on how tall you are the skirt will be more of a long midi or feel more full length. It is really quite beautiful and even better in person. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes at the back with a painted metal zipper. Hand finishes throughout. The fabric is also signed throughout. Very well made and it looks to have been worn very little if at all

Sleeves: 20"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 36.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2660

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

In the late seventies and early eighties caftan fever was at an all time high and many of the top designers of the day designed options for their clients who wanted the look but also still want to wear their favourite brand name. This fabulous printed option is from Bill Blass and combines his masterful eye in cut with a fabulous mix of prints. It is perfect to be worn as a chic day-to-evening maxi dress. I love everything about the lines of this piece. It is made out of a feather light silk. Think fine silk scarf as far as the weight goes. The means that it floats and flows around you when you move or the slightest breeze hits it. It is very simple in cut. You slip it on and it has a deep V at the front. The hem scoops up at the front so that you get a bit of leg showing and then it is cut long and loose behind you. There are openings at each side for your arms to slip through. I love the wavy pattern at the front and then each side has a big abstract print in a creamy pale taupe. A smaller band of the curving wave pattern runs down the back and there it runs the full length of the caftan to the floor. When you are standing still it settles perfectly about you but when you move you really get the sense of the amount of fabric that is there. A really fabulous and wearable caftan. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear. It weighs only a few ounces. 100% silk. The caftan cut should allow it to fit a full range of sizes. I see a couple of very minor darkening spots here and there near the lower part of the caftan. You would only see them if it is laying flat because of the amount of fabric. 

Bust hips: open
Length: 35" from neck to shortest point of front hem, 60" to the longest points at the back and sides 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD3678

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 has the same lines as ones from Givenchy's 1971 collection with the same ruffled detailing. I have incuded a photo here that has a similar feel. Based on the other work Mr. Givenchy was doing during this time period it makes perfect sense that this would be from that time period. This dress is even more interesting by the fact that in addition to the boutique label in the dress, I found a numbered tape inside the seam of the skirt. This was often done when a piece was custom ordered through the boutique. It would have been made in the atelier but the final fitting would have been done in house at the boutique level. It is a beautiful dress and even better in person. 

Givenchy was know for his love of fine fabrics and this dress starts with an exceptional one. At first glance the fabric appears to be a classic metallic silk brocade, but as you get closer you realize it is actually quite unique. It is more of a woven silk and the matte parts are done so that it has texture to the weave. It is very fine and light in weight. Woven through that is blue metallic thread that is scattered over the dress. Then to add one more element to the texture there are also parts that are hand embroidered in a blue thread. These all combine to make this stunning fabric. Being woven means that the fabric has just a touch of transparency to it which acts in direct contrast to its full coverage over the body. I love the unusual deep azure blue colour. It has just a touch of purple to it that gives it even more depth. The dress covers you from head to toe. The bodice is cut to skim over the bust from a high rounded neckline and then it is seamed in at the waist. The dress comes with its original belt that you can use to cinch the waist in. The sleeves are long and are finished with a full bell shaped ruffle at the wrists. The skirt falls to the floor from the waist and gently widens out as is nears the hem. It is finished with a wide ruffle  that perfectly balances out the cuffs. It is stunning and even better in person. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The bodice is unlined and the skirt is fully lined with a blue silk organza. It closes at the back with a fine metal zipper. Inner waist stay hooks to close. The belt closes with hooks. There is a numbered tape along the inner skirt seam that I also photoed. Note that if you required more length it would be possible to move the ruffle down as it is set higher up the skirt rather then at the very edge of the hem. I think you could get a good 6" more in length. The sleeves are set the same way so could also be extended a bit. The silk organza lining in the skirt is starting to shatter here and there. It could be removed or replaced but it still wearable as it is now 

Sleeves: 24.5"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 40.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3167

Reference Photo: Jours de France Issue 844, 1971. 

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

Salvadore Albani was an independent couturier operating out of Paris. He was known as one of the more 'affordable' couturiers of his day which meant you could buy a cocktail dress for several thousands of francs instead of tens of thousands. Kim Novack and Brigitte Bardot were fans and his work was quietly known by the women who could afford couture. This piece is from the eighties and it is remarkable how close it looks to the work of some of the modern brands who have been 're-inventing' that decade for several seasons now. It is an incredibly well made dress and is finished to haute couture standards. The dress is made from a light weight lame finish silk in a deep inky black. The main body and sleeves have a texture to then that gives them a light 3D effect. The collar, skirts, cuffs and the sash at the waist are then finished in the same fabric that has been plisse pleated. The fabric is very light and sexy feeling when on. It is loose and easy cut through the body that is flattering and comfortable to wear. The neck is high and finished with a pleated ruffle. The shoulders are set wide and each sleeve poufs out over the upper part of the arm and then curves and tapers down to the wrist. Each cuff has the same ruffle finish as the collar and there are two layers of silk there. Below the waist is an attached band of fabric that is wider at one side and then curves around the hips and ties. The sash is made out of the plisse fabric and this gives it volume and some structure that allows you to shape it as you wish. The skirt has two layers to it that that are set on a slight angle so one side is shorter then the other. I love all the shape and volume that the dress has and it still feels very avant garde even now. Hand finished interior and made to couture standards. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes at the back with a zipper and then you can adjust the hips with the attached sash. The teeniest bit of sheen to the fabric under one arm near the seam. The beck was small on the dress form. It measures 14" around. You could add an extender or button and loop to give you more room if needed. 

Sleeves: 26"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 18.6" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam and adjustable more
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam and adjustable more
Length: 40" from neck to shorter side of hem, 44" to the longer side

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3674

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 Halley started at Charles James who said of the young designer that he 'was a genius at draping'. By the time Halley opened his own atelier in 1966 he was well on his way to fame. He won the Coty Award in 1968 and his work is on par with couture. He is one of my personal favorite designers. In 2015 I included him in my list of: The 10 Designers to Add to Your Vintage Collection' for Harper's Bazaar, saying; 'If you want old school glamour and to feel like Hollywood royalty, look to this under-the-radar label outside of vintage circles... A Coty Award winner in 1968, Halley was one of the great American Couturiers and his work always feels grand and elegant. Think polished silk and fused velvet's and embellishments that have a touch of the Grand Old South to them. Silhouettes to look for are his sweeping ball gowns and hostess gowns. Rich fabrics and rich colors are used with a master's hand. Feathers, crystals, hand painted fabrics and fine workmanship are all things to expect from a George Halley gown. Slipping one on instantly makes a girl feel special and important. These are the showpieces and while you should expect to pay for the quality and beauty of what you get they are absolute jewels'. The best of his work are the pieces that show his love for Old Hollywood glamour combined with his love for over-the-top opulence. Women's Wear Daily called him 'a designer in a lovely world of his own'.

Finding one of his evening coats is a bit of a treat and this particular one is a stunner. It is made of a metallic silk brocade that has a triangle pattern worked through the fabric using two different tones of the metallic yellow gold it is finished in. The design combines a more matte, less bright version of the fabric with the more metallic and brighter finish. The effect that this creates is dramatic and very beautiful. The coat almost has a foil feel to it but it soft to the touch. The triangles are quilted and stitched around their sides and they have a puffed feel to them for a bit of a 3D effect. It is cut in the classic lines of the time period with a simple high rounded collar and straight sleeves that are slightly cropped. The body of the coat skims over the bust then flares out to the hem in a classic tent shape. Pockets lie on a slant along the front and they are hidden along the design so at first you do not see them. Quite clever. I love how the back of the coat has that wide angled shape to it that is so beautiful. Matching buttons run down the front to close. Very chic and the perfect refined pop of colour. Excellent condition with one note below

Fully lined in a matching gold satin. The buttons holes are properly finished along the front. Pockets at the front. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. The bottom button looks like the top of it fell off and a bit of the fabric was glued on to compensate. Please see the photo after the label shot. 

Sleeves: 19.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: widens out to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C573

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

Emilio Pucci is one of my favorite designers and every single dress is a work of art. His colors and prints are mixed with a masterful hand and when you get a good piece of Pucci, it is a piece that you can wear for a lifetime. This ones gorgeous. The print on it is floral pattern that is quite bold. The dress is made out of his signature lightweight silk jersey, a fabric that he preferred because of the way it moved and took color. It is screened with a custom print that combines big bright coral tinted red flowers with softer pink leaves. The print has been detailed with black around the edges and the base colour of the dress is an inky black. The pattern runs over the entire dress and gives it a tremendous pop if colour. At the front the neckline is done with two wide cut triangles of fabric that go up and around the neck to hook at the back. This leaves most of the back completely bare. The waist is defined with a broad band of silk jersey that has the same pattern but is set horizontally within stripes of colour. Under that the skirt flows to the floor gently widening out as it nears the hem. A second band of the print circles all the way around the hem. The entire dress weighs ounces and is just wonderful. Depending on your height this will fall to between  midi to full length. Excellent condition with one note below.

Unlined and closes with a back painted metal zipper. The fabric is a silk jersey and does have some stretch. Hand finished. Tagged a vintage Pucci 8 and is very tiny. For some reason the zipper is set into the dress backwards. The zipper pull is on the inside of the dress. I have reduced the dress to accommodate the cost of switching it back if that bothers you. An odd little quirk only found in vintage. 

Bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 13" from neck to top of band at waist and the band is 3.5"  
Skirt: 35" from bottom of band at the waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3671

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

This beautiful dress and jacket set by Malcolm Starr is a pretty choice for spring. It was designed by Elinor Simmons, who was a young designer that Malcolm brought in to the company to design a higher end line for him in 1965. She eventually left in 1972 which giving us a window within to date this set. Everything about this dress suggest the late 1960s to me. 

Both the dress & jacket have been made out of a heavier silk finished in the palest pink. The fabric choice gives it structure so that the shape you see is held once it is on the body. It is made up of two parts. There is the inner shift dress and then it has a matching jacket that goes over that. The dress has a very simple and easy to wear cut that is classic Malcolm Starr in feel. The bodice is kept very simple with little capped sleeves. It is cut to skim over the bust and waist. The skirt under that flares out slightly as it reaches the hem. The matching jacket is equally well cut with long sleeves and a box cut that ends exactly at the waist. It has a row of metal buttons down the front and a high ad neat little collar. I love that the entire upper neckline of the dress is finished with embroidered butterflies. These sit on a nude netting that wraps up and around your neck and then the butterflies are hand embroidered onto that. It is so pretty. When worn together the lines are lovely. The set is very well made with pretty details. It comes with a matching belt that can be worn to cinch in the waist of the dress or over the jacket as I have shown here. This is also a pretty decently sized set which is nice to find with vintage. The dress is in excellent condition and the jacket has some small flaws as described below. It is priced at a great price as a result.

Both pieces are fully lined in a pale pink silk. The dress closes with a back painted metal zipper and the jacket buttons to close as shown. The jacket has slight fading on both sleeves that carries up a tiny bit across the top of the shoulders. Some tiny faint marks here and there. The very back seam of the dress has been over-pressed at some point and there is a slight line on either of that seam. Minor but mentioned for accuracy. The jacket is wearable as is - at first glance it just looks like how the light is catching it. The belt shows some grubbiness. Please see the photos after the label shot

Dress
Bust: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from neck to hem

Jacket
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hem at bottom: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 19.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3658

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 Hardy Amies label launched in 1946. In the beginning of his career, Amies' only did couture pieces and it was not until 1950 that he added a ready-to-wear label. The RTW label was still very high end and the pieces had a lot of the same hand finishes that the couture label had. In 1951 Amies was chosen to design some of the wardrobe for Princess Elizabeth’s tour of Canada. That led to Amies appointment as the Royal Dressmaker in 1955 after Elizabeth became the Queen. Hardy was known for his elegant lines and very high quality fabric choices. 

This dress is gorgeous in person and the photos do not convey the lightness of the fabric and how it will move once it is on an actual body. It is made out of a light weight silk organza that holds the colour on it exceptionally well. The fabric is very light but still has a structure to it that helps to hold the shape and lines of the dress. It is the perfect fabric choice to create volume without bulk or heaviness. The blue is lovely with a touch of a turquoise feel to it. Screened onto the silk is a print done in rusts and taupe. The dress itself is cut with simple lines. Tiny straps curve up and around each shoulder and the bodice is fitted under that. The waist nips in and then the skirt flows to the ground widening out from the hips so that it has quite a bit of volume to it. The skirt is made out of many yards of the silk with the top layer floating over an inner silk lining. All of the volume that you see is created by a combination of the way the skirt is set into the waist and the fabric choice. It is just lovely. Over the dress goes a little matching cape that simply ties into place at the neck and floats over the shoulders. It is cut to end just below the waist at the back and then curves around to come up just a touch at the front. The edge is finished with a six inch ruffle that perfectly picks up the skirt's shape and volume. It is just beautiful. Excellent condition with a small note to review below

The dress is fully lined in a blue silk and closes with a back painted metal zipper. There is a light spot near the front seam of the skirt that gets lost in the pattern. Please see the photo after the label shot. The cape ties at the neck and is unlined.

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: " flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to hem
Cape: 18" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1586

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

Valentino knows how to cut a dress to perfectly flatter a woman's body. Few designers can come close to the techniques he perfected over the decades of his prolific career. This is a wonderful example of his work from the turn of the 1990s. I love that it has been done in his classic crisp true Valentino red. This is a colour that he perfected to be flattering on almost any skin tone. The dress has that perfect minimalist feel to it that the nineties epitomized and yet still feels modern and fresh. It is cut to skim over your curves in a way that highlights the body but is not meant to be too tight and constricting. The colour is absolutely fantastic. It is that perfect clear red that flatters most skin tones. I think it is even better in person then how it has photoed. If you know Valentino's work, then you know the exact shade this red is in person as this is one of his primary signatures. The dress is sleeveless and the side angle in towards the neckline. The top of the neck curves up over the base of the neck and below that is an open slit that runs down the front seam. It slowest just the barest bit of skin. All of the seam work on the body of the dress has been done vertically so there is no seams running across you at any point to break the line of the eye. When it reached the hem it flares out and the hem is finished with two layers of ruffles that circle around to the back. The back hem is cut slightly longer then the front so that you get a slight bit of a trained effect. When you walk the ruffles get kicked out and adds movement with your every step. It is just stunning on the body. Excellent condition with one small note below.

Fully lined in a red silk satin. It closes with a back hidden set zipper. Hand finishes. Tagged a Valentino 10. The fabric does have some give. There are some very minor marks on the back ruffled hem that you would never notice once on that would not photo. Mentioned for accuracy. The original price tag is still on the dress and was $3275 even back then.

Bust: 18-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 57" from shoulder to front hem, 63" to longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3015

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

This gorgeous dress is by Alfred Bosand who was really one of the great American designers whose clothes where made to couture levels with lots of hand finishes and detailing to them. Bosand started his career after World War II by attending the Fashion Academy, New York City. He then worked with several designers before launching his own label. By the time he returned in 1986 he was one of New York's last privately owned couture designers with his own label. His work is of very high quality. The dress is unlabeled but I have had a few dresses in the shop now that share this same fabric and cut. 

Bosand dresses always have a sense of romance to them and this dress with its matching caplet is no exception. Both pieces are constructed from a lightweight silk net that has little dots woven through it. The top netted layer sits over an inner silk layer that is a pale mint green with just a touch of a grey tone to it. The overall effect is not quite grey, not quite ivory and not quite green. The photos come close but in person it is more towards an off-white in feel. The entire top of the bodice is covered in a iridescent sequins that are all hand applied. They are set so that they are more densely applied towards the empire seam and then scatter up to the neckline. The dress is suspended from two tiny straps that curve over the shoulder. The bodice is kept simple with a low scooped at both the back and the front and a high seam under the bust. From the empire waist the skirt cascades to the floor and widens out quite a bit as it nears the hem. There are yards and yards of fabric in the skirt and it is made up of three layers, the top net layer that then floats over an inner silk chiffon layer. Under those two layers is an ivory silk satin lining. The dress comes with its original matching caped scarf piece. This has a built in collar that hooks to close and has the same sequin application over it. It is cut to end just at the empire waist seam at the front and then hangs with long panels that trail over each arm and around the back all the way to the floor. It is incredible and when you move it catches the air and moves beautifully. Excellent condition. 

The skirt is fully lined in an ivory silk satin with an additional layer of a pale green silk chiffon between the skirt layers. The bodice is lined in a silver grey silk. The cape is unlined. The dress closes with a back painted metal zipper and the cape closes with two hook & eye at the collar. Hand finished throughout. There is the teeniest bit of grubbiness feel to the straps.

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Empire waist at seam: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12.5" from top of shoulder straps to seam under the bust
Skirt: 46" from seam under the bust to hem
Cape: neck is 13.75" around and you could move the snaps to get it to 14". It falls 12" at its shortest length at the front and 59"to the longest length

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SMl-MED

Item# DD3646

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 fabulous silk Sonia Rykiel set that is very chic and French feeling. It has so much charm to it and the dress form it is on is not really doing it justice. This is the kind of piece that someone fabulous is going to buy and the instant you see it on you will be kicking yourself that you did not buy it for yourself. This would be from the days that Sonia herself was designing for the label. This is an earlier piece that would have been designed shortly after she launched her label in 1968 or a few years after that.

The silk is a very light and fine scarf weight and both pieces are made from it. I love the combination of the black with the very neutral soft taupe. This is a very French colour combination and you can easily imagine this with Chanel flats and a black banded boater hat. Stripes became one of her signatures and it is wonderful to see them used so well on this piece. The pants are amazing. The legs are cut wide with a slight flared cut at the ends and each is split high up the sides so that when you walk you get a flash of leg. The fabric is so light that they just move with your every move. Over this is layered a long straight cut tunic that is almost more of a tabard. The same side split detail on the pants is mirrored on the tunic but it is taken to the extreme and carried upon to just a few inches from the top seams. This leaves an open gap between the top and the pants at either side so that you get a glimpse of bare skin as the silk moves around you. The bit of seam that hold the tunic together above that is done inside out and is left exposed and deliberately unfinished looking. The tunic is suspended from skinny straps and is cut to skim over the torso and flare out over the pant. My favourite detail is the front pockets that are sewn in a low apron style and have a slight droop to them that gives them that perfect slouchy French country feel. When worn together everything lines up and even the stripes that circle the bottom of each piece sit perfectly aligned on top of each other. I love it. It appears to have never been worn for worn very little. Excellent condition

Both pieces are unlined. The top slips on to wear with no closures and the pants close with a fine metal zipper at the side. Handwritten fabric tag. All hand finished inside. The seams on the side of the tunic are set inside out for a raw feel. It appears to have never been worn for worn very little. 

Tunic
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: open
Hips: open
Length: 45.5" from neck to hem

Pant
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 33.5" from waist to hem
Inseam: 22"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2805

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 sleek black cape is wonderful. It is by Yves Saint Laurent and is a beautiful and easy to wear piece that will fit virtually any size. The label on it is an earlier one and its sleek and simple cut will make it an easy piece to work into your wardrobe. It has a surprisingly modern feel to it and it is a wonderful example of the work he was doing during this time period. The cut is very simple. You just drape it over your shoulders and it simply falls into place once on. It is made out of a light fine black wool jersey and there is one single button at the neck. It looks to have been worn very little if at all and it even has an extra button still sewn into an inner seam. This is the type of item that you can throw over almost anything. Excellent condition

Unlined and drapes over the shoulders to wear

It falls to approx 48" in length once on

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# C570

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

Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional. Hanae Mori excelled at the beautiful prints that she created and they always have a hauntingly organic feel to them as she was constantly inspired by nature. This set dates to the eighties and is stunning.

This is a gorgeous Hanae piece. It has a wonderful custom designed print that is screened onto feather light silk for both the dress and the matching cape. When you wear the cape and dress together the two prints layer over each other and create the prettiest effect. This layering technique with silk chiffons is one of her signatures and she was a master it it by this point in her career. The silk chiffon she used has been printed with a pale tangerine and ivory pattern that is  set over a white silk lining. Using silk chiffon for both the top layer and the cape that floats over the dress is what gives the piece its light and airy feel. The dress falls from wide cut straps that curve over the shoulders and dips into a V at the front. From the neckline it skims over the body, with a more fitted bodice and then gently widens out until it reaches the hem. I love how the pattern changes and gets bigger as it nears the hem. Over this is a gorgeous little silk chiffon capelet. It snaps into place around the neck and then falls over each shoulder, with the silk overlapping a bit at the front and the back. A pretty spray of silver thread and rhinestones give it a little glamour at the front neck. It is a stunning example of her work and beautifully made. The colour in person is a bit more intense shade of what you see and is even better in person. Excellent condition

Fully lined in white silk and closes with a back zipper. The capelet snaps to close along the edge of the neckline. I see some very minor marks on the interior lining of the dress

Dress
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from top of shoulder to hem

Capelet 
Neck: 15" where the snaps are now but you could easily move them up or down as needed
Length: 46" from neck to longest point of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3643

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

In 1951, 27 year old James Galanos launched his first label called Galanos Originals. By 1954 he had won a Coty award and the Neiman Marcus award. By 1958 he was producing clothing that could range in price from $200 to $3000, an astronomical price for ready-to-wear for that time period. That said, his ready-to-wear was made to almost true couture standards and were made with a level of craftsmanship that was on par with the French couturiers. Galanos was a master cutter and draper and he used many couture techniques in the construction of his dresses and gowns. Grace Kelly was an early fan. His work is held in all of the major museums around the world and he is one of my personal favourite designers. 

I love the coral and rust print that completely covers this amazing jumpsuit. It is very detailed and adds its own layer of interest to the silk. The silk chiffon fabric that he chose to use is very fine and light so that once it is on it feels like it weighs next to nothing. This creates a sense of lightness and airiness to the piece as it moves beautifully around you. Silk chiffon of this weight is notoriously hard to work with and the fact that he has structured this so beautifully is a testament to his skills as a designer. The top is cut with a simple scoop neckline at the front and the bodice skims lightly over you to the waist. The sleeves are cut long and each ends in a double ruffle of silk that has tremendous movement. The waist is seamed and you could add a belt to create even more shape or wear it loose and easy. The pants on this are truly amazing. Each pant leg is cut to be extra wide and full so that if you are standing still it appears that you are wearing a skirt. When you move you realize that they are pants and that each is wrapped around the leg and the edges where they meet is left open so that there is a slit almost to the top of the thigh. They only open as you move or sit. They are incredibly light in weight so you get this amazing billowing effect when you move. The pants are finished with a second layer of silk chiffon inside that is done on a solid red colour. So when you move the red flashes and it is fantastic. The cuffs on each sleeve are finished in the same way. It is fabulous. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a red silk chiffon throughout. The top part of the jumpsuit buttons to close at the back and then zippers to close below the waist. Hand rolled and hand finished seams and edges. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Also after photoing this I feel like perhaps the buttons could also be worn at the front. I think you can wear it either way which makes it that much more versatile.

Sleeves: 26.5"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 19.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem
Inseam: 36"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2759

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

I have had a one shoulder version of this Bill Tice dress that had the same gold lame flower detail but this is the first time I have seen this exact design. The dress is not 100% perfect but I am hoping that its amazing design will still tempt someone to give it a second life and love it. It is made of a liquid nylon jersey that feels amazing on and has the added bonus of traveling very well. It is the kind of piece you can throw into your suit case and slip on with either flats or heels when you reach some far off destination and be ready to go. The dress is cut to be long and slim but in a loose and skimming over the body kind of way. The sleeves are long and they start off with a big poufed shoulder created by gathering in the fabric in soft pleats around the arm. They then slim down as they reach the wrist and the edge is trimmed with gold lame piping. The neckline plunges extremely deep and is anchored by one of his twisted jersey and gold knotted flowers. There is a little hook about 2" inches above the flower if you want to be a touch less scandalous but I left it with the full plunge open for these shots. The dress gathers up and into the knot and this allows it to be more to the open and loose side around the waist and hips as the jersey drapes down and around your body.  A slit runs up the front from the curved hem and this allows a bit of leg to show when you walk or sit. Besides the knot and cuffs, the neckline and arm seams are also accented by a touch of gold lame. Excellent condition with one flaw noted below. 

Unlined and slips on to wear. The easy fit should allows it to work on a variety of sizes. The fabric has a bit of stretch. There is a run on the jersey on the front left side. Because of the way that it folds and wraps it at first glance just looks like a fold. Completely wear able if you don't mind that it is not 100% perfect and priced at 1/2 of what it would be without this small flaw. The measurements below are lying flat without stretching the fabric 

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem
Slit: 29" from lowest point of hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3644

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 a great little black dress by Yves Saint Laurent. It is strapless and cut to hug your curves. The fabric is a black cotton that is heavy enough to give the dress some structure. To put it on you first do up the bandeau that is inside the dress. This is made from a black muslin and this inside piece zips into place so that the dress is held securely around you. Then you simply button it up down the front. I love the flap finish that runs all the way around the top of the dress. There are two big pockets on each hip that are finished with that same exaggerated flap. They not only add detailing but also add the illusion of more shape. The flap at the top adds shape to the bust and the ones on the pockets help to give the hips a flare out for an hourglass feel. The hem is cut short to that you get miles of legs showing. Everything about the cut of the dress is done to highlight the curves of the body. It is wonderful. Excellent condition

Unlined with an attached interior bandeau as described above. Buttons to close. Pockets are functional. The fabric has a very very slight fade feel to it at some or the edges that is a natural component of this fabric as it ages. 

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist at inner waist stay: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 26.5" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3641

Reference Photo: S/S 1985 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. Photo by Nicola Ranaldi.

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 a variation of several of the looks shown on the runway for the Spring 2007 Prada collection. I have included three of those for your reference. You can see the progression from those to this version of the dress that would have been produced for their retail shops. The review for the Prada show for Spring 2007 on Vogue.com noted the sharp change in direction from earlier seasons. In that review Miuccia noted of her reasoning for the change and talked about her inspirations: "Because Prada felt like it..... I just wanted it to be about fashion," she shrugged backstage. "The importance of fashion." The review continued saying "Still, this collection held an image of a powerful woman at its center, filtered through unmistakable references to Yves Saint Laurent (his "forties" collection from the seventies; a touch Loulou de la Falaise, to be precise). These were not random choices; in fact, they are two of the underlying constants in Prada's work. One thing she despises, though, is the over-interpretation of her motives; instinct and spontaneity guide her just as much as intellectual reasoning. She laughed at one journalist's anxious questioning about the short pieces, saying, "I just didn't like anything I did below the waist." Meaning, "Don't panic, these are tops." And, like everything else in this richly provocative show, they're going to look totally wearable in a store come spring."

This stems from one of those short pieces referenced above and it was indeed made slightly longer for the shops. The dress is made out of a burnished gold silk that has a satin like finish to it. The fabric has been treated so that it has a bit off stiffness to it. This allows it to hold the shape and fullness that Miuccia was after in these looks. The sleeves are capped and slim. They jut out from rounded shoulders at their tops and then curve out from the waist at their bottoms. The neckline has no collar and swoops down into a low plunge that is squared off at its base with that gorgeous knotted detailing (this same knotted detail was found on some of the silk satin turbans produced for this collection as well). The waist seam is raised and set a little higher up to give it an empire feel. I love the fullness of the skirt. It is cut into a babydoll silhouette that sits up and away from the body. It is the same effect that the runway pieces have but with a longer skirt to make it easier to wear on its own. It is gorgeous and I have its twin in another colour in my personal closet and it is still one of my favourite dresses ever. Excellent condition 

Unlined with ribbon finished edges and closes with a hidden set zipper at the side and two little snaps over the zipper. Tagged a Prada 42 and appears to have been worn very little if at all. 

Shoulders: no defined seams 
Bust: approx 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to centre seam at waist
Skirt: 23.5" from centre seam at waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3640

Reference Photos: S/S 2007 Prada Runway (Look 1, 2 & 47).

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

This is an iconic and classic look from the Rive Gauche collection. I have dated this one to the 1977 collection based on the version of the label and print that is similar to the one in the reference photo I have included here. That shot was used for the ad campaign that year.

These are so easy to wear and very comfortable. You just slip this on and you are ready to go. This can also be belted to add shaped and bring the length up which gives the dress a lot of versatility and styling options. They are a play on the smock style dress combine with that classic Yves Saint Laurent signature style of this time period. This one is made out of a scarf weight silk that is a soft and fluid silk. Around the neckline is a black cotton velvet bib that is edged with cording and closes at the very front with five glossy black domed buttons. The sleeves are full and ballon out above their velvet trimmed cuffs. The body of the dress is cut loose and easy with a low dropped seam to separate out the skirt and to tie all the velvet parts together. The skirt is constructed with lots of fullness so that it has a little extra swing. It really transforms when on an actual body. This is classic YSL and a great piece of fashion history. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear. Buttons at the neck with five button and loops. Pockets on each hip t the seams. tagged a 36 bit the cut is generous so should fit a range of sizes. Meant to be oversized on the body. 

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: the velvet part is 14" and there are no real side seams on the silk part
Bust: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 45" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3639

Reference Photos: (1) F/W 1977 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche.  /  (2) Yves Saint Laurent, L'Officiel, 1981.

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

The Fall 2005 collection was titled 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' and the Alexander McQueen site said of this collection: 'For the second time in his career, Alexander McQueen references The Birds for this collection a film that he remembers loving as a child principally because of the precise way in which the women featured choose to dress. Against a film-set backdrop flooded with red light models stride out in swing coats, pencil skirts, neat, cropped trousers and fitted chunky mohair all of which suit a modern-day Hitchcock heroine down to the ground. Given the source of inspiration this may be read as McQueen's interpretation of coordinated dressing almost vintage Hermes style crocodile sling-backs are teamed with matching handbags, for example. Hair is big, bouffant and blow dried and lips are painted true red.' and Vogue's review stated 'Tippi Hedren and Marilyn Monroe. Biker molls and sweater girls. You got it: Alexander McQueen went to the sixties, all the way, for fall. With its filched movie and rock 'n' roll themes, the collection read as a knowing vehicle, a McQueen director's cut. Glacially restrained tailoring, early rocker chic, the classic Hollywood ball gown moment: He had 'em all. Plus great hair, great music, and a roar of old-school glamour. But there's no such thing as a McQueen routine without a sinister psychological subtext or two. Was there a hint in the invitation—a pastiche of the film poster for Vertigo, superimposed with the title of another Hitchcock movie, The Man Who Knew Too Much? What McQueen knows shows aplenty. His combined knowledge of Savile Row tailoring and Parisian couture means he can scissor an impeccably narrow grey tweed coat or a nipped-waist pencil skirt suit, and put sizzle into period sobriety.' On the runway draped black looks were shown for looks 8 & 9 that were more covered then this dress is. This dress is one that was produced in limited quantities for retail only that season and it is absolutely gorgeous 

The silk jersey crepe fabric on this dress is the perfect choice for it to fall and drape perfectly once on the body. The fabric has just 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 is what you want to see in a McQueen. It is that balance between femininity and darkness that his best pieces have. From the centre of the neckline the dress drapes down and around you. It falls to the floor and is cut supermodel long. The ease of the fabric is such that when you move it moves with you and is incredibly flattering as it glides and drapes over the body. The front is cut to sit very high at the neck and the sides where your arms slip through angle and drape down in soft folds of jersey. Around your neck sits a black beaded collar that hooks into place. This curves around the sides of your neck and then has a more extensive pattern and presence at the back of the neck. There the fabric is caught up just at the bottom top of the beaded collar so that you get a bare feeling down each shoulder blade and side. It is simple, sexy and perfect. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips over the head to wear and then the collar hooks into place on one side. Tagged a 40. The fabric is cut very loose through the body and is meant to drape and this loose and easy cut should work on a variety of body frames. The length will come up a bit once on the body with the bias cut. 

Bust: draped & will stretch to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 65" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3637

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 lovely knit dress by Pierre Cardin that has that perfect mod shape that you look for in his work. The fabric feels like a cotton mix and it is a decent weight that holds the shape but the cotton keeps it from being too hot. The neckline is high and it has two tiny little buttons at the back of the neck to close. It simply slips on to wear and falls into place perfectly. The sleeves are long and the dress is cut to skim over the body with just a suggestion of shape. Once it falls past the waist it starts to gently flare out to the hem. Worked into the knit is a raised pattern. It reminds me of a subtle cable knit but it has been done the Cardin way and incorporates one of his signature circle patterns into the design. This runs over the entire dress on the back and on the front. I especially love how they are incorporated on each sleeve so that they run down the outside edge. It is a terrific little dress and an easy way to incorporate a piece of Cardin'd work into your wardrobe. Excellent condition 

Unlined and slips on to wear. Closes at the beck of the beck with two tiny buttons. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. The knit has stretch and the measurements below are of it lying flat with no stretch. It wilpleasuly go up a couple inches across  

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3636

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 actually part of the Intimo Couture line by Valentino so would have been meant to be a robe but I think someone could get away with wearing this as an amazing outdoor coat and playing on the men's bathrobe feel that it has. The coat is made out of a super soft mohair that is done on a muted pastel mix of pale blues, creams and taupes. The pattern is an over-sized plaid that covers the entire robe. Inside the coat is lined in a soft, pale blue silk that gives it a pretty flash of colour when you move. The soft lines of the piece make it very comfortable to wear. The cut is a play on a men's bathrobe. The collar is rounded and soft and it is finished in a pale blue satin. Each sleeve is cut extra long and you can wear the cuffs down and keep that long feel or flip them up. When they are flipped up you see that each cuff is backed in the same soft blue satin as the collar. The sleeves are cut straight and wide. It has its original tie belt in a matching mohair and you simply wrap the robe around you and tie it into place with the belt. Pockets are hidden along the seam of the hip on either side. It is gorgeous and cuddly and wonderfully made. It looks to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a place blue silk and wraps to close with the belt. The cut is very forgiving. It should easily work as an over-sized garment on a smaller girl and will work equally well on a larger frame. Pockets on each hip. Some light scuffing to the silk lining. Tagged a large. It is more a blue and ivory in person then the taupe it photos as

Sleeves: approx 24 cuffed and 28" without
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 27" flat across the inside back from side seam to side seam
Waist: open
Hips: open
Length: 56" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# C569

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

Koos Van den Akker started his career as an apprenticeship with Christian Dior in the late 1950s. This early exposure to Haute Couture influenced all of his work for the rest of his career. He was a designer that started from the fabric, allowing it to influence the final design. This love of textiles runs strongly through his pieces and he is particularly adept at mixing and matching prints. His best pieces have a collage patchwork feel to them. This s an exceptional piece as much for its representation of his work and also just because it is gorgeous 

This amazing wrap piece is made out of several different soft cotton prints that have been pieced together in a bold patchwork collage that highlight the different components of the design. It is so easy to wear and I love that you can choose to wear it as a dress or use it to layer over or under other pieces and treat it like a light weight coat. It is long enough that it would layer perfectly over the pants and adding a wide legged trouser would give it a while new feel. It is equally as good on its own as a dress or a coat. It has a wide collar and it is loose cut through the body. Each sleeve is cut very wide and full. You can definitely see the nod to the Kimono and Yukata in its cut. It comes with its original sash that is made out of the same various prints and is very wide at the middle with long extended ties. It is very chic and very versatile. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear. It wraps and ties with the matching sash. Pockets on each hip. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged an XS but its loose and open cut should fit a variety of sizes. A teeny mark near the front hem

Sleeves: approx 19"
Shoulders: no true shoulder seam
Bust-hips: 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 47" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# C570

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 collection was inspired by Zandra's trip to China. She came back with sketchbooks filled from her travels there that became the foundation for her 1979 'Chinese Square' print and then carried over to the Spring 1980 collection with this print that she calls 'Chinese Constructivist & Clouds'. You can also clearly see the carry over in shape from her famous Lilies dress from a few years before this. The twin of this dress appears on page 159 of the book 'The Art of Zandra Rhodes' with her catalogue identification of 80/114

This rare and amazing dress is made entirely of hand painted silk chiffon over an inner layer of silk jersey. You can actually feel the paint on top of the fabric. The bodice is cut loose and full and dips down at the front with a V neckline. The sleeves are cut to be very wide and full and you can see in the reference photo just how wide they are. They come out from the waist and fall to about the elbow once on. Their edges are embellished with little droplets. Around the neckline there are pearlized beads and all of the edges there and elsewhere are hand rolled. Rows of rhinestones shoot out from the centre of the elasticized waist up and over the bodice and then more rhinestone rows run down the panel below the waist. These catch the light and add a little bit of extra glamour to the dress. The waist is finished with a gathered elastic band that looks good on its own or you can add a sash to tie over the elastic like you see in the book photo. The skirt is beautiful. It is made up of three layers. There is a panel that circles the waist that ends in points. These then have droplets at their ends to give them a touch of weight so that they sit properly. Then a second silk layer sits under that and this one falls the length of the skirt in an asymmetrical cut and ends in different lengths with more droplets applied to the points. Last is a ruffled edged pale blue silk jersey skirt that peeks out from under the top silk layers. It is a true work of art and very special. Excellent condition

Lined with a silk through the bodice and silk jersey through the skirt with the sleeves left unlined. The dress has an elastic waist and slips on to wear so should work on a range of sizes. Hand finished throughout. The edges are  hand rolled  and the silk chiffon is hand painted.

Sleeves: 18" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: variable
Waist: 12-14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips on inner lining: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 45.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3634

Reference Photo: From the book "The Art Of Zandra Rhodes".

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 lovely dress that has a very romantic feel with its use of lace and tiers. Alfred Bosand was an American Couturier and is often overlooked in my opinion. He was really one of the great American designers whose clothes where made to couture levels with lots of hand finishes and detailing to them. Bosand started his career after World War II by attending the Fashion Academy, New York City. He then worked with several designers before launching his own label. By the time he returned in 1986 he was one of New York's last privately owned couture designers with his own label. His work is of very high quality.

This dress is one of those pieces that once on the body it literally seems to transform into the stuff fairy tales are made of. The dress is made out of lace that has little floral medallions worked through the design. This top lace layer sits over an inner silk layer of white under the bodice and black under the skirt. I love the contrast between the black skirt and the white top. It gives it a bold feel that offsets the romantic quality of the lace. The top portion of the dress is amazing and really more of a cape with a top built in underneath. Two full tiers of lace overlap each other to fall from the neckline. The lace is set so that it hangs from the edge of the top of the neckline and the top of the sleeves so it simply looks like a caped effect that wraps around the body and arms. Elastic sits around the edge of where you put your arms through so the lace sits off shoulder and then simply falls from there. The waist is seamed and here the lace changes from white to black. There is a wide silk satin ribbon that details the waist and covers the transition of the colour. The skirt then cascades from there to the floor, widening out gently as it nears the hem. The skirt has three tiers of black lace that all cascade and overlap each other. Each layer is very full and is finished at its individual hem with a stiffened inner tap so that it has some structure and doesn't just lie limp. The back is slightly linger then the front so you get a beautiful sweeping line. It is very beautiful in person and even better on an actual body. Excellent condition

Fully lined in white through the bodice and black through the skirt. It closes with a back painted metal zipper and has elastic at the top of each shoulder. Hand finished throughout. There is the teeniest feel of grubbiness/yellowing to the edges of top of and into the inner bodice that you don't see when on.  

Shoulders: no true shoulder
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" on the inner lining flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 46" from waist to front hem, 48" tp the back hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3633

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