I love finding Donald Brooks pieces. They are very well made and his boutique pieces especially have a sense of fun about them that I love. Brooks launched his main line label in 1964. He only designed for a very short time, closing his business in 1973. He had a secondary, boutique line that he started in 1971 that also closed in 1973. This dress is from the boutique line which gives us that small time period from 1971-1973 for its date. While researching we also found a two piece set that resides in the Goldstein Museum's collection made of the same fabric. I have had that one in the shop before and it is amazing to have another version now for you. 

For his boutique line, Donald Brooks really played into that whole 1960s flower power hippie movement. His designs were targeted towards a younger audience then the main line pieces where and they all have this sense of fun and ease to them. Pieces made regular appearance on all of the big name supermodels in the pages of Vogue and Harper's and women loved them. This dress is just darling. It is made out of a cotton mix fabric that has a  seersucker texture striping running through it to give added dimension. The colour combination is a gorgeous mix of primarily corals and yellows with other colours worked in. The top is cut onto a halter at the front with angled sides that carry up to the high neckline. It is nipped in at the waist and then the skirt is set under that to fall outwards on an angle, widening out as it nears the hem. At the back the straps that extend out from the collar curve down the sides to meet the waist. This leaves your back almost entirely bare and open. The long skirt also has two high slits running up either side at the front. This slit skirt technique is a signature of his work and lets your legs show when you walk or sit. Then, as the final finish, all of the edges on the halter, running down the front and circling the waist, have been finished with bands of embroidered multi-coloured flowers. And it has pockets in the skirt. I love it. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a low set zipper at the back of the skirt and halter hooks to close at the back of the neck. My dress form's neck was too small but it will close completely in the proper size neck or you could add an extension there if needed. Pockets hidden along the sides of the skirt

Neck: 13.25" end to end
Bust: approx to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam and there is a at least room or up to a B cup at the front 
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to top waist seam waist
Skirt: 38" from top waist seam to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3785

Reference Photo: (1) Photo by Helmut Newton for Vogue US, January 1972.  /  (2) 1970-75 Donald Brooks Ensemble from the Goldstein Museum of Design Collection.

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

Vicky Tiel was backed by Elizabeth Taylor as a young designer after working on the costumes for 'Whats New Pussycat'. After a stint with a partner she launched her self named label in Paris in 1970. She as one of the very early boutique owner/designer that offered a ready-to-wear option in Paris. That said, her clothes often walk a fine line between ready-to-wear and couture in terms of their construction and techniques used. By the mid to late seventies her style had developed into the ultra sexy and feminine clothing that she is now known best for. By the eighties and into the nineties, she had a cult celebrity following. This is a stunning example of just how sexy and dramatic her work could get. 

This dramatic little dress by Vicky Tiel is fabulous. It is made from a black jersey that lets it drape over you perfectly. The design is fabulous as well. The bodice is draped and gathered into two long triangles over the bust. At the back there are two more of the same and these are set wider apart so that most of your back is left bare and exposed. Then starting right under the base of the halter there is a gathered and fitted waist that cinches you in and creates shape. This middle part is highly structured and molded to the body. It is made like a corset inside to give you shape with both boning and inner structure for support. Under that the skirt is made out of the same jersey as the rest of the dress and is set as a panel that wraps around you and curves up and over at the front. When you walk or move you get a flash of leg showing and it is quite sexy. All of this is topped by that spectacular collar and sleeves. The halter at the back and front are all attached into the collar that wraps around the neck and so are the long slim sleeves. This creates this very interesting cut out effect all around the neckline and back. The collar itself is really like wearing an attached piece of jewellery. It is made of a wide and soft band that is covered with rows of faux pearls and rhinestones. This is a dress that really needs an actual body for it to come to life. It will be jaw dropping once on the right person. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.

The skirt and halters are a double layer of the jersey. The middle is fully lined in a black silky rayon and is boned. The dress closes with a back zipper. Very well constructed. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. 

Sleeves: approx 24
Bust: approx to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam but with the open design it should accommodate a range of bust sizes. 
Seam under the bust: 14.5"
Natural waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at bottom of bodice: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from neck to top seam at waist
Middle banding: 9"
Skirt: 18.5" from bottom seam of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3787

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 fabulous dress would have been designed while Youssef Rizkallah headed the company. Youseef joined the Malcolm Starr label in 1969 and remained as the head designer until 1975. The years that Youssef headed the line are among some of my favorites and in particular his pieces that utilize quilting and patchwork are truly iconic. Rizkallah was born in Egypt and studied at the Ecole de dessin appliqué and the Ecole des arts decoratifs in Paris. His designs seem to combine that sense of couture lines that he gained in Paris with the color and vividness of his homeland. I particularly love his patchwork appliqué pieces and this one is a stellar example of just that. 

This is a wonderful piece that would have originally been worn over pant or shorts based on that one side of the skirt that is completely open from the waist to the hem. The dress is made from a creamy ivory fabric that feels like a light mixed of cotton and synthetics. It has a slight ribbed texture that runs over it. The lines in the fabric all run vertically over the dress and this adds to the feeling of length that it has. The bodice is cut with a high collar and no sleeves. It skims over the bust and nips in at the waist. The skirt flows down from under there and the entire one side of the skirt has a ruffled finish in the same ivory fabric. The ruffles also hide that slit that runs right from the waist to the floor so that the side is completely split open. You could easy add a snap or two if you wanted to wear it as a true dress or wear it as it was originally intended by adding a pair fo shorts, tights or trousers underneath. Big gingham patchwork flowers run over the bodice and also trail down the skirt. I love the pop of colour and optimism the flowers give the dress. You cannot look at this piece with its big happy flowers and not feel wonderful. And if that was not enough, the entire inside lining of the skirt is finished in a matching blue gingham. With the skirt being open down the side you completely see this lining when you move. It's fantastic. The final finishing touch is the padded and piped gingham tie belt that wraps around the waist and ties everything together. It is an amazing combination of colour and textures. It is so dramatic and like wearing art. I love it. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Fully lined in a blue cotton gingham and zips to close at the  back. There is a slight hint of yellowing to the fabric at the collar and the upper back. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all. 

Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 41" from waist to hemm

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3789

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 Josefa caftans and have covered the history of the label a couple of times in my instagram (go peek one day). They are like owning a piece of wearable art. Every single one of them was entirely hand made and detailed. They were made in Mexico in the late sixties to early seventies and were the epitome of Bohemian chic in their day. They are easy to wear pieces that can go from the beach, to exploring far off markets, to being worn as an evening piece depending on how you style them. I have had the twin of this one before and I am always happy to find another.

This is one of my absolute favourites out of all the pieces I have ever seen by this label and it is a wonderful example of her work. The cotton is crisp and fresh feeling. Usually you see these in bright colours but this one is in a natural cream ivory that has a linen like finish to it. The design is based on a classic caftan. It falls from the shoulders and widens out as it nears the hem. It is cut to sit very loose and easy over the body so it is incredibly easy to wear. The sleeves are extra wide and cut to drop on an angle so they have incredible volume and movement. Running over the the front of the dress are strands of multi-coloured ribbon. The ribbons are a full rainbow of bright and happy colours. Each one has been hand sewn into place in rows running across their bodice and then their ends are left loose. When you move they move and create the most fabulous effect. More ribbon circles the sleeves and details them. It slips on to wear and has a front zipper that you can close all the way up to the neck or leave  open and low for a plunge effect. Excellent condition with a minor note below 

Unlined and zips to close at the front with a painted metal zipper. I see a small spot on the back of one sleeve and some of the ribbons show small repair and stress near the edge where they hang off the caftan. Please see the photos after the label shot. 

The bust goes to 19" across from seam to seam - if this fits the rest should fit. It is 59.5" long from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA (One Size Fits All)

Item# DD3790

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

Mary McFadden patented her Fortuny inspired pleating technique just a couple of years after launching her label in 1973. By the eighties she had many licensing agreements and her dresses were being made on a larger scale. Earlier pieces like this one had much of the work in them finished by hand and were done in house. She called her pleated fabric 'marii' after her own name. She went around the world to source the fabric she wanted and her pieces need up being made out of a synthetic charmeuse that she sourced from Australia. The fabric was then sent to Japan to be hand-dyed and the pleating technique was done by a machine press in the United States. Mary was known to say frequently that there was no greater beauty than pleated cloth on the human body and she said then when she developed her 'marii' fabric her aim was to have it 'fall like liquid gold on the body, like Chinese silk.' The label on this dress pre-dates the mass production of her garments and has hand fineshed detailing in it unlike later pieces. 

This dress is made from the McFadden's signature pleating technique. The construction of this dress makes it extremely easy to wear. The pleating gives it the comfort of a bias cut dress and it is very sexy while still feeling refined. Its loose and easy cut through the body make it a breeze to wear. You just slip it on and feel fabulous. The fabric drapes around you and the lightness of is still shows the body underneath but in a very subtle way. The dress falls to the floor from the shoulder and just skims over the full length of your body. There is a seam at the low skirt that breaks the line. This gives it that little bit of extra detail and movement. It also balances out the sleeves. It is on the longer side which is a rare thing to find in her dresses. As she progressed in her career she preferred to design pieces that ended well above the ankle so you could see the shoe underneath. Her longer pieces are a bit rarer and harder to find. The sleeves are spectacular. Each is cut on a curve with an inner seam to give them some structure. One is black and the other the same beige neutral colour as the body of the dress. They are extremely full at the tops of the shoulders and then taper down to the wrist. What is remarkable is that there is a tiny bit of light padding inside the shoulder but the shape you see really comes from the way the fabric has been placed and sewn into the body of the dress. Each arm has a ring of dense beading that curve around the top of the arm. These sit independently of the dress except for where they are attached at the top of the shoulder so have a bit of movement when you move. No matter how good it is in the photos it is better in person and would still feel incredibly avant grade and on point for today's runways. It is beautiful and a rare example of her earlier work. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear with a keyhole and hook and eye closure at the back of the neck. Hand finishes. The dress is tagged a size 4 but should fit a range of sizes as the style is very easy to wear and forgiving. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. There are some tiny little snags on the fabric here and there but nothing that really effect its presentation. The dress has a more grey beige tone to it in person. 

Sleeves: approx 26"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: will stretch to at least 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 54" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED, maybe  a large if you are not terrible broad across the shoulders

Item# DD3782

Reference Photos: Fall 1980 Mary McFadden Runway.

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

Mary McFadden patented her Fortuny inspired pleating technique just a couple of years after launching her label in 1973. By the eighties she had many licensing agreements and her dresses were being made on a larger scale. Earlier pieces like this one had much of the work in them finished by hand and were done in house. She called her pleated fabric 'marii' after her own name. She went around the world to source the fabric she wanted and her pieces need up being made out of a synthetic charmeuse that she sourced from Australia. The fabric was then sent to Japan to be hand-dyed and the pleating technique was done by a machine press in the United States. Mary was known to say frequently that there was no greater beauty than pleated cloth on the human body and she said then when she developed her 'marii' fabric her aim was to have it 'fall like liquid gold on the body, like Chinese silk.' The label on this dress pre-dates the mass production of her garments and has hand fineshed detailing in it unlike later pieces. 

This dress is made from McFadden's fabric in her signature pleating technique. Like many of her best pieces the construction of this dress hearkens back to ancient Greece. The pleating gives it the comfort of a bias cut and it is very sexy while still feeling refined. It is cut to plunge at both the front and back. Both sides of the dress are cut to cross over themselves and I love the play on the colour with one side done in black and the other in a creamy ivory. The fabric drapes around you and the lightness of it skims over your body underneath and it is very flattering. The bodice is cut to skim over you from the shoulder to the hip. It is made to give the illusion that the two colours are wrapped and set over each other. One side in an ivory and the other black. The skirt underneath that is done in  a solid black to give you a long lean feel. It is cut on the longer side which is a rare thing to find in her dresses. As she progressed in her career she preferred to design pieces that ended well above the ankle so you could see the shoe underneath so the longer pieces are a bit rarer and harder to find. The sleeves are spectacular. Each sleeve is also made from the pleated fabric and falls long and straight to the wrist. The pleats allow the sleeves to fan open when you move though so they seem wider. One is black and the other is ivory and then those colours carry into the bodice for that graphic feel. Each has a very tiny bit of light padding in the shoulder but once on the body have a soft feel to them. The front and back plunge into a V which just balances everything out perfectly. No matter how good it is in the photos it is better in person and it is wonderful once on the body. It is beautiful and a rare example of her earlier work. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a hidden set side zipper. Hand finishes. The easy cut and give of the fabric should allow it to fit a range of sizes. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. There are some tiny little snags on the fabric here and there but nothing that really effect its presentation. The dress is a slightly more creamy ivory then how it photoed.  

Sleeves: approx 22"
Slightly inset shoulders: approx 15.5"
Bust: will stretch to at least 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: will stretch 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
The seam across the top of the hips that is 18" down from the shoulder will stretch to 17" across max
Hips under that seam: open
Length: 59" from shoulder to hem at the front and 59" to the back

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3784

Reference Photos: Spring 1980 Mary McFadden Runway.

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

Emanuel Ungaro launched his label in 1965 after stints at both Balenciaga and Courreges. He was a brilliant designer who was known for his extravagant fabrics and flamboyance. He often participated in the design and execution of new fabrics and for him the design process started there. His work always has a sense of exuberance and joy to it and he mixed fabric and prints with a master's eye. When hunting for the date of this dress I found a strikingly similar dress from the runway that had additional shoulder detailing but is otherwise remarkably like this one. That reference photo is included and it gives you a great idea of how amazing this one will be once on an actual body. 

The fabric and colour of this dress are fantastic and no matter how great it looks in the photos you will love it even more in person. It is made out of a coral silk that is heavily shot through with a gold lame thread. This lets the fabric catch the light from every angle and intensifies the coral colour. The fabric is light in weight and despite the elaborate construction of the dress is not at all heavy once it is on. Inside the dress is a built in structure to give you support so that despite the lightness of the fabric the intended shape is held perfectly in place. The strapless bodice is cut with a modified sweetheart neckline and it is meant to hug the body. It is elaborately gathered and fitted around the bust with hand placed and gathered folds. These folds that emphasized the curves of the body were a signature of his and really made his pieces flattering once on. On this dress the gathers and shape run from the bust right down and over the hips so you get curves on curves. Under the bottom seam the skirt is set and has a series of silk panels set all the way around you. Each panel has been individually set on an angle to create the ruffled effect that you see. The way they are set onto the skirt allows each piece to move freely so that whenever you move they move. A little bow at the back is the perfect finishing touch. It is gorgeous and appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a coral silk and closes with a back zipper. The bow snaps into place over the top of the zipper. The interior of the bodice is boned for support. Tagged a vintage Ungaro 6. It appears to have never been worn, or worn very little.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 29" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3417

Reference Photo: F/W 1988-89 Emanuel Ungaro Runway Collection.

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 absolutely incredible and one of the prettiest things I have seen lately. I love this dress. The fabric is a wonderful silk taffeta that has a romantic washed floral design covering its entire surface. The print is set onto the silk in a soft washed feel like a watercolour painting. The bodice is strapless and fitted to hug the body. Light boning at each side helps to hold it in place. The silk was then draped to closely follow your every curve. The fabric on the bust crosses over itself and gathers bring the dress in at one side to create the illusion that it has been wrapped around you. The wrapped illusion is made even more apparent by the wide ruffle that trims all of the edges. This wide panel os fabric follows the cur of the dress and curves around the hem and then back up. The form is shipped ups lslightly as a result for some leg to show and I love ow the hem is slightly asymmetrical as a result. The ruffle also acts to emphasize the curves and the shape of the dress. It has a very bombshell feel to it as a result. The waist is cinched in with seaming and a large flower made of the same fabric is nestled into the folds just under the bust for the perfect finishing detail. Everything on this dress is done to create that highly sculptural shape. It looks to have never been worn or worn very little. In person the colour is a bit more towards a dusty pinky red then the coral it photoed as. It is even better in person. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a pink silky rayon and closes with a hidden set side zipper. 

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam with an A to small B cup
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bust: 10" from top of waist
Skirt: 30" to the longest point at the back

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3581

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

Leger worked for Karl Lagerfeld at Fendi and followed him to Chanel in 1983 when Lagerfeld took over there. In 1985 at the age of 28 Leger began designing under his own name for clients. His dresses were one of the stars of the nineties and were among the most coveted and iconic of the labels during that period of fashion. His bandage dress in particular were one of his strongest creations and the originals were only produced between 1989-1997. This dress is even more special as it is one of his couture pieces. A mannequin would be created based on the exact measurements of his client that the dress was made for and each is a one of made to fit that client exactly. In 1998 the company was sold to BCBG and the making of the bandage dress were halted along wth the dismissal of Herve from his self named brand. Dresses from this time period where he was making and designing the dresses himself are very rare and to find a couture one even rarer. It is a very special piece. I was very happy to find a version that walked the runway for the Fall 1997 show and the runway shots show you how it looks when in an actual body and the shoulders worn off shoulder like they should be 

This dress combines that iconic striped bandage technique he used with a bias cut silk skirt and stunning lace and bead work. The bodice is made entirely using his famous bandage technique where elastic strips of fabric were sewn together to make girdle-tight foundation. The allows the bodice to mold and shape itself to your body and  create that perfect hourglass feel. The bandage portion the dress runs from the neckline to just past the hips. The bodice was then covered in a soft, fine lace that allows the nude coloured elastic underneath to peak through. From a distance this gives the illusion that you aren't wearing anything underneath the lace. The lace is held in place by vertical banding of beadwork that are set on slight angles to further add to the illusion of shape. More beadwork runs around the neckline and over the straps and then again t the bottom where the bodice meets the skirt. The front is shaped to mold over the breasts and the straps are set wide. On an actual body these can be worn more off the shoulder to leave the collar bones completely bare. At the back the neckline scoops down to leave the upper portion of the shoulders bare. The skirt is set in under that and flares out around you to move with your slightest movement. I love this contrast between the very fitted top and the more flowing skirt. The silk used for the skirt is light in weight and has no lining so it really moves wonderfully. It is stunning and a fabulous example of his made to order couture work. This is a dress that really needs a body to come to life and once on it will blow you away.  Excellent condition 

Unlined and closes with a hidden set back zipper. Tagged a M. The fabric does have stretch and it can expand but does still stay tight and fitted with the elastic interior. The range of measurements given below are of it laying flat but it will potentially stretch to a couple of inches more. 

Bust: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 54" from off shoulder strap to hem, approx 57" once on

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3581

Reference Photos: Fall 1997 Herve Leger Runway.

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

Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate beading, sequins, daring cut-outs and avant garde ways of defining the body. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. By the seventies and eighties he was experimenting with volume and proportions and new fabrics that at the time were all cutting edge. This is a stunning example of his work during this period. This is a label that I really love and am always happy to find pieces of.

This is a killer dress. It is really one that will come to life even more once on an actual body and you can see your bare skin peeking through the waist openings. I hope the photos convey just how fabulous it is because when worn and on an actual body this one will be even better. The top is made from two simple triangles that curve up and around the neck and then narrow into straps that dip down the back. The waist is entirely made out of a pattern of beads done in a combination of black and gold. The spaces created between the curving rows of beads are completely open so that you get your bare skin peaking through once it is on. This bead detailing starts just under the bust and runs all the way around you to the waist seam. At the back it ties into place which just adds to the bare feeling the dress has. It also makes it adjustable from larger to small bust-lines. This transparent coverage is where that mix of sensuality and sexuality that his work always has becomes so apparent. The skirt under that is made from a bias cut black opaque silk jersey that sits and drapes beautifully around you. When you walk it moves and there is this beautiful contrast with the length of the skirt and the bareness of the top. It brings all the emphasis to the curves of your body above. If there was ever a dress that needed a body inside of it to bring it to life, this is it. It is stupendous once on. Excellent condition

The skirt is fully lined in a black silky rayon and the rest of the dress is unlined. It closes with a low back set zipper on the skirt and then ties up the back above that. One of the circles seems a little unmatched to the rest but it still lays perfectly fine once on. Please see the photo after the label shot. Tiniest bit of reside on the back of the halter from old taping. 

Bust: adjustable with the ties at the back and each triangle will provide up to approx 7"across in coverage 
Waist: 12-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 44.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3580

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 1980s and 1990s Gianni Versace ruled the catwalks. He was the favourite of the Supermodels and they were featured predominately in his runway shows and his ad campaigns. Versace launched his label in 1978 and by 1989 he presented a couture collection. The days that Gianni headed the label were heady, glamourous ones and set the tone for the label as we know it today. He remained at the helm until his death by assignation in 1997. This is from 1995 based on the label marking. This period is when the label was everywhere and everyone wanted to own and wear a Versace.

What I love about this dress is that it shows the level of his tailoring skills. This is a dress that is extremely simple in cut but every line is done with purpose to highlight and mold to the body. The dress is constructed from a fine black wool that is light in weight but holds the shape exceptionally well. It has just a touch of stretch to it so it is very comfortable to wear. It is then seamed to create that fitted shape that you see. The bare minimum of seams are used and have been set into curving lines at each side and one at the back to create an hourglass shape. The seams also help to give the dress structure, shape and support. The waist nips in and the hips curve out following the lines of the body. The skirt is cut to about the knee depending on your height and curves in slightly at the hem for a more fitted silhouette. The bust is spectacular and its simple lines hide an inner foundation that helps to give support. The neckline dips in a beautiful low plunge and this is mirrored at the back. I love that little triangle detail at the base of the plunge at the back. It is wonderfully made and might just be the perfect LBD. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk with an extra layer built in through the inner bust. It close with a hidden set side zipper.

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3577

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 and I love it

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 a softer light purple colour. Worked into the print are little pops of different shade of pink. The floral and swirling design covers the entire surface of the dress. A contrasting border defines the cut of the dress and runs around the waist, up the front of the skirt and then defines the collar, cuffs and hem. The sleeves are cut long and I love that little pop of pink at their cuffs. The bodice is cut to skim over the bust with a V neckline. The waist is cut on the more loose and easy side and the skirt flows to the floor and widens softly as it reaches the hem. At the front there is a slit that runs up and in between the print there so that when you walk or sit you get a flash of leg. It also allows the skirt to have a bit more movement when you move. The silk jersey is very light and this allows the dress to drape beautifully on the body. It is a stunning dress. Excellent condition

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

Sleeves: 23"
Slight drop shoulders: 17"
Bust: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from top of bodice to top of waist
Skirt: 42" from top of waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2143

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

I am always on the look out for this style of dress by Halston. It is perhaps the most iconic of all of the Halston silhouettes and in 2016 a red version of this dress entered modern day fashion history when Kate Moss wore its twin on the red carpet at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. And we have had Martha Hunt wear a white one version that she sourced from us to Cannes. She landed on several Best Dressed lists as a result. These were made in a variety of colours and this one is a gorgeous purple lavender colour. It is made from a very easy to care for jersey and this fabric choice makes it very easy to wear. These were made in both a Petite sized version and a regular, longer cut version which are a little harder to find. This one is one of the longer ones.

Halston was a master at this cut. There is a certain sexiness caused by the illusion of having the entire dress suspended by one hook at the shoulder. It gives the sense that undoing that hook would cause the entire dress to drop in a puddle around you (which it would). It is constructed from two attached layers. The inner dress is cut from the same synthetic jersey and skims over the body in a long sheath. This inner part of the dress has a high slit cut into the side that travels up the side of the leg opposite to the draped side. Attached to that inner sheath lies a draped panel of jersey that is suspended from the shoulder. It falls from that shoulder down and over the front and the back of the dress. The dress hooks into place at the shoulder and the jersey cascades loosely down and over the inner layer for the ultimate Grecian goddess feel. This is a classic dress by Halston that is perfect for traveling as it is wash and wear and will travel exceedingly well with little to no wrinkling. It is very easy to style too - a quick change of shoe takes it day to night in a snap. This one looks to have been worn very little is at all. Excellent condition.

Slips on to wear and hooks to close at the top of the shoulder. These will fit a variety of sizes since they are not cut to be super fitted and the jersey does have some stretch. Note the colour has a slightly more pastel  feel to it then how it photoed. It is better in person I think.

Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 58" from neck to hem
Slit: 29" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3575

Reference Photo: (1-2) Kate Moss in Vintage Halston at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.  /  (3) Karen Bjornsen, Alva Chinn, Connie Cook and Pat Cleveland in Halston Dresses, photographed by by Harry Benson, 1978. / (4) Martha Hunt wearing this dress in Cannes, 2019.  /  (5) Martha Hunt on Harper's Bazaar Australia Best Dressed List. /  (6-8) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

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

This is a beautiful example of Valentino's main label ready-to-wear work that he was doing during the 1980s. It has those classic clean lines he was loved for and the colour is just phenomenal. This set is not perfect but its flaws are forgivable. The sheer impact it has outweighs any small imperfections. 

Both the skirt and its matching long cut jacket have been made out of a fine light wool that is done in the most remarkable clear and bright coral colour. The wool has a slight texture to it that just makes that gorgeous colour pop even more. The skirt is beautifully cut with simple sleek lines. It is set flat around the waist and then angles out just slightly as it nears the hem. Piping in a matching light wool done in an ivory circled the top of the waist and then is set just above the hem. That same piping is used to define and highlight the cut of the matching jacket. It outlines the notched caller and runs down the front. A similar line to the one on the skirt is set just above the hem. When it is on these line up wonderfully. The jacket is cut with beautiful lines. It has light padding in each shoulder and simple sleeves. It falls to meet the hem of the skirt in length. Shaping is done to give just a bit of definition to the waist area. The back is left to fall in a simple sleek line. Big carved mother of pearl buttons run down the front. Piping is set along the tops of each pocket for the perfect finish. The skirt is in excellent condition and there is a note on the jacket below

Both the dress and jacket are unlined with beautifully finished interior seams. The jacket closes with buttons down the front and the skirt closes with a zipper. There are some small grazes to the top layer of the wool on the jacket primarily on the back of the shoulder, one on the sleeve and a tiny spot near the piping of the pocket. They do not go all the way through and most likely could be re-woven perfectly. Priced at half of what it would be otherwise. Please see the photos after the label shot

Jacket
Sleeves: 23.5"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3752

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 striking dress is from the 1970s Valentino Boutique label. The cut and drape of it is so unusual and feels very modern and edgy even by todays standards. The wool is fabulous and it feels like a mix of cashmere and wool that has been dyed to that famous Valentino red. It has this great oversized feel to it and yet it cinches in at the waist so you still have some shape. The fabric itself is lighter then you would at first think so it is super easy to wear. It is just heavy enough to be able to hold the shape and drape perfectly but feels very comfortable on. To wear it you slip it over your head and button it at the neck with the buttons you see there. Your arms slip into the straight cut sleeves and then each side is open from under the arm to the hem. Ties extend out from the back part of the dress and you wrap these around you and tie it into place. You can wear it is a dress with something underneath or with it tied tighter if you are small, or use it as a top layering piece. I feel like this is one that you could come up with a zillion way to style it. It is well made and a versatile piece that can be worn endlessly. It's amazing. Excellent condition

Unlined with buttons at the neck. It slips on to wear and then you can use the attached ties to add shape. The easy cit should allow it to fit a range of sizes. 

Sleeves: 20"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 17"
Bust-hem: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3754

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

Victor Costa launched his label in 1974 and was known for producing versions of what was seen on the Paris runways. This dress would have been made based on pieces that Yves Saint Laurent was doing in this time frame. Costa chose good fabrics for his designs and even though his work was often very close interpretations of other designs he did add his own unique twist when it came to colours, cut and fabrics. Some of his work is quite lovely and this dress is one of the very good pieces that he did. 

This is one of my personal favorites of the Victor Costa pieces I have had come into the shop. The fact that it is a play on the work of Yves Saint Laurent plays a part in that opinion. The dress is well made and is a really great value for your dollar. It gives you the runway look of the seventies for a great price. It is made from a stunning silk taffeta that gives it just enough weight and structure to be able to create the impressive lines and volume that you see but without making the dress heavy or bulky to wear. It also gives the dress the most amazing slightly iridescent finish. As you move and the fabric catches the light you get a subtle change in the colour and it is quite a stunning detail in itself. The bodice is fitted and strapless and cut to curve and shape the bust. Circling around the top portion of the bust is an elaborate ruffled finish that is made of two panels of taffeta stacked on top of each other. The waist nips in and the dress comes with its original tie belt in a matching fabric that allows you to cinch the waist in further. The skirt falls to the floor from there and has yards of fabric in it that create the fullness and volume that you see. The skirt falls in a gently widening line and is finished by a pleated ruffled that goes all the way around the hem. For the first main set of full length photos I photoed it with a light crinoline underneath and then the last two full length shots are of the dress without anything under it. I love everything about it. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a the same fabric through the bodice and the skirt is unlined. The bodice is lightly boned and shaped with stiffening fabric. The dress closes with a back zipper. Original matching fabric tie belt. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. The color in person has a slightly more purple tone to it then how it photoed. It is even better in person. The crinoline used on the first shots is not included

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 bodice ruffles to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3460

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 Leonard Paris label began as a textile firm in 1954 and for the first four years of its existence it only produced fabric. In 1958 they started making garments but it was not until about 1970 when they started using a printed silk jersey for the majority of their collections that the label really took off. They are often compared to Pucci and during the seventies the two labels battled it out to be the label of choice for the jet set.

The dress in this set is made from one of those signature silk jersey fabrics. This would have been a custom designed fabric. This fabric choice give it the perfect drape and fit. It also holds the colour of the print that covers the surface exceptionally well and the print is a s crisp and clear as when it would have been made. It is that perfect balance of being easy to wear and still having the feel of being chic and luxurious. I love the simple cut of the dress and how it flows to the floor in a swoop of bias cut silk jersey from the band around the upper bust. You just simply slip it on, zip it up and go. The cut is long and lean and the silk jersey drapes and moves with you as you move. It is cut loose and easy through the body so very comfortable to wear. Over the inner strapless dress is a silk chiffon cape that buttons at the neck and has a touch of transparency to it. The collar is defined and it is cut to fall in a point at both the front and the back. The design that covers both pieces is a mix of pretty flowers in pinks and purples on a black backdrop. Excellent condition with a small note below

Unlined and closes with a side metal and nylon zipper. The cape has a fabric covered button at the back of the neck. The dress fabric is a silk jersey and does have some stretch - the measurements given are to the comfortable stretch when laying out flat. The fabric is signed throughout. At some point someone had sewn across the back to add shape and when these stitches were removed they left a row of stitching holes. Because of the print and where they are you only notice them if you hold the fabric up to the light. Please see the photo after the label shot. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes

Dress
The band that sits above the bust: 15-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam. 
Natural Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem

Cape
37" from neck to longest point at hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2769

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. This set is an amazing example of how she could design for a younger audience and still keep to her aesthetic. 

I am a huge Hanae Mori fan. Like the jersey pant suit I just sold a few days ago, a skirt set is perhaps not what you first think of when you think of her work but once you see it you realize that it shows how broad her range was. This set is made up of a fabulous little button down top and a matching wrap and tie at the waist full length skirt. Each is made from a different fabric and both of her choices hold that gorgeous bright print perfectly. That amazing print covers the entire surface of both pieces and I love the little butterflies in blue that flit here and there over the surface to add a pop of colour. She was just a master at colour and print. The skirt is made out of an opaque fabric that is a mix of a linen with a touch of cotton to keep it from wrinkling. To wear it you simply loop its ties through a hole at the side of the waist and then wrap it around you and tie into place. Where it overlaps at the front you get a bit of an opening so that when you walk or sit you see a flash of leg. The top is the definition of the seventies button down. It has a sharply pointed collar and long straight sleeves with button cuffs. It buttons down the front and is cut to fit the body. All of the buttons are pink and embossed with an HM raised font. The top is made out of a light weight cotton that has just a touch of transparency to it. I love how both pieces have the same print but because the fabrics have a different opaqueness quality to them you get this wonderful contrast between the two. It is incredibly easy to wear and travel with. You can wear both pieces together for a strong statement look or break up the set and wear them as separates with other pieces in your closet for lots of styling options. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition with a minor note below 

Both pieces are unlined. The skirt wraps to close and ties. The top buttons down the front and at each cuff. The waist measurement is adjustable. Tagged a vintage size 8. There is grubbiness to the inside collar and a couple small spots on one cuff. Please see the label shot and the shot after that 

Top
Sleeves: approx 23"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17" 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: 26" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: adjustable with the tie
Hips: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from waist to hem with 3.5" turned up under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML based on the top, the skirt can probably go to a MED

Item# DD3745

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 fabulous little jumpsuit was produced by the Clobber label, a boutique in London that was run by Jeff Banks from 1964-1974. Banks is one of my personal favorites of the British designers of that time

This is a sexy and easy to wear halter front black jersey jumpsuit. This is the kind of design that would have ruled the night clubs of the seventies and it has a sexy, easy way about it. It is made from an easy to wear and care for black nylon jersey that moves well and drapes well once on the body. The legs under the skirt are cut with a skinny straight feel that tapers down as it nears the ankle. The waist is elastic so it sits well once on and is very comfortable to wear. A panel of the same jersey fabric is set around the waist to give it a skirt over pants feel. This is then slit open on both sides right up to the waist. So when you move you see the legs underneath more. It is really hard to convey how great this is on the body from the static photos but it is. This  clever overlay really hides any flaws and makes you feel tall and skinny. The halter is a simple triangle front that ties up and around the neck. This leaves the back completely bare. It even has its original matching fabric tie belt to cinch in and shape the waist.  It's the perfect, go with everything black and the jersey travels perfectly. Throw it on for day with flats or wear sky high heels at night. It is a fabulous versatile piece. Excellent condition with one small note below.

Unlined and slips on to wear It ties the back of the neck. The fabric has some stretch. There is one tiny pull on the fabric near the seam of the waist at one side. It is mainly hidden under the tie belt once on. Please see the photo after the label shot. The easy cut and stretch of the fabric should allow it to fit a range of sizes. 

Bust: open side seam so variable
Elastic waist: 14-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15-16" from top of shoulder to waist
Pant: 41" from waist to hem
Inseam: 28"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3751

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

Youseef Rizkallah joined the Malcolm Starr label in 1969 and remained as the head designer until 1975. The years that Youssef headed the line are among some of my favourites. While at Malcom Starr the piece that he designed pieces had  both his name and the Malcolm Starr International name on the label. Rizkallah was born in Egypt and studied at the Ecole de dessin appliqué and the Ecole des arts decoratifs in Paris. His designs seem to combine that sense of couture drama and cut that he learned while in Paris with the color and vividness of his homeland. This is the second time I have had this dress in the shop. The first time was an all gold and blue version and I am very happy to have this red and gold version this time.

This stunning dress is one of my favourite Malcolm Starr designs. In general I love the Rizkallah years. They have lots of drama and impact and this dress is a gorgeous example of his work. The fabric is gorgeous. A heavy dose of gold metallic thread covers an underlying pattern in corals and red, all on an light silk brocade feeling fabric. The effect is amazing. It is almost like wearing a piece covered in gold leaf. The dress at first glance looks substantial but in reality it is actually shockingly light in weight. It is just heavy enough to hold the shape and volume you see but it is so easy to wear. The bodice skims over the torso and is cut to be a little more fitted. The sleeves are capped and the waist line is set higher up to sit just under the bust. The front neckline is notched and plunges down to meet the band under the bust. Around the neck, the waist and at the end of each sleeve is a detailing of gold braid that has rhinestones set all along its length. I love the flat bow that sits just under the bust made from that same gold and rhinestone cording. The skirt cascades to the floor, widening out as it nears the hem, and I love the fullness of it. Pockets sit on each hip. The silk used is very lightweight and the fabric really holds the shape of the skirt beautifully. I love that it is lined in a soft coral silk. That unexpected flash of colour is spectacular against the gold. It is just a beautiful dress. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a coral silk and closes with a painted back metal zipper. The inner skirt lining is finished with a wide band of dressmakers horse hair at the hem to help support and keep the shape of the skirt over it. Hand finished. The zipper will open easily if the sides are pulled apart but it stays up once zipped.

Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 42.5" from waist to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3746

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

Mollie Parnis is one of my favorite American designers. She was known for having dressed numerous first ladies and her dresses regularly appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. She started a label with her husband in 1933 called Parnis Livingston Inc and she quickly became know for her quality, fit, and use of very good fabrics. She had a particular talent in dressing woman of every age and designed pieces that suited her older clients in a time when this was not a focus. Her husband died in 1962 forcing the label to shutter but she re-grouped and re-opened three months later under her own Mollie Parnis label. The boutique label launched in 1970 and the fabrics used for that line were targeted to a younger audience and utilized brighter colours and and bolder cuts. 

I absolutely love the bright and happy feel of this dress. I also love that it mixes two different types of silk but keeps the same pattern running over both. The top is made out of a silk chiffon and then the skirt is a silk twill. Even though the same print runs over both of the two silks the result has a different feel because of the change in transparency. On the bodice the silk chiffon give the print a soft washed feel. The silk twill of the skirt holds the true bright colours and gives them more vibrance. The print combines a range of colours and I love how they pop off of the white base. The colours run over the dress in a series of horizontal rows and as you get closer you start to see the confetti inspired design and all of the amazing hues that were used. The bodice is cut to skim over you and each sleeve balloons out with lots of volume above their cuffs. The sleeves are unlined so that you see your arms through them. The neckline is high and is finished with a elaborate collar. The collar is made of several layers of the printed silk chiffon and this creates that amazing 'ruffle' effect that you see circling the neck. The skirt falls to the floor and widens out gently as it nears the hem. The pretty tie belt circles the waist to add shape and it is made out of three pieces of velvet ribbon in colours that pick up on the print the dress. You simply wrap it and tie. The dress has the fantastic whimsical and romantic feel to it that I love. Excellent condition.

The bodice is lined in a white silk and the sleeves are unlined. The skirt is lined in a muslin with ribbon edge finishes at the hem. It closes at the back with a metal and nylon zipper. Each cuff snaps to close and the snaps could easily be moved if more or less room is needed. The belt is original to the dress.

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem with 2.5" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3419

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

Michael Novarese was an American designer based out of California who designed dresses for many of the Hollywood stars during the sixties and seventies including Jane Russell, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Dinah Shore and Elizabeth Taylor to name just a few. He launched his label in 1957 with just 8 dresses and landed a deal with Saks. He focused on creating high end pieces that always started from the fabric. He was a master at picking beautiful fabrics and then made his garments using proper couture sewing techniques. He especially loved a good sleeve so this dress is a great representation of his work with the dramatic sleeves that is has. By the 1970s he was selling dresses upwards of $1000-$2500 which is about $7000- $18000 in modern dollars. He never did a less expensive line like most of his contemporaries did so all of the pieces found by him are from his main line and are beautiful made.

The best of his pieces have a slight renaissance style to them which is a nod to his Italian heritage. This is a wonderful example of how fabulous his work could be. The dress has a soft and flowing feel to it yet it is fitted through the waist and constructed to be flattering on the body and give you shape. It is made of a silk chiffon that has a ribbon weave fused directly into the silk. This gives it a thatched woven effect. In between the ribbon weave the silk is semi-transparent and the play between the two opacities is stunning in person. The entire dress is backed with a black silk chiffon lining and that gives the more transparent parts a backdrop so that the colours in the silk really pop. To highlight the design even more, the fabric has both wide and thin stripes of gold thread worked through the silk. These catch the light and give the dress a shot of high glamour. The bodice is cut straight across the neck and then it skims over you to the waist. The sleeves are spectacular. They are cut with a slightly puffed feel at the top of each shoulder. They are very full and then are cuffed in at the elbow. The waist nips in and the skirt flows out from there to the floor. Yards of silk are used in the skirt and it is very full when you move. There is a simple grosgrain ribbon that ties at the  waist to add some shape. The dress is very well made and even better in person. On an actual body where the fabric can really move and flow it is fantastic. Excellent condition.

The bodice and skirt are lined in a black silk with an additional interlining of black silk organza through the skirt. That same silk organza lines the sleeves. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Sleeves: approx 19"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1612

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. This set is an amazing example of how she could design for a younger audience and still keep tp her aesthetic. 

I am a huge Hanae Mori fan. A jersey pant suit is perhaps not what you first think of when you think of her work but once you see it you realize that it shows how broad her range was. The set is made up of pants, the tunic, and a matching belt. The fabric is a wash and wear jersey that holds that gorgeous bright print perfectly and it is a dream to travel with. These jerseys would have been used to make garments to appeal to her younger jet set clients. That amazing print covers the entire surface of the jersey fabric. I love the bold pops of colour worked throughout. She was just a master at colour and print. The pants have a flat waist, skim over the hips and then the legs are cut wide and full. By the time they reach the bottom hem they are a full 34" around. The top is cut with with the perfect seventies line and has a high collar and long straight sleeves. The belt is done in a solid red jersey and has her name printed on both ends so when you tie it you see it. It cinches around the tunic and adds shape at the waist and finishes the look. If you choose not to wear the belt then the tunic has a more loose and easy feel. The jersey is a wash and wear and virtually wrinkle free so it is incredibly easy to wear and travel with. You can wear all the pieces together for a strong statement or break up the set and wear them as separates with other pieces in your closet for lots of styling options. It looks to have been worn very little itf at all. Excellent condition

Both pieces are unlined. The pants have a flat waist and a zipper and the top zips to close at the back. The original fabric tie is present and runs through attached fabric loops at the side of the top. The fabric has stretch but the waist measurement is fixed with no give

Top
Sleeves: approx 24"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 19-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 31" from neck to hem

Pants
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam with no give
Hips: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41" from waist to hem
Inseam: 28"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3744

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 Roberto Cavalli caftan dress is from a more recent collection and is very chic. It is from their beachwear line and still has its original tags. It is an easy to wear piece and very flattering once on the body. The bias cut silk and classic leopard print pack a lot of punch into the design. The lines are simple and it has that perfect caftan feel through the long and loose body of the dress. It is open down the sides except for where the belt loops through. This gives it a cape-like feel down the sides so that it floats down and over you. There is a black fabric tie belt that loops through the slits on either side of the waist and you can use the matching belt to cinch in to add shape. Or leave this off completely and wear it full and easy. The caftan is unlined and the fabric is feather light with a touch of transparency to it. It's the perfect cover up at the beach but you could also throw on a nude body dress under it and wear it out at night or during the day. The neckline is notched and the sides are edged in a back that matches the tie belt. It is a very chic and easy to wear piece. It is brand new and never been worn. Excellent condition.

Unlined and slips over the head to wear. Tagged a Med. New with original tags and never been worn. Original belt included. The loose and open cut should allow it to fit just about any size. 

Open through the body with two slits at the waist that are spaced to 23" apart and then can be adjusted tight with the fabric belt 
Length: approx 50" from top of shoulder to centre hem and once on the sides hang longer to approx 58"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# DD3743

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 great set that is made from an easy to wear and care for nylon jersey. It may have originally been intended as an at home lounge set but it is opaque and completely wearable out. It has a Neiman Marcus label on it so if it was a designer piece it is now a bit of a mystery sign that is the only label present anymore The set is made up of two pieces. A pair of loose and easy pants and a top that you just slip on over your head to wear. The pants have an elastic waist that makes them incredible easy to wear. They are cut to just skim over the hips and from there they flare out and are quite wide by the time they reach the hem. The fabric is very light in weight so when you walk you get a ton of movement when you move. The top is cut to be a loose cut tunic that just slips over the head to wear. It has a front notched neckline and wide angled collar. It is very full and easy through the body and each sleeve is cut full and widens out as it nears the seam at the cuff. The ends of each sleeve and the bottom has a very wide set, loose elastic running through them. It is set to cinch in just a tiny bit to round out the shape that you see. The pattern is fabulous and runs completely over both pieces. It really transforms on an actual body and the movement it has is fabulous. Being two pieces means you will be able to endlessly mix and match it with other pieces too. Excellent condition

Unlined and the pants slip on with elastic at the waist and the top slips over the head. Both pieces are tagged a small but the pant waist is cut generously.

Top
Sleeves: approx 25"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 29" from top of shoulder to shortest point, 24" to longest

Pants
Waist: 13.5-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21"  flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40.5" from top of bodice to waist
Inseam: 29"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3741

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

How absolutely gorgeous is this jumpsuit? It was made by Gino Charles for Malcolm Starr, which was their line targeted towards a more younger clientele. I love the colour combination with its two shades of pink mixed with that wonderful deep purple and white. The fabric is a cotton mix and it has a raised texture worked through the fabric that makes it quite interesting and makes the print pop off of it. The sleeves are short and the front is meant to skim over you. The waist is loose and easy and you could easily add a belt if you wanted more shape. I love the neckline and how it is slit down the front. The cut of it is highlighted further by a wide band of purple cotton velvet. To give it a little more detailing a band of grosgrain is set down the centre of the velvet and then a silver cord in the centre of that. This is all pieced to curve around the collar and then runs down the full front right past the waist seam. The pants are very full and flare out in a gentle swoop of fabric as they fall to the floor. Each is a full 36" around. At first glance it looks like full length dress but as soon as you move you realize it is a jumpsuit. Pockets along each hip. It is a beautiful and dramatic piece. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a white silk. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Each leg is a full 36" around the bottom hem. Hand finished throughout with ribbon edge finishes to parts of the interior seams. There is a good 3" turned up under the hem of each leg if you meed more length. It looks unworn on the exterior but there are some minor marks to the lining. Please see the last photo after the label shot. 

Shoulders: 13.5"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" when measured flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from the neck to the waist seam
Pant length: 41" from waist to bottom hem
Inseam: 28"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3739

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 Resort and Spring 1977 collections were some of the few that Halston worked prints into the collections. He normally focused on a solid color palette and I love seeing this side of his work. I found a runway reference of a piece from the Resort collection that season that has a similar print and a page from the Halston book that shows some of the variations of this print that he used for this collection. It is such an easy to wear set and feels very modern. There is a quote that I love by Grace Mirabella where she talks about his cuts. She said; 'Halston's proportions were perfect. His clothes followed the shape of a woman's body without being tight; they held the body while still retaining a certain langour' and this really sums up how they sit on the body once worn. 

This is an amazing set from this time period. It is made up of three pieces. There is a soft cut pant, a sleeveless top and then a jacket that you can wear over those. All three pieces are made from a lightweight silk that has that stunning print over its surface. The silk is almost weightless and feels effortless to wear. The ease of the pieces and the way they are cut make this a great way to be full on glamorous while still being entirely comfortable. This is the kind of outfit that will easily take you from an evening out with heels to entertaining at home with flats. You can wear the pieces together as shown or as separates. The pants are cut with a slightly tapered leg but are easy and soft. They slip on to wear with elastic at the waist and pockets on each hip. The sleeveless top that goes over the pants has a angled cut for the shoulder/arm opening and then it simply wraps over itself and hooks into place at the waist with snaps above that. The collar is neat and small and extends down the front on both side. Last is the jacket/top that has a very loose and soft cut. It buttons down the front and has that same neat rounded collar. There is elastic in each cuff and running through the bottom hem but it is set to be very full, loose and wide rather then cinched. This final piece is cut very wide and full through the body so if worn over the other pieces and open it will billow out a bit when you move. Very chic. There are endless styling possibilities with a set like this and it will really come to life once on an actual body. A wonderful and rare piece of his work during this time period. Excellent condition.

All three pieces are unlined. The pants slip on to wear with elastic on the waist and pockets on each hip. The top closes with hook and a snap at the waist and snaps above that. Elastic through the waist as well. The jacket/outer top buttons to close as described above. The loose and easy cut should allow it to fit a variety of sizes. There is the tiniest touch of a grubby feel to the inner collars, along the bottom edge of the jacket and near the arm opening of the inner top. 

Top
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Elastic waist: 12-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 20" from neck to hem

Jacket/top
Sleeves: 22" approx.
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 26" from neck to hem

Pant
Elastic waist: 14-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from waist to hem with 2" turned under the hem
Inseam: 29"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3741

Reference Photos: Spring 1981 Halston Runway.

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

Anne Fogarty designed pieces for young women at affordable pricing. Her work always has a touch of femininity to it. She started her career as a fit model for Harvey Berin while in her twenties and it was while there that she decided to try her hand at design. She designed dresses for Youth Guild up to 1950 before joining Margot Dresses and then by the 1950s, she designed for Saks Fifth Avenue. In 1962 she launched her label under her own name, Anne Fogarty, Inc, followed by a boutique line. This dress is from that secondary line. Her business closed in 1970 which gives us a window that this dress would have been from. Through the 1960s and 1970s the Empire cut was a favourite of hers and this is a lovely example of that time period. 

The dress is so cute and it will be even better on an actual body. It is always hard to fully capture pieces with this off the shoulder cut as they really need to be on to come to life. The dress is made out of a light cotton voile in a soft lavender colour. There is a design of little white dots and flowers that runs over the entire dress. The edges of the flowers are finished with a slightly more opaque white line that gives the fabric a hand painted effect. The top is cut with a higher set empire waist and it is meant to skim over the bust. The neckline is ruffle and it is cut wide enough that depending on your shoulders it can sit fully on the shoulder, to the edge of the shoulder, or fully off the shoulder to leave the most skin bare. The sleeves are capped and puffed. It is gathers just under the bust for a touch of shaping and then the dress falls loose and easy around the body on all sides. Two ribbons are attached at the waist, one purple and one white, and you can use these to tie it at the back. This lets you ties them loose and easy or you can really cinch it in. The skirt falls from there and gently widens out as it nears the hem. The hem is finished with a wide ruffle in the same fabric to create the perfect finishing touch. It is darling. Excellent condition. 

Fully lined in a white silky rayon. It slips over the head to wear and you can tie the ribbons to add shape. 

Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Empire waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 10" from top of shoulder to ribbons waist
Skirt: 43" from ribbons at empire waist to hem
Neckline opening is 40" around

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3740

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

Loris Azzaro founded his label in 1967 and quickly was dressing women like Raquel Welch, Brigette Bardot, Tina Turner, Liza Minnelli, Sophia Loren, Marisa Berenson and many more. His label gained international recognition and was known for his bright, clear colour choices and daring cuts. He once said in an interview; 'When a woman has found her style, she should stick to it. We forget too often that it is the dress that must serve the woman and not the opposite.' He is one of my favourite designers to find and with all of the emphasis on recreating these looks from the eighties by many modern designers you can't beat these original vintage version on terms of cut, style and quality. 

This is a fabulously bold and sexy dress. Azzaro chose a vivid pink silk taffeta for the fabric. It is the perfect fabric to help to hold the shape and give the dress structure while keeping it light in weight. The silk is draped over the body and set in a series of tightly spaced horizontal gathers that run from the top of the bodice to bottom of the hem. You can see the hidden set stitching where the gathers have been lightly caught in a line down the front. This is mirrored by an actual seam that runs down the back. The dress is strapless and the bodice is shaped into an exaggerated sweetheart neckline that plunges down in the middle to meet the centre stitching detail. The waist nips in beneath this by the way it is cut rather then having a waist seam that would break the line of the dress. Below that the skirt skims over the hips. It is cut to be short so that you get a mile of leg showing. You can even hike it up more around the hips of you want to wear it shorter and by doing that it makes the bows at the back have even more volume. The bows at the back create a modified bustle. Three panels of silk have been set stacked in folded loops one over top the next below it. They start just under the low back and end at the hem. Each loop is finished with a touch of an inner netting to help hold their shape. This adds a very dramatic and quirky detail to the dress that I love. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a pink silk and closes at the back with a painted metal and nylon zipper. The bodice is boned and the back bustle panels have in inner lining of netting for shape and snap into place over the zipper. Hand finished.

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27" from top peak of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3305

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

Loris Azzaro founded his label in 1967 and quickly was dressing women like Raquel Welch, Brigette Bardot, Tina Turner, Liza Minnelli, Sophia Loren, Marisa Berenson and many more. His label gained international recognition and was known for his bright, clear colour choices and daring cuts. He once said in an interview; 'When a woman has found her style, she should stick to it. We forget too often that it is the dress that must serve the woman and not the opposite.' He is one of my favourite designers to find and with all of the emphasis on recreating these looks from the eighties by many modern designers you can't beat these original vintage version on terms of cut, style and quality. 

I love how this dress combines the sexiness of the fitted strapless dress with the drama of that flared skirt. The dress is made out of a printed silk taffeta that combines a bold pink with a deep purple in a soft washed print that covers the entire dress. The silk keeps it light in weight but at the same time is the perfect choice to help to hold the shape and give the dress structure. The top portion of the dress has been gathered in soft folds from the bust to just past the top of the hips. The folds are set to help to highlight the hourglass shape of the dress. They have the illusion of being wrapped around you and they are set on dramatic curves to really emphasize the shape of the body underneath. The neckline is strapless and the top of it curves over the bust to make a sweetheart neckline. The centre plunges down and is set to perfectly meet where the draping crosses over on each side. Inside the dress there is one of his signature built in strapless bras for extra support. The waist nips in beneath this and the shape you see is created by the cut rather then having a horizontal waist seam to break the line of the dress. The gathers continue down and over the top of the hips for shape. Below that the skirt flares out in soft folds and volume. There are two layers of the skirt and this lets the skirt move with your slightest move. It is even better on an actual body. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a pink silk and closes at the back with a painted metal and nylon zipper. The bodice is boned and there is a strapless bra set into the inner bodice. Hand finishes throughout that are to the demi-couture standards his main line pieces were made to.

Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 34" from top peak of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3307

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 beautiful dress and the combination of that huge print and and the bright pink is just gorgeous. It dates to 1969 and a version of a caftan with this same print is held in the Iwami Art Museum's permanent collection. It was also shot for Vogue that year and as a result is one of her most recognizable prints. 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 and a personal favorite of mine

Flower prints are closely associated with the work of Hanae Mori and her designs and this one with its oversized chrysanthemum print is in particularly wonderful. It is a stunning example of the work she was doing during this time period. This is everything you look for in a Hanae piece. She custom designed all of the prints that she used on her work and the flowers on this one have been screened onto the top silk chiffon overlay and onto the inner silk twill part of dress. This allows the two prints on each layer to be slightly offset and gives the print an extra dimension of depth. The cut of the top layer has a draped and flowing feel to it. When you move even slightly it catches the air and floats around you. The inner dress is made of a scarf weight silk twill that is lined in silk. The dress falls from the shoulders in a simple line, skimming over the body and gently widening out as it nears the hem. It is very easy to wear. At the front the silk chiffon is open up all the way to the neck and this really lets it float and flow around you when you move or walk. I love it. Excellent condition with a note to review below

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3471

Reference Photos: (1) Benedetta Barzini in Hanae Mori chrysanthemums printed evening pajamas photographed by Richard Avedon, Vogue, November 1966.  /  (2) 1966 Hanae Mori Chrysanthemum Pajamas from the Iwami Art Museum.

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 bright pink chiffon dress by Jack Bryant. The pink has a bit of a coral undertone to it and is an even better color in person. It photoed a touch deeper pink than it is and I think its new owner will be very pleased. The top later of the dress is a gorgeous overlay done in the chiffon. This gives it lots of movement. Onto the bodice there is a dramatic feather trim that covers the entire front from shoulder to waist. It is plunged almost to the waist and the feathers keep it from feeling to scandalous. The dress is made from two attached layers. The inner dress acts like a lining and is more opaque. Having this interior lining also gives it a slight bit of structure. The outer layer is just a single layer of the chiffon and there re many yards of it through the skirt. The top overlay layer floats to the floor over the inner dress and it moves with the slightest bit of air. The front bodice is then trimmed with elaborate and dramatically dyed-to-match pink feathers and there is a chiffon blow that sits partially hidden at the base of the feathers. It's just fabulous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a silky rayon dyed to match. The chiffon is a synthetic so easy to care for. The dress closes with a back painted metal zipper. I see no signs of excessive shedding of the feathers at all. Some slight grubbiness and water marks to the interior lining.

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3733

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

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

I think this might be one of the most incredible Ceil Chapman that I have not only had but that I have ever seen. It is cut into a classic cocktail dress silhouette, with a fitted bodice, nipped in waist and a very full skirt. The bust has wide straps that curve up and over each shoulder to sit wide and expose the collarbones. A panel of fabric extends out from the tip if each shoulder and then curves across the bust in a soft drape to create a shelf bust feel. This is a very flattering look once on and it really highlights the bust and creates a lovely shape. At the back the fabric is gathered in soft folds to edge the V that dips down from the neck. I have styled the dress over a light crinoline so that you can see just how full the skirt is. It could go even fuller and if you really wanted to exaggerate the fullness you could easily use a a very very full crinoline underneath. The fabric is a lovely creamy ivory silk satin that helps to give the dress the structure it needs to hold its sculpted shape. The dress is covered with this incredible detailing made up of a cotton thread lace edged in gold, gold metallic thread, prong set rhinestones and faux pearls that have all been hand stitched into place. The main part of the design is created by the thread lace edged in gold. The edging is an actual metal and is set on its side so that it sits out from the dress to give it the 3D feel that it has. Parts of the design have been cross thatched with a metallic gold thread and other parts have the rhinestones and pearls hand set into place. In person the effect is a touch softer overall feel then how it photoed. The camera creates a bit more of a shadow and in real life the dress has a more ivory and soft gold feel. It is just incredible. The entire dress catches the light and the jewels sparkle and shimmer with your slightest movement. It is like being dressed in a jewel box. I especially love how they have used the detailing across the waist to create a belted effect. It gives the dress a lovely polished finish. These early Chapman pieces are very hard to come by and this one is in wonderful condition too. I also love the level of craftsmanship put into the dress. Truly an incredible find. Besides being a very wearable cocktail dress this would make a stunning wedding choice for the bride looking for something not as traditional or as an option for an event over a wedding weekend. Excellent condition with a couple of minor notes below

Fully lined in a combination of a cream silky rayon through the bodice and dressmakers paper through the skirt. The interior bodice is lightly boned and shaped. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. The crinoline it is photoed over is not included. There is the barest hint of a mark under one arm and i am being extremely picky on that. A water mark in the skirt that gets lost in the design and perhaps a scoff or two on the fabric. I see one missing rhinestone. It is really in wonderful condition. Please see the shots after the label shot

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist 
Skirt: 28" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3731

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 jacket is from John Galliano's own label and is an incredible example of his work from this time period. The label in the trench dates this to the Resort 2002 collection and this was the second last collection they did before they stopped using this style label. From a historical and development point of view of his ideas it is also interesting to see how he built on the ideas developed for this resort collection and then expanded on them and did more denim pieces for the Spring show that were also stitched and embroidered.

This Is an amazing trench coat that has all the elements of John's work that you would want it to have. It has this amazing oversized feel to it and there is this play on proportion that it has while still staying balanced and very wearable. The fabric that it is made out of is a very light weight soft blue denim that really plays into that slouchy feel while giving it volume and shape. The fabric was top-stitched in a rainbow of colors over the denim. These are little stacked abstract lines of color that work their way over the trench to add the most interesting design element. The styling is a play on the trench with those classic front panels over each shoulder. Even there he has added his own twist and added a top set pocket that is functional and just quirky and genius. There is a curved panel that buttons into place just under the neck and the way this all lies in place is fantastic. It is a testament to his skills that it still all looks equally genius when you wear the trench open and unbuttoned. The waist is cinched in with a buckle belt and that is picked up with straps that buckle and wrap around each cuff. Pockets sit on each hip and there is a double row of buttons to the waist at the front to close it. It is meant to be slightly more oversized so should work on a range of sizes. The denim is very light in weight and I think you could easily style this to wear it on its own as a dress so it has an entirely second life as far as styling it goes. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

Unlined and buttons to close at the front and then you cinch on the waist with the belt. Tagged a US 4 but cut to be worn oversized and it cinches and gathers in easily. It should work on a variety of sizes. 

Sleeves: approx 24"
Shoulders: no trued defined seam
Bust: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 39.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3726

Reference Photos: SS 2002 John Galliano Runway Collection.

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

Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate beading, sequins, daring cut-outs and avant garde ways of defining the body. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. By the eighties he was experimenting with volume and proportions and new fabrics that at the time were all cutting edge. This is a stunning example of his work during this period. This is a label that I really love and am always happy to find pieces of.

This is a killer dress. It is really one that will come to life once on an actual body and I hope the photos convey enough of how fabulous it is because when worn this one will be even better. The upper bodice is made out of a black netting that has embroidered flowers worked through it. Each flower design is finished with a series of curved and looped rows of sequins. There is no backing to the netted parts of the design and it is set to dip well under the bust at the front and then dips low at the back. This same netting has been used to make up each long cut sleeve. This gives you a semi-transparent coverage over these areas and this is where that mix of sensuality and sexuality that his work always has becomes so apparent. Since your bodice is left exposed with the way the netting is laid out, you have the choice to wear it as bare as you dare.... you could wear nothing under it, wear just nipple covers, or do as much or little coverage as you wish with bras, bandeaus or camis. The rest of the dress is made from a bias cut black opaque silk that sits and drapes beautifully around the body. It is set to give the illusion that it simply wraps around you like a sarong and has a hip swag on one side that gives it a bit of a forties feel. The skirt is curved and wrapped and the edges of the skirt and the swag are finished with a band of the same sequin netting as the top. The skirt is cut to narrow in around you as it nears the hem. This brings all the emphasis to the curves of your body above. The way the skirt is wrapped leaves it open right to the swag and there is a built in mini skirt underneath to keep it from exposing everything when you walk or move. If there was ever a dress that needed a body inside of it to bring it to life, this is it. It is stupendous once on. Excellent condition

There is a partial lining set from under the netting part of the top to the top of the thighs. The rest of the dress is unlined. It closes with a back set zipper and each sleeve has a button and loop closure. It appears to have been worn very little if at all

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3723

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

Victor Costa launched his label in 1974 and was known for producing his own versions of what was seen on the Paris runways. He chose good fabrics and his designs were often very close interpretations of other designers work but with his own unique twist when it came to colors, cut and fabrics.

This dress is extremely striking with its graphic red and black striped design that runs over the entire dress. I love how the stripes are set on both horizontal and vertical lines to highlight and emphasize the different parts of the cut of the dress. The mix of the red and black is such a bold and strong choice and the use of satin as his fabric choice just makes it better. It gives the dress the most amazing finish and the fabric has just a touch of weight to it that helps to hold the shape. The bodice is fitted and strapless and cut to curve around the bust. The waist nips in and the hips are emphasized by that wonderful attached peplum just below the waist seam. It also has its original tie belt in a matching fabric that allows you to cinch the waist in further. From there the skirt falls to the floor and widens out as it nears the hem. There is quite a lot of fullness and volume to the skirt created by the addition of an attached tulle underskirt inside and you could add even more fullness. For these shots I have added a light full length crinoline so that you can really get an idea of the skirt. There is room to add an even fuller one if you really wanted to go full on volume. I also shot it without a crinoline for you to see that and you can see that in the final shot in the series of the full length photos included here. It is really an incredible dress and is even better on an actual body. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silky rayon and the skirt has an attached layer of tulle to help hold its shape. The bodice is fully lined and lightly boned.  The dress closes with a back zipper. It has its original matching fabric tie belt. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. The crinoline used in the shots is not included.

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem with 3" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3458

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

Geoffrey Beene was one of the great American fashion designers and he was recognized for both his artistic and technical skills. He launched his label in 1963 and a piece from his very first collection landed the cover of Vogue. A Coty award followed a year later and in 1984 the Council of Fashion Designers created the annual Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award in honor of Beene's fashion legacy.

This dress is gorgeous. It is one of his signature looks to use lace  backed by a nude chiffon to create the illusion of bare skin underneath. We have all seen countless modern designs take their inspiration from his pieces like this and here we have a really exceptional original. It is really one of the best cocktail dresses from this period I have had. The workmanship is very fine. The dress itself is light in weight. It is made from a fine black netted lace that has black silk ribbon worked over the surface to make up the floral feel that the lace has. This also gives the dress a slight 3D texture that is very beautiful. Under all the parts of the dress that has the lace is a lining done in a nude silk that is very light and fine. The illusion lace is used for one sleeve, half of the bodice and the skirt. The other sleeve is a solid black silk. The solid silk then goes over the bodice as panels on both the front and back and then these extend out to ties that you wrap over to one side and tie just above the hip. I love how this is cut to curve slightly above the waist seam. Doing doing so creates this subtle secondary line between the curve and the seam that most designers would not have done or thought to do. The contrast that the play between the solid back and the lace creates is fantastic. Add to that the perfect fit where every seam is done to highlight and flatter the body. It is really an amazing dress and a testament to Beene's genius. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in a nude silk and closes with  back hidden set zipper. Each cuff zipper sot close. The exterior shows no wear. Inside the is a repair under in arm in the silk with very slight/minor change of colour there. Please see the photo after the label shot. It does not show at all on the exterior

Sleeves: 24
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 19.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3814

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

Ted Lapidus began selling his designs in the 1950s in Paris. By 1963 he was an official member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and he debuted his Haute Couture label in addition to his already high end ready to wear. This dress is from his initial, main ready-to-wear line that commanded very high prices in its day and is not to be confused with the later boutique line. It is beautiful.

This is a wonderful example of how romantic his work could be. The dress has a soft and flowing feel to it yet it is fitted through the waist and constructed to be flattering on the body and give you shape. It is made of a silk chiffon that has a ribbon weave fused directly into the silk. This gives it a thatched woven effect. In between the ribbon weave the silk is semi-transparent and the play between the two opacities is stunning in person. The body of the dress is backed with a black lining but where the dress is unlined through the upper bodice and sleeves you really see the square pattern the ribbon silk creates. To highlight the design that this creates even more, the fabric has a thin strip of gold thread that runs along the edges of the ribbons. This catches the light and gives the dress a subtle shot of extra glamour. Inside the bodice is a simple tank that is suspended by tiny straps. The top of the dress is set over this so that it blouses over the waist. The neckline is scooped and that sleeves are cut to billow over the cuffs. The waist nips in and then the skirt flows out from there to the floor. Yards of bias cut silk are used in the skirt and it is very full when you move. To finish the dress there is a stunning floral print that runs over the bodice on both sides. More flowers run down the front and the back of the skirt. This pop of colour is fabulous and it would have had to have been all pre-planned before the construction of the dress was done so get the flowers to lie just so. The dress is very well made and even better in person. On an actual body where the fabric can really move and flow it is fantastic. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a painted metal and nylon zipper on the interior and then the exterior buttons to close over that. Each sleeve buttons to close. 

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14"
Inner bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner lining hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist but meant to drape a touch
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD2884

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

Flora Kung was on of THE designers to wear in the eighties for the MTV generation. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune in 1985 she said 'I think it's my .... particular sense of daring and cleanness that appeals to the younger group... and the clothes continue to be spontaneous because I personally design everything.' She loved silks and satins for the way they draped on the body. This is a fabulous jumpsuit by her in a muted silver. No matter how much you like it on the dress form in the photos it is only going to truly come to life on an actual body where the fabric can drape and move with you. The shoulders are strong and the sleeves cut to slim down as they near the wrists. The top is cut with the loose and full volume that was the hallmark of the eighties. It has soft drapes coming out from the shoulders and falls in a deep plunge at the front. There is a snap that you can use to close the plunge a bit more or you can leave that open and wear it very open. I photoed most of these with it open but there is one shot with it snapped so you can see. It cinches in at the waist and has a sash in a matching fabric that you can tie around you to create more shape. The legs are cut in a long peg and depending on your height might fall slightly cropped on you. The fabric is the perfect soft silver and the satin choice makes it as light as a feature and easy to wear. Excellent condition 

Unlined and slips on with elastic through the back of the waist. Crosses over and buttons onto place at the front with a zipper underneath. You can cinch in the waist more with the matching fabric sash belt. Tagged a M and looks to have been worn very little if at all 

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam with elastic at the back for extra room 
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 18" from top of bodice to waist - it drapes over a bit and will come up a touch when on
Pants: 40" from waist to hem
Inseam: 28"
Rise: 13"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3711

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 likely the work of Elinor Simmons before her name went on the labels. She designed for the Malcolm Starr label from the early 1960s to 1972. You can see her influence in this gorgeous Malcolm Starr set with its almost sculptural lines and elaborate embellishments on the tunic.

I love that it this comes as two separate pieces. They look amazing together as a set but it gives you the freedom  to break them up and wear them individually with other pieces in your existing wardrobe. This foundation of this set starts with its fabric choice and it is a beautiful choice of fabric indeed. Both piece are made from a white silk brocade whose pattern is done in a silver thread. The weave is quite close to the top of the fabric so that it has a bit of a sheen and a very flat and smooth surface. This allows the light to bounce off of it and give it a high metallic feel that is lovely. The pants are flat fronted and have a sleek fitted leg that taper down into a neatly cropped peg leg. Depending on your height this will fall to the ankle or just above. The tunic sits over the pants and is cut to skim over the torso and flare out at the hip. It has a high scooped neck and no sleeves. Darts at the front shape the tunic over the bust and it sits loose over the waist before skimming over the hips. Each side is notch quite high in an open slit. Running across the back and front hem of the tunic is a wide band of silver bead work that is all done by hand. Where it is open at the sides the bead work runs up and follows the slits. I love it and it has that perfect sixties chic feel to it. Excellent condition

Both pieces are fully lined in an off-white silky rayon. The tunic closes with a hand set back painted metal zipper and the pants close with a side hand set zipper and hook & eye at the waist. Hand finished throughout. The bead work is hand done and very dense. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. 

Tunic
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam with open sides
Length: 28.5" from neck to hem

Pants
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 36" from waist to hem
Inseam: 25"
Rise: 12.5

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3712

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

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.

I have dated this gorgeous Bill Blass dress by the shot of Lauren Hutton who was photographed in a shorter version of this dress for Vogue in 1972. This longer version has the same open back feature as that one has and it also has a beautiful organza skirt that snaps into place over the silk taffeta dress underneath. If you loved the look of the Vogue shot you could even add your own flower to the base of the back and recreate it. 

By 1972 Blass was only two years into running his own company after buying Maurice Rentner Ltd in 1970 and relaunching the label under his own name. Even then you could see just how strong a designer he was. The dress is  gorgeous and is made from combining a black silk taffeta base with a silk organza skirt that attaches over the inner dress. The fabric choices keeps the dress light in weight but it still helps to hold the shape and volume that you see and gives the dress some structure and shape. The front bodice has a more formal feel to it with a high neckline that is slightly scooped across the front and set wide. The sleeves are attached with a slight bit of volume at the tops of each shoulder and then narrow down to a ruffle finish at each cuff. Set along the neckline is a high ruffle that adds beautiful detailing. The ruffle then curves back and over each shoulder and extends down your back to completely frame the open cut out that leaves your back bare. I love this unexpected bare skin moment that is in stark contrast to the coverage at the front. The skirt deserves it own moment. The inner skirt is a part of the main dress and it is made out of the same silk taffeta as the bodice. It is cut longer at the back and then curves up at the front so that when you walk you see a bit of leg. The entire hem is finish with a wider band of ruffles that picks up on the ruffles at the neck and around the open back. Then there is a second skirt that snaps into place around the waist line. This layer is made out of a black silk organza and adds a beautiful light fullness to the skirts. It floats over the inner silk taffeta skirt of the dress with more ruffled edges that curve around and follow the hem. The photos on the dress form do not come close to doing it justice. This is a dress that needs an actual body in it and then it really comes to life. When you walk the organza layer catches the air and creates this stunning billowing effect and when you turn to leave you have that flash of bare skin. It is utterly amazing. Excellent condition

The bodice is lined in a layer of silk taffeta. The dress closes with a low set zipper at the back. There are zippers at each cuff. The organza skirt layer snaps into place around the waist. Hand finished throughout.

Sleeves: 25" including the 3" ruffle
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt in the dress: 43" from the waist to the back hem and 30" at the front
Detachable skirt: 46" from the waist to the back hem and 43.5" at the front 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2990

Reference Photo: Lauren Hutton in Bill Blass, by Irving Penn. Vogue US, January 1972.

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.

This beautiful and happy feeling dress is one of my favorites from the pieces of Malcolm Starr that I have had in the shop. 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 the dress. Everything about this dress suggest the late 1960s or early 1970s.

The print on this dress is a wonderful mix of cherry red pinks mixed with mustards and a deep purple. The pretty Batik feeling print was then screened onto a crisp cotton. I love the mix of colours and the happy cheery feel that it gives the dress. You can also see how extremely well thought out and planned as evidenced by how closely the pattern matches at the seams. To accomplish this it would have had to have been all pre-planned out prior to cutting that fabric so that the print would exactly follow the cut and lines of the dress. This is a technique that is not as common to see anymore in modern ready-to-wear since it uses extra fabric and adds to the production cost. The dress is beautifully cut. The front bodice is cut to skim over the bust and the fabric crosses over itself to create a deep V. The sleeves are long and slim. I love how the print is laid out so that it creates a border around the neckline. This then runs down the centre of the skirt and curves around the bottom hem. The skirt flows out from the waist and it is quite full. The fabric choice helps it to keep its angled shape that you see as it widens out at the hem. The front of the skirt is slit up the centre to the top of the legs. It was most likely meant to be worn over a pant or shorts. If you preferred it closed it would be easy to add a series of hooks or just close the seam. It comes with its original matching fabric belt that has been densely covered in hand applied beads. These add a little touch of glitz and glamour to the dress and it cinches in the waist for added shape. It is gorgeous. Excellent condition with one note below.

Unlined and closes with a back metal zipper. The belt closes with hook and eye that could be adjusted or moved to get the perfect fit. There are a couple of beads missing near the hooks at the back of the belt. Please see the photo after the label shot.  

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 34" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3697

Reference Photos: Amanda Lee Shirreffs for her weekly column on our blog, Curated. (Photos by Erin Leydon) Click here to see the full column >

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