This dress would have been designed by Belgian-born Jules-Francois Crahay, who headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984. He has been noted as one of fashion’s 'great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugel​y ​desirable and influential.' His time at the Lanvin label is one of my personal favourites for the house. I especially love the his work during the period through the late sixties and into the early 1970s. He was a genius at print and colour and he pushed the envelope in terms of using cutting edge fabrics available during this time period. This dress dates to approximately 1972 when you saw a lot of these faux coated and coloured leather bits, added as either a design element directly onto the dress, or as a belt like in this case. 

This striped knit maxi dress from Lanvin is gorgeous. I am in absolute love with it. The colours are bright and happy but the stripes are perfectly balanced out by the solid top part so that it is not too overwhelming. I love how it goes from a classic simple T shaped sweater at the top to a riot of colours for the skirt. The bodice is fitted but in a stretchy sweater kind of way that is very comfortable to wear. The neckline is finished in a higher set scoop at both the front and the back. The knit there is a lovely deep blue and is light in weight and has been finished with a ribbed texture. Each sleeve is a cap of that same ribbed knit. The waist is seamed and the skirt falls to the floor under that, gently widening out as it nears the hem. The skirt has a more flatter weave and the fabric is thicker so that it holds the shape that you see. Colourful stripes are worked into the knit from the waist to the hem. I love the mix of using the same navy as you see in the top with a bright red, thin lines of white, yellow and a cornflower blue. It also comes with its original belt that is a white faux leather and is soft and pliant. I have wrapped it twice around the waist and tied it with a bow at the front for these photos. It is long enough that you could style and tie it a few different ways. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a back, painted metal zipper. It has its original tie belt made out of a coated faux leather. . The belt has the teeniest bit of flaking that is normal for the age of it and in this material. 

Unstretched shoulders: 13"
Bust: 13-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Skirt: 41.5" from waist to hem
Tie belt: 69" from end to end

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# 

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 had a version of this in the shop years ago and am so happy to have found another. This is an amazing and easy way to add a little Hanae Mori colour and joy into your wardrobe. The lightness of the silk chiffon that she chose for the fabric gives the jacket a delicate & feminine feel to it. This is then contrasted beautifully by the bold and brightly coloured print. The print mixes giant flowers with a multitude of other flowers in various sizes. Bright colourful parrots flit in an among the flowers. The colour is all done on a white backdrop so that they pop even more. The shape is simple and easy to wear. It is cut straight through the body with long sleeves and it ties at the neck. The front curves down and around you at the hem and then the back ends in a longer point. The shoulder are lightly padded with a nude covered padding for a touch of structure. This is perfect to layer over other pieces and could just as easily work for day or as an evening piece. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear with a tie at the top of the neck. The loose and easy cut should work on a variety of frames. Padding in each shoulder

Sleeves: 23.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist to hips: open
Length: 51" from neck to longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S933

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 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 a wide strap that wraps around the neck and then curves under the bodice to give support. This shelf bust is very flattering and really highlight the bust and adds a lovely shape. 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 an inky black cotton velvet that helps to give the dress the structure it needs to hold its sculpted shape. The dress is covered in jewelled drops that are made up of beads and glass crystal rhinestones in different sizes. Each one has a huge teardrop pear shaped stone as its main feature and then more rhinestones and beads have been hand stitched into place above that so that they look like they are suspended from the tops and hanging on the dress. I love how the bits above the tear drop are done shorter near the bodice and then extend into longer strands as they reach the hem. 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. It even has pockets hidden along each hip. 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. The bodice is all shaped by a series of vertical panels and the skirt is lined in a dressmakers paper so that it holds its shape. Truly an incredible find. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a combination of black silky rayon through the bodice and stiffening through the skirt. The interior bodice is lightly boned and shaped. It closes with a side painted metal zipper. 

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: approx 49" from top of neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3628

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 think our modern world forgets just how important Oleg Cassini was as a designer in his heyday. From his first film in 1941 he was responsible for many of the best looks on film, dressing stars like Rita Hayworth, Gene Tierney (who he married), Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner and the list goes on and on. In 1952, he opened his own fashion house on Seventh Avenue. By 1961 he was appointed by Jacqueline Kennedy as her exclusive couturier. Some of his early works especially, were more on par with couture, using the same techniques and high fashion fabrics as the French couture houses. This is a later example of his work and yet it still shows the care and meticulous detailing that he put into his work.

The dress is amazing in person. It is made of a black silk chiffon that has been extensively covered with gunmetal silver glass tube beads. The dress is extremely heavy because of the bead work. It weights about 4 pounds and it is gorgeous. The bodice of the dress is suspended by beaded straps and then scoops down with shaping at the front and a lower set line at the back. It has a wide band of beadwork following the top seam and then is shaped by a series of vertically set rows of beads that go all the way around the bodice and end in little jagged ends. It is fitted to the bodice and then nips it in at the waist. The skirt skims over the hips into a pencil shape and then onto that are curved vertical panels that start just under the waist and go to just above the hem. These give the illusion that the skirt is tiered but that ruffled effect is actually created by the panels dropping and layering over each other. I did a photo of it laid out flat so you can get an idea of how much volume is actually in the skirt. When you move the movement this creates is fantastic. Each is finished along the curved edge with a series of stacked rows of beadwork. More vertical bead circle the hips and these are done to pick up that same jagged finish design as on the bodice. The hem is then finished with a wide band of yet more beading. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black muslin through the bodice and black silk through the skirt. It closes with a back zipper. Hand work throughout. Light boning in the bodice. It looks to have never been worn. Perhaps the occasional bead missing but no bare areas that I could see. 

Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11.5-12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3629

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 dress is a little extra special since it still has its matching silk floral pin and that the dress comes direct from its original owner. Hanae Mori excelled at these beautiful floral prints and when I find pieces with one of her oversized florals done in a mix of her signature pastels I am very happy. I feel that pieces like this are among the very best representations of her work.

This is everything you look for in a piece by Hanae Mori. It has one of her custom designed prints screened onto feather light silk layers on both the exterior layer and on the inner dress. This allows the two prints on each layer to be slightly offset as they float over each other giving the print an extra dimension of depth. Doing this layered technique is one of her signatures and she used two types of silks to achieve this effect. The innermost layer is a silk twill that takes colour exceptionally well. This inner layer has been printed with that gorgeous flower design. Over that is a printed silk chiffon with an identical floral print. Using silk chiffon for the top layer with its touch of transparency is what gives the dress its light and airy feel. The neckline is set in a scoop at the front and a lower rounded V at the back. From the neckline it cascades and skims loosely over the body, gently widening out until it reaches the hem. The dress is cut to simply float over the body. It has slits on either side of the inner dress and this adds to the movement it has once on the body. The sleeves are incredible. Each is finished in a full circle of chiffon that is made up of four full layers. Three pink silk chiffon layers float under a top printed layer. The movement and drama this creates is extraordinary. This dress also came with a large soft pink silk flower pin that I have shown pinned near the collar of the dress in most shots. I also included a couple of shots without it. You could place the pin on many different spots on the dress for different styling effects. It is wonderful to have this little extra bit of romance. The dress is a stunning example of her work and beautifully made. I love it. Excellent condition

The inner silk twill dress is interlined in a white silk and then has the top layer of silk chiffon over that. It closes with a back zipper on the inner layer and the silk chiffon layer closes with her signature silk covered teeny snaps. The loose and easy bias cut should allow it to fit a variety of sizes. Hand finished throughout. Hand rolled edges. The flower has an attached pin and comes in its original box with a hand written note that it was to go with this dress. One flap of the box lid has been taped back on. The colour is slightly softer in real life then how it photoed

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Inner bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 54" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3627

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

Odette Barsa was a lingerie designer who was very successful. She was born in Syria in 1901 and came to America where she married Simon Barsa in 1922. Her husband had a successful business but it got into trouble after the 1929 stock market crash so she started making lingerie. She imported her fabric and embroideries and made high end lingerie up until her death in 1975. 

This would have been meant to be more of a hostess piece that you would wear while entertaining at home. Now a piece like this could be worn anywhere. It is a lovely bright candy pink that is a touch brighter in person. The fabric is a synthetic jersey and has lots of drape and movement. The cut is extremely loose and easy. It is a simple caftan feeling shape with long sleeves, a wide cut through the body that gets even wider as it nears the hem, and a simple scooped collar. Each sleeve is adorned with a wide band of feathers that have been dyed to match the pink of the dress. I love the length of this one as it is not so overwhelming. You could easily belt this to add shape if you wished. It is a great piece that is easy to wear and has lots of impact. Has pockets on each hip. Excellent condition with a note to review below

Fully lined through the body with a pink nylon jersey and closes with a back zipper. The fabric is a pink synthetic jersey. In very bright light I see two small and light marks at the front. They are very faint but there. Please see the final photo where I tried tp capture them. This one is not labeled but is the same as the red one I just had and from the same woman. The loose cut should work on a range of sizes

Sleeves: 22" long and 13" around 
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 52" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3626

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 pretty Pucci print. It combines little flowers with a pretty twirling and curving ribbon that ties boughs of stylized leafs together. It is even prettier in its combination of pinks that have been used. Pucci chose to do the majority of his dresses in these silk jerseys because of the ease they have to wear and because the colour takes to the fabric wonderfully. Even after all of these years it is still bright and crisp. The cut of this dress is very feminine. The collar is gently scooped and cut into a low angled square across the neck. It skims over the bust and drops to a low seam just above the hips. From there the skirt falls to the floor, gently widening out just a touch as it nears the hem. A slit runs up one side of the skirt so you get a bit of leg showing as you walk. Each sleeve is cut to be full and to balloon out over its cuff. The curves and swirls of the main print are contrasted by the secondary print that borders the collar, cuffs and runs around the hem of the skirt as part of the design. At the back that same contrasting print is set in a wide panel that runs up the back of the skirt. It is simple in cut but striking because of the print and that wonderful colour combination. I love it. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set, painted metal zipper. Each cuff closes with hidden set fabric covered snaps and they can be moved if you needed more room. Tagged a vintage Pucci 8. The fabric does have stretch. Hand finished throughout. I see a couple very faint spots that I have photoed- these are minor and get lost in the print. Please see the photos after the label shot. The scarf has hand rolled edges and is in excellent condition 

Sleeves: 28" but will come up when on
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from top of shoulder hem
Slit: 21" up from the hem

Scarf: 34" x 34"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3625

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

This is a gorgeous dress from the late 1970s. My client had a photo of her mother wearing this that helped to date it and it's wonderful to know the proper time period. I love that this dress really shows Cardin's range and scope as a designer. He did evening quite well and it is refreshing to have a piece that walks outside of his 'space age' work that is usually linked with his name.

The dress is cut to skim and hug the body. The upper portion through the bodice and sleeves is more fitted and then the skirt falls in a column from the hips. This just fit my dress form and I think it will fall even a bit better on a size smaller. The sleeves are long and have a vertical panel of gold sequins that runs down along the tops of them. The gold then runs across the tops of the shoulder and around the high collar at the neck. A black band of sequins sits under that and this is the band that runs and makes the underside of the sleeves. More horizontal bands run under that to past the waist. These panels change from a light blue to a bright blue to a purple then turn to green copper and gold. The rest of the skirt is done completely black sequins. Once on that dense coverage of sequin work catches the light fantastically. Excellent condition with a note to review below.

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a back zipper. There is the occasional sequin missing through out and there is an area on the back hip of missing sequins. Some sequins show normal patina. Please see the photo after the label shot. 

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14.5
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3622

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

Oscar was known for his beautiful and feminine designs but this dress also displays his talent for mixing a touch of a sportswear feel into a full on gown. With our modern day obsession with all things eighties and nineties this play on proportions and fabrics still feels extremely of this moment fashion wise. Oscar had an amazing sense of aesthetics and his genius was in making women look and feel beautiful. This is the type of dress you can easily imagine in an editorial of the day on one of the reigning supermodels.

I love the combination of the soft grey cashmere bodice that tops a voluminous silk taffeta skirt. The play on the two fabrics together is very chic. The neckline is scooped at the front and then the bodice skims over the bust and waist. The sleeves are long and the fabric makes the entire top feel and look cozy to wear. The dress comes with its original matching silk covered belt that lets you nip in the waist as much as you want. The skirt flares out from the waist in a beautiful curve of volume. The skirt is finished in a fine stripe that I love. Inside the interior of the skirt there is an additional underskirt of silk that has a stiffened band built into the hem. This helps in part to keep and hold the shape that you see but most of the volume is created by the gathers where the skirt is placed into the waist and with the cut of the skirt itself. When you move the skirt shows it volume and movement beautifully. I love that he has built in pockets on either side of the hips. Yet another subtle nod to that mix of high glamour and sportswear that the dress has. The dress also come with its original huge square cashmere shawl that you can wrap around you if the evening is cool. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in a grey silk through the bodice that extends into an interior skirt. The skirt is also interlined in a silk organza. The interior silk organza lining has a stiffened band around the hem. It closes with a back zipper. The belt is a slip buckle and shows light grubbiness on the buckle. Light padding in each shoulder. There are tiny breaks/grubbiness here and there at the edge of the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot. 

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 60" from natural neck to hem
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem
Shawl: 60" x 102"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3623

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

This coat is gorgeous and even better in person. It is made out of a light wool that has the exact same feel of a high end wool blanket. As a further play on that feel, Cardin has had all of the edges, inside and out, finished with a cream ribbon. This binds all of the inner seams and edges the neckline, runs down the front and circles the hem. Each sleeve is also finished with this same ribbon treatment. He then used the seams themselves to create the detailing, with a topstitched edging curving around the seam the separates the bodice from the coat's skirting. It is cut slimmer through the upper body and the lower part flares out as it reaches the hem. There is no true collar, instead the neckline is cut to simply curve around your neck. It has a single hook at the neck and then a second one along with a snap that sits under that pretty ribbon edged bow at the waist. I love how this leaves the coat with just a suggestion of an opening between the neck and the waist and then below that the skirt is open to the hem. I also love how it is cut so that you get that gorgeous curved effect at the front. This is just master cutting at work. It is darling and looks like it was never worn or worn very little. It does have a small flaw so please review the condition notes below but otherwise is in excellent condition

Unlined and hooks to close at the neck and under the bow. It looks to have never been worn or worn very little. I see two small grazes out of the wool. One on the sleeve and one at the front. Please see the photos after the label shot

Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist at seam: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 52" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# C564

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

Odette Barsa was a lingerie designer who was very successful. She was born in Syria in 1901 and came to America where she married Simon Barsa in 1922. Her husband had a successful business but it got into trouble after the 1929 stock market crash so she started making lingerie. She imported her fabric and embroideries and made high end lingerie up until her death in 1975. 

This is a lovely example of Odette's work and is an all silk version of the synthetic red one I just had in the shop. It comes from the estate of the same fabulous woman as the other one did and I love it. This would have been meant to be more of a hostess piece that you would wear while entertaining at home. Now a piece like this could be worn anywhere. It is a lovely ivory tone silk that is a touch brighter in person. The cut is extremely loose and easy. It is a simple T shape with wide sleeves, straight wide cut through the body and a simple notched collar. Each sleeve is adorned with a wide band of white feathers that are the perfect little pop against the cream. The feathers are very full and extravagant. I love the length and the side slits because you can wear it as a dress or layer it over soft loose pants for a more pyjama set feel. You could easily belt this to add shape if you wished. It is a great piece that is easy to wear and has lots of impact. Has pockets on each hip. Excellent condition with a small note to review below

Fully lined in a white silk and slips on to wear. The fabric is an ivory silk. Light padding in each shoulder. There are a couple of very light scoffs on the fabric and I have included photos of them. They are very faint but there. Some grubbiness to the hem. Please see the last few photos. This one is not labeled but is the same as the other one I just had and from the same woman. The loose cut should work on a range of sizes

Sleeves: 24" long and 26" around 
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 56" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3221

Reference Photo: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

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

John Galliano was moved over from Givenchy to Dior in October of 1996 and stayed there until he was dismissed in February of 2011. During John Galliano's years at the house of Christian Dior he arguably produced some of the most amazing bias cut gowns in the houses history. His work, especially the bias cut pieces that he did, have a feeling of the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and they are beautifully cut. They marry Old Hollywood with the minimalist spirit of the nineties and early 2000s and the results are stunning. This is an amazing example of his work while there and it has a fantastically dramatic feel to it. 

This dress is made from a deep red satin finish fabric that is cut completely on the bias. It is very beautiful. The bias cut allows it to skim and drape over the body so that is shows every curve but is not tight at all. The neckline is wonderful. One side is attached and curves up and over the shoulder. The other side is a panel that extends out from the neckline and then you let it drape over the opposite shoulder. This panel is very long so it drapes down your back to create the most beautiful line. The dress is cut to follow the curves of the body with seaming reminiscent of the work you see from the twenties and thirties. A panel of fabric is gathered low across the hips   and the the skirt flares out under that. The skirt is remarkable and cut with a long extended panel at one side. This has a little loop at the end so you can hold it on one hand or hook it to a bracelet so it curves across the front or back of your body. You can also hook it onto any of the buttons that run down the side of the dress. You can do a single loop at the side or wrap it around you and hook it. I have shown it a couple of different ways and I bet there are a dozen more clever ways you could style it. This gives the dress such a dramatic and couture feel. I love it. A tightly spaced row of buttons runs down the side of the dress to close. This is of course a Galliano signature and it this adds to the sense of antiquity the dress has. It is stunning on. Excellent condition

Unlined and cut on the bias. It slips on to wear and closes with the series of buttons and fabric loops that run down the side. Inner waist stay hooks to close. The bias cut should allow it to fit a variety of sizes. The length might come up when on depending on the size of the girl underneath since it is cut on the bias. This does not have its main Dior tag anymore but does have its proper Dior sizing tag present. Tagged a US6

Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11-12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam, you could get a little more room here if you don't do up the inner waist stay
Hips: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 64" from shoulder to the front hem, 66" to the the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3619

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

Odette Barsa was a lingerie designer who was very successful. She was born in Syria in 1901 and came to America where she married Simon Barsa in 1922. Her husband had a successful business but it got into trouble after the 1929 stock market crash so she started making lingerie. She imported her fabric and embroideries and made high end lingerie up until her death in 1975. 

This is a lovely piece that is not one hundred percent perfect but is too over the top and fabulous not to find a home for it. This would have been meant to be more of a hostess piece that you would wear while entertaining at home. Now a piece like this could be worn anywhere. It is a lovely clear red that is a touch brighter in person. The cut is extremely loose and easy. It is a simple T shape with wide sleeves, straight wide cut through the body and a simple notched collar. Each sleeve is adorned with a wide band of feathers that have been dyed to match the red of the dress. I love the length and the side slits because you can wear it as a dress or layer it over soft loose pants for a more pyjama set feel. You could easily belt this to add shape if you wished. It is a great piece that is easy to wear and has lots of impact. Has pockets on each hip. Presents as excellent condition with a note to review below

Unlined and slips on to wear. The fabric is a red silky finish synthetic. There is a hook & eye ling the notched neck. In very bright light I see a change of colour in the red here and there and light marks scattered all over. It's very faint but there. Please see the photo after the label shot. The loose cut should work on a range of sizes

Sleeves: 22" long and 24" around 
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 48" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3620

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 I have included a photo of the inner seam where you can see that it was hand finished. 

This dress is made from a beautiful mint green silk feeling synthetic that has been pleated in McFadden's signature pleating technique. 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 with that gorgeous spring colour offsetting all the skin that it shows. It has an extremely deep plunge at both the front and back. It is literally cut to the waist and the panels of fabric that cover the breast and back are set with a gap between them so the plunge takes centre stage on both sides. The skirt falls to the floor from the waist seam and ends in an overlapping hem to give it an extra bit of detailing and movement. It is very long which is a rare thing to find in her dresses . As she progressed in her career she preferred to design pieces that ended at the ankle so you could see the shoe underneath so the full length pieces are a bit rarer. The dress comes with its original extra extra long braided belt that was another of Mary's signatures. This one is spectacular with a thick braided finish and long dangling ends. You can wrap and tie in a ton of different ways. I have wrapped and photoed a few ways and you can see the versatility that the belt adds. It is beautiful and a rare example of her earlier work. Excellent condition

Unlined through the bodice and closes with a series of hook and hand set snaps up the side of the dress. The skirt is lined in a silk organza and all the inner edges are hand finished. The waist has no stretch. The belt is original to the dress and in excellent condition and is just over 11 1/2 feet long. 

Bust: approx to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 47" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3618

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

This is a more recent dress by Valentino and we found one that gave us the original price of $5690USD. This one looks to have never been worn and is just waiting for its new bride. The dress is a simple and elegant silhouette. It is done in an ivory silk that has a slight stretch to it that makes it very comfortable to wear. The dress is strapless and has seams that run horizontally across the dress for a subtle detailing. These also help to hold and shape the dress to your form. It falls from the strapless top, hugging the body to just past the hips, and then flares out to the skirt that swoops around you and then trains out at the back. It has a wonderfully minimalist feel that is broken by a large flat bow placed at the small of the back. This is the only added detailing other then the horizontal rows that wrap around the bodice. It is remarkably elegant and sophisticated while still being kept simple. It has all its original tags and was never worn. Excellent condition with one minor note below 

Fully lined in an ivory silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. It has a built in boned netted corset that closes with its own zipper. There is one tiny smudge of a mark on the bodice. The colour in person is a bit softer then how it photoed. The best colour is on the shot that shows the original hang tags still attached to the dress. Tagged a modern Valentino size 2. It is best suited for a size 0-2 

Bust: to 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from top of bodice to front hem, 70" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3617

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

Andre Courreges made these amazing faux leather coats out of a coated vinyl starting around 1963 and into the early 1970s. The vinyl give it a more sporty look and was also considered to be a cutting edge fabric during this time period. It also features his logo prominently on the front which was also rather daring for this era. He was one the first designers to do this. The twin of this coat along with many versions and variations of it are held in museums world-wide. 

This can be worn as either a coat or a dress with something underneath. It is belted for definition through the waist and the big pockets at the front act as both a design feature and give it a sense of sporty utility. The front closes with a row of his signature white painted snaps and at the back there is a row hidden under the vent that allows you to close it for a more dress feel. You can also unsnap them and leave them open so that the bottom portion of the coat has more volume. It is cut to skim over the body and be more fitted through the top. Courreges once commented when asked about how his fit and cuts came about, saying that it 'was somewhere between a youthful and optimistic inventiveness, and a concept of fashion embracing the platonic ideal of perfect form. What was needed was to apply new technical and aesthetic rules and to create a modern style that was easy to wear.' This longer coat style is harder to find and more rare then its cropped counterparts and this one is in one of the best and most coveted of the colours; the brilliant orange. These are now skyrocketing in price and I have seen them more than double this one's price. This in is a size vintage Courreges size C which is a harder to find size too. Excellent overall condition with notes to review below

The jacket snaps to close at the front and it has its original belt that also snaps into place. More snaps close the back vent and each cuff. The pockets zipper as seen. Inside, the lining can be fully removed and snaps into place. It is tagged a Courreges size C. There is wear to the vinyl exterior at all the movement points and the logo on these always goes to a cream as they age. Minor wear to the paint on a couple of the snaps and grubbiness here and there. Inside the lining there is a some small missing piece near one snap and off of the body the lining hangs past the hem. Another common thing you see with these. The exterior flaws are normal wear and patina for this fabric and it presents as excellent. The interior issues are minor and the fabric is strong and stable. Please see all the photos after the label shot. 

Sleeves: 22.5"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# C558

Reference Photos: (1) Model in Courreges, L'Officiel c.1970s.  /  (2) 1963-69 Courreges Coat from The Met Collection.  /  (3) Courreges Coat from the Istanbul Fashion Museum Adnan Ege Kutay Collection.  /  (4) From the book "Fashion: A History from the 18th to the 20th century. Volume II - The 20th Century." by The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute and Taschen.  /  (5-6) 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.

The Oscar de La Renta boutique label first appeared in 1967 which makes this one from one of the very earliest collection for this line. His boutique label is important as is marked the first ready-to-wear line for a Seventh Avenue designer to be launched. These early pieces have lots of hand finishes and are just stunning example of his work during these early days of his career.

I love this dress. It is made out of a very unusual fabric. It is a silk organza that has been covered on little tufts of gold that are made from a combination of a small bit of velvet with gold metallic thread that has been pulled through the velvet base to create each individual tuft. To contrast this and give the dress a touch more of a metallic feel Oscar then added a wide, flat, silver and gold metal thread ribbon. This panel of fabric runs down each side of the entire front and back of the dress, circles around the waist and also finishes each cuff. A band of that same ribbon is then wrapped all the way around the lower hem. The fabric is very light in weight so that the dress is very easy to wear. It has short capped sleeves and it buttons down the front to close. I love the exaggerated pointed collar and how the silver detailing is set onto the front bodice so that it curves in a bit to perfectly accent the bust. The waist nips in just a touch and then the skirt cascades to the floor gently widening out as it nears the hem. It is really a gorgeous dress and very well made. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk except for the sleeves. Closes at the front with domed buttons and snaps & hooks. The fabric of the buttons show slight fading. In person the silver and gold feel more true silver and gold then how it photoed. 

Shoulders: 15"
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 top of bodice to centre of band at waist
Skirt: 44" from centre of band at waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3603

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

This is a very pretty 1980s Oscar de la Renta dress that is not 100% perfect but still has lots of life to it. It has a a pretty silhouetted that I love. A women actually reached out and donated this one to me hoping that it could find a great home and I will in turn donate the proceeds from it once it sells. So it is a great little dress and will do an extra dose of goodness after it finds its new forever home too.

The dress is made from a pretty black silk taffeta that helps to hold the shape and volume through the skirt that you see. The bodice has an almost squared off feel to it with a straight across neckline at both the back and the front. It is cut to skim over the body and widens out slightly as it nears the waist line. The waist itself is dropped low to just about the top of the hips and this play on proportion gives the dress a touch of an unusual feel but without needing anything extra in terms of ornamentation. At the back it buttons up with a series of silk covered buttons for a subtle bit of detailing. The skirt is set into the dropped waist seam in a series of soft gathers and then is quite full under that. It falls to just above the ankles so that you will see your shoes peek out from under it and that length perfectly suits this silhouette. The skirt has a second layer of silk organza under it to help hold the shape and volume. What makes it not perfect is that it looks to have been washed and this has given the fabric a slightly faded feel and some of the edges have lightened and faded a touch. It is still completely wearable and with all the variations of things out there nowadays it doesn't necessarily feel like a flaw. Great overall condition but please read the full description.  

Fully lined in a silk organza. It closes at the back with a row of silk covered buttons. It has the appearance of having been washed. The very top button is different from the rest. Someone let out the seams on both sides of the dress and you can see the faint stitch marks. Please see the last photo. It is cut on the boas so has some stretch 

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam across the top hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 21.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 34" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3600

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 reminds me of the pink one that Gwyneth Paltrow wore to the Oscars in 1999 (which was not a Calvin Klein but has the same line and feel as this one). This one is made out of a black fabric that has the hols of a taffeta but with a little more weight to it so that hold the shape and fullness that you see very well. The bodice is cut in a very low plunge that goes right to the waist. It sits wide across the chest and has no boning on the interior. It is more meant to float over the breasts and hang suspended from the straps. I have put it on the dress form so that the straps cross over at the front and I think you could also wear it with them crossed over at the back if you preferred. I think it will depend on how it sits on you. There is no seam at the waist to break the line. The seams under the halter are angled off to the side and then the skirt falls to the floor in a widening expanse of fabric. There are insets built in on the skirt on both sides that give it even more volume and flare. The back is cut longer so you get a slight trained effect. The back is left completely bare and bottom is done on a slight pointed angle that picks up the line of the back of the skirt. It is very minimalist and very nineties chic. Excellent condition 

The bodice is lined in the same fabric as the exterior and the skirt has an inner black silk lining. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. Inner elastic waist stay that hooks to close. I see some very slight shiny marks on the skirt from where the fabric folded during storage. There is so much fabric that its not something you would notice and you only see it when the light hits it a certain way and its laid out flat. It would not even photo. It appears to have never been worn otherwise. 

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam with some room since its open in the back
Waist: is open to 15.5"" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: approx 61" from neck to front hem, 71" to the end of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3597

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

Teal Traina once pointed to the entrance of his Seventh Avenue showroom and said: “It should say ‘school’ over the door.” That is because Teal, who inherited the label from his uncle Anthony Traina, hired many young designers who were just starting their careers. Geoffrey Beene, Dominic Rompallo, Chester Weinberg, Rodriguez and Kay Unger all worked for the label at some point. His uncle was also the financial backer for the Norman Norell label so you will often see a collaborative label between the two companies from the original partnership that started in 1941. Traina Inc launched in 1959 after the Traina-Norell partnership closed. At this point Geoffey Beene joined the company and remained there as the designer until 1963 when he left to start his own label. He said of his time there; “Traina was one of my original boosters. He left me alone and made it possible for me to do my own things. He had a great sense of humour. I shall forever be humbled to him.” This dress would have been made during the Beene years so has a double dose of fashion history as it is a fabulous example of the Traina label and a very early example of Beene's work as a young designer.

The dress is beyond gorgeous. It is made out of a heavy silk satin and this fabric choice allows it to maintain its wonderfully crisp lines while still feeling soft and romantic. There is that banded bodice that Beene would go on to do variations of throughout his career. The bodice is high set in an empire cut and is a simple wide band of a deep olive silk that wraps all the way around you. Above that a soft pale turquoise silk curves over the shoulders and is set on an angle in towards the banding on both the front and back. Sleeves extend down in a slim long line in the same pale turquoise silk. The skirt comes out from underneath the banding at the bodice and falls to the floor, widening out as it nears the hem. The skirt is a soft lavender colour. The unusual mix of colours that he has chosen is part of what gives the dress its beauty and the silk is heavy enough to help keep the shape you see. At the back the banding lies over the zip closure and then closes with two thick metal buttons that are covered in rhinestones. It is very beautiful and even though it is not 100% perfect it is sound and wearable and a fantastic dress that I personally would wear as is in a heartbeat. Overall great condition with notes below to review.

The bodice is lined in the same turquoise silk used on the exterior. The skirt is lined in a white silk mix muslin. It closes at the back with a metal zipper and then the banding buttons to close over that. Some stones are missing out of the buttons and there is a line of fading down each side of the skirt. Some grubbiness along the hem line. Sound and wearable. Extremely well made

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 47.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3596

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 Valentino Roma label launched in 2000 to take the place of the Miss V line. It is sold at a price point that is more accessible then their main line and was meant to be available in more shops then the main line would be. The pieces are still very well made and this one caught my eye as it is so very sexy and unusual. It is made out of a scarf weight, bias cut silk that has a graphic floral print. The colour of the silk is a deep black that has a hint of charcoal to it. The floral print that runs over that is in an off-white colour. This is a combination that is always striking. It is completely cut on the bias and it is super model long. When you slip it on, it simply drapes into place and molds over your curves. The front is cut to completely cover you and is set wide across the neck. At the neck there is a bit of drape to the silk to soften the line below the neck. Set all the way around the arms is a band of black lace for a little bit of a lingerie feel. The back is stunning. Silk chiffon panels extend out from either side at the back of the arms and tie and drape down the back. Under the this tie detailing the back is left completely bare and dips down to expose the lower back. The silk under there trails to the floor and slightly extends past the hem for a touch of a trained effect. It is gorgeous and very sexy. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition 

Fully lined in a black chiffon and slip on to wear with a hidden set low spied zipper. Ties at the upper back. Tagged a size 42/8. The bias cut should allow it to fit a variety of sizes

Bust: to 20" flat across the front from side seam to side seam but will fit a variety of bust sizes with the adjustable tie and open back
Waist: 14-15.5 " flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from top of shoulder to front hem, 72" to the longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3592

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 with colour, 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 killer example of his work during this period and I also one in the shop in a black if the red one is too bold for you. I have dated this to 1987 after we found a reference photo of a model wearing an Azzaro dress with a very similar shoulder treatments. I love it 

This brilliant red dress is over the top dramatic and an absolute statement piece that will turn every head when you walk into a room. The bodice is hand draped into soft rounded gathers. It  is constructed to follow the curves of the body from the top of the neckline to below the hips. For the main body of the dress he has used a red jersey that has a touch of a metallic feeling finish to it so that it has a liquid effect. Inside is his signature black strapless underwire bralet that is sewn into the dress for support. The bodice is shaped into a low sweetheart curve and the gathers run horizontally down the body. Vertical hand done seams run all the way around to give the gathers a slight scooped feel. This keeps the draping from adding bulk and keep the focus on emphasizing your curves underneath. The low set skirt is made out of a metallic red textured silk that is set over layers of built in under skirting. The fabric of the lower skirt is placed to give the effect that it is wrapped and fanned around you. On each outer side the panels of the skirt lift up and away from the dress. These suggest flames in their shape and the colour. The same fabric and flame-like effect is then used to create a fan of fabric on one side of the bodice and this flares out dramatically up and over the front portion of the shoulder. It is very bold. In person the red and fabric are a touch richer and more textured feeling then how they photoed. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a red silk with a built in bra though the bodice that hooks to close separately. It closes at the back with a painted metal and nylon zipper. The interior bodice is boned. Layers of tulle and silk underskirts under the low set skirt. The flame/fan detailing on the bodice has stiffening fabric inside to hold it up and it does tend to fall a bit. It would be easy to add additional wire or stiffening inside if you wanted it to really hold tall. Hand finished throughout

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 52" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3587

Reference Photo: Model in Loris Azzaro, L'Officiel No. 734, September 1987.

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

I have had a version of this dress in the past in a paler icier blue so when I saw this one with it's deep sapphire blue colour I had to have it for the shop. It is a beautiful and romantic bias cut silk chiffon dress by the great American couturier Oscar de la Renta. It is constructed from multiple layers of a lightweight, slightly textured, silk chiffon in the most stunning deep sapphire colour. The bodice of the dress is gathered in an elaborate ruching of silk that meets in the center in a thick braided detailing. This runs down the centre of the front of the bodice. The strapless neckline above that is cut into a rounded sweetheart shape that is very flattering. The bodice is fitted and cinches in at the waist with interior boning to help hold the shape. The skirt cascades to the floor at the back and at the front it curves up higher so you get a flash of leg when you move. It is made up of three full layers of weightless silk chiffon that float over and around the body to give it the feel of airiness and lightness. The lightness of the silk gives it a billowing effect when you move and walk that is stupendous. A really lovely and romantic dress in one of the best blue colours I have seen. Excellent condition

The dress is fully lined through the bodice in a hand set blue silk and the three layers of silk chiffon the skirt is made of serve as its lining. The dress closes with a side painted metal zipper. Hand finishes. I see one tiny area on the side off the skirt that has darkened. 

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 48" from top of strapless dress to back hem, 37" to the front hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3583

Reference Photos: Spring 1990 Oscar de la Renta Runway.

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

This is the long version that was made from two pieces shows for the resort runway for that season. You can see the same top of the green dress here and then the same red silk organza used on the the second dress we have induced for reference. Combining the two elements and making the skirt full length results in this gorgeous dress. 

This is a stunning example of Ferrertti's more recent world and a very pretty dress. The red has a touch of a coral tone to it and the fabric choice gives it a light and romantic feel. The bodice and lower skirts have an extensive paneling of an embroidered, open cut owrk lae feeling fabrication. It's pattern combines different sized flowers that are layered over each other with  parts of the design open. On the top this is set to engine down on north he front and back with the silk red silk on the side.A bide coloured mesh sits behind the plunge at the front so you get the illusion of a deep neckline but it is very secure and safe. At the back there is a little option start of fabric that you cansnap into place or fold that back as I have for a deeper more open plunge. It nips in at the waist but with a slightly generous feel and then the skirt is full and falls to the floor under that. The entire bottom half fo the skirt is covered int hat same embroidery work as the top. It is a very pretty dress and has a touch of a vintage feel to it. Its very soft and romantic and feminine. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition 

Fully lined in a red silk and closes art the back with a hidden set zipper. Tagged a US6. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little.

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 44.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3578

Reference Photos: Resort 2015 Alberta Ferretti Collection. Model: Josephine van Delden.

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 jumpsuit is from the Yves Saint Laurent variation line which was an experimental lower priced lined that last for a short time period during the 80s. Most of the pieces you see from it are not what I look for from his work on a day to day basis but this jumpsuit had such great lines I could not resist picking it up. There was just something so young and fresh about this jumpsuit that I decided to make an exception. It is an inky black and its lines make you think that it borrows from the 'flight suit' in feel. The fabric is just heavy enough to hold the shape and I love the slide buckle belt that allows you to really cinch in the waist. The sleeves each snap to close and you can push them up like I have or roll them for a jauntier look. The bodice also snaps to close down the front and it is cut to be fuller. The pants below start out fuller around the hips and then narrow done as they reach the ankle. You could roll these too to get a totally different feel. Pockets on each hip and rounded padding in the shoulders for the perch finishes. It is a super fun piece and looks like it was never worn or worn very little. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closed with snaps up the front with a zipper under the waist at the front. Slide buckle belt. Snaps on each cuff and each shoulder has padding. Tagged a size 40. Meant to be fuller on. 

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58.5" from neck to hem
Inseam: 29.5"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

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 cut of this dress is a very flattering one shoulder silhouette. The base fabric is a light silk that is cut on the bias so that the dress drapes and molds over you to skim and highlight your curves without having a super tight fit. This makes the dress extremely comfortable to wear. The one side curves up and over the shoulder where it hooks into place with a trio of hooks & eye. From there it curves gracefully across the back. The dress falls to the floor with a high slit running up one side so that when you move you get a flash of leg. The sequins are set flat and side by side onto the fabric in long vertical rows. They are an iridescent pink and catch the light at the slightest movement. Worked into the sequins are little graphic triangles that run in a line down the full length of both sides of the dress. The hem and neckline are edged in a band of silver tube beads. Each of the triangles are also edged in a double row of those same silver tube beads and the interior of each triangle has a pinky-coral glitter fused directly onto the silk. The glitter parts are actually multi-coloured and this creates a touch of a holographic feel to them. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a pink silk. It closes with a metal and nylon side zipper. It is tagged a vintage 8. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. I see one tiny repair near the base of the zipper . 

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 57.5" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3401

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

Gina Fratini created some of the most sought after evening wear in the 1970s and into the 80s. Elizabeth Taylor chose to wear one of her dresses for her second marriage to Richard Burton in 1975 and Princess Diana made several appearances wearing her work. Fratini was a British fashion and costume designer whose label existed from 1964 into the eighties. She was also known for dressing Princess Anne, who wore a Fratini gown for her 21st birthday portrait. She did freelance work for Normal Norell and designed the Ossie Clark lingerie line. She won the Dress of the Year award in 1974. She as known for her use of natural fabrics and her dresses were complicated affairs that were not easy to reproduce, which gave her designs an edge in exclusivity. 

The dress is made of a light cotton voile with that is covered in a beautiful floral print. The print is done in a soft wash of colours and covers the entire dress. The upper bodice is phenomenal. The front is gathered in a elastic smocking that runs from the high collar and then angles down to the waist. At the back this same smocking detail repeats itself. Each sleeve is cut to be full and ends in more of the gathered elastic detailing. Running along the sides of the gathers on the bodice is a wide ruffle that begins on the waist of either side and curves up and over the shoulder to run down to meet the waist at the back. The waist is defined by long attached ties that I have tied at the back but you could also wrap around and tie them at the front. Another ruffled panel of fabric sits under the waist seam at the front to give it a bit  of a peplum feel. The skirt falls to the floor from there and widens out gently as it nears the hem. It is finished with a wide ruffle hem that perfectly ties all the elements of the dress together. It is gorgeous and a statement piece that is even better in person. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Closes with a back painted metal zipper and is lined with a nude silky rayon though the skirt and bodice. The sleeves are unlined. The elastic through the bodice gives it some stretch

Shoulders: 14.5"
Sleeves: 22.5"
Bust: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3574

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 Oscar de La Renta boutique label first appeared in 1967 which makes this one from one of the very earliest collection for this line. His boutique label was the first secondary ready-to-wear line for a Seventh Avenue designer.

I have had the twin of this one in the shop before and it is a piece that I was happy to find again. It is from earlier in his career and I love the statement making combination of that classic 1960s orange and yellow color palette with the starkness of the black. The top part of the jumpsuit is cut to skim over the body and waist and has a large pointed, notched collar and short sleeves wide sleeves. The collar and shoulders and sides are all a solid black fabric that has a ribbed chevron texture. The pattern runs down the front and then squares off at an angle to then wrap around the waist. A row of black, decorative buttons runs down the front and I love how the pattern is used to create the illusion of 'cuffs' on each sleeve. The cuffs also line up perfectly with the patterned fabric at the waist. The bottom part of the jumpsuit are extra wide pant legs that have a very unusual construction. Each is made from panels of fabric that wrap over themselves so that depending on how you stand or sit it opens up a high slit that is cut up to past the knee for a flash of skin. Each of the pant legs is a full 54" around at their bottom hem. It is amazing and an instantly recognizable piece of Oscar's work. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.  Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silky cotton mix and closes with a hand set, back painted zipper. The buttons at the front are decorative.

Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from neck to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to hem
Inseam: 30"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2822

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

This is a lovely dress by Reem Acra who for twenty years has been producing ready to wear and bridal collection. Her pieces tend to combine traditional elements with modern aesthetics and her work can be very beautiful. This was shown on the Spring 2006 runway with a slightly different bodice and then a version with sleeves and upper shoulders was used for the Bridal campaign ads that year and that one matches the bodice of the one I have in the shop today. 

The dress is very simple in cut and very flattering. It is made out of a pale silver grey silk chiffon through the skirting and then the bodice is a silk satin that is covered in a combination off seed beads and prong set rhinestones. The strapless bust is set in a high empire line and it is meant to be fitted and just cover the breasts. It is boned and formed inside to created that banded effect and to keep it in place. On to this is a lovely and intricate design that covers the entire bust all the way around. The design combines the tiniest of silver seed beads with small rhinestones. These catch the light and add a bit of glamour against the grey silk chiffon. Under the bust the skirt falls to the floor in a cascade of silk chiffon. It is feather light and made up of multiple layers of silk. There are two top layers of silk chiffon and then under that are two more layers of a silk dyed to the exact same colour. There are lots of little details that portray its high end origins. Each of the two pairs of layers of skirting are attached by little slips on the side so they hang perfectly in place. And at the back each layer closes with its own zipper and closure. It is very beautiful and even better in person as the camera doesn't quite capture the right shade of soft grey that it is or the glimmer of the rhinestones as they catch the light. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

Has a built in inner corset through the bust that is boned and closes with a back zipper. Another zipper closes a layer over that and then the outermost layer snaps into place. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little.

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 5.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 46" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3573

Reference Photos: (1-2) Spring 2006 Reem Acra Runway Collection.  /  (3) 2006 Reem Acra Bridal.

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

My couture client purchased this set in the spring of 2004 and it is a beautiful example of his work during this time period. This is one of the pieces made for retail sale that season and has many of the hallmarks we know and love about McQueen's work. Lace was used throughout the collection that year. Vogue said of the runway show; 'McQueen's signatures—elaborately pieced tailoring (now beautifully softened with delicate inserts of lingerie)... did star turns' and the this set lives up to that and more. 

Both pieces are made from a black silk taffeta and the top is detailed across the shoulder with a fine gossamer black lace. The skirt takes it reference from many of the cuts seen in the spirited dance show that the collection was presented with for that season. If you look through the photos of the show, you see many skirts were cut with this hip hugging silhouette that then flared outwards at the bottom skirting. On this set the flare is at the back with the front cut to be more of a sleek pencil shape. But when you turn to the side or around, you see that the silk hugs the bum and then flares out quite dramatically on either side at the back. The top showcases more of his elaborate and genius tailoring. It is cut and shaped by a series of vertical curved panels pieced together all the way around the body. It buttons down the front and has flap pockets set on each hip. The entire top of the shoulders and the capped sleeves are made out of a fine black lace that allows a glimpse of skin through its elaborate design. A wide grosgrain ribbon wraps around the top edge of the corseting and finishes with a neat flat bow at the front. The fabric choice gives it shape and holds the intended silhouette and the femininity of the lace is the perfect contrast against that sharp tailoring. This is Mcqueen at his finest and a stunning set that is even better once it is on an actual body. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition. 

Both pieces are lined in a black silky rayon. The skirt zips to close with a hidden set zipper and the top buttons down the front. Note that it was a little small on the dress form and does button properly once on the correct size person. The skirt is tagged a 38 and the top is tagged a 40. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. The entire set is a true black in person 

Top
Slightly dropped shoulders: 17"
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from neck to hem

Skirt 
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3572

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

I have had this same dress in the shop in a few various versions of this one. This classic black version is a great basic that you will reach for over and over. Halston is one of those rare labels that the more time that goes by it actually feels more relevant. It is easy to think of this piece as both a treasured collectible and a closet staple - knowing that every time you slip it on you will look and feel amazing. It has his signature simplicity and masterful draping along with a touch of Studio 54 sexiness thrown in. The dress is made from a light wool jersey that has an ultra soft finish. It has no fabric tags but almost feel like it has a touch of cashmere worked into it. The dress simply slips on and you hook it into place at the waist. The front crosses over itself with a low plunge. The placement of the fabric and the interior hooks hold it in place so that you feel safe wearing it. It is cut with the absolute minimal seaming and on the on the bias. Once on it wraps and drapes to follow your every curve. The skirt crosses over and is cut so the hem follows a soft curve as it comes around the back and then up on both sides to meet the waist. The wrapped styling allows the entire front to look like you could step out of the dress at any moment. It would be easy to adjust the waist up or down a bit by moving the hooks and you could really cinch it and change the look and feel of it by adding a belt. This is signature Halston in a dress that can go from day or night. Excellent condition with a small note below.

Unlined and wraps to close with flat hooks at the waist to hold it in place. The waist could be adjusted approx 1" up or down by moving the hooks. The wool jersey is a very comfortable and light weight. I see a few scattered pinhole repairs that are well done and evident from the back of the fabric

Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 20" flat across but has no true side seams
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 45" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3571

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

Pierre Balmain began his career at Molyneux where he worked part-time until 1936. After a brief stint serving in the military he landed at the house of Lucian Lelong. He eventually made the leap to independence and his first show was held on October 12th, 1945 at his salon at rue Francois 1er. This is the second caftan dress like this that I have had in the shop but this one is in a different colour-way and print then the first was. 

The dress is a beautiful example of the work being produced for the ready-to-wear label during this time period. The silk that the dress is made out of is a high end printed Thai silk. Some of the best silks to be found on the planet were coming out of Thailand during this period in fashion. Thai silk was prized in particular for its ability to take on colour and the colours on this caftan are still as true as they would have been the day it was made. The dress has the easy to wear cut of a caftan with wide sleeves and a generous cut through the body. I love how the sleeves are cut to be wide and full. Each ends at about the elbow in length and are finished with multiple rows of a padded top stitching detailing. This adds structure to the ends of the sleeve and keeps them round and full. That same quilting technique is used around the collar and down the front neckline. Running full length down the centre is a row of silk covered buttons and loops. These all are functional so that you can button it up right to the top of the neck,  leave it partially open for a bit of skin to show or even completely open it and later it as a light evening coat. The print is stunning and the entire dress sis covered in an over-sized floral print in pretty pastel greens and blues. It looks to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a pale blue silk and closes down the front with silk covered buttons and loops. Pockets along the hips. Hand finishes. The colour in person has a more pastel feel to it then how it photoed. Tagged a medium. The generous cut will allow it to fit a range of sizes

Sleeves: approx 16"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3569

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 Suzy Perette dress is heaven. In person the color is so much better then how it photoed. It's truer and brighter and more vibrant. Finding pieces like this from this era that are this beautiful is becoming harder and harder so I am always happy to have an amazing piece come into the shop.

The dress is made of brilliant emerald silk that is cut to perfection and has a heavy detailing of 3 dimensional flowers and vines trailing across the bodice and skirt. The bodice is strapless with a wide band that folds down around the edge of the bodice all the way around. It is cut to fit over the bust and than nips in at the waist. Below that the skirt opens out into a very full shape. I used no extra crinolines under it for the photos. The volume you see is achieved through the cut and the wrapping of the skirt. Inside there is a silk organza lining that has tulle placed on it at the hips to help with the shape. That clever underpinning is what holds the shape and creates that curved line that you see. The fabric drapes and curves over the hips and then the flowers and vines that are set on top of the skirt to follow the created draping. The applique work on the dress is extensive and very well done. At the waist there are two large hand made rosettes nestled in at the side. Running down and over the skirt is a trail of leaves, flowers and vines. They follow the draping of the skirt and are quite lovely to see. Each is hand made from the same fabric as the dress and placed by hand to perfectly follow the natural folds. It is just amazing. Excellent condition with a minor note below

The skirt is interlined in a green silk organza and then there is an inner lining made of the same fabric as the exterior with attached tulle on each hip. The bodice is lined in the same exterior fabric and is lightly boned. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Hand finished and beautifully constructed. The color is a truer, purer emerald green and even better in person. There are the faintest smudges on the top part of the bodice but they are very minor and the camera could not capture them 

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 26" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2594

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 just had the twin one this on the shop and was pleased to find another one so soon. The laced safari tunic from the 1968 collection remains as one of the holy grail pieces in the vintage world. It was re-issued in several forms during Yves' span as head of his atelier and when Tom Ford took over YSL in 1999, he too did versions of the look in homage to Yves. Countless celebrities have been spotted wearing some version of that first famous tunic over the years, and it is one of the most identifiable of Yves' pieces out there.

This one is very easy to wear as it gives you complete control over how much skin you decide to show behind the lace up front. The front laces all the way down the front and on this version there is a modesty panel that you can fold over and into place to cover the bareness behind the laces. For the majority of photos here that panel is folded back so that you can see that it can also be worn to show skin between the two front edges but I also shot a closer photo with the panel in place so you can see the difference. If you decide to wear it without the modesty panel, the open gap left between the two sides is scandalously sexy. Especially since it runs the full length of the top. The top is made from a soft white cotton mix that has stretch to it. It is very light weight and the stretch in the fabric makes it insanely easy and comfortable to wear. It has many of the same hallmarks of the original tunic made famous when it was photoed on supermodel, Veruschka. It's fabulous. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear. Two top set flap pockets. Each cuff buttons to close. The modesty panel is attached along one side and folds over into place. Tagged a FR YSL 42. The fabric has some stretch

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 26" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# S925

Reference photo: (1) Veruschka wearing YSL by Franco Rubartelli for Vogue, 1968

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 exact dress was worn by Adria Arjona to the Instyle party for the Golden Globes 2018 weekend of parties. Adria looked amazing in it and it gives you a great idea of how wonderful the dress is once on. We are also happy to have been able to add this event to the provenance of this gorgeous dress. Vicky Tiel was backed by Elizabeth Taylor as a young designer after working on the costume 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/designers 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 for. By the eighties and into the nineties, she had a cult celebrity following. She was known for her body hugging, sexy, fitted designs and her elaborate gathering of fabrics on her dresses.

The dress is gorgeous and it is cut to highlight all of your curves. I love that under the label is a second label that has the hand written name of the dress 'Kaimak'. It is very well made. The dress is the perfect example of her signature cut, done to be as fitted as possible. Another of her signatures was a dress that is strapless and you could easily tuck the tiny straps on on this one so you can wear it either way. In 1985 People Magazine declared her to be 'the Queen of the strapless dress' and these tight, ruched dresses were a favourite on the red carpet. The body of the dress is made of an extensively draped black netting that has been entirely hand set into place to create the ruching that you see. These are hand set into place from the top of the bodice to the hem. The draping covers the entire dress, back and front, top to bottom. It is cut to be very fitted and meant to hug your every curve while the seaming and interior support shape and mold the body. The bodice has interior boning to help to create this shape and to push the breasts up. Across the upper front there is a panel of extensive bead work that is set on a backdrop of black lace. This peeks out from the silk netting as if it was a separate undergarment that has been exposed. This peek-a-boo effect adds to the sensuality of the dress. A high slit up the back allows you to walk because it is cut to be so fitted you probably would not be able to otherwise. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silky rayon and closes with a back metal and nylon zipper. Boned through the interior bodice. Tagged a 40 with handwritten tag. Hand finishes throughout and very well made

Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 53" from top of bodice to hem
Back slit: 20" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD1384

Reference Photos: Adria Arjona at the Instyle Golden Globes Party 2018. Styled by Jamie Schneider Mizrahi.

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

John Galliano was moved over from Givenchy to Dior in October of 1996 and stayed there until he was dismissed in February of 2011. The collection from about 2000 to 2011 are covered in full but the ones prior to that are harder to find the full information on. I believe this is a piece from around the time he switched over. During John Galliano's years at the house of Dior he arguably produced some of the most amazing bias cut gowns in the house's history. His work often hails back to the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and thirties in terms of their cut.  

This dress is beautiful. I love the soft tones and combination of yellows that have been used. It is made out of a bias cut silk chiffon whose pattern is a mix of a lemon yellow, a pale mint and deeper tangerine colour, all complimented with with pops of black and white. The design is laid out in a graphic chevron pattern that covers the entire dress. The dress is cut on the bias so that it skims over the body. The neckline is scooped at both the front and the back and the dress is suspended from wider cut straps that curve over each shoulder. There is no seam at the waist, instead it just drapes over the bodice and then falls to the hips. This gives is a very twenties feel. The skirt adds to this twenties feel with how it is set into the body of the dress. Panels of silk chiffon have been set with the pattern going a different way from the torso of the dress. It is sewn in with a series of points around the hips. This causes the skirt to have a lot of movement and it has a floating feel to it as you move around in it. To close the dress there is a tightly spaced row of his signature silk covered buttons and loops that run down one side of the dress. It is very light in weight and stunning on. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a bias cut off-white silk crepe. It closes with the series of buttons and fabric loops that run down the side. It appears to have been worn very little it at all. The bias cut should it to work on a range of sizes. The length does come up a bit once since it is cut on the bias.

Bust: 15-17" 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: 60" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2437

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

John Anthony opened his label in 1971 and during the 1970s he became known for making pieces that were sleek & sexy but still felt sophisticated. His business was all done on a made to order basis. That means the majority of pieces you will find are a one-off, or if there are similar pieces, very few of each piece exist. This personal attention to each dress is clearly seen in the workmanship of his pieces. His work is a personal favourite of mine and this dress is extraordinary.

This dress is exceptional and a wonderful example of his work during this time period. It is made from a black silk jersey that allows it to drape beautifully on the body. The dress is cut to drapes and skim over the body and it does show every curve but without it being tight and fitted. Once on, this gives it a certain sexiness despite the fact that the dress completely covers you. The sleeves are long and widen out as the near the cuffs to create a poufed effect over each buttoned cuff. The dress skims over the body and fall to the floor in a beautiful drape of inky black silk jersey. A hand beaded silver bird seems to have been captured in mid-flight as it swoops around the scooped neck. A second bird arches down the hip and appears to hold in its beak the gathered panel of fabric that is set on that one hip. This panel give the dress a bit of a forties feel that I love. It also hides a high cut slit that reveals almost your entire your leg when you walk or sit. It is incredible and made to demi-couture standards. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a back, hand set zipper. Each cuff buttons to close. The birds are hand beaded onto the dress. There is one tiny repair on the back otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all. Hand finished. The fabric does have stretch so it should fit a range of sizes. The measurements below give you the comfortable range the fabric has when lying flat.

Sleeves: 26"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58.5" from neck to hem
Slit: 32" from hem to top of slit

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD2973

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 fantastic and romantic gown by Alfred Bosand who was really one of the great American designers whose clothes where made to couture levels with lots of hand finishes and detailing to them. Bosand started his career after World War II by attending the Fashion Academy, New York City. He then worked with several designers before launching his own label. By the time he returned in 1986 he was one of New York's last privately owned couture designers with his own label. His work is of very high quality.

I love how the dress is beaded from the top of the straps to the hem. The base fabric is made from a beautiful black silk net that has a layer of silk chiffon backing it. Under this is a built in inner dress made out of a black silk satin backed crepe so that the dress is not transparent. The dress is suspended from the shoulder from two tiny straps. It is seamed just under the bust and the top edge has a bit of a scalloped effect by the lace net being allowed to peak up and over the seam there. The skirt cascades from the high set waist to the floor in a delicious sweep of fabric. As it nears the floor it widens out which gives the change of design there the perfect backdrop and space to really pop. The entire dress has been covered in beading, sequins and embroidery. The top part of the dress has little rows of gold tube beads that are each set on a slight curve and broken up with scatterings of gold sequins. These are all hand set and by laying them out in this more organic feel they are more visually interesting then to have just done straight vertical rows. The entire lower hem is covered in flowers. This takes up about 24" of the bottom of the dress and in person they have far more impact then on it looks in the photos and on the dress form. The colours used are a soft turquoise mixed with a deep pink and pops of gold. The design is made up of a combination of embroidery, tube and seed beads and gold metallic thread. I love that the bottom hem is scalloped all around the edge. It is very beautiful and even better in person. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk satin backed crepe and closes with a back set zipper. It looks to have been worn very little if at all 

Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist - hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of bodice to seam under the bust 
Skirt: 45.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3549

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 finding Donald Brooks pieces, especially his main line label that he launched 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 his mainline and was most likely made during that 1971-1973 time frame. I did find a reference photo of the dress but it was dated as being 1978 which is not possible so we have the photo but not the exact date. 

Brooks pieces have a certain ease about them. This is partly due to his fabric choices and also in part because of his cutting and draping techniques. This dress is made from an easy to wear black jersey that has been finished with a scattering of rhinestones across its surface. I love this combination of the glittering crystals with the ease and simplicity of the fabric. The faceted glass crystals are hand placed on prong settings across the entire surface of the dress. It's an ingenious way to make for a very glamorous dress without taking away from the simplicity of the jersey. The stones are spaced out over the entire surface so that they catch the light from every angle. The dress is cut to skim over the bust, nip in with a seam at the waist and then the sleeves are left long and are cut to be full above the cuffs. A matching tie belt can be used to cinch the waist in for more shape. The neckline is cut wide for a touch of collar bone to show and both the back and front are scooped. The skirt falls to the floor and there are yards of fabric used in it so it has great movement once it is on. It is a striking dress and looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a metal and nylon zipper at the back. A hidden set hook & eye at each cuff. Matching fabric tie at the waist. The fabric has some stretch overall but the waist measurement is fixed with the seam.

Sleeves: 25" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 17-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from natural neck to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2926

Reference Photo: Donald Brooks Dress, date unknown

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

My client had this dress made for her by Oscar in the early 1990s. It is absolutely divine even if it is no longer 100% perfect. It is made from a deep teal blue green silk chiffon and in person is a touch deeper in tone and even richer in feel. The dress has a decidedly Grecian goddess feel to it. The silk is a very fine, scarf weight silk that is very difficult to work with especially given the elaborate draping that has been done on this dress. It would have taken many hours  and a high degree of technical skill to drape that silk so perfectly into place. The dress is cut to flow beautifully around the body. The bodice is fitted with an elaborately draped and gathered front. The silk wraps around the waist and then angles up over each breast. A long panel of silk is attached so that it drapes dramatically over one shoulder and the cascades down towards the floor in an almost train like fashion. The skirt is made up of layers of silk that wrap and curve over each other. These layers are all cut on the bias so the dress really has the most spectacular movement when you move. It is simple and classic but has a high impact feel at the same time. Presents as excellent condition but does have some small flaws to note below

The bodice is lined in silk and three full layers of silk chiffon were used in the construction of the skirt. It closes with a back set zipper. Has a inner lightly boned silk bodice ad inner waist stay that hooks to close. Hand finishes. The dress has some flaws. There is a tiny nick on the back of the skirt, and minor fraying/thinning along and near the zipper. A couple of areas where the fabric has thinned or caught at some point on the shoulder panel and scuffing and the same thinning in a couple tiny spots near the hem. The zipper may have been moved at some point and there is minor shattering around the top edge near the arms. Each side of the bodice was taken in at some point. Please see the photo including the label and onward for all these points. It is perfectly sound otherwise

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9" from top of bodice edge to waist
Skirt: 46" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3547

Reference Photos: Fall 1990 Oscar de la Renta 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.

Robert David Morton was a very hands on designer who did almost every step of the process himself including developing many of the fabrics and patterns he used in his work. He sold to higher end shops but also did custom work for clients. his work is of very good quality.

The dress is made of a lightweight metallic gold lame fabric that makes a strong statement and gives it an extra shot of glamour. The fabric is quite light in weight so despite the elaborate construction of the dress is not heavy to wear. It is just heavy enough to hold the intended shape fabulously. The bodice is cut in a strapless, rounded sweetheart finish that is very flattering. It is elaborately gathered and fitted around the bust with hand placed and gathered folds. Inside there is internal structure and light boning so that is stays perfectly in place when it is on. Under that the skirt is set into the bust to follow the angled line at the front. It is set with soft gathers all around, giving the illusion that it is wrapped around you. The front overlaps and this allows a bit of leg to show when you walk. It is wonderful and is even better once it is on an actual body. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silky rayon and closes with a painted metal and nylon zipper at the back. Light boning at each side of the bodice. Some light fading to the interior lining

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 7.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 41" from waist to longest point of the hem at the back. The front curves up slightly

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3410

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

Dorian was a lingerie company so this was probably originally intended to be used as a hostess piece or as a robe worn over over an inner piece. For a modern girl it makes for an amazing wrap dress and you could also wear it layered over something else. The dress, or coat, depending on how you decide to wear it, is made out a black stretch jersey whose neckline is edged in a wide and dramatic panel of glossy black feathers. It is very reminiscent of pieces that you would have seen being produced for the Old Hollywood era of the twenties and thirties. It draws heavily on that silhouette but without feeling like a copy with the use of the modern jersey for the fabric choice. The sleeves are cut long and wide and they each flare dramatically with each is a full 27" around by the time they reach the ends. The body of the dress wraps and ties to close. This makes it so easy to wear and comfortable too. The feather panel is wide and curves around the neck and down the front to the waist. It is cut so very simply but yet is so very dramatic once on an actual body. Excellent condition.

Unlined and wraps and ties to close. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The jersey does have some stretch and the tie makes it very adjustable for sizing. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam but adjustable with the ties up or down several inches
Hips: open
Bodice: 13" from neck to waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3542

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

I have had a similar suit in the ship from the 1982 collection that had the musical note patterns from that year. I believe that this is from the same collection. Aside from the different print the cut is identical to that one I had. The heart print is an important one for Yves and he used it first in the 1971 collection that has since become a cornerstone collection. I have included some reference photos here so that you can see the progression from that collection to this version of the print made eleven years after.

The set is made from a light weight black crepe that has a custom screened heart print that cover both pieces. The hearts give it a  whimsical feel that is balanced out by the stark white on black colorway. The skirt is banded at the waist with soft pleating and pockets on the sides. It is cut to skim over the hips and falls in a simple pencil shape from there. The top feels partway between a jacket and a top because of the fabric choice which is fairly light in weight. It is beautifully cut with soft shoulders and sleeves that are fuller through the upper arm and then narrow in at the wrist. Through the body is is cut with just a suggestion of the waist. It buttons to close and has his signature ribbon finish that runs around the collar and down the front edges. It is beautiful. Excellent condition.

The jacket is lined in a black silk with the sleeves left unlined. It closes with buttons at the front. The skirt is unlined and closes with a side zipper and button at the waist. It has hidden pockets on each hip. It is very light and more like wearing a dress then a structured suit.

Jacket
Sleeves: 23"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13.5"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 21" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3540

Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche.  /  (3) Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche dress, L'officiel magazine, 1971.  /  (4) Yves Saint Laurent and Models, 1971.  /  (5) Sylvie Vartan in Yves Saint Laurent by Helmut Newton for ELLE, 1971.

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

This Halston IV caftan is a made from a red lurex lame. The simple, classic design makes it is an easy way to be instantly dressed up and still entirely comfortable. I have had a gold one of these in the shop just recently and Rachel Zoe wears her gold one often and she just recently posted herself wearing hers again on her Instagram account. This is an incredible and glamorous staple piece that you can wear again and again.

I hunt for both the solid colored jerseys of these and the lame ones and think the metallic ones are just that little bit extra special. I have had both gold and copper versions of this caftan in the shop and was very pleased to find a red one for those who love that extra pop of color. It is a dress that is so easy to wear. It can go from the beach, to entertaining at home with flats, to full on evening glamour. The caftan is cut deceptively simple with a slit front neck and a second slit that goes up the center seam at the front from the hem. The cut is loose and meant to skim over the body. The sleeves come out directly from the body of the caftan and then narrow down towards the wrist. The skirt flows to the floor and widens out as it reaches the hem. The waist is open and easy. If you wanted more definition you could easily add a belt to add shape. This is a wonderful piece with all the minimalist lines that we all love about Halston. Excellent overall condition with a note below

Unlined and slips on to wear. The fabric has a slight transparency to it. The loose and easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. There is a tiny repair at the back of the caftan near the bottom hem and am small bare area near the side seam. Please see the two photos after the label shot.

Sleeves: approx. 21"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam and it widens to approx 26" flat across around the hips
Length: 58" from shoulder to hem
Slit: 23" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD3537

Reference Photo: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

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

The Oscar de La Renta boutique label first appeared in 1967 which makes this one from one of the very earliest collection for this line. His boutique label was the first secondary ready-to-wear line for a Seventh Avenue designer. The print on this dress is the same used in several variations from the 1971 Spring collection.

The dress is so fresh and romantic in feel. The fabric feels like a cotton mix and this gives the red is a soft feel. It is printed with tiny geometric symbols and these are done in a combination of yellow, white and black. I love how the print is placed over the dress to highlight the various components and the cut of the design. This takes extra fabric and a lot of pre-planning to do and shows you the commitment to quality during this time period even for the boutique line. The neck and back are sopped and cut wide almost to each shoulder. A row of tightly spaced buttons and loops run down the front as decoration. The waist nips in and it has its original belt in a matching pattern that pace at the front with a thick cotton cording. The skirt falls to the ground from there and has some fullness to it. It gently widens out as it nears the hem. The sleeves are spectacular. Each is cut so that the lower half of the sleeve poufs out dramatically over the cuffs. I have pushed them up a bit as they are meant to be worn like that to full show off and exaggerate their volume. Excellent condition.

Lined through the bodice with a cotton muslin and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a back metal and nylon zipper. Each cuff snaps to close with hidden set, fabric covered snaps. The belt closes by lacing the cotton cord that you see through the grommets at each end of the belt. 

Sleeves: 24.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 39.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3538

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

Kenzo Takada founded the Kenzo label in 1970 and the label is still in existense despite the loss of Takada on Oct 4, 2020. He was also the honorary president of the Asian Couture Federation. The Kenzo label was, and is, a great success, with a strong cult following and it is wonderful to find such and amazing vintage pieces.

Kenzo traveled the world and his designs often mixed in the influences from those travels. He would mix traditional Japanese cuts and tailoring methods with fabrics from around the world. The interior of the clothes were as important to him as to the exteriors and they are immaculately finished like this one is. This suit is fabulous. The fabric looks like it should be a heavy woven brocade but it is actually quite light. It is woven but it is very fine and soft. The skirt is cut quite full so that that when you move it has tremendous fullness. Yet because the fabric is so light it falls fairly straight with just a suggestion of that fullness when it is on the body. At the hem it is finished with a wide ruffle that adds to the pretty lines. The jacket is superb. It is cut to fit to be fitted to the body with full shoulders and sleeves that narrow in at the wrist. The front wraps over itself and buttons. The front panel is detailed with a large embroidered cluster of flowers set down the front. The waist nips in and then the hips flare out in a peplum. I love everything about it and these early pieces are even more collectible now. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition.

Both piece are unlined. The skirt slips on with an elastic waist and the jacket closes with the buttons at the front. Each cuff of the jacket closes with two buttons. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. 

Jacket
Shoulders: 14" across
Sleeves: 23" long
Bust: 16" flat across the back from seam to seam
Waist: 13" flat across the back from seam to seam
Length: 21" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side to side
Hips: open
Length: 27" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD1914

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

Pauline Trigere launched her label in 1942. She had moved to the US from Paris in 1937 and her designs always have that bit of a French feel to them. By 1949 she had been awarded a Coty and won one again in both 1951 and 1959. The 1959 win coincided with being inducted into the Coty Fashion Hall of Fame. She as a pioneer in the use of cottons and wool for evening, In 1961 she made headlines for being the first major fashion house to use amply an African American model.

This dress is incredible and I love the lines of it. It is made out of fine black wool that has a hand painted design that is worked over the fabric in a variety of metallic paint. There is a gold, a blue and a red. The designs are clusters of little circles bunched in the various circles. Over each burst of color are hand placed and sewn sequins in the matching metallic color. Each sequin is then secured by a matching colored round bead. The fabric is just incredible and the overall effect this creates reminds me of perhaps fireworks. The cut of the dress is equally fabulous. The front plunges in a V and the bodice is more fitted with a curving seam just under the bust. The fabric skims over the wait and then flares out into a very full skirt that falls to about ankle length depending on your height. There is a lot of fabric in the skirt and when you move the movement of it is wonderful. The sleeves are gathered around each shoulder so they have volume and then they narrow down as they reach the wrist. It is even better on an actual body and one of the best Trigere pieces I have seen. It looks like it has been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a fine black silk and closes at the back with a metal and nylon zipper. It looks like it has been worn very little if at all. Hand finishes

Sleeves: 21.5"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from shoulder to seam under the bust
Skirt: 41.5" from seam under the bust to hem with 2.5" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3535

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 the bohemian feeling print of this dress. That, combined with the beautifully printed silk make for a stunning piece. It is constructed from a beautiful, light weight silk that has just enough structure to hold the shape that you see but still allow it to feel almost weightless once on. The bodice is cut to skim over the bust and the neckline is finished with an elastic so that you can wear it wide and off the shoulder as I have shown here. The versatility of the elastic will also let you wear the sleeves higher up on the shoulders. The sleeves are unlined so that they are very light. They are cut to be full and wide so that they billow out to just past the elbow. The skirt flows to the floor and gently widens out as it nears the hem. Set just under the waist seam is a series of elaborate pleats that gradually open to add volume to the skirt. I love the mix of colors used on the dress. That bright pop of green at the hem is fantastic and I love how it is picked up again with the sash that cinches in the waist. The dress has a fantastic romantic, pretty and light feel and the bareness of the shoulders gives it a bit of a sexy touch. Excellent condition.

The bodice and skirt are fully lined in a nude silky rayon and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Elastic runs through the neckline that gives is a slight give. Each cuff has elastic and and the opening are set to be wide and full. Original matching sash belt. Hand finishes throughout.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: no defined seam, the neckline is open to approx 17" across
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15-16" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 46" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2912

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