Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional. Hanae Mori excelled at these beautiful prints that combined nature had elements of her homeland. When I find pieces like this one with such a stunningly beautiful example of that  I am very happy. I feel that pieces like this are among the very best representations of her work. This one in so just so pretty and the shorter length makes it very easy to wear. 

This is everything you look for in a piece by Hanae Mori. It has one of her custom designed prints screened onto scarf weight light silk. This is also a fabric that takes colour exceptionally well. The base colour is a beautiful deep red that has just a touch of coral to it. It has been printed with that gorgeous flower design mixed with tiny paisley and I love the colour combination of the rich red with the soft print. The neckline is set to drop in a squared off shape at the front and does the same at the back. The silk has been gathered under the border of the neckline and falls to the waist seam. The waist is elastic and this is what gives the bodice that gathered feel that it has. It also makes it incredibly easy and comfortable to wear. The dress is cut to simply float over the body. From there it falls to the hem and is set in a bit of a tier so that the skirt has some shape and volume. The elastic brings the waist in and you could add a belt or ribbon to cinch it in more for added shape. The sleeves are fantastic. Each is an incredibly full balloon sleeve that poufs about the elastic cuff. The movement and drama this creates is extraordinary. This is a dress that you slip on and feel completely comfortable when wearing it and yet it has as much drama and impact as you could ask for. It is a stunning example of her work and beautifully made. I love it. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear with elastic through the waist. Each cuff also is finished with elastic. Tagged a vintage 7 and the easy cut and elastic through the waist should allow it to fit a variety of sizes. It will just drape more on a smaller frame and be more fitted on a larger

Sleeves: approx 22" but meant to come up a bit once on
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Elastic waist: 10-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from tip of shoulder to waist but will blouse over when on 
Total Length: 45.5" from top of shoulder to hem but will come up a bit once on

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4511

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

These full skirted mini dresses appeared in both the ready-to-wear and couture lines for the Spring 1992 season. For this pone we found a reference photo of a young Carla Bruni in its twin and it shows you how fantastic this cut is once on the body. The collection paired past and present design elements and many of these dresses were shown with denim jackets worn overtop of them just like in the photo of Carla. He softened his usual baroque patterns with flower designs mixed in and even with that added softness the entire collection was still extremely sexy. Gianni himself said the attitude of the show and these dress was 'pinup girl'. This is an exceptionally fabulous dress and shows why his work is as highly valued as it is.

I love this dress. It is made out of an insane cotton mix of colours that has one of his famous Versace patterns over its surface mixed with bright flowers. Wide straps curve over the shoulders and these straps extend down and into the bodice. The edges of the voice are all finished in a feminine pink lace and this highlights the lines design of the dress and adds a bit of romance. The skirt under the bodice is very full. The bodice is meant to be more fitted and at the lace runs down the centre at the front. There is a little pink bow set at the top of that and this gives the bodice its corset look. The waist nips in with an angled seam that plunges down and into the skirt adding to the feel of a corset. The skirt is spectacular. It is set in around the waist with a series of soft pleats that widen out as they near the hem. This gives the skirt incredible fullness. To help hold that fullness there is a built-in layer of a baby pink tulle that has a ruffled edge. This is built in underneath the skirt to help to hold it shape. When you move or twirl or sit you get just a glimpse of this. If you wanted it to be really full you could add an additional crinoline underneath to really give it that full on runway feel. At the back of the skirt there is another pink bow that sits at the small pf the back and then little pink straps are set individually down the centre to the hem. It is an amazing dress and instantly recognizable as one of his pieces. Excellent overall condition with small notes below.

Fully lined through the bodice in the same fabric as the exterior and the skirt has the added inner layer of tulle. It closes with a hidden side set zipper. I see a couple of small storage marks on one side of the hem that are very faint. The teeniest bit of darkening to the tip of some of the lace under one arm and stress to one side seam. Please see the photo after the label shot. Tagged a vintage Versace 42.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam with extra room at the cups
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16.5" from top of shoulder to slightly dropped seam at waist
Skirt: 17" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4504

Reference Photo: Carla Bruni for Versace Versus, Spring 1992.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

Geoffrey Beene was one of the great American fashion designers and he was recognized for both his artistic and technical skills. He launched his label in 1963 and a piece from his very first collection landed on the cover of Vogue. A Coty award followed a year later. In 1984 the Council of Fashion Designers created the annual Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award in honour of Beene's fashion legacy. This is one of the prettiest and most romantic dresses I have seen from him and I love it. 

This dress is completely made out of lace with a feather light silk chiffon lining. It somehow manages to be insanely sexy on the body while still seeming romantic which is a tough combination to be able to pull off. It is almost unbelievably light in weight. It is made from a pale blush pink lace combined with a deep moss green lace. The lace and silk lining allows it to drape beautifully over the body and highlight your every curve whole never being too clingy. The slight stretch that these fabrics have allow the dress to show off your curves while still feeling wildly comfortable once on. The bodice glides over you and then extends down to the one single long sleeve. The front and back of the bodice curves across you to leave the other shoulder and arm bare. All of the edges follow the natural pattern of the lace and this adds to the feminine feel that it gives. The lace has a single layer of a pink silk chiffon lining behind it. This gives it a slight transparent feel to it. On the skirt there is that second layer of lace that has been attached over the blush layer so you can still see the pink showing through. It is set to curve down on an angle opposite of the one shoulder and this clever placement adds to the curved feeling of the dress.  It is just tremendously beautiful. The workmanship is exquisite where the two laces overlap. The dress then glides down past the hips to fall to the floor in a beautiful drape of fabric. A high slit up one side lets you walk and adds a flash of bare skin as you move. It is just incredible and the lightness of the fabric feels amazing against the skin. It is cut supermodel long in length and is made to demi-couture standards with lots of hand finishes. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a pale pink silk chiffon and closes with a hidden side set painted metal zipper on each side. Hand finished throughout. The fabric does have some stretch so should fit a range of sizes. The measurements below give you the comfortable range the fabric has when lying flat. The colours are prettier in person then how it photoed

Sleeve: approx 27" with no defined shoulder seam
Bust: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from neck to hem
Slit: 26" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4500

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy. 

The Miss Dior label launched in 1967 and it was meant to appeal more to the daughters of the established couture clients. The boutique was right next door to the Couture atelier and the line was sold only there and in stores throughout France. In December of 1970 the line hit the US market, in place of the by then finished Dior-New York label. It was an instant hit. The clothing produced for this label was made in the Dior workrooms and was designed primarily by Phillipe Guiborgé, who also designed the boutique lines, but was still overseen and finalized by Marc Bohan.

This dress is gorgeous. One of the best I have seen from this label. The dress has that easy to wear feel that so many of the best of Dior's work has. The collar is wide across the neckline and there is a keyhole that closes with a little snap. The dress is so well-made that I actually wasn't sure which side the keyhole went and it seem to fit best on my dress form with it at the front. I think you could wear it which ever way works best on you. The dress is made of a single layer of a black silk chiffon that has a beautiful pattern fused onto it in a black velvet. The parts between the velvet are transparent and you could wear something nude underneath to play on that or do a colour or solid black to make it opaque. The dress skims over the bodice to a seam at the waist. A velvet ribbon that is stitched into a bow sits at the front and hooks into place to give you some shape through the waist. Under that the skirt flares out and depending on your height, will hit the knee or just below. The sleeves are fantastic and each one is full and balloons out over its cuffs. There is piping at the edge of the cuff and a button to hold it at your wrist. The volume this creates above that is fantastic. It is a stunning dress that makes a strong statement. Excellent condition

Unlined and it slips over the head with a button closure at the back of the neck and a fine metal zipper at the side. Elastic through the waist. The belt hooks to close under the bow with a hook and eye. A button at each cuff. Lace edging on the inner hem and hand finishes. It is meant to blouse and then you bring the waist in. The belt is 29" where it hooks and you could adjust this down if needed.

Sleeves: 26"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 26"" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 27.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4496

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

This dress is from the Fall 2012 collection by Riccardo Tisci. It is not a piece that was shown on the runway that season, but one that was produced for the shops. The evening pieces were often produced in more limited quantities. Riccardo Tisci's time as Creative Director for the house is one of my favourite periods of the label's history. 2012 also marked a major milestone in Tisci career as he won the CFDA's International Award and he was quoted as saying at the time that "This year has been beautiful and amazing for me". This is a stunning example of his aesthetic and I love it.

This is an absolutely gorgeous dress that is easy to wear and still very flattering. It has an easy to wear caftan feel to it but at the same time the silk moves with you as you move and suggests the body underneath. It is made of a black jersey that has enough weight to make it flattering as it skims and drapes over you but that is still light enough that it easily moves. The dress has the absolute minimal seaming and is cut to simply fall from that one single shoulder in a cascade of fabric. The other shoulder is left bare and exposed. Extending down from the shoulder is a seam that angles across the body. Once it reaches just below the hip it begins to open out into an inverted pleat and eventually turns into an open curved slit that is set into the fold. That slit is hidden when you stand but when you walk you get a peek of the bare skin of your leg. It a subtle sexiness that is fabulous. There is a ton more fabric in the dress than how it appears in the shots here. This is a dress that really only comes to life once on. It is in its original extra long supermodel length and appears to have never been worn. It is just a fantastic dress. Excellent condition 

Unlined and slips on to wear with an inner stretch net bodice. The easy fit should allow it to work on a variety of sizes and you could easily change the inner bodice if you meed more room. Tagged a 38. In its original uncut supermodel length. The fabric has stretch. 

Bust: 16-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist of the inner bodice: 13-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Outer waist: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 66" from shoulder to longest point of the hem
Slit: 34" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4495

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

This is a very rare and beautiful example of Halston's work using cashmere during this time period. He was a master at combining function and ease but without sacrificing glamour. He did this with the absolute minimum of seaming that a garment required. His bias cut knit pieces sometimes feel and look somewhat shapeless on the hanger or dress form and it is only when they are slipped on that they drape and settle into place the way they were intended. They seem so very simple but they are not. Halston used 4-8 ply cashmere for these pieces and that high quality shows. I have included a reference photo of Pat Cleveland on the 1972 runway in the twin of this piece. Recently, variations of his work in cashmere were featured in the Museum at FIT exhibit 'Yves Saint Laurent + Halston: Fashioning the 70s'. In their exhibit notes they mention these cashmere pieces specifically: 'Halston’s use of historical elements to create new collections was sparing. Rather than re-interpret the designs of those who came before him, he made subtle allusions to those designers whose work he most admired. He was inspired by body-revealing activewear and the sinuous, bias-cut gowns of Madeleine Vionnet from the 1930s, while primary influences from the 1940s included the cashmere sweater sets of Mainbocher and the ingenious ties and closures employed by Claire McCardell'

The dress is exceptional. It is in its original to the floor length and falls from the shoulders in a column of some of the finest cashmere that was ever made. It is sleeveless which makes it easy to wear. I love the ribbing detail that circles the opening for the arms and also finishes the neck.  In the book 'Halston; An American Original' they talk about Halston's cashmere pieces and quote Polly Mellen as saying: "His cashmere pieces to the floor... weren't just tubes: they had armholes, were neat on top, yet very cozy and at the same time elegant". It is said that they were inspired by a close associate that was a dance instructor and were intended to give the body complete freedom because of their ease of movement they have when you wear one. The colour on this one is so dreamy. It is a pale baby ice blue that is even better in person than how it photoed. These softer pastel examples of his work are very rare and it is a wonderful piece of Halston's history. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Unlined and slips on to wear. It is made from 100% cashmere made in Scotland. The dress has some stretch and I have given the comfortable range of measurements while it is lying flat. I see two tiny areas on the back inside back near the label where it looks like the fabric was professionally rewoven. Please see the label shot. 

Bust: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 61" from neck to hem with 3" turned under the hem 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4492

Reference Photos: Resort 1972 Halston Runway. Model Pat Celeveland.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

Halston did variations of his famous tank dresses over the course of several years and they are still among the most collectible of all of his pieces. Nothing says Halston like this classic and when you find one in a double layer silk jersey and in this stunning pale shade of minty blue it is a joy to see. Versions of this dress have appeared in several museum exhibits of his work and books on his work. This one is from his main label and I have had versions of these in the past. This one in its soft blue colour is one of the best. It is a very special piece of his work and it is gorgeous. It is not 100% perfect but its beauty outweighs it flaws.

The silk jersey this is made out of is a beautiful soft pastel blue that has a touch of a mint green to it. We have found a runway reference photo of the twin of the dress in a black that shows you how gorgeous it is once on the body. These long silk jersey tank dresses were a Halston staple and were designed for the chic and modern woman to wear while entertaining at home or for a night out. They give you the ability to move and be superbly comfortable all while never having to worry about being inappropriate for any situation. The fabric both hugs and skims  over the body at the same time and this makes the dress very sexy and sensual. It has no closures and just slips over the head and glides over you into place. The exact same fabric acts as the lining and the underlay keeps it from being too clingy over the body. Pastel pieces like this are more rare and this one is a beauty. It presents as great condition but does have some flaws.

Unlined and slips over the head to wear. The fabric has some stretch. The hem was let down at some point and it is stitched along the edge but there is a touch of grubbiness here and there where it was folded and minor grubbiness along the seam under the arms. I see a couple of tiny light spots on the back towards the bottom and there might be teeny ones elsewhere and some minor colour change / catches in the fabric. The side seams look like they have been resewn at some point. Please see the photos after the label shot. All these are minor but mentioned for accuracy. Sold as found. The fabric does have some stretch. 

Bust: 14-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from top of shoulders to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4490

Reference Photos: Spring 1973 Halston Runway. Model Karen Bjornson.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

This wonderful cape is from the Fall 1976 collection and several versions of it were produced that season. We have included photos from the runway pieces here and we also found a photo of a piece in that similar striped pattern from the following collection and included that for you to see for interest we well as I always love seeing the progression in his work. I personally have several versions of his capes myself and have worn them countless times. It is literally the perfect thing to pop over a dress at night time and this one with its shorter length would work fantastically for the day as well. It is a very versatile and so easy to wear piece. 

The cape is in a very versatile blue colour with soft pastel stripes that make it easy to mix and match with other things. The fabric is extremely light and cozy. It is a high end soft wool that is still more on the light and easy side to wear. The cape itself is effortless to make a part of your wardrobe. You just slip it over your shoulders and it drapes in place. A slightly oversized hood extends out from the neck and this added addition of the hood adds the perfect amount of detail and drama. A flat blue braided rope finished all the edges and I love the elaborate braided knot that closes it in place at the neck. A long fringed tassel sits there for added drama and an even longer tassel dangles down from the hood at the back. I love the bit of movement these create when you move. There is a ton of fabric in the body of the cape so that when you move you get wonderful movement as it floats and billows around you. The cut is impeccable and it is a great piece of Yve's fashion history. Excellent condition

Unlined and drapes over the shoulder to wear with a knot closure at the neck as described. There is a bit of a change in colour to a small area on the inside of the hood at the back. The easy open cut should allow fit just about any size

Length: 46" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD4487

Reference Photos: (1-3) Fall 1976 Yves Saint Laurent Runway.  /  (4) Model in Yves Saint Laurent Cape, Vogue, August 1977.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

Arnold Scaasi was born Arnold Isaacs in Montreal and the name Scassi is simply his own surname in reverse. He studied in Montreal and in Paris, apprenticed at the house of Paquin and then worked with the legendary Charles James. In 1964 he opened own couture salon. He dressed Hollywood stars like Lauren Bacall, Diahann Carroll and Elizabeth Taylor. He dressed several first ladies including Mamie Eisenhower, Hillary Clinton and both the Bush first ladies. He even once bragged that he refused to give Jackie clothes for free. He was the man behind the scandalous 1969 Barbra Streisand sheer trouser outfit that she collected her Oscar in, and he was presented with the Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. The coat was probably meant to be a lingerie / lounge at home piece but works fantastically as a coat now. It is so dramatic and in being so also so very Scaasi.  He himself once said 'I am not a minimalist designer! Clothes with some adornment are more interesting to look at and more fun to wear.'

This coat is a dream. As good as it looks in the photos it is even better in person. The photos don't convey how soft the fabric is and how it really hold all that incredible volume around you. It is made from ultra short pile velvet type fabric that is top stitched into a shell patter. This pattern completely covers the coat giving it that texture that you see. The cut is huge and oversized. It's like having a blanket wrapped around you. The shoulders are soft and fall down the arm and the sleeve below that is cut wide and straight. You can wear them long or you could roll them up for a really relaxed feel. The body of the coat is equally as easy to wear. It is done with a loose, easy cut and cocoon feel. There are pockets hidden along each hip and the front is finished in a red piping that curves around and down to meet the hem. It closes down the front with red buttons and loops that leave a tiny bit of space showing. This will be one of your favourite things. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a red silky rayon and closes with the buttons down the front. Pockets along each hip. Piped edges. The cut is meant to be oversized and it is meant to be worn that way so should fit a range of sizes. It'll just be even more oversized on a smaller frame and feel more fitted on a larger.

Sleeves: 21" from the dropped shoulder
Dropped shoulders: 20"
Bust-hips: 23" and opening to 28" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD4482

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

Azzedine Alaia pieces are always a delight to find. His knits were all self developed and are among the best out there. He started his career as a dressmakers assistant  and copied couture gown for wealthy Tunisian clients. In 1957 he moved to Paris and worked for Christian Dior for a grand total of five days. He then moved to Guy Laroche and quietly started to get private commissions on the side. By 1960 he was doing mainly private work and within a few years established a small salon on the Left Bank where he continued designing privately. He stayed at that salon until 1984. During this time period he also did private freelance work for other designers including Claude Montana, Thierry Mugler and even Yves Saint Laurent. It was not until 1981 that he launched his first official collection and by 1983 he had a boutique in Beverley Hills. The French Ministry of Culture honored him with the Designer of the Year award in 1985. In 1993 he decided that the established fashion show schedule was not for him and he eschewed producing a new collection every season. Instead he showed when his collections were ready and continued to do so until his death in 2017. 

This is an exceptionally beautiful example of his work and it is made to be oversized and easy to wear with an almost lounging robe feel to it in its cut. It is a piece that you can wear open and layered over other things or wrap and belt it to have to feel more like a coat or even wear it on its own. It is made out of a mixed knit that is worked to form the easy organic lines that you see. Everything about it is meant to convey ease and luxury. It has no closures and just slips on. The shoulders slope down and into those fabulously wide cut, extra, extra long sleeves that end with a ribbed cuff. You can push them up, wear them long or roll them. The body of the cardigan is loose and generously cut. I love the two big soft pockets that sit at the front of each hip. Slits up each side and the collar has a wide shawl feel to it. It is gorgeous and once on, you won't want to take it off. Excellent condition.

Unlined with no closures. Tagged a size SML but the loose and easy for will work on a large range of sizes. The smaller you are the more it will feel oversized. 

Sleeves: 27" from he dropped shoulders
Dropped shoulders: 26"
Bust- hips: 26" flat across from side to side
Length: 36" from neck to hem and hangs a bit longer once on the body

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# S995

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

Arnold Scaasi was born Arnold Isaacs in Montreal and the name Scassi is simply his own surname in reverse. He studied in Montreal and in Paris, apprenticed at the house of Paquin and then worked with the legendary Charles James. In 1964 he opened own couture salon. He dressed Hollywood stars like Lauren Bacall, Diahann Carroll and Elizabeth Taylor. He dressed several first ladies including Mamie Eisenhower, Hillary Clinton and both the Bush first ladies. He even once bragged that he refused to give Jackie clothes for free. He was the man behind the scandalous 1969 Barbra Streisand sheer trouser outfit that she collected her Oscar in, and he was presented with the Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. The dress is from his main label and these were extremely well made pieces. It is so dramatic and in being so also so very Scaasi.  He himself once said 'I am not a minimalist designer! Clothes with some adornment are more interesting to look at and more fun to wear.'

You can easily see the influence of Arnold having worked for Charles James in this piece. The lines are dramatic and yet elegant. The silk is that incredibly rich feeling silk that drapes and sits beautifully. The dress is strapless and is gathered from there to the waist. The gathers are all held in place along the side and this brings in the cut so that it follows and highlights your curves. The skirt is set under that and it is done with an asymmetrical cut so that one side of the skirt is linger them the other. This was a signature cut for Scaasi and a detail you see in many of his pieces. The skirt is quite full and the shape and volume that you see is all created by the way the seams are done and the inner construction of the dress. The innermost layer closest to you goes to just past the hips and it is made out of a fine black silk. A layer of tulle sits between that and the outer skirt and this is how the shape is created. The outermost layers sits over all of that and even that top layer is self-lined in a black silk organza. The final perfect touch is that extraordinary half bow that is set along the one side of the bodice. This is lined in a brilliant pink for an unexpected pop of colour. I have placed it to one side but the dress is so well made that you could wear it almost anyway around and just change where the zipper sits and the back or sides. I think you might even be able to wear it with your arm slipped through and if you really wanted to create more drama you could add some wire inside to ensure it stays high and full no matter how you move as it may flop down when moving as out is now. This one also comes with its original high shawl that is black on one side and that same brilliant pink on the other. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a fine black tissue silk. The bodice is lightly boned and it closes with a side set zipper. The inner skirt construction is described above. Hand finished throughout.

Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 10" from top of bodice to natural waist
Skirt: 24" from natural waist seam to shortest point of the hem and 52" to the longest part of the hem with 4" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4477

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-SML

Item# DD4478

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

Geoffrey Beene was one of the great American fashion designers and he was recognized for both his artistic and technical skills. He launched his label in 1963 and a piece from his very first collection landed on the cover of Vogue. A Coty award followed a year later. In 1984 the Council of Fashion Designers created the annual Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award in honour of Beene's fashion legacy. This is an absolutely fantastic dress and one of my favourites that I've ever had come into the shop.

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4474

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

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. She called her pleated fabric 'marii' after her own name. She went around the world to source the fabric she wanted and her pieces ended 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.' This is from her higher end couture line that had a more limited production and sold at higher end shops. It is an amazing example of her work. 

This dress is made from McFadden's fabric in her signature pleating technique. Like many of her best pieces the pleating gives it the comfort of a bias cut and it is very sexy while still feeling refined. The colour combination of this one is brilliant. A deep blue makes up the majority of the dress and that is the colour of one sleeve and then it angles across the body with the entire lower portion of the dress being that colour. An angled stripe of a dusty sapphire blue cuts down the center and then runs up the back. The remainder of the dress is that amazing dusky pale pink. The lightness of the fabric lets the dress fall over you beautifully and skims over your body. The neckline is scooped and the sleeves are set to just above the elbow. The pleating on them allows them to adjust to fit your arm. The dress skims over you from the shoulder to the hem and it has its matching belt that you can use to cinch the dress in at the waist or you can wear it very loose and open. The belt itself is gorgeous. It's extra extra long so you can wrap it around the waist or you can even tie it in different ways around the bodice or hips. It is made by braiding strips of the different colours used in the dress and each end has long fringes of all those colors. The bottom of the dress ends in a ruffle of the same pleated fabric for an extra little kick when you walk. The dress is very long and these longer pieces were not always seen in her later work. She came to prefer to design pieces that ended well above the ankle so you could see the shoe underneath so the longer pieces are a bit rarer and harder to find. No matter how good it is in the photos it is better in person and it is wonderful once on the body. It is beautiful example of her work. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips over the head to wear. Hand finishes. The easy cut and give of the fabric should allow it to fit a range of sizes. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. A tiny strip of padding at the edge of each shoulder.

Sleeves: 13" and the upper arm will expand to 22" around if needed and fit any size smaller then that
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 19-28" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16-30" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-29" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 61" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4475

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4471

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4472

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

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

The fabric on this dress is a beautiful deep red silk brocade that has a secondary gold design woven through its surface. This design runs over the entire dress and the silk seems to almost glow from within as a result of this color combination. The gold thread has been done in such a way that it almost sits on top of the base which gives the design this fabulous 3D feel. The red has a very rich and vibrant feel to it and in person, it has a more luminescent effect to it then how it photoed. I know the person who buys this will be very pleased once they see this one in real life. The bodice is strapless and it is cut to curve around the bust with inner boning and shaping to the front. The waist is seamed and defined below this with bead work. This tops a beautifully cut skirt that has a soft fullness as it widens out to the floor. The entire bodice is detailed with red and gold beads and there are 3D strands of bead work that sit in each of the medallions that circle the bodice. It is gorgeous. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is also drop dead gorgeous and did not photo anywhere near how good it is in person. Excellent condition with one small note below to review.

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4466

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

This is a great little set from the 1980s that would make an amazing holiday piece or that could be worn for any event where you really want to make an impact.

This set is gorgeous. Both pieces are completely covered in thousands of glossy red sequins that have been laid out flat beside each other. This  technique allows the silk underneath to be completely covered but still have the ease of movement that overlapping the sequins would not give it. It also allows for the maximum amount of sequins to show so that the entire suit catches the light beautifully. To highlight the seams of the jacket there is an edging of gold cording and bead work. It also details the tops of the faux pockets, the cuffs and the hem. The edging has an intricate design that builds on a gold silk cord with gold beads, rhinestones and large red dome beads. It's incredible to see and it acts like jewelry on the jacket. The skirt has a simple cut with a silk banded waist and then it widens out slightly as it falls to the floor in a long sleek column. The jacket has no collar and curves down and around to the hem. There are hidden set hook and eye closures down the front so it can be worn on its own or it is equally as good if worn open and over something else. The shoulders have rounded padding inside and it is cut to skim over the body. The sleeves are fabulous. Each cuff has a line of that elaborate detailing running up it. I love the versatility of having the two pieces because you can mix and match them with other pieces, but together they are truly spectacular. The silk base keeps them light in weight and its a very easy to wear set. Excellent condition

Both pieces are fully lined in a red silk. The jacket closes with hidden set hook and eye below the V and the skirt hooks at the waist and zippers to close under that. Padding in each shoudler. Perhaps the occasional loose or missing sequin and a touch of patina on a bead here and there but just being picky

Jacket
Sleeves: 22" approx.
Slightly dropped shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12.75" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from waist to hem with 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# 4465

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4457

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4463

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4464

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4455

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

I have had this tucked away for many many years and it still one of the most favourite Valentino pieces I have ever come across. I have always hoped to be able to firmly date it with a reference photo and perhaps one day I will send one to the new owner still. It is just a spectacular piece from this time period of Mr Valentino's work. It perfectly represents what he was doing for his ready-to-wear boutique label during this time period and it is the kind is piece that you will only ever find in vintage. I love it.

I love that this set has those little sleek shorts and not the expected skirt that you would normally see. It just gives the suit this entirely different feel and attitude. It is also a benefit to you that you can mix and match the pieces of this suit with other things already in your closet. The jacket is tailored with a soft cut because of the fabric and the avoidance of over-structuring. It is cut fairly straight through the body and then is has a matching tie belt to cinch in the waist and create shape. The collar is small and pointed. The sleeves are long and gather into a structured cuff that buttons with one of those fabulous gold toned metal dome buttons with the Valentino V embossed on their surface. Round edged pockets are top set on the hips and then tow smaller versions of those sits on each side of the breast of the jacket. Each pocket has a flap to close and a working button hole topped by another deep gold metal button. It closes with seven more buttons down the front. This one even has an extra buttons still sewn into the seam of the jacket. Under that are shorts that are tailored and sleek. The waist is banded and they zip up at the front with neat a little short legs. There is no extra detailing on the shorts. They are simple and neat so that they lie under the jacket without adding any bulk. Both pieces are made from an ultra soft fine wool with a very tiny pattern running through it in shades of brown. The set is very striking and has a strong and fabulous silhouette. Excellent condition

Both pieces are unlined. The shorts have an inner grosgrain ribbon edging. The jacket buttons to close down the front. The skirt has a zipper and flat hook & eye at the waist. Hand finishes. All of the buttons are functional. There is a slight natural patina on the buttons that just adds to the vintage appeal. The colour is a bit lighter and softer in person

Jacket
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam and the belt cinches it in
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27.5" from neck to hem

Shorts
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 14" from waist to hem with just under 2 inches turned up
Inseam: 2.5" from hem up
Gusset: 17.5" from back waist to inner seam
Leg Openings: 24" around

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4457

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4096

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

The Luisa Beccaria label is out of Italy and is run by the mother-daughter team of Luisa and Lucilla Beccaria. They are known for their incredibly feminine pieces that have an almost story book feel to them. The cost of their pieces run into the thousands and their clothing is very well made. This is a gorgeous dress that really shows the attention to high detail the label excels at. The fabric it is made out of is very beautiful.

I love this dress. It is basically an elaborate tulle piece that has layers and layers of tulle and feels like the perfect magical fairy tale dress. It is entirely made of multiple layers of tulle and this is what gives it the volume that you see. The top layer is a dusty pale blue tulle that has pink and gold thread embroidered into it to create those pretty sprays of flowers that cover the entire dress. This alone makes it incredibly romantic feeling. It would be a superb dress for an event or even for a wedding weekend. The bodice is lined in a layer of tulle for a slight bit of transparency and the the skirt has multiple layers of tulle under them to create that shape that you see. The dress is that classic pretty gown shape that is so flattering. The sleeves are so sweet and romantic. They are a single layer of the tulle and wrap around the outer edges of the shoulder with the top of the shoulder left bare. The neckline scoops across so that your collarbones show and there is a tiny bit of a tulle strap that curves over the shoulder to hold the dress in place. The bodice is meant to skim over you to the seamed waist. The skirt has yards and yards of tulle set in five separate layers over an iridescent pale blue lining. This gives you this wonderful texture and depth from all the layers stacked on top of each other. The volume of this dress is fantastic. It also makes it an easy dress to wear because the tulle keeps it very light in weight. The back has a bit is pale tulle above the scooped back and it closes with a row of buttons down the back. It is incredibly beautiful and the pictures do not convey how light and airy and wonderful it is in person. It feels like wearing a magical cloud of tulle. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Fully lined as described above and closes at the back with tulle covered buttons. The hem edges are purposefully raw. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4450

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-SML

Item# DD4327

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

In 1952, Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris and quickly rose to fame as one of the grand couturiers. 16 years later for the 1968-69 season, he added a ready-to-wear line of clothing and accessories called 'Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique'. The line was initially sold in the United States exclusively through Bergdorf Goodman and was eventually made available at other retailers. The line was high end and extremely well made and it was made to appeal to his non-couture clients who wanted to be able to purchase a piece of the Givenchy dream. This label continued until 1992 when it was retired and rebranded as the Givenchy Couture label. This dress is also interesting as it seems to be a combination of the silhouette and design elements of the dress shown here from the Pre-Fall 1990 show and the sequin fabric used for the Fall 1990 show. I have included the photos of those two runway shots here and think this is almost certainly form the Fall 1990 collection based on the fabric. The dress is spectacular and I think it is the best possible combination f the two runway examples I have shared here.

I love everything about this dress and especially the way the buttons are laid out on that curved lined down the front. This clever little technique really adds to the hourglass feel the dress has. The shoulders are squared off with padding underneath to hold their shape. The sleeves are long and simple. The body of the dress is cut to skim over you from shoulder to hem. The waist is brought in just a touch and this is done with vertical seaming and that wrap over at the front so that there is no line to break the fabric across the waist. It snaps to close down the one side with decorative buttons set on a slight curve that is so flattering on the body. The buttons themselves are gorgeous. Each is a large flat gold toned metal button with a scattering of coloured rhinestones in them. The fabric is equally as beautiful. The base is a red silk organza and then little abstract rounds of sequins are applied in a mix of gold, pewter and red. Velvet edging that circles each cuff and also runs from the neck to the hem and all the way around is the perfect finishing touch. The dress does not have a single unnecessary seam and is gorgeous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a red silk chiffon and closes with hidden snaps set under the buttons at the front. The buttons are all functional. Padding in each shoulder. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Sleeves: 23.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 37" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4448

Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1990 Givenchy Runway.  /  (2) Pre-Fall 1990 Givenchy Runway.

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

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

This is a killer dress. It is really one that will come to life once on an actual body and I hope the photos convey enough of how fabulous it is because when worn this one will be even better. The dress is made out of a leather looking fabric that has a slight texture running through it. It is shockingly light in weight and easy to wear. The entire dress is made out of it and I love the very unusual feel it gives the dress. The neckline scoops down into a wide cut V at the front and the back and then the shoulder are set side enough so that it sits off shoulder. The sleeves are cut straight and fall to just below the elbow. The bodice is shaped with curved vertical seaming and  light inner boning and the waist is seamed. Curving around the waist is a an attached peplum in the same fabric. This starts on either side of the waist at the front and the begins to drop down and around the hips. At the back it falls into a to add detail at the back of the skirt. I love it. The skirt falls under that to the floor with a high slit at the back. This slit adds to the drams of the back as you see the bare skin of your leg as you walk away. It is fabulous and will be even better on an actual body. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silky rayon and there is a layer of tulle built in under the peplum. It closes with a back set zipper and each sleeve has a button and loop closure. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Light boning inside the bodice. Hand written tag with the style name Deborah and the label has 80 and 2/4 on it. Tagged a size 42

Sleeves: 19" and 13" around the upper arm
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15.5" from top of natural shoulder to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4446

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4149

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional. Hanae Mori excelled at these beautiful prints that combined nature had elements of her homeland. Her caftans are the most sought after pieces and so very hard to find. When I find pieces like this one that is such a stunningly beautify example of her caftans I am very happy. I feel that pieces like this are among the very best representations of her work. This one in its beautiful deep pink colour palette is even more so.

This is everything you look for in a piece by Hanae Mori. It has one of her custom designed prints screened onto a feather light silk chiffon over an inner silk twill sheath dress. Think the finest silk scarf you could have in terms of weight and feel. The entire dress has been printed with that gorgeous and romantic flower design that I love. The neckline is set in a slight scoop around the neckline and it is set wide for a little bit of collarbone to show. There is a band there and the silk has been gathered across and into that band for pretty detail. This continues around to the back where it drops into a bit of a V so that a bit of skin shows. The inner dress is also attached around the neckline and it skims loosely over the body and gently widens out until it reaches the hem. The inner dress is made from layers of the silk chiffon. The top layer is the same print as the exterior overlay and then there is a solid paler pink layer of silk chiffon and the final inner silk twill lining. When on that top layer is what gives it its caftan feel. It fully covers the inner dress and is cut wide and full. It is seamed along the very outside else and there are openings for your hands to slip through. As with the best of Hanae's dresses the effect of having the same print on the top layer and the inner layer gives the design added dimension and depth as they float over each other. The movement and drama this creates is extraordinary. This is a dress that you slip on and feel completely comfortable when wearing it and yet it has as much drama and impact as you could ask for. It is a stunning example of her work and beautifully made. I love it. Excellent condition

Fully lined as described above. It closes with a back zipper and her signature tiny snaps over that on the outer layer. The loose and easy cut should allow it to fit a variety of sizes. It will just drape more on a smaller frame and be more fitted on a larger frame.

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 54" from top of shoulder to longest point of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4440

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 dress is so good and it isn't even photoing half as good as it is in person. This is one of those pieces that really showcases the higher end work that the label was capable of. The dress is the work of Elinor Simmons who designed for the Malcolm Starr label from the early 1960s to 1972. She excelled at the heavy embellished piece that the label was known for and this is a wonderful example of her work. It is even more amazing in person and the photos cannot convey the impact of the metallic parts and the presence of it. It is gorgeous

This stunning dress is a gorgeous example of the work being done during this time period by them. The best of this label always has lots of drama and impact and this dress has a ton of all of that. The fabric is gorgeous. A heavy dose of a gold metallic thread is mixed into a pattern that combines a beautiful green shade with pinks, soft blues and other colours. The mix of all of these is fabulous. The dress is just heavy enough to hold the shape and volume you see but it is so easy to wear. The bodice skims over the torso and the neck is cut into a low V at the front that meets the heavily embellished waist line. The sleeves are cut so that they widen out as they near the cuffs. At the end of each sleeve is a 3" wide banding that is heavily embellished with gold braiding, paillettes, beads and prong set colored stones. That same heavy detailing wraps around the waist and the waist itself is set a bit higher up to sit just under the bust. The amount of detail in the embellished bands at the cuffs and waist are incredible. They pick up the colours in the dress and add this heavy jeweled element to the piece. The skirt cascades to the floor and widens out quite a bit as it nears the hem. This perfectly balances that shape of the bodice. Hidden pockets sit along the inner seams of the front skirt. There is extra fabric built in along the sides of the skirt and when this is on and you see it in person it has more of a caftan fulfilling through the skirt then how the picture seem. The fabric holds the shape of the dress beautifully and the entire dress has a subtle shimmer in the light. I love it. It is just a beautiful dress. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a pale green silky rayon and it zips to close at the back. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Ribbon edged inner hem and hand finishes.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11" from neck to top of the waist banding
Skirt: 47" from top of the 3" waist banding to hem with just under 3" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD438

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

This is a very interesting feeling John Paul Gaultier suit from the 1990s. The jacket is meant to feel a little oversized. It is made from a men's suiting fabric in a pinstripe that alternates a tiny white stripe with a very subtle red stripe. The jacket has light padding in the shoulders and the seam of the shoulder is slightly in set to give them a touch of a rounded sloped feel - a signature shoulder with his work. The arms are cut long and full with three buttons on each cuff. It buttons down the front and the buttons are set high enough so that you can wear it on its own if you wish. Slanted top flap pockets sit on each hip and the jacket is cut long so that it flares out slightly over your hips. The detail at the top button is very interesting. You can see that there are two top stitched vertical lines there and these have a stiffened bit of wire or plastic inside of them. When the suit is on this causes it to sit up and off the chest slightly and gives it a little support there to add shape. The skirt is cut in a long lean pencil shape. The waist is banded and then it comes out over the hips and narrows down to the hem. A vent at the back allows you to walk. I love the button closed slit pocket on one side of the back  of the skirt that picks up a men's dress pant. The acid green yellow lining inside the jacket is the perfect finishing touch. Excellent condition with one note below.

The jacket is fully lined and the skirt is unlined. The skirt closes with a zipper and button at the waist and the jacket buttons to close. Both pieces are tagged a 44 and both pieces have their original extra buttons. There is a bit of residue inside of the skirt's hem where it looks like someone used double sided tape to wear it shorter at some point. This does not show it all from the outside but mentioned for accuracy. Slight fading on the top of each sleeve. Please see the photos after the label

Jacket
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 29" from top of bodice to waist

Skirt
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4434

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

The lines and detail of this dress are very similar to the work that Dior was doing during this time period and it immediately made me think of the pink Dior set that I have ion the shoo with a similar front bow detailing. This dress only has it Neusters label in it Neusters was a high end department store in Denver and at one point was one of the leading shops for high end designer labels outside of New York in the US.

It is made out of silk faille with a slight texture running through it. It is cut to skim over the body. I love all the proper dressmaking techniques used like the way the sleeves extend out from the body of the dress and there are gussets underneath the arm instead of a seam around the shoulder. This gives the dress a nice rounded shoulder at the top. The front crosses over and extra panels of the fabric extend out to create a feeling of a giant half bow at the front without creating bulk. Both the front and back dip into a curved V for a little bit of skin to show. The shape is created through vertical seams down the front and the back and this allows it to skim over the waist and then open back up over the hips. It is just a chic and simple little black dress that is charming with the added bow detail at the front. Great condition with a small note below

Unlined and closes with a back zipper. It looks like some of the vertical seams may have been opened at one point. They would be easy to bring back in if needed. Pockets along each hip

Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 43" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# D650

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

Harvey Berin opened his self-named label in 1921 and by the 1940s his label was considered to be a leader in American fashion. The collections were designed by Karen Stark, his wife's sister, and it is said that all designs had to meet with Berin's approval before going into production. The dresses were made with high end finishes and were often based on the Parisian couture designs of the season. By 1952 Stark had won a Coty award for her work at the label. This dress is a beautiful example of the work she was doing during this time period.

This is a gorgeous dress that has that classic feel of its time period. It combines a stark black and white with incredible iridescent sparkling beads for even more glamour. The dress completely covers you and has a beautifully classic, feminine, elegant feel to it. The bodice is made out of a black velvet and it is meant to skim over you. The sleeves are long with a little notch at each cuff. The neckline is high and detailed with a wide band of tightly spaced glittering beads. The beads are tightly spaced directly next to each other and circle the entire neckline. A band of them runs straight down the center of the front to the waist seam. This adds an incredible sparkle to the top of the dress as the beads catch the light from every angle. The waist is seamed and the dress comes with its original matching black velvet buckle belt that allows you to cinch the waist in for an hourglass shape. From there the skirt falls to the floor and widens out as it nears the hem. The skirt is made out of a rich ivory silk that  has a nice weight to it. There are pockets hidden along each hip and it is just incredibly graceful. Excellent condition with a small note below.

The top is fully lined in a black silk  and the skirt is lined in ivory. Pockets along each hip. Original matching belt. There is an attached inner netted half length underskirt that adds volume through the hips. I see a couple of tiny pin head size storage marks on the skirt but it otherwise looks unworn. Please see the photo after the label shot

Sleeves: 22.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4424

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

Bill Blass launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of  the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with luxurious materials and his evening wear in particular seemed to have of always being flattering on the body. This is a gorgeous example of his work into the 1980s. The teak silk is even better in person and it is just beautiful.

The fabric of this dress is stunning. It almost has a sueded feel to it and it is all cut on the bias. It falls from the shoulders in a stunning sheath down the body and widens out as it nears the hem. The front is cut in a way that feels more simple and straight and then at the back is where you have a lot of drama. It is sleeveless and the neck is cut straight across at the front. Each shoulder has a intricate detailed art deco feeling spray of beads across the top of the shoulder. The beads are an iridescent copper gold and they pick the light up wonderfully. The back is exceptional and when you walk away or turn in this dress no one is going to forget you. The silk is gathered in around the top of the shoulders and then drapes down past the waist. He did not add a waist seam to the front of the dress but at the back he did put on in to both bring it in and give the silk a place to be gathered into to. This also gives you more shape as well. The fabric drapes down from the shoulders and around the sides a bit and then is gathered back into that low center point of the back. This leaves the entire back bare and exposed. This unexpected flash of skin is seriously sexy and the drama of that draping is fantastic. The fabric is also gathered more at the back of the skirt so that you have a bit of gorgeous movement happening when you move. It is really a stunning piece. Excellent condition

The dress is lined through the bodice in the same fabric and the skirt is unlined. It closes at the back with an overlapping flap of silk that hooks into place. Hand finishes throughout. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes

Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to front hem, 59" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4423

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

I am always on the look out for this style of dress by Halston. It is perhaps the most iconic of all of the Halston silhouettes and in 2016 a red version of this dress entered modern day fashion history when Kate Moss wore its twin on the red carpet at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. We have had Martha Hunt wear a white one version that she sourced from us to Cannes. She landed on several Best Dressed lists as a result. These were made in a variety of colours and this one is a gorgeous deep teal colour that I have not had before.

Halston was a master at this cut. There is a certain sexiness caused by the illusion of having the entire dress suspended by one shoulder. It gives the sense that the entire dress could drop in a puddle around you. It is constructed from two attached layers. The inner dress skims over the body in a long sheath. The inner part of the dress has a high slit that travels up the side of the leg opposite to the draped side. So when you walk or sit you get a flash of leg. Attached to that inner sheath lies a draped panel of the same nylon jersey that is suspended from the shoulder. This falls from that shoulder and drapes down and over the front and the back of the dress so that the jersey cascades loosely down and over the inner layer for the ultimate Grecian goddess feel. This is a classic dress by Halston that is perfect for traveling as it is wash and wear and so easy to style. A quick change of shoe takes it day to night in a snap. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. I love the teal of it. It is just so pretty. Excellent condition

The dress slips on to wear with no closures. These will fit a variety of sizes since they are not cut to be super fitted and the jersey does have some stretch.

Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hip: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top ff shoulder to longest point of hem
Slit: 26" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4421

Reference Photo: (1-2) Kate Moss in Vintage Halston at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.  /  (3) Karen Bjornsen, Alva Chinn, Connie Cook and Pat Cleveland in Halston Dresses, photographed by by Harry Benson, 1978. / (4) Martha Hunt wearing this dress in Cannes, 2019.  /  (5) Martha Hunt on Harper's Bazaar Australia Best Dressed List. /  (6-7) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.  /  (8) Halston Form Fit Ad, Vogue, October 1980.

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

I have had a couple of Harold Levine pieces in the shop in the past and they are always pieces that seem to have a little extra glamour to them. This amazing little dress is no exception. It is a stark black and white that has one side completely done in the white and the other completely done in black. The seam between the two literally runs down the center of the dress and this sharp contrast makes it a huge statement piece. The dress is made out of a rayon crepe and the fabric is easy to wear and drapes well. It comes down into a V at the front and then wraps around the back of the neck. The size are plunged into Vs as well and slightly wrap over each other at the base of the sides. This all serves to further emphasizes that great contrast of the two stark colors. The waist is seamed and I tied a black ribbon around so you could see it belted. I will include the ribbon but you could add any belt that you wish. The skirt flares out a bit as it reaches the hem and then it is finished with that incredible wide band of dyed ostrich feathers. In keeping with the spirit of the dress, half of the feathers are white and the other half are black. It is an incredibly fun and unusual piece and is one of those things you will only ever find in vintage. Excellent condition with one tiny note below

Unlined and slips on to wear with hidden snap closures at the front. The ribbon belt is not original to the dress but will be included. An inner waistband hooks to close. There is one tiny dot on the seam at the back near the waist. Please see the photo after the label shot

Bust: each side of the halter top has no true side seams that will cover up to 12" flat across from side to side
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 27" from waist to actual hem and the feathers extend past that a bit

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4415

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 most chic and glamorous day or cocktail dress from the Lee era of McQueen. This was a dress that would have been produced for the shops and it is absolutely gorgeous. I feel like I have seen a reference of this one on someone from that time period at some point but as of listing we have not yet found it but when we do I will send to the new owner.

This is just one of those dresses that whenever you put it on it feels perfectly feminine, lady like, and chic. It is just the perfectly appropriate dress for any occasion. The dress is made from a fine feather light silk chiffon that is black with a stark white dot print. The dots are spaced fairly close together and the print covers the entire dress to make it a statement in itself. It is cut in a halter that swoops up to the neck and then the sides plunge down and on an angle. At the front it is softly flat pleated into the neckline and this allows it blouse and open up to the waist for a pretty and easy feel. I did not belt it for these photos but you could absolutely add a belt if you wanted the waist to really have a cinched in feel. The skirt is soft and easy and the lightness of the silk chiffon lets it float around you when you move. Attached around the neck is an extremely long tie made of the same silk chiffon. This really let you change the look of the dress because you can tie it at the back and have the tie sweeping and trailing behind you. You can wrap the ties around the neck and maybe add a pin or a large flower to get a very refined feel, or tie it around the neck into a big bow like I have. The back is where you that McQueen sexuality really comes into play. It is a slit that is completely open from the base of your neck down to the waist. Because the fabric billows over the bodice this opening is only revealed as you move and turn so you get this subtle yet extremely sexy glimpse of bare skin down the middle of your back. It is fantastic. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk and buttons to close at the nape of the neck. There is a low zipper at the back under the waist. Tagged a McQueen 44

Bust: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 18" from top of bodice to waist but will blouse over once one
Skirt: 25" from waist to hem
Neck: 17" around

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4416

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

James Galanos was known as the designer that could rival the French in terms of construction and design. He launched his atelier in 1951 and though he was never a designer that was formally acknowledged as being a true Haute Couturier, he certainly produced clothing that had all of the hallmarks that define couture. This attention to detail and cut gave him the status as being known as one of the 'American Couturiers'. This is a gorgeous little dress that you can wear a couple of different ways which makes it a little extra versatile.

This dress is gorgeous. It closes at the top of the neck with a single hook and then wraps and hooks into place around the waist and that it is. It feels so sensual once on because of this. The fabric is almost weightless and this feeling of it just being hooked and wrapped around you is very sensual. very unusual and I had a hard time deciding how to best have it sit on the dress form. It sits beautifully when worn as a one shoulder dress but you can also turn it around a bit and wear it as more of a halter with the back left more bare and open. I love that it has this little bit of extra versatility. It is made of an incredible five layers of silk chiffon. The top layer is printed with a gorgeous floral print done in greens, corals and deep yellows. Under that top layer are four more layers made out of a solid green silk chiffon. All of the edges are hand rolled. These added layers keep the dress from being too transparent when on. At the same time the silk chiffon is of such a high quality that the dress is as a feather. The neckline is finished with a ruffle of the chiffon layers for pretty detail and a touch of romance. The skirt wraps over itself and where it overlaps there is a slit that only shows when you walk or sit. I added a green velvet ribbon around the waist which I will include to show you how pretty it is with something to cinch in the waist a bit. It is gorgeous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in the four layers of green silk as described above. Hand finished throughout. It wraps and hooks to close. Elastic through the edge of the halter top. Inner tag that defies the front. Teeny bit if fading along an edge here and there but otherwise looks unworn 

Bust: variable because of the wrap
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam and you could adjust the inner hooks up or down as needed
Hips: variable because of the wrap
Bust: approx 18" from shoulder to waist but meant to drape a bit
Skirt: 45" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3398

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 was from Paris and moved to the US in 1937. That early French influence showed throughout her career. In 1949 she was awarded her first Coty award. She won it again in both 1951 and 1959. The 1959 win coincided with being inducted into the Coty Fashion Hall of Fame. She was a pioneer in the use of cottons and wool for evening and her work with silks is wonderful. In 1961 she made headlines for being the first major fashion house to use an African American model. This is a stunning example of her work from the sixties and it is gorgeous.

This dress is just fantastic and so easy to wear. The colours on it are brilliant and mixes brilliant tropical red, green, pinks and yellow on a black base. The print has those wonderful giant flowers that are scattered over the dress and follow the beautiful drape of the caftan.  The effect that those vivid colours have combined with the drape and flow of the silk is fantastic. I love it. The neck is a simple deep V for a little bit of skin. The sides are closed along the very outer seam so that it is very loose and easy as it falls over the body. The sides are cut to drape outwards to help make room for your arms and there is a defined cuff that your slip your hand through. The cuffs button to close and there are two glittering crystal buttons on each one. Having the defined arms gives it a bit of shape around you without effecting the fullness of the caftan. The fabric is caught up and under those cuffs so from the side you get this gorgeous draping affect. The back is full with  tons of volume. When you walk you get this wonderful billowing effect around you that that is fantastic. The quality of silk is wonderful and it's like wearing a giant scarf. It is as light as a feather. The dress appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Unlined and  slips on to wear. Each cuff buttons to close. Its open cut should allow it to fit a full range of sizes. There is a tiny bit of chipping to the edges of the buttons but I am being pretty picky

Open through the body
Length: approx 50" from neck to front hem and approx 56" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD4410

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 Great little silk shift dress that's very easy to wear. It's by Chloe and is from In-N-around early to mid 2000s. It's made out of a scarf weight silk that has a slight textured finish to it. The cut is very easy and flattering. The sleeves or long and shoulders are slightly dropped. There's a bit of yoking across the top of the shoulders at the front for a little bit of detail and the neckline is slit open with a metal pearl looking button at the top of the opening. A matching button to that sits at each cuff of the sleeves. It falls loose and easy over the bodice, waist and hips and there is a gathered ruffle partway across the front of the waist for detail. Slant pocket sit on each hip for the perfect slouchy feel and attached ties at the back allow you to leave it loose or cinch it in for more shape. The skirt is cut fairly straight with just a touch of fullness from that front ruffle detailing. This is a great every day dress that can work for the office and beyond. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a matching silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. The attached ties at the back cinch the waist in for shape. Button and loops at the top of the neck and on each cuff. Tagged a modern 42. It's meant to sit it slightly oversized and should fit a ranger of sizes

Sleeves: 24.5"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 17"
Bust: 19-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 36" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent:  SML-MED

Item# DD4408

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 dress is absolutely wonderful and it really showcases the higher end work that the label was capable of. This is the work of Elinor Simmons who designed for the Malcolm Starr label from the early 1960s to 1972. She excelled at the heavy embellished piece that the label was known for and this is a wonderful example of her work. It is even more amazing in person and the photos cannot convey the impact of the metallic parts and the presence of it. It is gorgeous

This stunning dress is a gorgeous example of the work being done during this time period by them. The best of this label always has lots of drama and impact and this dress has a ton of all of that. The fabric is gorgeous. A heavy dose of green tinted gold metallic thread is mixed into a pattern with the palest possible pink and a brighter more vivid pink. There is also a more golden yellow thread and the mix of all of these is fabulous. The dress is just heavy enough to hold the shape and volume you see but it is so easy to wear. The bodice skims over the torso and the neck is cut into a V at both the front and back for a little bit of skin to show. There is a border of a contrasting pattern that edges the V on both sides. This is also used to detail the cuffs and runs around the hem of the skirt. The sleeves are set on a curve to follow the shape of the arm and the waist is set a bit higher up to sit just under the bust. A piped band of the same fabric runs over the seam there to add more detail. The skirt cascades to the floor and widens out quite a bit as it nears the hem. This balances that shape of the bodice and is perfect to see. Pockets sit along the each hip. The fabric holds the shape of the dress beautifully and the entire dress has a subtle shimmer in the light. I love it. It is just a beautiful dress. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in an ivory silk and it zips to close at the back. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Ribbon edged inner hem and hand finishes

Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 46" from waist to hem with 2.5" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4406

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 almost certainly the work of Elinor Simmons who designed for the Malcolm Starr label from the early 1960s to 1972. She excelled at the heavy embellished piece that the label was known for and this is a wonderful example of her work. Her early pieces did not include her name on the label but the presence of the B. Altman label and it style helps to date it to her time with the label. It is even more amazing in person and the photos cannot convey the weight and presence of it.

This is a stunning dress. This is the kind of piece that you only find in vintage because they just could not make things at this level anymore. The price would be too cost prohibitive. The entire dress is made from a pale yellow silk that has an extensive design done in silver and clear beads on top. The beading is all hand set and done into little curving swirls and patterns that cover the entire dress. A panel made of the beads stacked on top of each other defines and highlights the waist with the more abstract pattern above and below. To add yet another layer of glamour some of the beads are done in little 3D medallions in and amongst the pattern for a little added detail. The dress is completely covered in the bead work from to hem and this makes the entire dress shimmer and catch the light from every angle. The cut of the dress is simple so that the beading can take center stage. The bodice is sleeveless with a scooped front. The waist nips in slightly and then the skirt falls under that and widens out just a touch as it nears the hem. There is a small slit at the side for a little kick as you walk. It is a beauty. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a the same silk crepe and it closes with a hand set back zipper. There is a teeny bit of grubbiness to the inner neck line here and there biut it is super minor and mentioned for accuracy.

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 19" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 39" from waist to hem including the one inch band around the waist

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4407

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

This is an incredible dress. This was a dress produced for the shops and it would have been made specifically for the wedding collection that year. What is interesting about this dress is that I have a purple version just listed that is from 2007. So Lee's original design was re-issued in this ivory for the wedding collection. You will recall that I recently had a lace dress in that was also made under the same circumstances where a original dress done by Lee was re-issued at a later date for a wedding collection. I love when they repeat pieces like this. This would of course make an amazing wedding dress for a bride or could be an alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration. And of course it could also be worn to any fabulous and glamourous event. The dress still has its original hang tags in place and was never worn. It has that same bias cut draped feel as the McQueen that Elle Fanning borrowed and wore recently so that will give you an idea of it onthe body.

This is a stunningly beautiful dress. It is one that will come to life even more once it is on an actual body and will only truly come to life when worn.  It is a dress that definitely takes inspiration from the bias cut couture pieces of the 20s and 30s. McQueen was a master tailor and the seam work and simplicity of this dress do not hide that fact. It is made from a beautifully weighted ivory silk satin that has that same liquid feel that the best of the 1930s pieces did that were made from this similar fabrics. Like those dresses of the thirties this is also cut on the bias but with a more shaped silhouette. I love that the fabric is heavy enough and that the dress is lined so that it will not highlight 'flaws' underneath like some bias cut pieces can. It is cut to flow over the body and skims over the bust, waist and hips to the floor. The neckline drops into a V at the front for a bit of skin to show. It glides over the bust and there is this interesting softly curved seam that starts at the bust and runs down into the side seam. This not not only helps to add a little shape but it also becomes this interesting design feature and a subtle way for him to work in one of his signature angled seams. The skirt continues past and over the hips and then flares out as it reaches the hem. At the back there is extra fabric worked around the center seam to give you a bit of a trailing feel behind you. This flaring out at the bottom and the extra bit at the back give you fabulous movement when you walk or move. It also adds to the hourglass shape the dress has. The sleeves are incredible. They are set in these soft loops around each arm. They leave the sides of the shoulders bare and really add to the thirties feel of the dress. They are spectacular. It is in its original uncut length and was never worn. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in an ivory silk and closes with a hidden set back zipper. Tagged a McQueen 40. The bias cut fabric does have some stretch. The measurements below give you the comfortable range the fabric has when lying flat. It has its original tags attached and was never worn. It is in its original supermodel length. The bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes

Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from top of shoulder to front hem, 75" the longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4412

Reference Photo: Elle Fanning in Spring 2008 Alexander McQueen, from our archives, at the Critics Choice After Party, January 2023.

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

Christian LaCroix launched his Haute Couture house in 1987 and was an instant success on the worldwide stage. A ready-to-wear line soon followed along with perfumes and menswear. His collections are always exotic, lavish affairs and his designs seemed to span the decades with their eccentric glamour pulled from multiple sources of inspiration. This dress is from the Cruise collection for 1993 and it in perfect condition. I don't think it was even ever worn.

This dress is so simple in some ways yet so dramatic and glamorous in others. It is that perfect combination of a pretty piece that you can wear all the time but it still has that Lacroix signature feel. The fabric is a crisp cotton printed with a bright floral print. This print is set on a black base and the strong colours pop against that beautifully. The bodice is structured and has an inner stiffened lining that helps at hold that shape along with light boning as well. It curves around you at the front with straps that extend out and hook behind the neck. The seaming is vertical and curves around at the sides. The skirt falls below that. The very front of the skirt is cut a little more sleek and simple and then it is gathered with different tiers that wrap around to the back. At the back there are three layers to the skirt and each one sits on top of the other to create that Lacroix signature back pouf bustle effect. I absolutely love that back drama of the skirt. Above that the back is scooped low to leave a bare expanse of skin and I am obsessed with the little bow that hides where it hooks behind the neck. It is the perfect Lacroix finish. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

The bodice is lined and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a back zipper. Inner stiffening and light boning through the bodice for structure. The strap hooks and snaps to close behind the neck. Tagged a 40

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: approx 34.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4400

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

Louis Feraud opened his first boutique in 1950 in Cannes selling sundresses to the jet set. When Brigitte Bardot was photographed in a white pique and lace number, he became the darling of the fashion world. By 1956 he had moved to Paris and opened a couture atelier and in 1960s made his first official couture presentation. Ready to wear followed in 1970. He won the Golden Thimble in in 1978 and again in 1984. Women like Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot were huge fans of the label. This is a wonderful little dress from the early 1980s that has a bit of a nod to the turn of the century in its design that was so popular during this time period. It will look fantastic paired with modern accessories.

The dress is made out of a fine black silk taffeta and then onto that you have details of velvet that have been fused directly into the fabric. The bodice is cut to skim over you and buttons at the base of the plunging front. A ruffled detail circles around the collar and down to the waist to keep that plunge from feeling too low and add a bit of drama. I love the little band of velvet ribbon the details this. The waist nips in and I had added a ribbon of velvet that will be included with the dress. You could also add a belt to really add shape. The skirt falls from under there to about mid-calf depending on your height. It is beautifully full with soft pleats that are set into the waist all the way around. These open up to give the skirt the fullness that you see. The sleeves or what give the dress it's historical nod. They are a modern modified mutton sleeve with a more poufed shoulder that narrows down to the wrist. On the top of the shoulder, around the cuffs and around the hem there is a pretty velvet pattern that adds detail to the dress. The fabric choice keeps it very light and easy to wear and it is very pretty once on an actual body. Excellent condition with a small note below

The skirt has an inner silk lining and the rest of the dress is unlined. It closes at the front with the buttons that you see and also with a hidden set side zipper. There's a tiny bit of wear to the velvet on the sleeves here and there where it was kept folded for storage. Please see the photo after the label shot. Tagged a 38

Sleeves: 23" and 14" around upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 33.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4395

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

Bill Blass launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of  the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with luxurious materials and his evening wear in particular seemed to have of always being flattering on the body. This is a gorgeous example of his work. The pale pink is even better ion person and I think this is a dress that might even make an amazing wedding dress for the bride looking for a non-traditional choice or as an alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration. And of course it could also be worn to any event. It is just beautiful.

This is a stunning dress that is made out of a pale pink silk that is very light in weight but that has just enough structure to hold the shape that you see. The dress falls from that single spectacular shoulder and is cut to skim over the bodice, nips in at the waist and then the full skirt falls to the floor from there. The neckline is absolutely fantastic. It begins on one side and the angles up towards the shoulder on the opposite side. It slowly widens out over that shoulder so that there is this spectacular dramatic detail that sweeps up and around your neck. It then drops down and curves around your back. There is actually a little bit of boning hidden inside the top of the cure of that side and this gives it the inner structure needed to stay ion place and have that sweeping shape. Its incredible.The silk is gathered into the waist on the opposite side and I love how the banding at the waist is set on a curving angle. The skirt falls from under there and widens out as it nears the hem. At the back it has extra fabric so that it feels fuller and the hem extends out a bit for a sweeping feel as you walk. It is just an amazing simple and easy dress to wear with tons of impact. Excellent condition.

The bodice is unlined and the skirt has an inner pale pink silk lining. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. An inner waist stay hooks to close. There are some small marks at the back hem

Bust: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 16" from top of natural shoulder to waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to front hem, 53" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4393

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

Jean Louis is the designer who created that dress that Marilyn Monroe was sewn into when she sang Happy Birthday to  President John F Kennedy. Louis worked in the movies heading the costume department at Columbia Pictures before starting his own label in 1961. Once he began designing under his own label he concentrated on suits and evening wear and was known for his beautiful fabric choices. This caftan is the perfect example of his eye when it came to choosing fabrics. It is absolutely stunning.

This is an incredible caftan that makes a striking statement with its combination of that vivid pink silk with the gold and silver metallic thread that runs over its entire surface. The base is a ultra light silk organza has a slight iridescent quality to it and this has been layered over a fine tissue silk inner lining. Woven onto that is an over sized floral design done in gold and silver thread. This combination gives it the glamorous and exotic feel that the piece has and is is incredible to see in the light. The front has a thick braiding border that is made from a gold metal thread and pink cording. This is tightly braided and runs around the neckline and down to the hem. On the upper part where it opens one side extends out into loops and the other into little frog knots. The dress is full and easy through the body and the sleeves are cut to be extra wide. It is as light as a feather and it is just beyond. Overall great condition with notes to review below

Fully lined in a pink tissue silk and slips over the head to wear. Some point the hem was cut and not resewn. I have chosen to leave it this way so that you have every available inch and you can have it to your perfect length. There is some light fraying and the beginning of separation here in there along the edge of the sleeve. I see a bit of fraying and separation here and there along other seams and some small tearing to the fabric here and there. It is perfectly wearable as it is without doing a thing but these are pointed out for accuracy. The loose and easy cut should allow it to fit a variety of sizes.

Sleeves: approx 22" from natural shoulder
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust-hips: 28-29" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 54" from neck to unfinished hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD4392

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