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This dress is from the Yves Saint Laurent variation line which was an experimental lower priced lined that last for a short time period during the 80s. Most of the pieces you see from it are not what I look for from his work on a day to day basis but this particular dress had such great lines I could not resist picking it up. There was just something so fabulous about it and it is really in par with the regular label and what he did in the couture line for this type of look that I decided to make an exception. It is quite fabulous and I love it
The dress is made from a beautiful cotton silk mix that has a slight coated feel to to it. This mix keeps the dress light and easy to wear while still holding the lines and volume the dress has. A stunning oversized checked plaid pattern covers the fabric. The colours are a more deep hue and there is even a muted gold metallic thread that runs through the pattern. The dress is very easy to wear. The bodice is fitted with light stiffening built in for structure. It is cut to curve around the bust and nips in at the waist. You could easily add a belt or tie to really emphasize the waist too if you wished. The skirt is fantastic. It is cut to fall smoother at the front then widens out to be very full so you get more volume at the back. I photoed it laid out flat so you can see. The back is cut on a curve and longer then the front so you get a beautiful line. And it has pockets! A gorgeous dress. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition
The dress is fully lined in a black silky rayon and closes with a hidden set side zipper. Slight stiffening fabric built in through the bodice. Tagged an vintage 10
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of bust to bottom seam of bodice
Skirt: 42" from waist to front hem, 49" to the longest point of the back hem and has 1.5" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4058
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Victor Costa launched his label in 1974 and was known for producing versions of what was seen on the Paris runways. Costa chose good fabrics for his designs and even though his work was often very close interpretations of other designs he did add his own unique twist when it came to colours, cut and fabrics. Some of his work is quite lovely and this dress is a really great one. I am in love with it!
This is a favorites of all the Victor Costa pieces I have had come into the shop. The dress is well made and striking. It is made from a stunning bright plaid silk taffeta that gives it just enough weight and structure to be able to create the impressive lines and volume that you see but without making the dress heavy or bulky to wear. It also gives the dress the most amazing slightly iridescent finish. As you move and the fabric catches the light it lets the colours really pop and it is quite a stunning detail in itself. The bodice is fitted and strapless and cut to curve and shape the bust. Circling around the top portion of the bust is an elaborate feather finish. The feathers have been dyed to match the red green and black used in the print. It just really highlights the gorgeous colours and adds to the festive feel the dress has. The waist nips in and you could easily add a tie belt or more structured belt to cinch the waist in further. The skirt falls to the floor from there and has yards of fabric in it that create the fullness and volume that you see. The skirt falls in a gently widening line and is finished by a pleated ruffled that goes all the way around the hem. I love how the back of the skirt is a touch longer so you get incredible movement when you move. And it has pockets. All the shots you see here were done with no added crinoline underneath but you could add one if you wanted it to be even fuller. I love everything about this dress. Excellent condition
The bodice is fully lined in a black silky rayon through the bodice and the skirt is unlined. The bodice is lightly boned and shaped with stiffening fabric. The dress closes with a back zipper. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little.
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice ruffles to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to front hem, 49" to the longest point of the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4059
I have a small collection of historically important, key designer labelled vintage furs, fur trimmed & feather pieces stored away in my archives that I will be slowly posting on the site over the next couple of years until I have none left. I will no longer be buying furs for the shop moving forward and have not purchased anything for several years now. I feel like times have changed and while there still is a place for vintage furs for some, including collectors and historians, many modern girls are choosing other options. Many of the pieces in my collection are representative of the designer during a set time period in history that was different then our modern outlook. I have decided that the best course to handle this controversial issue is to let the pieces I have go rather then sit in a cold storage unit. All fur coats, fur trimmed & feather pieces are final sale
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Stephen Burrows was known for his innovative use of matte jersey fabrics in a rainbow of colours. He colour blocked it, detailed it with beading, draped it on the bias and added cutouts to highlight the body. He used the Jasco-brand jersey for his work which was light in weight and had some stretch. Many of his pieces, including this one, had their hems finished with a complex zig zag edging. This became known as a 'lettuce' finish and became his signature. His first boutique was simply known as "O" and opened in 1968 with a cofounder. The “Stephen Burrows World" label launched in the summer of 1970 as part of an exclusive in-store boutique for Henri Bendels. In 1973 he was one of the five American designers that participates in the “Battle of Versailles” fashion show, a spectacular competition between American and French designers. That year marked his first Coty win, which was also the first win by Black designer, and he won it again in 1974 and 1977. He left Bendels shortly after only to return again in 1977, 1993 and 2002 for short stints each time. By the late 70s and into the 80s his work was being worn by some of the biggest names in Hollywood like Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Cher. His work was the subject of the 2013 exhibit titled 'Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced' and which was the first major exhibit of the work. Another followed at SCAD who presented “An American Master of Inventive Design,” in 2014. This is an amazing example of Stephen Burrows work and it feels as relevant today as it would have when it was made.
The dress is made from his signature slinky and sexy black jersey. The entire dress is suspended from two tiny straps at the shoulder and falls from there in a beautiful bias cut that ends with an angled asymmetrical hem. This angled cut leaves one leg more bare so that when you walk or sit you get a flash of more skin on that side. He designed his pieces to not be worn with undergarments believing that they should just skim over the body like a dancer. The jersey is opaque enough to do this and he was after that simple and easy dancer feel that the dress has. It is a dress that just slips on and falls into place, floating over the body, without being too tight in any area while still fully highlighting the body beneath. The bodice is truly spectacular. It is fully hand beaded across the bust and down the center front in a densely applied mix of tube beads, seed beads and faux pearl beading. The bead work has all been applied by hand and you can clearly see this is the case on the back side of the fabric. The lower edges of the dress are finished in his signature lettuce hem seaming. It is a fabulous example of his work and I love it. Excellent condition
Unlined and slips over the head with no closures. Tagged a vintage 10. The fabric does have some stretch so will accommodate a range of sizes. I have provided the comfortable range of stretch when laying flat. One small mark on the back near the hem. Perhaps a bead missing here or there but no bare spots.
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to longest point of hem, 38" to the shortest
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4053
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This wonderful black silk gazaar dress is from the Nina Ricci Boutique ready to wear line. When hunting for a reference to date it by, we happened across a photo from 1972 that has a variation of this dress with a different neckline and no sleeves. I like this off shoulder version even more and love that the photo at least gives you an idea of how the dress looks like on the body. The Ricci atelier was launched in Paris in 1932, with Nina retiring from designing in the early 1950s. Jules Francois Crahay then headed the design team until he left for Lanvin in 1963. Gerard Pipart took over from Crahay and stayed on with Ricci until 1998. This dress would have been made during his tenure with the house. It is an incredible example of the work being done by the label during this time period and might be my favourite Ricci dress in the shop to date.
The dress is made from a beautiful black silk gazaar that feels like it has been treated so that it holds its shape and volume even more then it normally would. The fabric has a very fine woven feel to it and just a touch of transparency that keeps it feel light and easy. It has just enough weight and structure to be able to create the impressive lines and volume that you see but without making the dress heavy or bulky to wear. The photos really do not give it full justice and it is an integral part of the design of the dress. The bodice is cut to skim over you to the waist. Running along the edge of the neckline is a 6" wide ruffle. This falls from the elastic finished edge and puffs softly around you. The elastic that runs through the top edge of the neckline allows you to wear the dress off the shoulders leaving you bare. Long sleeves sit under that and they each end in a full circle of fabric to create a pretty 4.5" ruffle. The waist nips in and I have added a grosgrain ribbon that I will send with the dress that allows you to cinch the waist in further. The skirt falls to the floor from there and has yards of fabric in it that create the fullness and volume that you see. The skirt falls in a gently widening line and is finished by a 9.5" ruffle that goes all the way around the hem. The dress has a simple silk taffeta skirt underneath and I did not add any additional crinolines. The volume you see is achieved solely by the cut and the fabric choice. It is incredible and I love everything about it. Excellent condition
Lined in a black silky rayon through the bodice and the a black silk taffeta through the skirt. The sleeves are unlined. The dress closes with a back zipper. The grosgrain tie belt is not original but will be sent with the dress. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. It is even better in person.
Sleeves: 20" from the top edge to the end of the ruffle. Meant to sit off shoulder. The upper arm is 12.25" around
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of the center of the neckline to waist seam
Skirt: 43.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4052
Reference Photo: Robert Ricci, with two models in Nina Ricci evening wear, UK, October 1972.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This is a beautiful caftan dress or cover up by Oscar de la Renta. Caftans were a common theme for his summer collections, especially in the 1980s. They were easy to wear and ones like this one where made to cover a variety of occasions from casual entertaining to being used for less formal evening wear. It is a classic and easy feeling piece that still feels fresh and fabulous now.
In the late seventies and into the eighties caftan fever was at an all time high and many of the top designers of the day designed options for their clients who wanted the look but still wanted to wear their favourite brand name. This one is a great example of that is it is gorgeous. Oscar was a master with cut and colour and this has both. It can be worn for a few different functions. It completely unbuttons down the front so you can wear it layered over other pieces to act as an ultra light evening coat. It is perfect to be worn as a chic day or evening dress if you dare to wear it alone with the high front slit. And that high front slit lets you pop it over a pant for a chic evening pajama set. So versatile! It is made out of a feather light silk. Think fine silk scarf as far as the weight goes. The means that it floats and flows around you when you move or the slightest breeze hits it. The silk has a secondary pattern woven through it and the colour is a fresh soft lime green that pops. For contrast he used a blue cord embroidery to edge the neck, run around the arm openings and trail down the front. There is more cording at each cuff and I love that the buttons at the cuffs and the front are also made from this cord. It is very simple in cut. You slip it on and it has a scooped neckline at the front. The sleeves are long and taper down to the wrist slightly. The shoulder has a very light padding along their edges for shape and then it falls in a sheath to the floor widening out gently as it nears the hem. When you are standing still it settles perfectly about you but when you move you really get the sense of movement because of the slit at the front. This is a really fabulous and wearable piece. Excellent condition
Unlined and buttons down the front and at each cuff. Light padding at the outer edge of each shoulder. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes
Sleeves: 23.5" long and 15" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from shoulder to hem
Slit: 33" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD4049
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This is a stunningly beautiful jersey jumpsuit by the Genny label. It is one of the most beautiful pieces I have seen from this label. The Genny brand launched in 1962 by Arnaldo and Donatella Girombelli and was named after their daughter. They gained a solid following and hired a young Gianni Versace in 1973 who became the Creative Director. He oversaw the Byblos line and in 1977, he designed Complice, a more experimental line and Christian Lacroix took over the Byblos line for a time. Versace also designed for Genny, the main line up till 1979. Several designer followed him including Richard Tyler. It is almost impossible to tell which designer came up with this jumpsuit but it almost doesn't matter as its exceptional no matter who it was.
This is just a wow kind of a piece. It is made from a brown jersey that is light in weight and drapes fantastically. There is a a touch of Studio 54, disco era sexiness thrown in the mix and it just couldn't be better. The jumpsuit simply slips on to wear and has elastic through the waist so that you can get into it. The top is two triangles that tie behind the neck. The simply drape over the breasts and has a serious plunge to just above the waist. The back is left completely bare. Even with the deep plunge the placement of the fabric holds it in place so that you feel safe wearing it. The waist has elastic so its incredibly easy to wear. You could easily add a belt or tie around the waist, maybe in a white to pick up the detailing on the leg, to cinch in the waist as much as you wanted. This would really emphasize the shape or you can just wear it as is and leave it loose and easy. The pants are amazing. They are cut exceptionally wide. Each is a full 44" around at the hem and this gives them lots of movement as you move. When you stand still you almost look like you are wearing a dress but when you move you have the ease of the jumpsuit. Then on that one leg is the totally unexpected pop of white. It is a styled abstract floral and leaf design that is top stitched onto the jersey and I love it. This is a piece that is so sexy and yet so very easy to wear. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition
Unlined and has elastic through the waist. The fabric does have some stretch. The easy cut should allow it it fit a range of sizes.
Bust: Each triangle is about 12" across when spread out so it should fit most busts from tiny to about 40" around
Elastic waist: 11-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open and generous
Bodice: approx 15" from neck to waist seam
Pants: 44.5" from waist to hem
Inseam: 31"
Gusset: 15"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4048
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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I have had sleeved and one shoulder versions of this Bill Tice dress that had the same gold lame detail applied to the jersey but this is the first time I have seen this exact design. It is made of a liquid nylon jersey that feels amazing on and has the added bonus of traveling very well. It is the kind of piece you can throw into your suit case and slip on with either flats or heels when you reach some far off destination and be ready to go. The dress is cut to be loose and easy over the body. It is suspended from the shoulders by tow straps made of the same jersey fabric. The neckline scoops across and it is gathered around that fabulous curving insets of his signature gold fabric. The back is a panel of elastic for even more added comfort. The dress gathers up and into the detailing at the front and this allows it to be more to the open and loose side around the waist and hips as the jersey drapes down and around your body. A slit runs up on one side and this allows a bit of leg to show when you walk or sit. It is pure ease mixed with sexiness. Excellent condition with a note below
Unlined and slips on to wear. The easy fit should allows it to work on a variety of sizes. There is a loop at the base of each strap where it looks like someone took it up a touch and a small fold on the inside of the side seams where it was taken in a touch there as well. It would be easy to reverse. The fabric has a bit of stretch. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes.
Bust: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist- hips: open
Length: 59" from neck to hem
Slit: 26.5" from lowest point of hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4046
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Victor Costa launched his label in 1974 and was known for producing versions of what was seen on the Paris runways and elsewhere. This dress for example is clearly a direct inspiration of a classic Mexican wedding dress. Costa chose good fabrics for his designs and even though his work was often very close interpretations of other designs he did add his own unique twist when it came to colours, cut and fabrics.
Where a Mexican pin tuck and lace dress is entirely made by hand these versions by Victor Costa are obviously a machine made interpretation. They are still very cute dresses. This one is made out of a light linen finish feel cotton in a soft creamy ivory colour. The fabric has this suggestion of a pleat in it that has softened with time and runs over the entire dress. This gives the fabric a slight texture that is very pretty and is a nod to the original pin-tucking that the original dresses had. Bands of a crocheted lace are worked into the design to highlight the cut of the bodice. More of that lace circles around the skirt at each tier as it widens out to the hem. The bodice is cut to skim over you and scoops into a squared off neckline at the front and a V at the back. The waist is set a little high and has a wide band of the crochet there. The the skirt falls under that with each tier widening out as it nears the hem. Those amazing bell sleeves are the perfect final touch and make the entire dress. I have styled them so you can see them at their maximum dimensions but of course they will sit a touch flatter as you move and wear the piece. The lace insets on them allow for the faintest glimpse of skin through where it sits on the arm. It is an easy to wear and very pretty summer dress that you will wear endlessly. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a light cotton mix through the bodice and skirt. The sleeves are unlined. It closes with a back zipper.
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of shoulder to bottom of the band at the waist
Skirt: 40.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4045
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Victor Costa launched his label in 1974 and was known for producing versions of what was seen on the Paris runways. Costa chose good fabrics for his designs and even though his work was often very close interpretations of other designs he did add his own unique twist when it came to colours, cut and fabrics. Some of his work is quite lovely and this dress is a great one.
I love the pretty floral print of this dress mixed with the stark white. The colours popping off of that white backdrop are just stunning. It is constructed from a beautiful light weight chiffon that has a touch of transparency to it. To counteract the effect of the transparency there is an inner layer of white so that it is opaque enough to wear. The entire dress is cut to be as comfortable to wear as possible. The neckline is finished with a white piping to highlight its edge. You can wear it high on the shoulders or down and completely off the shoulders and I have shown both ways here. I love the versatility that gives you. The sleeves are unlined so that they are very light. They are cut to be full and wide and billow out to a balloon finish above the cuffs. The dress skims over your bust and then opens up to be full over the waist and hips. The skirt flows to the floor and widens out in tiers to the hem. I love the mix of colors used on the dress. That pretty floral print runs in bands down the dress is bright pops of colour against the white. The dress has a fantastic romantic and light feel to it and the bareness of the shoulders gives it a bit of a sexy touch. Excellent condition.
The body of the dress is fully lined in a white lingerie weight jersey and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Each cuff has elastic. It would be easy to add to the inner lining. The top edge seam has no give so that measurement is firm unless altered.
Sleeves: 25"
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Seam at the top of the bust: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 59" from shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4044
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
victor costa
Romantic 1970s Victor Costa Mexican Wedding Dress Feel Ivory Cotton Gauze & Lace Dress
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Victor Costa launched his label in 1974 and was known for producing versions of what was seen on the Paris runways and elsewhere. This dress for example is clearly a direct inspiration of a classic Mexican wedding dress. Costa chose good fabrics for his designs and even though his work was often very close interpretations of other designs he did add his own unique twist when it came to colours, cut and fabrics.
Where a Mexican pin tuck and lace dress is entirely made by hand these versions by Victor Costa are obviously a machine made interpretation. They are still very cute dresses though. This one is made out of a light gauze finish cotton in a soft creamy ivory colour. The fabric has a slight touch of transparency to it where it is not backed by lining that gives it a soft and pretty feel. Bands of a crocheted lace are worked into the design to highlight the cut of the bodice. More of that lace circles around the skirt as it widens out in tiers to the hem. The bodice is cut to skim over you and scoops into a squared off neckline at the front and a V at the back. The waist is set a little high and has a wide band of the crochet that goes all the way aound you. The skirt falls under that with each tier widening out as it nears the hem. Those amazing bell sleeves are the perfect final touch and make the entire dress. I have styled them so you can see them at their maximum dimensions but of course they will sit a touch flatter as you move and wear the piece. The lace insets on them allow for the faintest glimpse of skin through where it sits on the arm. It is an easy to wear and very pretty summer dress that you will wear endlessly. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a silky rayon through the bodice and skirt. The sleeves are unlined. It closes with a back zipper.
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17.3" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to bottom of the band at the waist
Skirt: 42.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4043
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 dior
Chic Fall 2009 Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Silk Satin Dress w Asymmetrical Neckline
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John Galliano was moved from Givenchy to Christian Dior in October of 1996 and stayed there until he was dismissed in February of 2011. This dress is from the Fall 2009 collection and was a piece that was produced in limited quantities for retail. The runway pieces that season where based lightly on Poiret and the Paris of the past and for production there was a group of more refined and elegant pieces like this wonderful dress. It is always interesting to see how John translated his over the top runway collections into elegant, wearable and yet still glamorous pieces like this dress. It is a beauty and really might just be a perfect black dress.
As good as the dress looks on the form once on an actual body it will only be better. His pieces really are cut to be on a living body and it is the person wearing his work that brings life to them and makes them look so good once on. The dress is made from a rich black coloured silk satin that is draped beautifully to highlight the lines of the dress. The fabric and the way it is cut and draped allows it to skim over the body and highlight your shape but without being tight. This cut also makes it very comfortable and easy to move in. Once on an actual body and you start to move in it the dress moves with you. The dress molds itself around the bust and and has this stunning off-set angled neckline that dips down on an angle to one side. The front of the dress is all about draping to cleverly accent your shape while not being restrictive to wear. An extra set of seams are set slightly towards the front of the dress and then draped panels of fabric are set within that. A panel angles down from the more covered shoulder across to the waist and then another panel is gathered along the side of that ho to angle down and across. The draped silk gives detail down the front of the skirt and then it starts to open up looser until it eventually falls and expands out into the lower skirt. The skirt has an unexpected slit that runs down the seam on the one side so when you walk or move you get this flash of leg. It perfectly balance the dip of the neckline on the other side for a bit of sensuality in an otherwise fully covered dress. At the back the dress falls in a sleek sheath of fabric. the dress flares out slightly at the hem for the perfect finish. It is a beautiful and glamorous dress and is in its original supermodel length. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition
The dress is fully lined with a fine ivory tissue silk. It closes with a hidden set zipper at the back. Each cuff has 5 covered buttons and loops. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Tagged a FR40, GB12, IT 44, US 8
Sleeves: 26.5"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 65" from neck to hem
Slit: 33" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD4042
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate fabrics 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 the late seventies, early eighties period. An all sequin version of the dress was worn by the French-italian singer Dalida that same year. 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 entire body of the dress is made out of a black ribbon finish with silk organza ribbons set on to the base in a curving design done to suggest flowers worked through it. Each flower design is finished with a series of curved and looped rows of glossy black sequins. This covers you from where it sits in a curving sweetheart neckline above the breast down to the top of the hips. Where it meats the skirt it is cut on an angle, which softens the line and adds shape. This part of the dress is entirely opaque and shaped to give you curves. He then used a silk chiffon over the top of the chest and down the back where it dips into a low scoop. An open keyhole runs down the back for a hint of skin. Each sleeve is cut to be wide and full and the chiffon lets you have a glimpse of your arm through it. The cuffs sit under all that volume and they are done in the same ribbon lace and sequin fabric as the bodice. The rest of the dress is made from a bias cut silk chiffon that sits and drapes beautifully around you as you move. It falls from under the bodice and is pretty amazing in its own right. There is an under skirt that acts as the lining and then panels of silk fall to the hem that are only attached around and under the body of the dress. This gives them complete freedom to move so when you walk the panels will float and move around you with the slightest bit of air. It is really gorgeous. The inner skirt underneath keeps it from exposing everything but at the same time does give a suggestion of leg. If there was ever a dress that needed a body inside of it to bring it to life, this is it. It is stupendous once on. Excellent condition
Fully lined through the body and the rest is as described above. It closes with a back set zipper and then a black jet button at the back of the neck. Each sleeve has three jet buttons and loop closures. It appears to have been worn very little if at all
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4040
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.
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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.
The dress has the bit of an avant garde vibe to it that is fabulous. The color is that perfect true royal purple and the fabric is silk chiffon that is used so cleverly. For the collar and sleeves it is used to create ruffles and then for the body of the dress there are three layers of the chiffon so that it is opaque enough to wear but still stays feather light. It just floats beautifully over the body once on. The outer dress is cut with extreme volume and if you choose to wear it as is then it has this fabulous easy caftan feel. I also took a shot of it with a purple velvet ribbon around the waist (which I will include) so you can see how dramatically adding a belt changes the way the dress looks and sits on you. I love that it gives you the option of having a more caftan feeling dress or one that has shape. The neckline is high and finished with a 6" wide ruffle made out of a knife pleated silk chiffon. The edges of the ruffles are finished with a double row of the pleats for that little bit if extra volume and detail. Each sleeve is made of four more tiers of this same pleated silk chiffon and it gives it a stacked pagoda sleeve feel that is just insanely good. The contrast between all that detail on the sleeve and collar and then the simple fullness through the body of the dress is the perfect contrast. The easy cut also makes the dress extremely versatile size wise and it should work on a range of sizes. Excellent condition with a note below
The body of the dress is made of three layers of the chiffon. The sleeve are unlined. It closes with a back zipper. The velvet ribbon tie is not original but will be included. By the upper part of the zipper and near the seam under the hop the silk has a slightly bumpy texture from minuscule pulls. There is so much volume you really only see it when laid out flat and looking for it. Please see the photo after the label shot.
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58.5" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4039
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This is the twin of the dress shown in the Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2011 collection Lookbook. This collection was shot as a Lookbook which gives you an amazing glimpse into his styling process. At the time Dior said this of John's collection: ”Dior’s Fall ready-to-wear collection takes its inspiration from the legendary love affair between Mrs. Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII. English romanticism is channeled into Balmoral fringed tweeds and candy-coloured tartans with Prince of Wales checks. Ultimate luxury and expertise create evening glamour in elegant draped gowns and head to toe sequins to ensure that every head is turned.” Vogue commented that: "John Galliano galloped the Duchess of Windsor through This Is Your Life, with richly hued musings on what Wallis Simpson in her prime might've worn at specific times of day and across the decades." I love having the photo reference from that Lookbook so that you can see just how creative it can go styling wise. This was John's second last collection for the house.
This is a very striking dress and I love the rich purple colour of it. The choice of that fine silk satin gives the colour even more depth. This fabric choice is also a nod to the glamorous deco gowns of the later twenties and thirties theme-wise for this collection. The bodice is cut to skim over you with a V at the front. The waist is seamed and it is set in a slight curve for a pretty feminine touch. The skirt falls from there in a column at the front, gently widening out as it nears the hem. The back is where you see all the extra detailing on this dress. First he scooped out the back into a V and then gathered the fabric in along a curve. He then added an extra pair of crossed straps. These attach on either side of the gathered curve and when set into place created this clever little open keyhole effect with the silk gathered in towards it as it runs down your back. A panel of fabric comes out from the base of the keyhole and cascades down the center of the back skirt to the hem. There is quite a bit of fabric in it and it is just a lovely detail. The final flourish are the sleeves which are a definite nod to the thirties in design. The are loops of fabric that are twisted and then gathered along the tops of the shoulder. Your arm slips through and then it draped over the top of your arm. They are so pretty. It is a really lovely dress and a collector's piece. The dress has been shortened at some point from its original length so it is priced lower then if it was all original. If you are taller it will fall to mid-calf or ankle depending on your height. Excellent condition
Unlined and closes with a hidden set side zipper. No size tag.
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seamWaist: 14.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 38" from waist to front hem, 43.5 to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4038
Reference Photo: Fall 2011 Christian Dior Lookbook.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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I have had black & ivory versions of this Ossie Clark for Radley dress in the shop before and was happy to find this one in its soft burgundy wine colour. This is one of Ossie's most famous and recognizable designs. Its twin in a black colour is held in the Victorian and Albert Museum. The caption on their dress reads: "This dress has the simple, flattering lines of a classic Ossie Clark design. Its flowing silhouette, waist-tie and deep décolletage suited women of most shapes and sizes. This style was very successful when the Radley label produced it. Radley made it in printed fabrics as well as a range of coloured crêpes." The history behind this label is fascinating. In 1968 Ossie Clark was designing his own couture line and also designing pieces for Alice Pollock for her Quorum Boutique. The Radley company approached Alice to find out of she could convince Ossie to design a top of the market collection that they would produce and sell to various boutiques and department stores. He said yes and dresses like this were the result of that collaboration. These early 'ready to wear' pieces were never produced in vast quantities making them a collectible and valued part of Ossie's history. I absolutely love this one.
The design of this dress is said to have been based loosely on a graduation gown and then he combined that with the flow and drape that he was known for. His signature sexuality that he worked into his pieces is displayed in that ultra low front plunge. That plunge deepens into a deep V that is cut right down to the seam at the empire waist. An attached tie wraps around and ties to give you some the shape and it keeps the plunge from moving. The skirt flows from under the front gathers set under the base of the neckline. At the back it falls from under the shoulder yoking. It cascades to the ground from there and is balanced by the wide cut sleeves. This dress is made from his signature moss crepe and this fabric has beautiful movement. It is also in its original supermodel length. I own one of these myself and it will always have a place in my own personal collection. I can tell you from personal experience that it is a dress that you will wear over and over and easily goes from day to night. I have included some past shots of me wearing my own black one so you can see how easy it is to wear. Great condition with a note below.
Unlined and slips over the head to wear with attached ties at the waist. Soft padding in each shoulder. There is a soft variation in colour throughout the dress. I wonder if it was re-dyed at some point as it does seem to be darker where the fabric is gathered or doubled. The hem has some scruffiness to it and there is some very minor pilling tot the inside of the sleeves and inner hem. A slight hint of over-pressing on the seem at the base of the yoke. This all gives the dress a slight intentional distressed feel that works. I have priced it lower then I have others in the past by quite a bit as it is perfectly wearable and actually looks great on because these are all minor. The flowing silhouette, waist tie and deep decolletage should work a variety of figures and sizes.
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: no true seam"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 62" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD4037
Reference Photos: (1) 1974-76 Ossie Clark Dress from the V&A Collection (2 & 3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This is the cutest dress and it still has its original hang tags and was never worn. It is the perfect easy little summer dress and still feels relevant and fresh. It is made out of a cotton mix done in a gorgeous muted red. Onto that is a soft print of flowers and leafs. I love how the fabric has been done so that it has a vintage feel to it. It would not be hard to imagine finding a dress with this same print and color in it in a thirties piece. The dress is cut to skim over the bodice and dips down on one side to leave your shoulder and arm completely bare. On the other side it is gathered at the top of the shoulder and then the sleeve poufs out from there ending with an elastic so that is is super comfortable on the arm. The waist is seamed and then the skirt has the illusion of being wrapped in place around you. I love how the hem curves up on the side to play into that wrapped feel. The edge of the hem of the skirt is finished in a blue embroidery with little cut outs. So sweet. It was never worn. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a soft red cotton and closes with a hidden set side zipper. Elastic on the one sleeve. Tagged a modern 44.
Sleeve: 15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 23" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD4034
Reference Photos: Isabel Marant Esther Dress, sources unknown.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This is the prettiest Marni dress from the days when founder Consuelo Castiglioni was the head of the company still and was acting Creative Director. The brand launched in 1994 and quickly became known for it innovative prints and the way she mixed and matched colors. This is classic Marni from this time period and one of the prettiest dresses from the brand that I have seen. It is easy to wear piece and that bright vivid blue and white floral block print make it the perfect dress for summer. The bodice is cut to skim over you and it has a notched front under a scooped neckline. The waist is just gently nipped in and then you can cinch it in further with the attached braided cord / rope belt. Where the rope pulls through the front it is gathered and this adds some of the volume that you see above and below the waist. Using cord for the belt is a classic quirky Marni touch that gives it a nod to a nautical theme too. The skirt falls under that from the subtle pleating worked around the front as mentioned above, gradually widening out as it nears the hem. The subtle volume it has from the front pleats and the fabric choice are another signature Marni touch from this time period. The fabric is a crisp cotton that feels like it has a slight coating that helps to hold the shape. It is very easy-to-wear and travel with and is a great example of her work during this time period. Plus it has a hidden pocket on one hip. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition
Unlined and closes with a hidden set side zipper. One pocket along the ship on the side opposite to the zipper. The waist is adjustable with the belt. Tagged a Marni 42
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 40.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4031
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This dress was designed by Belgian-born Jules-Francois Crahay, who headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984. He has been noted as one of fashion’s 'great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugely desirable and influential.' His time at the Lanvin label is one of my personal favourites for the house. I especially love the his work during the period through the late sixties and into the early 1970s. He was a genius at print and colour and he pushed the envelope in terms of using cutting edge fabrics available during this time period. This dress dates to the early to mid 1970s and it is fabulous. He really did mix colour and print like no other and I think this is a stunning example of his work. I love when I find great examples of this label from this time period.
This Lanvin dress is gorgeous. I am in absolute love with it. The dress has a very unusual but gorgeous colour and print combination. The fabric feels like a cotton silk mix and has a bit of a texture to it that adds to the depth of the pattern. It is light in weight so very easy to wear and it holds the colours exceptionally well. The colors are still crisp, bright and true. The dress has these insanely fabulous very full sleeves. The pouf out from the shoulders and end in an elastic cuff. The neckline is scooped at both the front and the back. Under that the bodice is cut to just skim over you. The waist has an easy and full cut. The dress has its original matching tie belt so that you can cinch it in and add as much shape as you wish. The main print on the bodice is the striped pattern that you see. It zips down the back and I think it's amazing how the pattern at the back has been set so that it doesn't break in an awkward kind of way. From under the waist the skirt falls to the floor and it widens as it nears the hem. There is a surprising amount of fabric on the skirt and it moves beautifully when you move. The skirt is this amazing explosion of a floral print that runs all the way to the hem. You have two completely contrasting patterns but it somehow manages to work. He cleverly uses the same colours and between how be placed the colours and using the tie belt to bring it all together it somehow magically works. The final result is spectacular and it is an instantly recognizable piece of his work. Rarely do you see someone able to mix stripes, floral and all those colours all on one piece and have it somehow work and be as beautiful as this piece is. This one also has a numbered tag which in this case means that it was probably from the main ready to wear collection or a special order. Excellent condition
Unlined and closes with a back painted metal zipper. Comes with its original ties belt. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
Sleeves: approx 17" and meant to pouf up when on
Shoulder: no true defined seam
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam and can be cinched with the tie belt
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Skirt: 42.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD4033
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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In 1970 Bill Blass was working for the Maurice Rentner label and he had the opportunity to buy the company. He did and once it was his, he re-launched it under his own name and history was made. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of the American designers. He mixed simple styles with luxurious materials and his clients loved it. His evening was spectacular and yet always flattering. He knew how to walk that line perfectly. This is a gorgeous example of his work from this time period. I actually have had and sold a paler taupe version of this dress and can attest that its a great dress and easy to wear.
This is such an easy to wear and gorgeous dress. The red silk crepe that it is made out of is the perfect choice for it to drape perfectly over you while still having just enough weight so that it falls properly over the body. The cut is simple yet still has impact and that red colour is perfect. The interior of the bodice is has a concealed inner panel that closes with its own zipper and is lightly boned. This inner structure is meant to support the bust so you can go completely bare underneath if you wish to. Straps made from the same fabric extend from the center of the bust and curve up to tie behind the neck. The dress drapes down and around you in two layers stacked on top of each other. The inner layer falls to the floor and has a slit up the center for a bit of leg to show when you walk or move. Over that the top layer is set to gather in towards the center at the top and then it splits and curves down and around to the hem falling to a longer length at the back. It is simple, sexy and perfect. Excellent condition
The bust has a full built in inner corset that is lightly boned and closes with its own front set zipper. The dress zips to close over that with a front hidden set zipper over that. The straps tie behind the neck and the ends are weighted. Hand finishes. You could have the inner bust piece expanded and made bigger if needed as the overlay is quite generous.
Inner bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: approx 57" from neck to hem
Front slit: 16" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4028
Reference Photos: Fall 1994 Bill Blass Runway.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Natalie Costantinidou's about page on her label's site, recently relaunched under the label Natali, states that 'studied fashion design and pattern making at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York city while working under designer Geoffrey Beene' she launched her first collection in 2007.Her official self named label then launched in 2012. By 2014 she was lauded as one of the young designers to watch. This dress was from the Resort 2015 collection and when we found street style photos of Natalie Joos in a lighter denim version the owner told me that those photos were the reason why she hunted down and bought the dress. She never ended up wearing the dress so it is still in perfect off the rack condition with its original hang tag still attached.
The dress is so easy to wear and chic. It is made out of a light weight darker denim that has just a touch of stretch in it so that it is incredibly comfortable on the body. It is sleeveless and the bodice is cut to be worm more fitted. The waist is banded for shape and then the skirt falls to the floor from there. The skirt is cut on a sharp A-line which gives it a ton of volume and movement when you move. It zips up the back with a hidden set zipper and then the from has that fantastic lace detail. The lace is done in two separate sections, one for the top and one for the bottom. It is all functional which allows you to open or close the opening to get the look you want and show more or less skin through the laces. The bodice plunges for a bit of skin to show. The bottom laces end well above the hem for a flash of leg to show when you walk or sit. It is a great dress and easy to wear. Excellent condition.
Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The laces at the front are functional so can be adjusted for fit. New with original hang tag. Tagged a modern S
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam and can be opened a bit more with the lacing
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to top seam at waist
Skirt: 46" from waist to hem and including the 2.5" band at the waist
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4023
Reference Photos: (1-2) Natalie Constantinidou Resort 2015.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
mollie parnis
Incredible 1970-1972 Mollie Parnis Blue Sequin on Silk Chiffon Caftan Dress w Wide Sleeves
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Mollie Parnis is one of my favorite American designers. She was known for having dressed numerous first ladies and her dresses regularly appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. She started a label with her husband in 1933 called Parnis Livingston Inc. and she quickly became know for her quality, fit and use of very good fabrics. She had a particular talent in dressing woman of every age and designed pieces that suited her older clients in a time when this was not a focus. Her husband died in 1962 forcing the label to shutter but she re-grouped and re-opened three months later under her own Mollie Parnis label. In 1970s she launched a ready to wear line hiring designer Morty Sussman to do the initial designs and then approved everything he did before it went into production. His name eventually went on the labels so this dress is from the very early part of that arrangement.
This is a gorgeous dress that is densely covered with glossy blue sequins with the occasional silver one thrown in for added sparkle. It is beautifully made. The outer layer of the dress is made from the deep blue chiffon that is then covered with the sequins from top to bottom. This allows the dress to catch the light from every angle. The cut of the dress is easy to wear. It has a high collar at the front and then falls outwards from there on a dramatic sweep of fabric to the floor. It is cut supermodel long in length and the wide and easy cut should work an a variety of frames. It has a very glamorous caftan dress feel to it that is just fabulous. All those many yards of fabric give it this incredible movement when you move. It is really beautiful once on the body. The fabric is very fine and light so once on it feels almost weightless. The interior dress has a purpley inner rayon lining and then that is covered in a layer of the same blue chiffon at the outer sequinned layer. This gives the dress extra depth as you see the under-layer through the outer layer. It also adds some structure to help hold the volume of the dress. The skirt flows to the floor and it has a light and airy feel despite the extensive sequin work. I love the sleeves. Each is cut long and have not been lined so that you get a glimpse of skin through them. They fall from the shoulder and widen out quite a bit by the time they reach their ends. They mimic the shape of the widening of the skirt and add yet another light and airy element to the dress. It is just gorgeous and even better on an actual body. Excellent condition with a minor note below.
Fully lined as described above. It closes with a back zipper and hook & eye at the back neck. I see a tiny amount of sequins missing along the side of the neck. Perhaps the occasional here and there. Please see the photo after the label shot. There is discoloration / fading to the lining under the arms which you of course cannot see from the exterior.
Sleeves: approx 25"
Shoulders: no true shoulder seams
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam of the inner dress
Waist-hips: open
Length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem
Upper arm: 15-16" around
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD4024
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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In 1951, 27 year old James Galanos launched his first label called Galanos Originals. By 1954 he had won a Coty award and the Neiman Marcus award. By 1958 he was producing clothing that could range in price from $200 to $3000, an astronomical price for ready-to-wear for that time period. That said, his ready-to-wear line was made to almost true couture standards and piece in it were made with a level of craftsmanship that was on par with the French couturiers. Galanos was a master cutter and draper and he used many couture techniques in the construction of his dresses and other pieces. Grace Kelly was an early fan and he was truly one of the great American designers. His work is held in all of the major museums around the world and he is one of my personal favourite designers. This dress is just a beauty and I love the bold colour combination
I love this dress. The color combination is fabulous together and the silk chiffon is a stunning quality. The dress is made out of several layers of that silk chiffon. This is something that Galanos excelled at. It is very difficult to work with this fabric and have it lie properly. The skirt is really where you see his genius. It is made out of four layers of the pink chiffon with each layer stacked perfectly over the one beneath it. The layers are attached at the side seam and the waist only so that the hem has the full movement created by the four layers. This is what gives the dress movement when you move. The top is also made out of layers of the silk so that it is opaque enough to wear. The waist and the neckline are both finished with elastic so that it is very comfortable on. The top is suspended by two tiny pink straps that curve over the shoulder. Because of the elastic you can easily tuck those in and wear this as a strapless piece if you wanted. To finish the look he has set a panel of moss green silk chiffon on both the front and the back of the skirt. This is attached around the waist with the sides left open down the full length of panels so the pink shows from underneath. The dress has a matching green silk chiffon short sash that you can use to cinch the waist for added shape or use around the neck or as a head wrap. Pockets along each hip. It is beautifully made and feather light. As with most silk chiffon pieces it really will only truly come to life when on an actually body. It is so pretty. Excellent condition with a small note below.
The layers of silk make it opaque enough to wear. It closes with a hand set side zipper. Elastic at the waist and neckline. Pockets on each hip. Hand rolled edges and hand finishes throughout. A faint mark in the silk at the waist and a tiny area of thinning on one side of the sash. Please see the last two photos after the label shot. The elastic should allow it to fit a range of sizes
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16"
Skirt: 41" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD1199
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Zandra Rhodes is one of my favorite designers and it is always a treat to have one of her pieces for you. This is an incredible cut velvet fabric that she has had custom made with one of her own proprietary designs. It gives it that incredible Zandra Rhode touch while hearkening back to the decadence of the twenties in feel.
The fabric on this dress is just stunning. It is a cut fused velvet in a chiffon with one of her signature designs made from the velvet parts. The velvet is in a rich deep burgundy red colour that catches the light beautifully. This is fused onto a black chiffon base and the contrast between the two is fabulous. The chiffon parts are partially transparent so you get a sense of that but the dress is but it is also line in black so that it is not completely see-through. The addition of the velvet gives the dress an incredible sensual feel and it feels wonderful when on the body. It is cut in an easy to wear and flattering cut. It simply skims over the body past the bust to the loose and easy cut waist. It skims over the hip and gently widens out as it nears the hem. The bodice has extra detailing across the front with hand applied sequin and beads. The sleeves are unlined and are cut to be wide and full to just about the elbow. Each sleeve is open along the inner seam and the edges slightly overlap so that when you move they have incredible movement. The end of each sleeve is finished beads and sequins. At the wide cut neck there is a panel of silk that is gathered with beads for the perfect finishing detail. The dress appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition
The dress is fully lined in a black silky rayon and it closes with a back zipper. The bead and sequin work detailing are hand applied. This came from the estate of a very good Zandra Rhodes client and was most likely a custom/direct order.
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 19" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15.5" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Length: 53.5" from shoulder to longest points on the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3528
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
Glamorous 1976 Loris Azzaro Couture Strapless Metallic Gold Sequin & Silk Satin Dress
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Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate fabrics 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 the mid-seventies period. An all sequin version of the dress was worn by the French-italian singer Dalida that same year. This is a label that I really love and am always happy to find pieces of.
This is a killer dress. It is one that will come to life even more once it is on an actual body and I hope the photos convey just how fabulous it is. Because in person it will be even better. The bodice of the dress has a sculpted feel to it that is incredible. The bodice is strapless and is seamed to be fitted and shaped around you. The top edge is curved into a modified sweetheart that plunges in the middle and the cups are sculpted for shape. Inside the bust there is one of his signature built in bras that is cupped and has light boning inside to help hold the shape and curves. The entire bodice is covered in overlapping gold sequins that catch the light from every angle. It nips in at the waist and then the skirt under that curves around your hips and the falls to the floor gently widening out as it nears the hem. The skirt is made of an ivory silk charmeuse and has a beautiful drape to it. At the back it is slit up the center quite high so that you see a flash of leg as you walk away. The dress is wonderfully made. It is a stunning dress and you will definitely turn heads in it when you walk into the room. It is a dress that is glamorous and red carpet worthy. It would 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 big event. Excellent condition.
The bodice has a built in bra as shows and the rest of it is unlined. The skirt is lined in an ivory silk. It closes with two zippers at the back. One for the bodice and another for the skirt. It looks to have never been worn or worn very little.
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam with a B-small C cup
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from top of peak to bottom seam of bodice
Skirt: 44.5" from bottom seam of bodice to the hem
Slit: 26" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4016
Reference Photo: Dalida, wearing Azzaro, 1976.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
john anthony
Fabulous 1980s John Anthony Couture Pink & Bronze Fully Sequinned Strapless Dress & Matching Jacket
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John Anthony is an award-winning American fashion designer best known for simple, elegant clothing with a strong sense of chic. His work veers towards minimalism, with sharp tailoring, striking evening wear being his signature. He is renowned for his cutting and tailoring. From the day that he launched his atelier in 1971 his design philosophy is a fusion of function and purpose. The function is his logical, wearable approach; the purpose, his pared-down ideas. As a designer, he considers it his job to make things easy for the customer. He designs with focus and a narrow palette for both day and night, so items can easily intermingle. He uses natural fabrics and is noted for contradictory daywear fabrics in his evening collections. In the early 70’s he was one of the first designers to promote the idea of easy-to-travel clothes that resist wrinkling. By 1976, he was showing soft, liquid separates in muted colours that became his trademark and received 2 Coty awards, one in 1972 and one in 1976, as recognition. His business was all done on a made to order basis. That means the majority of pieces you will find are a one-off, or if there are similar pieces, very few of each piece exist. This personal attention to each dress is clearly seen in the workmanship of his pieces. His work is very expensive and beaded pieces did, and still do, retail for over $10,000. His work is a personal favourite of mine and I am thrilled to begin to offer this second round of a dozen exclusive pieces and samples that John pulled from his own archives
I love that both of the pieces in this dress set are strong enough to stand on their own which means you can wear them together as intended or you can mix and match them with pieces you already have in your closet. Both are amazing and both are densely sequinned with every inch of the surface covered. The jacket has a beautiful cit with string shoulders and it is meant to be more fitted through the body. The shoulders are padded for shape and the sleeves each end in an upturned cuff. The waist is brought in and shaped with vertical seaming and then the hips flare out just a touch. Flap pockets sit on each hip for added shape and detail. It closes down the front with a series of hidden hook & eye so that you don't break the lines of those beautiful sequins. The sequins completely cover the silk that the jacket is made from and are set on overlapping rows/ Setting sequins this way is far more costly and time consuming. The sequins combine a pink taupe with a deeper bronze and John has uses the two colours to highlight the back and front collar of the jacket and create a degrade effect with the sequins deepening in colour as they move down to the hem. Under that is a sexy little strapless dress. The dress is cut to hug and highlight every curve of your body. It is covered int he same sequin work as the jacket and he has also done a degrade colour so that the sequins are darker as they near the hem. When worn together this creates this beautiful line and when worn separately it adds a subtle detailing that is gorgeous. Those hundreds of thousands of sequins give the set a stunning shimmer and allow it to catch the light from every angle. Hand finished throughout and just a stunning set to see in person. Far better on the body then how it photoed. Made to demi-couture standards. Excellent condition with a minor note below.
Both pieces are dress is hand lined in silk. The dress closes with a hand set back zipper. The bodice has light boning and slight built in hidden padding on the bust. Interior waist stay hooks to close. The jacket hooks to close down the front as described above. Padding in each shoulder. I see some scuffing to the silk one the inner lining of the jacket where the sequins of the dress have rubbed on it. It looks like the silk lining of the jacket was reset at some point along the hem. Please see the last photo after the label shot. This is minor and of course cannot be seen when on.
Dress
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27.5" from top of bodice to hem
Jacket
Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 21" from neck to hem, including the feathers
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4006
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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I absolutely love the cut of this dress. It is made out of a beautiful pink chiffon that is that perfect shade that is on the runways this season, especially at Valentino. The chiffon gives it just enough structure to hold the shape but where it is a single layer like the sleeves - it can billow out and be soft and airy in feel. That fabric choice mixed with the spectacular colour and soft billowing cut is just stunning. The bodice is heavily draped on an angle on both the front and back. Both sides plunge to a V with the back V dipping right to the band at the back. The gathers are set to angle in towards the waist and cross over themselves to make an X design. This adds to the shape and becomes a design detail on its own. It skims over the bust and is shaped a bit through the waist and then the sides drape down and over the top of the hips. The skirt falls from under the gathers and is very light and full. It flows to just past the knee depending on your height and falls in a cascade that has yards of fabric in it. When you stand still it widens out slightly as you near the hem and when you move it wafts around you as the air picks up the chiffon. The sleeves are unlined and are cut to be extremely full and wide so that they billow out above each cuff. The dress has a fantastic romantic, pretty and light feel, but is still sexy and beautiful. Excellent condition.
The bodice and skirt are fully lined in a deeper fuchsia pink silk rayon and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a low set back painted metal zipper. Each cuff has hidden snaps to close.
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: approx 15"
Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: open
Length: 48" from shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3995
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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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 floral prints and when I find pieces with one of her florals and butterflies I am very happy. I feel that pieces like this are among the very best representations of her work.
I love whenever I get a fabulous Hanae dress into the shop. I especially love her jersey pieces when I find them. They are so chic. They are also very easy to wear and travel with. This one is a real beauty. It is made out of one of her signature floral prints with butterflies mixed in. That is screened over a wash and wear jersey fabric. This jersey fabric choice give the dress its perfect drape and fit. Each of her flower prints were custom designed and this one is one of the best I have had with its gorgeous pops of green. The colour palette is a beautiful mix of green and white on the black and then the flowers and butterflies give it pops of pink and blue. The print runs over the entire dress and is very pretty. At the front the bodice plunges and crosses over itself for a bit of skin to show. Each amazing sleeve is cut to pouf and balloon out over the cuff with extra fullness over the wrists. It skims over the waist with a an easy cut and then the skirt falls to the floor, gently flaring out as it nears the hem. It is cut super model long and it is a beauty. Excellent condition.
Unlined and closes with a back metal and nylon zipper. Each sleeve snaps to close on the cuff. Tagged a vintage 10 and the fabric has stretch. The measurements below are the comfortable range laying flat
Sleeves: 26"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 16"
Bust: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from neck to hem with another two inches turned up at the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD3992
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by using ornate fabrics 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 the mid-seventies period. This is a label that I really love and am always happy to find pieces of.
This is a killer dress. It is one that will come to life even more once it is on an actual body and I hope the photos convey just how fabulous it is. Because in person it will be even better. The dress is made from a incredible black knit that has a pattern knitted into it. The design runs in rows over the body of the dress in soft edged zig zags stacked on top of each other in rows. One row is made from an outline of a metallic gold thread that has a metallic green inside that edges and then the other rows are a silver thread with a metallic blue inside. These are set back and forth and stacked from the shoulder to hem. The metallic of the thread picks up the light in a subtle kind of way so that it glints from every angle. The dress has a bias cut feel but is lined so actually has more structured to it then it looks at first glance. This allows it to skim over your body and highlight your curves without being super fitted and tight. The neckline is high with a flipped over collar and the sleeves are long. The dress skims over your bust and just slightly comes in at the waist and then glides over the hips. The skirt under that is supermodel long and widens out as it nears the floor. This allows it to move when you walk and the length there creates this beautiful long line. It brings all the emphasis to the curves of your body above. If there was ever a dress that needed a body inside of it to bring it to life, this is it. It is stupendous once on. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a brown silky rayon that is on the bias and it closes with a back set zipper. At some point the hem was dropped. I chose to leave it so it will work on someone very tall and if you are not it is an easy thing to have done so its your exact length. I can tack it up if you ask. The dress will stretch and the measurements below are the comfortable range laying flat. If you needed more room you could expand or change the lining as the outer dress has a ton of stretch
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 63" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3991
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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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 Pauline Trigere dress is extremely well made with a very high level of construction techniques. That alone makes it a fabulous piece for me. It is a joy to see dresses made to this fine level of workmanship. The dress is made from a matte black silk satin that has a rich luxurious feel to it. It has just enough weight to hold the intended shape that she wished for the dress The fabric has a slight sheen so catches the light beautifully and showcases those wonderful sculptural lines. The interior is constructed out of a fine black silk and the combination of the two silks makes the dress feel amazing once on. This double layer of silk also helps to give the gown the structure that you see. The neckline is extraordinary and I love the way it falls into that distinctive squared off shape. It skims over the bust and past the waist. It then curves out over over the hops where it starts to widen out tremendously. From there it falls to the floor in graceful curves of the silk. It falls with distinct curves created by clever seaming. As soon as I saw it on the dress form it reminded me of a more subdued version of the iconic Charles James clover dress and that way that skirt falls. All of the seaming is set vertically which makes the entire dress a more complicated task to piece together as the precision required is so much greater. The workmanship is exquisite and to demi-couture standards. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a fine black silk and closes with a back zipper. Hand finishes throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 57" from waist to hem with 3" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3993
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This is a more recent piece by Maison Margiela designed by John Galliano for the label. It is from the Line 4 division which were pieces not shown on the runway. The label tell us this where is has the number 4 circled. The Line 4 was first introduced in 2004 as 'a wardrobe for women'. It was meant to cover the basics for women and was described as 'a personal approach to dress, fixed on taste rather than on a seasonal approach to design, or a particular age group.' The dress is gorgeous in its simplicity.
The colour is a clear bright red that has just a touch of a coral in it. The neckline is a high set curve and the edges are deliberately left raw and unfinished. The dress falls from there on a straight column widening out slightly as it nears the hem. An angled seam runs across the skirt and this is the only seaming detail on the dress. The sleeves are cut extra long and are meant to be bunched up on the arm to become their own design detail. The edges on these and the hem are also left raw. At the back you see the signature four corner stitches in white where the label is set on the interior. They are set onto garments like this deliberately “The four white stitches only appear on unlined garments. They were devised so as to, realistically and ideally, offer the option to those confronting the garments for the first time to react to their form and energy, and not just the idea of “brand” as expressed via a label.” is how the house has described their purpose and Margiela has also stated that “What most people consider as our logo – the four stitches in the back with the white label inside the garment – had in fact the opposite purpose: it was meant to be cut off so the garment would be without a label and logo!” It is a gorgeous dress in its own right and has that brilliant tailoring and innovation that the label is know for. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.
Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. Tagged a 38. The dress appears to have never been worn or worn very little. The fabric has some stretch.
Sleeves: 27.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16.5-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5-20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3988
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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I had this dress in the shop once before and was very happy to have it again. It is spectacular and one of my favourite pieces ever. William Travilla best known for dressing Marylin Monroe in eleven of her films and was an amazing designer. His career began in 1941 as a costume designer and he worked in theatre, film and TV up to 1969. During that time period he designed two of the most iconic dresses that Marylin ever wore. The famous white pleated dress from the "The Seven Year Itch" and the red sequin number in the 1953 film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". His success led him to launch his own label in 1957. He closed his label in 1970 and then re-opened it in Spain where he designed from 1977 to 1990 when he passed away. This dress is a gorgeous example of his work during the 1960s.
This dress is extraordinary. The workmanship in it is to a demi-couture level and the fabric is beautiful. It is a light weight silk chiffon with a print that mixes hues of pinks and corals. Then that silk has been covered in clear sequins. The sequins are laid out flat across the surface of the dress so that they catch the light and give it a liquid feel. The are clear so that you still get the impact of the colours underneath. Every inch of the dress is covered and there are yards of fabric in this dress. The top of the dress is made from triangle of fabric that sweep up and over the shoulders. The dress is so well made that you can actually get away with wearing it either way around. It is meant to be worn with the bow at the front. This option gives you slightly more coverage. But it will work the other way around as well. On both side the dress plunges right to the velvet ribbon at the empire waist. On what would traditionally be the back that plunge extends down and past the ribbon under the bust to leave an open triangle of skin showing below the waist. The triangles are slightly less wide on the back so if you wear it to the front it has a more bare feel. I have photoed the dress both ways for you to see. Each side also plunges right to the velvet ribbon so you get an open expanse of skin there as well. It is sensational. The interior is lined in a silk that has the same print as the exterior layer even though you would never see this once the dress is on. The lining is entirely hand set. Under the plunging halter the skirt falls to the floor widening out to be very full by the time it reaches the hem. The skirt feels even fuller in person and I think that as great as these photos are the dress is even better in person. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a printed crepe silk chiffon that is the same print as the exterior chiffon under the sequins. It closes at the front with a low zipper below the velvet banding and a series of hook & eye and snaps hidden under the front flat bow. Hand written inner tags marking the front and back. Hand finished through out. If you needed more room around the ribbon band you could extend it and create an open keyhole underneath lime how it is on the other side.
Bust: has no fixed side seams. Each halter at the front covers to approx 7": and the ones at the back cover to approx 4.5"
Band under the bust: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from top of bodice to bottom seam of velvet band
Skirt: 43,5" from bottom seam of velvet band to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD3989
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This Paganne jersey dress is the cutest little dress and it is a dream to wear. It is made from a simple synthetic stretch jersey that is wash and wear. This makes it the perfect travel dress. You can just throw it into a suitcase and it is ready to go at the other end. The jersey gives it a little stretch so that it is super comfortable to wear. It is cut in a straight and simple shift that skims over you from shoulder to hem. This means that the waist has a looser, easy cut. It skims over the hips from there and falls to just about the knees depending on your height. The sleeves are long and the neckline dips in a V. The print is gorgeous and covers the entire dress. The colour combination mixes shade of turquoise blue with pink and white and the print is set over the entire dress to highlight its lines. It is a great little dress and so easy to wear. Just slip it on, add fabulous flats or heels, and go. Excellent condition
Unlined and closes at the back with a metal and nylon zipper. The fabric is signed. The fabric does have some stretch.
Sleeves: 23.25"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 37" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3985
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Emanuel Ungaro launched his label in 1965 after working for both Balenciaga and Courreges. He was a brilliant designer who was known for his extravagant fabrics and flamboyant designs. He was very involved n the entire process and designed and oversaw the development of new fabrics to suit his needs. For him the design process always started with the fabric. His work always has a sense of exuberance and drama to it and he mixed fabric and prints with a master's eye. These super short fitted dresses with the strong shoulder and cut outs are instantly recognizable as being his work and this one is particularly amazing
The colour of this dress is fantastic and no matter how great it looks in the photos you will love it even more in person. It is made out of a deep teal silk that has a black floral print screened over its surface. The fabric has a slight sense of a metallic finish to it so it seems to glow from within and intensifies the teal colour. It is fantastic. The silk is light in weight and despite the elaborate construction of the dress is not at all heavy once it is on. Inside there is light boning through the bodice to give you support. Despite the lightness of the fabric the intended shape is held perfectly in place. The bodice is cut straight across at the front and the back. This is topped by a wide cut neck line and strong shoulders that are padded for shape. This creates this fabulous angled cut out on both sides for a sexy glimpse of skin. The sleeves are long and cut wider near the shoulder and narrow down to the wrist. It is elaborately gathered and fitted around the bust with hand placed and gathered folds. This gathering technique that emphasized the curves of the body were a signature of his and allowed him to really shaped his pieces. On this dress the gathers run from the bust right down and over the hips to the very short hem so that you get curves on curves. It is short, sexy and very Ungaro. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a back zipper and a button at the neck. A hidden set zipper at each wrist. The interior of the bodice is boned for support. Padding in each shoulder. Tagged a vintage Ungaro 10. It appears to have never been worn, or worn very little.
Sleeves: 24"
Slightly extended shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 30" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3986
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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Max Cohen is the man who launched the Mr Dino label and he is interesting for two specific things. He actually invented the machine that he used to screen the print onto the fabric of his pieces and he designed every print that you will ever see on one of his garments. I love that fact and it makes his pieces that much more interesting to look at. This dress is quite wonderful with its simple lines and an elaborate print that counteracts that simplicity. It is also made out of his signature, washable jersey fabric that is easy to wear, pack and travel with. The collar is high and the sleeves are long. It skims over your body in a simple shift with a loose and easy cut waist. The skirt is cut straight from there skimming over the hips to a few inches above the knee depending on your height. I love the bold turquoise print with its pops of yellow on an ivory backdrop. It is intricate and covers the entire dress. The pattern would have had to have been pre-thought out and laid out before by hand to achieve the look you see. Doing that allows the design and the color to showcase the different parts of the dress. It is gorgeous. Excellent condition
Unlined and closes at the back with a zipper. Washable fabric and the fabric has some stretch.
Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 36" from neck to hem
Neck: 14" around
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3987
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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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 silk chiffon 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 later work and it is gorgeous.
The dress is made from a black ribbon silk that has a red and taupe print running over parts of it. A gold metallic thread runs through the silk and follows the edges of the little rectangles that are woven into the fabric. These catch the light from every angle that you look at the dress from. The dress has an inner, more fitted dress, and then a panel of silk falls over that all around you. The dress is suspended from the shoulders from two tiny silk straps in the same fabric. The chiffon has a touch of transparency and she plays on this by backing the inner dress with a nude lining to give the illusion that under the caped part you are just wear a single layer of silk. The outer layer is attached around the neckline and meets at the front where it is slit up the center to allow movement. When the dress is on the outer layer of silk billows and moves around you when you move The dress comes with a matching extra long wide silk sash. I have showed a couple of ways it could be worn in these photos, around the inner waist and peaking out the front; around both layers; around the neck and as a shawl/cape. It is long enough that you could also wear it as a headpiece or turban. As pretty as it is on the dress form it really needs an actual body to fully come to life. It is gorgeous. Excellent condition
Fully lined with a nude silk chiffon and zips to close at the back. Hand finishes throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem
Scarf: just under 9 feet long x 21" wide
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3441
Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This dress only has its Gump's department store label but I am pretty certain it is an Oscar de Renta based on pieces I have had in the past. Gump's was based out of San Francisco and they did carry Oscar's work. The dress is priced based on how fabulous the dress is on its own right. It is rare to find such a stunning vintage velvet piece that still feels infinitely wearable and modern.
The dress is almost a caftan feeling piece that you can wear loose and easy or cinch it with a ribbon or belt. The fabric on this one is what takes center stage and it is absolutely beautiful. It is a fused silk velvet on a feather light weight black chiffon. Each little velvet bit of the pattern is edged with a gold eyelash metallic lame that has been pulled through the velvet to create an edge on each individual piece of the pattern. This catches the light from every angle and gives the dress this fantastic bit of a metallic feel. The velvet is this amazing gold toned coral colour that changes shades slightly as it runs over the dress. The pattern is laid out vertically in long curves with just a bit of the black chiffon showing through. It is unlined so you get a glimpse of skin showing through the chiffon parts. It is very light and fluid. To look at it you might think it is heavier but the weight is very light so it moves over you like a dream. The cut is very loose and easy and should fit a range of sizes. It is a simple open shape with a full and wide cut through the body. The fabric is bias cut so there is a lot more room in there then it seems at first glance. The neckline is scooped on both sides with a keyhole and button at the back. Each sleeve ends with elastic and that they are very full above that. It is supermodel long and you can change the shape by adding a ribbon like I did for these shots, or add a more structured belt, or wear it loose and easy so its more like a caftan. It is a great piece that is easy to wear and has lots of impact. It still has its Gump's hang tag and was never worn. Excellent condition
Unlined and slips on to wear with a button & loop at the back of the neck above a small keyhole. The fabric is light and easy to wear. Never worn. The loose cut should work on a range of sizes. I think if you are very tiny you could wear it off the shoulders too. The ribbon is not original to the dress but will be included. It is more a coral in person then the red some shots went to.
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 18-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 61" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG
Item# DD3984
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This Roberto Cavalli dress is from a more recent collection and is very pretty. It is an easy to wear piece and very flattering once on the body. The bias cut silk and chic leopard print make it easy to wear but still have high impact. The lines are simple and it has that perfect easy but sexy feel. It is made of two layers of chiffon and both layers are cut on the bias. Once it is on it moves with you. The dress is suspended from the shoulders by skinny straps in the same leopard. The front dips down into a V and the back is cut straight across to leave the upper back bare. It skims over your waist and hips and then falls to the floor, widening out as it nears the hem. The skirt is set into the body of the dress in a series of dropped angles which gives volume to the lower skirts. The back has a slight trained feel with more fabric at the back of the skirt. It is cut supermodel length long and it is one of the dresses that you just slip into and walk out feeling like a million bucks. The leopard print acts like a neutral in many ways and you can pair just about any colour with this to change up the look if it. It is an amazing print that works on almost any skin tone. Very sexy on. Excellent condition with a note below
Fully lined in a black chiffon and closes with a back hidden set zipper Tagged a M. There is a repair along on side of the hem and that side is slightly shorter the the other as a result. It is so long that if it was shortened you could not be able to tell and even if left it is not noticeable when on. Some of the seams seem to have been reinforced at some point.
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Under-bust" 14.75
Natural waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from top of shoulder to front hem and 67" to longest point of the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD3983
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This is a twist on that classic one shoulder jersey dress by Halston that I am always on the look out for. His one shoulder pieces are perhaps the most iconic of all of the Halston silhouettes and this is an interesting version on it. It is made from a very easy to care for light weight pleated jersey fabric. This fabric choice also makes it very easy to wear.
Halston was a master at this cut. There is a certain sexiness caused by the illusion of having the entire dress suspended by one hook at the shoulder. It gives the sense that undoing the ties would cause the entire dress to drop in a puddle around you (which it would). It is constructed from a single layer of synthetic jersey that has been pleated in tiny vertical knife pleats. It simply falls from the shoulder and skims over the body in a long sheath. The pleats let it fall in a column but expand when you move or sit so its insanely comfortable to wear. The dress ties into place at the shoulder with two ties that extend out from the piping that follows the neckline. The jersey cascades loosely down and over you from there for the ultimate Grecian goddess feel. It has a touch if transparency to it that adds to its sensuality. This is a classic dress by Halston that is perfect for traveling as it is wash and wear and will travel exceedingly well with little to no wrinkling. It is very easy to style too - a quick change of shoe takes it day to night in a snap. This one looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.
Slips on to wear and ties to close at the top of the shoulder. These will fit a variety of sizes since they are not cut to be super fitted and the jersey does have some stretch. Note the colour has a slightly more creamy ivory feel to it in person then how it photoed. The loose and easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes.
Bust: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hip: open
Length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem with a bit of adjustment with the ties at the shoulder
Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA
Item# DD3982
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This amazing piece is from the Valentino Intimo line which was their high end lingerie line. This is a lovely example of the work that was being done for this label. It would have been meant to be more of a hostess piece that you would wear while entertaining at home. Now a piece like this could be worn anywhere. The fabric is insane. It is a fixed voided velvet on a black chiffon which is then backed by a nude lingerie netting. Each little velvet bit of the pattern is edged with a bit of a black eyelash metallic lame that has been pulled through the velvet base to create an edge on each individual piece. This catches the light from every angle and gives the dress this fantastic bit of a flat metallic feel. The cut is extremely loose and easy. It is a simple open shape with wide sleeves and full and wide cut through the body. The neckline is a simple V edged in a black satin piping. Each sleeve ends in a wide band of black feathers that are the perfect little pop of drama. The feathers are very full and extravagant. I love the length and the side slits because you can wear it as a dress or layer it over soft loose pants for a more pajama evening set feel. You could easily belt this to add shape if you wished. It is a great piece that is easy to wear and has lots of impact. Has pockets on each hip. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition
Fully lined in a nude lingerie netting and slips on to wear. The fabric is light and easy to wear. Tagged a Large. The loose cut should work on a range of sizes
Sleeves: to 27" long including the feathers and from the dropped shoulder and 19" around the upper arm
Dropped shoulders: 21"
Bust: to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 27" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from neck to hem
Side slits: 14" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD3979
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This dress has lost its actual Ossie Clark label but the moss crepe label that remains is almost as famous as the Ossie one and firmly verifies the piece as being his work based on pieces from the Ossie Clark for Radley label that I have had in the shop many times. In 1968 Ossie Clark was designing his own couture line and also designing pieces for Alice Pollock for her Quorum Boutique. The Radley company approached Alice to find out of she could convince Ossie to design a top of the market collection that they would produce and sell to various boutiques and department stores. Dresses like this were the result of that collaboration. Even with this early version of 'ready to wear' the pieces that were made were still never produced in vast quantities and certainly nowhere near whet we think of today as RTW. as gar as quantities. This one is a very unusual Ossie twist on one of his classic designs and that makes it extra special. His designs transform once on the body and no matter how fabulous the dress looks like on the shots it is even better on an actual body.
The design of this dress reminds me of his classic 'graduation gown' in how it is loose and easy through the body but this version has a more filled in front then the plunging graduation dress design does. And it is also differentiated by the neckline that is edged with a panel on the same moss crepe fabric and that follows the front neckline. It has that incredible flow and drape that he was known for and it is so easy to wear. The neckline comes down and angles around its opening and then the dress falls from under that. It is set into the neckline with a series of flat pleats that open up at about the wast and fall freely to the floor. Attached ties on either side of the waist wraps around and tie to give you some the shape. The skirt flows from the front gathers under the neckline and at the back it begins right under the shoulder yoking with a long inverted pleat running down the center. It cascades to the ground and is balanced by the gorgeous sleeves. I love the capped shoulder on them with its nod to the previous century. The dress is made out of his signature moss crepe in an inky black. It is incredibly long and in its original supermodel uncut length. It is a dress that you will wear over and over and easily goes from day to night. Excellent condition.
Unlined and slips over the head to wear. It is narrow through the shoulders but generous through the body. Priced slightly lower then normal due to the lack of the actual Ossie label but absolutely and Ossie.
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: no defined seam but probably around a 13-14" max
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: open and can be defined by the attached tie
Hips: open
Length: 60" from shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD3980
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This is an incredibly set by Bob Mackie for a collaboration he did with the Blanche lingerie brand during the late seventies - early eighties time period. It still has all of its original tags attached and is in perfect condition. Rarely do I bring in lingerie pieces but this one was so fabulous that I could not resist it. It is also a bit of a rarity in the history of the brand which makes it that much more special.
The inner gown is made of a slinky lurex that has little gold dots printed over the fabric. The neckline is dipped very low at the front and the neckline is edge with a transparent netting. The netting is then detailed with a pattern done in a gold metallic thread. The back dips into another low V and the netting follows the edges of that as well, curving over the shoulders and down the back. Starting over the arms and around to the back is a black semi-transparent chiffon that is connected to the lower edge of the netted panel. This draped over your arms to make a caped sleeve and glides down the back for a stunning caped effect. Over this is a full and loose caftan feeling robe that is made of that same black chiffon as the caped detail on the inner piece. This outer piece is absolutely fantastic. The cuffs and the neckline have a dramatic feather finish. Each sleeve is cut wide and straight and there is more of that gold embroidered thread design on them. They both end in a huge feather cuff that drapes down on an angle making it feel even more full and wide then it is. Around the neck and running down the front to the waist is another long panel of feathers. It has that perfect Old Hollywood movie star feel. It is over the top, glamours and extravagant. Even though these were meant to be lingerie pieces, in our modern world you could wear either piece out as evening pieces. The robe in particular would make an amazing evening jacket. The set is new with all its original tags attached. Excellent condition.
Both pieces slip on to wear. The robe has ties at the front. Tagged a P (small) and the set has all its original tags. It's generous cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. The set has never been worn
Dress
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 56" from neck to hem
Robe
Sleeves: 32" to end of feathers
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 27" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Length: 58" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED and the robe will fit to a LRG
Item# DD3531
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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John Galliano went from Givenchy to Dior in October of 1996 and stayed there until he was dismissed in February of 2011. During John Galliano's years at the house of Christian Dior he arguably produced some of the most amazing bias cut dresses in the house's history. His work, especially the bias cut pieces that he did, have a feeling of the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and they are beautifully cut. They marry Old Hollywood with the minimalist spirit of the nineties and early 2000s and the results are stunning. This is an amazing example of his work from the Boutique line and it is gorgeous. I have included a photo of a picture from the main label runway that shows you how that same diamond shaped lace pattern detail was used in the main collection as well. It is always fascinating to see how an idea transfers from the various collections.
This dress is made from a combination of lace and a fine black silk that is cut completely on the bias. It is very beautiful. The signature bias cut that he often did allows the dress to skim and drape over the body so that is shows every curve but is not overly fitted. The seaming is highly reminiscent of the work you see from the twenties and thirties which became another of John's signatures. The fabric of the dress is a fine black silk that has a dot pattern woven through it. These are pieced together and laid out in a diamond pattern that runs over the entire dress. Set between each diamond of fabric is a wide black lace ribbon. This creates a stunning texture over the entire dress. The dress is suspended from two lace straps and then the bodice is a simple soft layer of the lace and silk. It glides over the body and then flares out as it reaches the hem. The widening of the hem is created by more of the diamonds panels being added around the dress. It is an incredible feat of patterning. Just under the bust is a little silk chiffon peplum that is edged with lace. This flares out around you for added shape. Then at the hem there is a panel of lace that is set under the bottom edge of the skirt. You only see this bit of lace peaking out when you walk, sit or move and it is like this delicious little secret. The back is a low V that leaves a bare expanse of skin to show. It is even better in person and on the body as the black in the photos does not fully convey the detail that you will see in real life and bias cut dress only truly comes to life when worn Depending on your height the dress will fall to the low calf to full length. Excellent condition
Unlined and cut on the bias. It slips on to wear with no closures. The bias cut should allow it to fit a variety of sizes. The length might come up when on depending on the size of the girl underneath since it is cut on the bias. Tagged a US8 FR40 GB12. The measurements given below are the comfortable stretch of the fabric laying flat. You might get a touch more when on an actual body.
Bust: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from shoulder to the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD3975
Reference Photo: Spring 2005 Christian Dior Runway, Look 44. Model: Nicole Trunfio.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This is a cute and easy to wear dress by Thakoon that looks like it was never worn. Thakoon launched his brand in September 2004 and this is a dress from very early on in his career. It is made from a scarf weight silk done in a bright coral orange. It is a very easy to wear piece with its loose and open cut through the body. You just slip it over the head and go. The sleeves are elbow length and finished with piping at the ends. The neckline is cut straight across so you have a little skin showing. It is cut loose and easy over the bust and through the waist. There is a bit of a gather at the front of the waist to add a touch of shape and then the skirt falls over that and widens out a touch as it nears the hem. When it is on the front comes up a touch. It is meant to be worn loose and easy and is super easy to wear. Great for day or evening. Just a fabulous dress when you want to have maximum comfort but still have that impact of colour. Excellent condition
Unlined and slips on to wear with a hidden set zipper at one side. Tagged a US 12. There is one tiny smudge dot of a mark on the back. Please see the final photo. You can barely even see it in the shot but I have included it anyway
Sleeves: 17"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 33" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3971
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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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 which this dress is from. This dress is also interesting as it is the obvious ready to wear version of two of the Haute Couture dresses presented that season. I have included the photos of those two runway shots here as it is always interesting to see the progression and translation of Couture to ready-to-wear.
The dress combines a gold toned silk skirt with a more fitted strapless bodice. The bodice on this one is so pretty. The base of it is a slightly off-white silk and then it has a machine embroidered applique that covers the entire bodice all the way around. Each flower of the pattern is an individual piece that has been applied by hand to cover the bust completely. They have been laid out flat beside each other and only the centers are sewn down onto the fabric so the petals sit off the fabric a bit to give it a touch of a 3D feel. The texture this adds is so pretty. The skirt is fabulous and full. The silk here has a woven texture to it and the colour is a gold wheat tone with a slight glowing feel to it. There is a lot of fabric in the skirt and it is set into the waist in soft folds so that it really has fullness and movement when you move. A big soft bow in the same silk as the skirt sits on an angle on one side of the waist. Very well made. Excellent condition with one note below
Fully interlined in a muted gold silk though the skirt and the bodice is lined in an ivory silk. Light boning in the bodice and an inner waist stay that hooks to close. It closes with a back hidden set zipper. There is a shadow of a mark in the silk under the flowers under each arm but the flowers cover it and they show no marks. Please see the two photos after the label shot
Bust: 17.5-8" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam and the inner waist stay hooks to fit a either a 26-27" waist, if you need the full 28" you can leave the stay undone or remove it
Hips: open
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to true inner waist
Skirt: 43.5" from true inner waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3973
Reference Photos: Spring 1994 Givenchy Haute Couture Runway Collection.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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I have only ever seen one other jumpsuit like this. It was a red version and it was sold at auction several years ago. It was dated to 1973 by the auction house which makes sens given the version of label in it. Barbara Hulanicki and her husband started out their company as a mail-order business. A chance bit of press on one particular dress ended up with that dress selling into the thousands. That gave them the capital and confidence to open their first shop in 1964. By the 1970s it had become a cultural phenomenon. They next expanded into the US and opened a shop within Bergdorf Goodman's in New York City. In 1973 they opened the Big Biba store on Kensington High Street. That store was an entire lifestyle concept store where everything in it was for sale. It was a huge and new concept for the time and unfortunately maybe too big an idea as the store closed it doors in September 1975 marking the end of an era for British fashion. Biba pieces were loved and worn to death by fans and the really really good pieces like this one are very hard to come by in this kind of condition. This is one of the best Biba pieces I have ever had.
The jumpsuit is made from a deep blue satin finish fabric. It is in its original length and the legs are supermodel length. It actually looks to have been worn very little which is almost miraculous with Biba pieces. Running over the entire jumpsuit is that fantastic pattern of a horse race with the horses and riders racing down a track. Scattered in and around that are little horseshoes. It is just wonderful. The cut is simple and easy but sexy. The front is two small halter cups that just cover the breasts. Straps extend out from that to tie around the back if the neck. The seams under the cups are curved and the rest of the jumpsuit falls from there. The waist is seamed but not super cinched in and then it skims over the hips. The legs are cut wide and full. They are a full 37" around at the hem. At the back the entire back is left bare below where it ties at the neck. It scoops down into a curve to the lower back. It is just an amazing piece. Excellent condition.
Unlined and has a low back zipper. It ties behind the neck. The pant hems have been let down at some point and are neatly finished with a serged hem. You can see the faintest line where they were turned up but I decided to leave it as it is still finished and then you can hem to your perfect length.
Bust: no true side seams but the front covers approx 15" across
Underbust: to just under 17" across
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15" from top of bodice to waist and adjustable with ties
Pants: 46" from waist to hem
Inseam: 35"
Gusset: 13.5"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD3967
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This is a gorgeous little jumpsuit. It has no label so who made it is a mystery but it is fabulous regardless. This is truly a piece that needs an actual body in it to come to life and my dress form is not doing it full justice. I love the colour combination with its shades of bright tropical blues mixed with a soft orange and then pops of black and white. The fabric is a crepe jersey that has a bit of a texture to it and holds the colour extremely well. It is as bright and crisp as the day it came off the rack. It has no sleeves and the bodice is meant to skim over you. The waist is loose and easy so it is very comfortable to wear and move in. The pants are very full and flare out in a gentle swoop of fabric as they fall to the floor. Each is a full 34" around at the bottom hem. At first glance it looks like a full length dress but as soon as you move you realize it is a jumpsuit. I love the addition of the gold cording that has a series of gold metal 'coins' dangling from it. These have been added around the collar and each arm opening. More of it circles the entire waist and because they are set so that they hang from the gold cording they make a pretty sound when you move. It is fantastic and even better in person. Excellent condition.
Unlined and closes with a back painted metal zipper. Each leg is a full 34" around the bottom hem. Hand finished throughout with ribbon edge finishes at the inner hem. There is a good 2.5" turned up under the hem of each leg if you meed more length. It looks to have been worn very little if at all.
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam with a B-C cup in room at the front
Waist: 15" when measured flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across the back from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13.5" from the neck to the waist seam
Pant length: 47" from waist to bottom hem
Inseam: 31"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# D637
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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This dress was designed by Belgian-born Jules-Francois Crahay, who headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984. He has been noted as one of fashion’s 'great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugely desirable and influential.' His time at the Lanvin label is one of my personal favourites for the house. I especially love the his work during the period through the late sixties and into the early 1970s. He was a genius at print and colour and he pushed the envelope in terms of using cutting edge fabrics available during this time period. This dress dates to the period between 1972 and 1975 and it is just exceptional. He really did mix colour and print like no other and I think this is a stunning example of his work. I love when I find great examples of this label from this time period.
This Lanvin dress is gorgeous. I am in absolute love with it. The dress has a very unusual but gorgeous colour and print combination. The wool challis fabric it is made of is light in weight and holds colour exceptionally well. The colors are still crisp, bright and true. The dress has little cap sleeves and the neckline plunges into a V at the front and crosses over itself. The main print on the bodice is of florals and then that is edged with a striped pattern at the back and front. It zips down the back and I think it's amazing how the pattern at the back has been set so that it doesn't break in an awkward kind of way. The waist is cut with a loose and easy cut and on each side of the waist are attached ties that you can use to cinch it in a bit. Since they are attached at the sides you can tie them at the front as I have or at the back. The ties are printed with the floral print on one side and the stripes on the other. From under the waist the skirt falls to the floor and it widens as it nears the hem. A wide panel of the floral print runs down the center and around the hem. The rest of the skirt is a white dot on a soft brown backdrop. This is all achieved by the print having been screened onto the fabric and not pieced together. Which means that it was all pre-planned and figured out and that each dress made would have had to have been cut out specifically so that the design sits right over the dress. Incredible. The pattern that runs over the entire dress is spectacular and it is an instantly recognizable piece of his work. Rarely do you see someone able to mix stripes, floral and dots all on one piece and have it somehow work and be as beautiful as this piece is. Excellent condition
Unlined and closes with a back painted metal zipper. Attached ties at the waist as described above. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
Sleeves: 11" around the ends and 9" long
Shoulder: 15"
Bust: 18-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Skirt: 42.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3962
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
alexander mcqueen
Spectacular Pre-Fall 2016 Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton Black Nude Lace Dress
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This spectacular Alexander McQueen dress is from the Pre-fall 2016 collection. The presentation version was far more elaborate but I think I prefer this one. It allows you to really see the pattern on the lace and I think can be worn to more functions with its simpler more versatile feel. Vogue's Sarah Mower said in part of this collection; 'There’s a sensuous glamour emerging through Pre-Fall which seems to be hovering somewhere around the ’30s or ’40s. Sarah Burton has pinned it to a theme she called “thinking about a woman’s obsession with the possessions she treasures, like her jewelry and makeup, and the things she collects.” This Pre-Fall character is a properly elegant woman, with red lipstick and a penchant for feather chubbies and velvet ankle-strap platforms, who might reach into her extensive wardrobe and choose between any number of fragile, dramatic gowns for an evening out.' and the lace butterfly dresses were mentioned specifically; 'Well, it’s a delight when fashion can make you fantasize for a moment. Yet the fact is that Sarah Burton has steered this collection gently away from too much stylization. “It's quite feminine, and unconstructed,” is the way she puts it. The patterns of lipsticks, Fabergé eggs, butterflies, birds, and the McQueen skull motif appear as prints on silk dresses and on coats, as well as on the show-stopping embroidered sheer gowns.'
The dress is almost startling in its beauty. It is made from an inner taupey nude silk that acts as the backdrop for the black net lace that sits over it. This allows you to fully appreciate the pattern that is worked through the lace. From a distance it acts as an illusion that you are bare under the lace. The lace itself has large butterflies worked through it that are beautiful. Every line of the dress is perfection. It falls from the shoulder to follow the curve of your body. Seams worked through the dress create the shape that you see but they have taken great care to line up the pattern of the lace along each seam so that your eye is not broken and the pattern remains true as it trails across the dress. From the waist is falls in one long sheath to the floor widening out gently as it reaches the hem. At the back it has a large curved cut out that leaves you entire back bare and exposed. So when you walk away it has a very sensual and sexy feel. The sleeves are the final touch and they are fantastic. Each is unlined so that you see bare skin through the lace. They are cut high and peaked at the top of the shoulder with a little bit of tulle at the inner edge to hold their shape. It is spectacular and a wonderful example of Sarah's earlier work. It is a wonderful dress now and will be a collectible in the future. Excellent condition
Fully lined in silk as described above and closes with a low set hidden zipper at the back. Three button and loops behind the neck. Each cuff zippers to close. Tagged a modern McQueen 42.
Sleeves: 25"
Inset shoulders: 13" with natural shoulders approx 15"
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem
Neck: 14" around
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3964
Reference Photo: Pre-Fall 2016 Alexander McQueen Collection, Look 33.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.