The twin of this dress appears in the book on Thea Porter's work that accompanied the exhibit on her work. The photo appears on page 73. The caption in the book notes that "Claudia Bruce wearing a peasant style dress in a Persian paisley print combined with Damascus fabric and a leather and feather headdress. Greeks Street, London, 1969.". It is so rare to find runway photos of her shows and to have all this extra information is fantastic. 1969 is also an interesting year to note because it is the year that she started to sell her designs at Giorgio Beverly Hills. It was said that when word got out that Thea had new things in the Girorgio boutique, women ran to be able to get a piece for themselves, they sold out that fast. This is the only one I have ever seen like this outside of that book photo. Given her extremely limited run on certain pieces it may in fact be the only other one that was made and exists. It is truly a very special piece.

The dress is a fantastic combination of fabrics and this was something that Thea excelled at. She had the ability to source these fantastic antique fabrics and then mix and match them to put them together in a way that you had never seen done before. The front panel combines a floral and paisley print with beautiful detailing between. It runs down the front in a long rectangle shape and then she curved it over the shoulders and ran another panel of it down the back. The rest of the dress is made out of a clay coloured silk organza that has a beautiful pattern hand embroidered over its surface. A little chain of white embroidery runs through that pattern for a little bit of a pop. At the end of each sleeve there is an insert of the cotton fabric. This is set in a wide band all around the cuffs with these little points running up into the sleeve. The shape of the dress is easy and comfortable to wear. It skims over the body and flares out slightly as it reaches the hem. Slits run up each side so you get a flash of leg when you walk. Each sleeve is fantastic. Each is a full and voluminous balloon type sleeve that puffs up extravagantly around each wrist. The collar on the dress is perhaps the best part. A tie loops through the front part only and for most of the shots I have tied it enough so that it scoops like it does in the runway shot. However, you can loosen the front up and that allows you to push the dress down the shoulders to expose a full expanse of bare skin across the top of the shoulders. It is phenomenal. This is a very rare example of her work and most likely you will never see one again. Excellent condition.

Unlined and slips over the head to wear. The front collar can be adjusted with the tie as described above. Each cuff has a snap to close. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. There are little bits of blue dye on the front and back panel that looks like it has run a touch but I believe this is inherent to this fabric and this may have been like that since the day it was made. I do not think it is a flaw, but rather a result of the fact that the fabric was hand screened. Tagged a vintage Thea Porter UK 10. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes.

Sleeves: approx 15" and will come up a touch when the cuff is closed. Each upper arm is 13.75" around
Shoulders: no true defined scene
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 54.5" from top of shoulder to hem with 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4899

Reference Photos: Claudia Bruce for Thea Porter. Greek Street, London, 1969. (2) From the book Thea Porter: Bohemian Chic.

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

• This dress dates to 1970 based on the documentation that we found on the print.
• A rare example of the work that Thea Porter was producing during this time period.
• Knowing that the print was designed by Sandra Monroe, adds an extra layer to the history of the dress. The example of the print was sourced from the book on the Thea Porter's work that accompanied the exhibit on her work. Many of the examples in that book came from our archives.
• The neckline comes down in a V at the front and I love how the bodice on both sides has been created by the fabric being gathered into a diamond shaped pin tuck technique. That amazing hand stitched work curves up and over the shoulders and ends just on the other side of the top of the shoulders.
• Directly under that is a band in the same fabric that is cut on an upward curve to match the seams of the bust.
• The skirt flared out from under that and why them out as it near the hem. This may have been a full length dress at some point or it may not have been. Pieces were often altered and modified in the shop to suit the client or girls would change them afterwards.
• Either way it's an amazing mini now or could be worn as a tunic over pants or a skirt depending on your height and how daring you want to be.
• The sleeves are absolutely incredible. They come out from the waist area and widen out to be very full with a bit of a point to drop at their ends. I love the movement that this creates once it is on and how the sleeves only emphasize the length of the dress since they go just past the hem of the skirt.
• Whether you choose to wear this as a mini or tunic, it has that amazing easy to wear feel to it that her pieces so often have.
• This is an exceptional and rare example of her work. 
• The dress is fully lined in a blue silk and it closes with a back zipper. Some of the thread work on the inner seams of the lining on the skirt has disintegrated and I see some small repairs/marks to the inner lining here and there. None of this is seen once of course but mentioned for accuracy. One tiny repair near the seam of the arm.
• There is no size tag president so please go by the measurements listed below.
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 33.5" and are very full and open around the upper arm
Slightly dropped shoulders: to 16"
Bust: no true side seams
Waist: to 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam and then you can use the attached ties to cinch it in as much as you want.
Hips: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of bodice to V at waist, 15" to the seam under the band
Total length: 31" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5427

Reference Photos: Sandra Munro's 1970 textile design based on Samawa carpets from the book "Thea Porter: Bohemian Chic".

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

• This is a very rare Haute Couture Gres skirt and top hat from Spring 1974.
• It was made under the creative direction of Madame Gres.
• The documented to Spring 1974 was done through the sketch of it that we have added here.
• This is the exact set that was worn by Annabelle Wallis. I love that the photos of her show how beautiful this is once it is on. The movement even through the static photographs is phenomenal.
• Madame Gres' work has had profound effects on Haute Couture and her influence still resonates to this day. Her attention to detail, master draping techniques, and respect for the female form is unparalleled. She was known for designing and creating garments directly on her models and this became a signature of her work.
• She opened her first atelier, La Maison Alix in 1932. A partnership briefly changed the house's name to Alix Barton and then the label went to simply Alix. In 1942 she married, and the label made its last change to became Madame Gres, which was a partial anagram of Serge, her husband's first name. Her work spans over five full decades with the vast majority of it, with the exception of a short-lived RTW line begun in 1980, dedicated solely to creating Haute Couture. She is one of the greatest couturiers of our time and her pieces are very rare and hard to find.
• This Haute Couture set is exceptional. Both pieces are made from a bias cut silk jersey done in a perfect tropical sea blue that has a touch of turquoise to it. Silk jersey was one of her signature fabrics. The pleating detailing on the bodice of this set is one of her signature techniques.
• As with many of her pieces the cut and design of both pieces are simple and minimalist but with maximum impact.
• Tiny straps made from the same jersey curve over the shoulders. Under that is the incredible hand-pleated bandeau bodice. Two panels of pleated silk jersey curve around each and wrap behind you creating a curving pattern with openings between the curves all the way around.
• The silk jersey on the bands has been pleated entirely by hand with tiny little hand stitches hidden in the folds. 
• It is lightly boned inside and completely made by hand. You can see all the hand work in the photos where I have shown the back. It wraps and curves over itself at the back and closes with two hidden sets of hook and eye. 
• An expanse of bare skin sits between the top and the skirt. Depending on your height, the amount of skin shown between the skirt and top will vary.
• The skirt falls from the waist in a swoop of bias cut silk jersey that widens out as it nears the hem. There are yards and yards of jersey in the skirt. You really get an idea of that in the photos of Annabelle. It is quite exceptional.
• Every seam on the dress has been finished by hand. Working with a bias cut silk jersey in this manner is an incredible achievement that would have taken countless hours of handwork to complete.
• It is a work of art and very rare. It very well may be the only one that exists.
  
• The top is lined in a matching silk with all of the hand were clearly seen. It is lightly boned and hooks to close. The skirt hooks to close at the waist and then snaps under that. I see a bit of grubbiness on the inner lining of the top and on some of the edges of the top and the waistband of the skirt. There is the occasional tiny pull in the jersey. The straps have been reinforced. The hem of the skirt is deliberately raw. I see a couple tiny pinhead holes in the jersey of the skirt near the hem. There is so much fabric in the skirt that you would never see them but it is mentioned for accuracy. The dress is unlabelled. Both pieces are finished to Haute Couture standards and entirely made by hand. 
• There is no size tag is present because it is true Haute Couture so please go by the measurements below. 
• Excellent condition

Bandeau top
Bust: best fits a 32A or 32smallB or smaller
Bottom hem: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 13" from top of shoulder to bottom

Skirt
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD5425

Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1974 Madame Gres sketch from the Palais Galliera Collection.  /  (2-5) Annabelle Wallis in this set, 2024.

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.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# DD5397

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

• This set dates to the late 1970s and it was made under the Creative Direction of Oscar de la Renta.
• These sets 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. It is very rare to find the full set.
• In the late seventies and into the eighties this caftan/tunic and pant look 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.
• Oscar was a master with cut and colour and this set has both.
• Both pieces are made out of a fine silk that has a secondary floral pattern woven through the silk. Onto that is a design done in a matching silk cording.
• The tunic 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 of course it perfectly pops over the matching pants for a chic evening pajama feel.
• The silk is feather light and this lets it flows around you when you move or the slightest breeze hits it.
• For added detail he used a matching coral cord embroidery to edge the neck and then run down the front. There is more cording at each cuff.
• The tunic has long sleeves that taper down to the wrist slightly. The shoulders have a very light padding for shape and then it falls from there over the body 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.
• The pants have wide straight legs and an easy fit around the hip. The waist has a small band in the same silk.
  
• Unlined and the tunic buttons down the front and has decorative buttons at each cuff. Light padding in the shoulders. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. The colour has a slightly more pastel feel in person. There is one mark on the pant that is up toward the hip, so completely hidden when the tunic is worn over it. Please see the photo after the label shot.
• The pants are tagged a vintage ODLR 8
• Excellent condition 
  

Tunic
Sleeves: 23" long and are 12.5" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 50" from neck to hem
Slit: 29" from hem up

Pant
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Pant: 41/5" from waist to hem
Inseam: 29.5" and the gusset is 15.5" from the back waist to inner seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5389

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

• This is a very rare dress from the 1970s created by Holly Harp.
• Harp opened a shop LA in 1968 where she created custom clothing under the Holly's Harp label. When she started designing her clothing she tended to create her clothing out of a hodge-podge of new and old materials but once she opened her shop her designs became more slinky, and sexy. They began to reference the glamour of Old Hollywood and she preferred the bias cut feel of the 1930s.
• She had a huge following of Hollywood and Music stars; Liza Minelli, Diana Ross, Ali McGraw, Sally Field, Janis Joplin and Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane were all fans.
• This is a phenomenal dress from the early - mid 1970s and it is even better in person. The bias cut really needs a body in it to truly come to life.
• Dresses like this from her are impossible to find anymore. Her work is magical.
• The dress is made out of a bias cut black jersey that is light enough so that it drapes fantastically but also has enough weight so that it is opaque.
• The combination of the fabric and cut make it very easy and comfortable to wear.
• The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are set into the body of the dress starting off wide and then they narrow to a cuff at the wrist. This lets the fabric puff out slightly above each cuff.
• The neckline crosses over itself at the front and has long attached ties which tie around the waist for shape and to hold that front V perfectly in place.
• The dress skims over you all the way down the body to a low set seam under the waist. The dress ties at the waist and then that seam sits at the top of the hip.
• The skirt is fantastic and it is made out of two layers of the black jersey. This gives it the weight to fall in a smooth column when you stand still but also explodes with movement when you move. When you move it all moves around you and the lightness of the fabric makes it all feel incredibly easy on.
• The bodice has a second layer of the same fabric acting as the lining and the skirt is made of two layers of the jersey. It slips on to wear and crosses over itself at the front and ties. The fabric does have some stretch and I have put the comfortable range below.
• There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements below
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 26.5" and are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: approx 14-15"
Bust: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hip: 14-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to ties at the waist, 19" to the seam at the top of the hip
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD5375

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.