• This is a fantastically beautiful set from 1993.
• It was made under the creative direction of Domenico Solce and Stefano Gabbana.
• It has its three original pieces. There is a corset topped inner dress that ends at or just below the knee depending on your height. Over that is a white tulle over-skirt that falls to the floor and then there is a matching huge rectangle of white tulle that can be used as a full cathedral length veil.
• The inner dress has a slightly off-white silk corset style silk top. The sweetheart neckline is cut to highlight the bust and then it nips in to follow the body to the waist. All of the seaming is done vertically and pieced together all the way around you. Inside there is full boning and support to hold it perfectly around you.
• The corset curves to just over the top of the hips and then under that there are two layers of a white tulle that tops a ribbon edged silky rayon layer and an inner-most white layer that feels slightly stiffened. This makes the lower skirt full and also acts as the support when you add the outer skirt over it.
• The outer skirt is banded around the waist with a 3 inch panel in the same silk used over the corset. It curves over the top of your hips for a touch of added shape. Under that are multiple layers of tulle that give it the tremendous volume that you see. The very bottom hem of the top layer is finished in a band of pretty lace.
• The dress comes with a huge rectangle of the same tulle that both skirts are made out of. I have draped it over the top of the dress form so you can just how much of the fabric there is. It easily extends down and past the hem of the dress. Once pinned into place, or draped over your head, it can be worn as a full cathedral length veil. 
• I love the versatility of the two pieces since you can take the outer skirt off for dancing after the wedding. If you wanted it even more volume you could add another underskirt underneath.
• The inner dress is lined in the same silk as the outer corset and is boned and shaped. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. The skirt goes over that and closes with a button at the waistband a hidden sat back zipper under that. The veil is one large rectangle of matching tulle.
• Tagged a vintage D&G 42
• Excellent condition

Dress
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam and then it is open and full under that.
Bodice: 11.5" from top of bodice to seam just below natural waist
Total length: 35" from top of bodice to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 46" from waist to hem

Veil is just over 10 feet long x 9 feet wide

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5571

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 private custom order suit from the Fall 2016 Alta Moda "Naples" collection and was acquired directly from the Couture client. Alta Moda runway footage and Look Books are only available for those invited to the spectacular 3-day events held in different locations each season.
• It was made under the creative direction of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana
• This suit was a special order custom piece by my client and the original price was just over 45,000 euros. 
• This collection was inspired by Sophia Loren who was also the guest of honour at the show.
• Both pieces are made out of a hand woven tweed that has gold metallic thread woven through it in a thatched weave. The goal is more apparent when you see this in person. As you get closer, you realize that over top of the tweed there is a layer of a floral lace that floats over and creates a beautiful pattern on pattern effect.
• The lace pieces were all hand made individually to fit the part of the pattern that they were to be applied over top of. Inside the inner edges of the jacket there is a another panel of handmade lace that is done with a more dense weave so that it has a darker feel to it. It is all just extraordinary.
• The jacket has soft shoulders that have a slight peak at their tops. The sleeves are long and the lace covering them is their only detail. The body of the jacket is shaped around you with the waist nipped in for shape. A double row of handmade buttons runs down the front with hidden hand covered silk snaps set underneath to close the jacket. Each hip has a double flap to suggest pockets but these are decorative only and their purpose is to help shape the hip and add detail. The collar is soft with an extra band of the handmade lace applied around it to give it a touch of definition.
• The skirt has a wide grosgrain ribbon to cinch it in and it skims over the top of the hips. The lower skirt is added with and exposed top set seam attaching it to the upper part of the skirt. This lower piece is pleated so it opens up into a beautiful shape and a bit of a swing feel while still maintaining its structure.
• It is truly a work of art and showcases the very best of Dolce's craftsmanship.
• Both pieces are unlined and are entirely made by hand to Haute Couture standards. The jacket closes at the front as described above and the skirt has a back zipper. They have their appropriate Couture tags in place with a hand written tag behind. Both pieces appear to have been worn very little if at all.
• There is no size tag present since it is a couture piece so please go by the measurements listed below.
• Excellent condition

Jacket
Sleeves: 25.5" and are 12" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 24" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 24.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5510

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 limited edition piece from the Spring 2016 Dolce and Gabbana collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
• This amazing playsuit was only available as a special order piece. It was not a runway piece,but the embroidered magic mirror was a part of the runway show and we have included photos here for your reference.
• The level of detail on this piece is very in line with their Alta Moda work. All of the embroidered pieces were done separately and then hand applied to the dress. It is truly a work of art and showcases the very best of the DG workshops.
• The base fabric is a beautiful gold brocade that uses three different tones of gold applied in a slightly raised pattern on a mixed ivory and gold thread backdrop. The slight raising of the pattern gives it a beautiful tactile feel.
• Wide straps curve up and over each shoulder and the front bodice is cut and shaped in a nod to a corset. Seams curve down and into the waist and at the back there is an inset of a stretch corset fabric in black. This makes it easier to fit and offers a pretty contrast to the gold. Inside it is lightly boned and shaped for support around you.
• Embroidered black and gold cut out embellishments with gold sequin detailing have been applied onto and around the bodice. At the front they follow the dipping neckline and are set to extend off of the playsuit around the straps. At the sides they are set so that they actually sit up and off of the fabric as they curve around the sides. They continue around to the back towards the zipper at the centre.
• The waist is seamed and then the shorts curve out from there to skim over your hips. The legs are wide and each one is a full 28" around. I love that the way they are cut makes it feel like you are wearing an ultra mini at first glance but you have the security and ease of wearing shorts. Slant pockets sit at each hip.
• Set on an angle at the front is an embroidered and gold sequin mirror that says "who is the most beautiful" in script. This is the detail that was also seen on the runway for that season.
• The final perfect finishing detail is the little heart emblem at the neckline. It has a red velvet backdrop and DG in a metal font applied onto it.
• The playsuit is backed in a black silk through the bodice. It is lightly boned for shape and the shorts are lined in a black silk. It closes with a back zipper and the panel of black corset fabric across the back has a slight touch of stretch. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
• Tagged a Dolce and Gabbana 40
• Excellent condition

Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Shorts: 16" from waist to hem with a 3" inseam and a 17" gusset from waist to inner seam
Total length: 32" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Reference Photos: Fall 2016 Dolce & Gabbana.

Item# DD5329

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 special edition dress from 2012 and that same year its twin was worn by both Katy Perry and Sonam Kapoor. I love that this gives you the chance to see just how gorgeous this dress is once on and that it is a dress with incredible modern provenance given these two moments. Dolce and Gabbana launched in 1985 by founders Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana who still run the label to this day. After a shaky start in the first few years, by the 1990s, they had started to open their own boutiques and had become a force in fashion. In 1993 Madonna chose them for her 1993 Girlie Show tour and they gained world wide recognition. They are known for their dramatic designs that are heavily inspired by their Sicilian heritage. 

The dress is made out of a deep red velvet and that colour, combined with this fabric, gives it an extra depth and richness that it would not have in any other fabric choice. The top portion of the dress is treated in an almost corseted fashion. It is meant to be very fitted to the body. The bodice is peaked at the front and the velvet is placed over it to drape and wrap around the body in the most flattering way possible. Inside it is boned and shaped so that everything stays in place. The waist is cinched in and the illusion of a tiny waist is made even more so by the elaborate skirt that billows out all around you. The skirt is a work of art in itself. Layers and layers of net and tulle are built-in underneath that top velvet layer so that the volume you see in these photos is actually the volume that the dress has. You see that in the photos of Katie and Sonam as well. It is an extraordinary dress. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in red silk with boning and a cupped inner corset. Added layers under the skirt as described above. It closes with a back zipper and then the skirt snaps to close over that starting under the waist. The zipper pull was not present on the dress and we replaced it with twisted black rubber finished wire so you're able to zip the dress open and closed. Please see the photo after the shot of the label. Other than that one small detail, it appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a vintage DG 36

Bust: 13-15"" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of the peak on the bodice to waist
Total length: 38" from top of the peak on the bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD5016

Reference Photos: (1-3) Katy Perry at the premiere of 'Part Of Me', July 2012.  /  (4) Sonam Kapoor at Cannes, 2012.

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.

Dolce and Gabban launched in 1985 by founders Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana  who still run the label to this day. After a shaky start in the first few years, by the 1990s they they had started to open their own boutiques and had become a force in fashion. In 1993 Madonna chose them for her 1993 Girlie Show tour and they gained world wide recognition. They are known for their dramatic designs that are heavily inspired by their Sicilian heritage. This dress came to me from the same owner as the black 2008 one I just put in the shop and she told me it was purchased around the same time period. It is a dress that is incredibly beautiful. It would obviously make an amazing wedding piece for the bride looking to go the non-traditional route or as a part of a wedding weekend of events, but I think it is also a dress that could cross over and be worn to other events. We have found more history in this dress and you can see the story in our instagram by linking here. 

The dress is made from a pale nude silk tulle net that has a touch of a pink tine to it. This is then layered over inner layers of more tulle, lace netting and silk. The bodice is strapless and has a heavy application of cut out flowers added over the tulle all the way around you. They are placed to fall past the seam that sits under the bust and over onto the top of the tulle as it begins to flare out into that incredible top layer. As the dress moves down to the ham, you see more cut out flowers scattered over the entire dress. At the front, there is a cluster of soft silk chiffon flowers that add a beautiful detail. Small versions of these are also scattered over the top layer of the dress, all the way to the hem..This incredible treatment on the top layer of the dress really adds to the depth and texture of the dress. That entire top layer of tulle tents over the dress to create volume all the way around you and to sweep out behind you. Under those layers is an inner dress that has a dotted lace. I love the effect of this peeking out tulle. More layer sit under that. Besides the visual effect this creates, this technique of multiple layering also gives the dress some of its structure so that it holds the shape around you once on. The bodice is strapless and cut on a soft curve across the neckline. There is a built in boned corset on the inside for shape and to hold the dress in place on you. It curves in just slightly to skim over the waist and then curves back out for the hips. The top skirt is set to fall to the floor with all of the beautiful volume that you see in the photos. The top layer of the skirt gets progressively wider so that it is very full by the time it reaches the hem. The inner hem falls to the floor, but that top outer layer falls slightly longer all the way around you and then it sweeps out behind you. It is incredibly beautiful and romantic. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in a soft nude pink silk. The innermost layer of stretch silk goes to just above the knee. It closes with a back zipper and then the tulle layer snaps over that to hide the zipper. Inside the bodice is a cupped and boned corset. I see one vertical repair in the tulle of the skirt at the back otherwise it appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a Dolce & Gabbana 36

Bust: 13-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam with an approx A cup built into the front
Waist: 11-12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 5.5" from top of bodice to seam under the bust
Total length: 60" from top of bodice to front hem, 69" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD4955

Reference Photo: Kylie Minogue for her 2012 release of the single ‘Flower’.

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 fantastically beautiful set from 1993.
• It was made under the creative direction of Domenico Solce and Stefano Gabbana.
• It has its three original pieces. There is a corset topped inner dress that ends at or just below the knee depending on your height. Over that is a white tulle over-skirt that falls to the floor and then there is a matching huge rectangle of white tulle that can be used as a full cathedral length veil.
• The inner dress has a slightly off-white silk corset style silk top. The sweetheart neckline is cut to highlight the bust and then it nips in to follow the body to the waist. All of the seaming is done vertically and pieced together all the way around you. Inside there is full boning and support to hold it perfectly around you.
• The corset curves to just over the top of the hips and then under that there are two layers of a white tulle that tops a ribbon edged silky rayon layer and an inner-most white layer that feels slightly stiffened. This makes the lower skirt full and also acts as the support when you add the outer skirt over it.
• The outer skirt is banded around the waist with a 3 inch panel in the same silk used over the corset. It curves over the top of your hips for a touch of added shape. Under that are multiple layers of tulle that give it the tremendous volume that you see. The very bottom hem of the top layer is finished in a band of pretty lace.
• The dress comes with a huge rectangle of the same tulle that both skirts are made out of. I have draped it over the top of the dress form so you can just how much of the fabric there is. It easily extends down and past the hem of the dress. Once pinned into place, or draped over your head, it can be worn as a full cathedral length veil. 
• I love the versatility of the two pieces since you can take the outer skirt off for dancing after the wedding. If you wanted it even more volume you could add another underskirt underneath.
• The inner dress is lined in the same silk as the outer corset and is boned and shaped. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. The skirt goes over that and closes with a button at the waistband a hidden sat back zipper under that. The veil is one large rectangle of matching tulle.
• Tagged a vintage D&G 42
• Excellent condition

Dress
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam and then it is open and full under that.
Bodice: 11.5" from top of bodice to seam just below natural waist
Total length: 35" from top of bodice to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 46" from waist to hem

Veil is just over 10 feet long x 9 feet wide

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5571

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

• The dress dates to the early -mid 1990s (maybe the late 1980s).
• It was made under the creative direction of Azzedine Alaia.
• Azzedine Alaia pieces are always a delight to find. His knits were all self developed and are among the best out there. He started his career as a dressmakers assistant  and copied couture gowns for wealthy Tunisian clients. In 1957 he moved to Paris and worked for Christian Dior for a grand total of five days. He then moved to Guy Laroche and quietly started to get private commissions on the side. By 1960 he was doing mainly private work and within a few years established a small salon on the Left Bank where he continued designing privately. He stayed at that salon until 1984.
• During this time period he also did private freelance work for other designers including Claude Montana, Thierry Mugler and even Yves Saint Laurent. It was not until 1981 that he launched his first official collection and by 1983 he had a boutique in Beverley Hills. 
• The French Ministry of Culture honoured him with the Designer of the Year award in 1985. In 1993 he decided that the established fashion show schedule was not for him and he stopped producing a new collection every season. Instead he showed when his collections were ready and continued to do so until his death in 2017. 
• This is a fantastic example of his earlier work and is still in fantastic condition.
• The dress is made out of a ribbed cable knit fleece wool that has a small percentage of other components to help give it some stretch and support. This makes it sit beautifully over the body and hug your curves as his dresses are known for.
• The neck is scooped and slightly squared off at the front and the shoulders are soft. From there the sleeves extend out over the arm and then the cuff flares out. I love the change in the design of the knit for the cuffs to add a little unexpected detail.
• It skims over the bust and waist and then curves back out over the hips. The skirt starts just under the top of the hips and is cut short as it flares out around you. Many of his pieces had that bit of a skater skirt feel to them and this is a fabulous example of that.
• The skirt has a slightly more scalloped ribbing than the knit of the body and the very bottom of the skirt changes once more to match the finish of the cuffs.
• Hidden underneath the mini skirt is a pair of knit stretch boy shorts that snap into place underneath you.
• These inner built-in shorts were a famous detail in his dresses and made wearing such short pieces without the fear of being exposed when you moved.
• The dress is unlined with built-in shorts and closes with a hidden set back zipper. The shorts snap to close with three snaps. The knit does have some stretch and I have put the comfortable range when laying flat below.
• Tagged a vintage Alaia medium
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 27.5" and they are 11.5-14" around the upper arms
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 22" from top of shoulder to the seam at the top of the skirt
Total length: 34" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5564

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

• The dress is from the Fall 1993 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Azzedine Alaia.
• Azzedine Alaia pieces are always a delight to find. His knits were all self developed and are among the best out there. He started his career as a dressmakers assistant  and copied couture gowns for wealthy Tunisian clients. In 1957 he moved to Paris and worked for Christian Dior for a grand total of five days. He then moved to Guy Laroche and quietly started to get private commissions on the side. By 1960 he was doing mainly private work and within a few years established a small salon on the Left Bank where he continued designing privately. He stayed at that salon until 1984.
• During this time period he also did private freelance work for other designers including Claude Montana, Thierry Mugler and even Yves Saint Laurent. It was not until 1981 that he launched his first official collection and by 1983 he had a boutique in Beverley Hills. 
• The French Ministry of Culture honoured him with the Designer of the Year award in 1985. In 1993 he decided that the established fashion show schedule was not for him and he stopped producing a new collection every season. Instead he showed when his collections were ready and continued to do so until his death in 2017. 
• This is a fantastic and well known a piece that is very desired by collectors. We have included reference photos of other pieces from the collection that have become important milestones of his earlier work.
• The dress is made out of a ribbed cable knit wool that has a small percentage of other components to help give it some stretch and support. This makes it sit beautifully over the body and hug your curves as his dresses are known for.
• The neck has a pretty ribbed finish and the shoulders are soft.
• From there the sleeves extend out over the arm and it is here that you see the first of the detailing that makes this dress such a standout.
• Starting at about the elbow the ribbing of the dress changes to a oval pattern that is open and bare in the middle of each oval so that the skin underneath is fully exposed. These gradually get larger in size as they fall to the wrist. The knit between the the oval pattern extends out to become the fringes that fall over your hands. This adds incredible movement and is just extraordinary.
• The body of the dress skims over the bust and waist and then curves back out over the hips. The skirt starts just under the top of the hips and is cut short as it flares out around you. Many of his pieces had that bit of a skater skirt feel to them and this is a fabulous example of that.
• The skirt has that same extraordinary open cut out detailing as the sleeves and even though it is not as short as some of his other pieces often were, having the cut outs expose your skin underneath makes it very sexy.
• I love that the cut outs through the skirt allow you to decide what to wear underneath and be as bare or covered as you choose to be.
• The skirt is then also finished with those same wide knit fringing so you get incredible movement around you when you move and walk.
• This is one of his best known collections and a very rare piece to find.
• The dress is unlined and closes with a hidden set back zipper. The knit does have some stretch and I have put the comfortable range when laying flat below.
• There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements below.
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 27" and they are 11-13" around the upper arms
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 22" from top of shoulder to the point where the cut outs begin on the skirt
Total length: 37" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5566

Reference Photos: (1-2) Nadja Auerman in Alaia, photographed by Gilles Bensimon, for Elle France, December 1993.  /  (3) Alaia dress in The MET Collection.

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

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1996 Nina Ricci Haute Couture show
• It was made under the creative direction of Gerard Pipart.
• The Nina Ricci brand was founded in 1932 at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris. In 1964 Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant, as head of the brand. Pipart, who had previously worked for Balmain, Fath, and Patou, brought a wide range of experience in all aspects of fashion to the brand. 
• Over the following three decades, Pipart's couture vision 'celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day.' He headed the Couture division until 1998.
• This is an incredible and very beautiful piece of Haute Couture and would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
• This dress is a masterpiece and really showcases how beautiful a piece of true couture can be. Everything about its construction is done at a master level.
• The bodice is strapless and curves down at the front beautifully to dip between the breasts. It does the same at the back but with a slightly less deep dip.
• The entire bodice is covered with an elaborate design that blends hand embroidery with metallic silver thread, tiny seed beads in black, and gold tube beads. This would have all been completely done by hand and I would not be surprised to learn that this was by Lesage. It is absolutely magnificent.
• That outer embellished layer tops an inner bodice that is boned and shaped around you. You can actually lift the exterior bottom of the bodice and see some of the work underneath and it is just incredible to see the detail that has gone into this. I have added a photo of that for you to see. It really showcases the attention to detail this dress was made with.
• Under that the skirt is made out of a soft pewter silk that is a very high-quality. It has a slight silver grey feel to it that is lovely. The way that the skirt falls is just extra extraordinary. It is so full and voluminous as it curves outward and down to the floor. To achieve that shape there is an elaborate built-in underskirt that is all hidden. It is made out of a stiffened net that you can feel through the inner silk lining. It is set in those beautiful rounded pleats that you see on the outer skirt and gives the support needed to hold those shapes. We have not added any crinolines under the skirt. All of that volume is created because of the brilliant infrastructure underneath.
• The back of the skirt is cut slightly longer then the front for a beautiful sweeping feel behind you.
• It is fully lined in a handset silk and closes with a side set zipper. An inner waist stay hooks to close. There is hidden boning through the bodice and structure through the hips as described above. I see evidence that some of the seams around the inner waist were let out at some point.
• The proper Haute Couture label is present.
• There is no size tag so please go by the measurements below.
• Excellent condition

Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 8" from top of bodice to inner waist
Total length: 52.5" from top of bodice to front hem and the back extends another 5.5" beyond that. There is an extremely deep hem.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5550

Reference Photos: Fall 1996 Nina Ricci Haute Couture.

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

• The twin of this incredible dress walked the runway for the Fall 1995 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of the original Mr. Valentino.
• I love that we have runway reference photos so that you can see how phenomenal this is once on the body. 
• This is a fantastically rare dress by the original Mr. Valentino and it is extraordinarily beautiful.
• The dress combines an inky black velvet with portions covered in glossy black sequins that are densely applied. Little bits of lace give it that touch of Valentino femininity.
• Black piping outlines the neckline and the neckline scoops in a soft V down the front. The piping continues up and over the shoulders and then crosses over the bare and exposed back. Lace has been added along the length of the entire piping for the prettiest finishing detail.
• The bodice is shaped and comes in at the waist to a low seam that sits just below the natural waist. The entire bodice has been finished with tiny little black sequins that are densely applied so that they slightly overlap. 
• I love how the rows that they are set in are slightly angled. This is all a clever way to give illusion of more shape through the body. The sequins sit inside four vertical panels across the front and the direction of the sequins changes so you get this incredible hitting of the light on the sequins from every angle.
• The skirt is made out of rich black velvet and I love the combination of the velvet and sequins together. The richness of each textile perfectly compliments the other.
• As the skirt falls to the floor it flares out dramatically and is extremely wide. When I lay it out flat the bottom is a full circle around. This has been achieved by long triangles of sequins set in around the entire hem of the skirt.
• The triangles have a black net backing so if the light hits them in the right way they have a sense of transparency contrasting further to the velvet and adding to the beauty of the dress once it is on the body.
• The sequin triangles have been laid out with the same technique as the rows on the bodice. They are set on angles that meet at a middle point. This allows them to catch the maximum amount of light from every angle.
• Each triangle is finished with the same lace edging that you see on the bodice. Inside the inner edge of the hem there is a band of stiffened netting that helps to hold the shape and volume around you. When you move the skirt moves around you and it is absolutely incredible.
• It is really an outstanding example of his work during this time period.
• The dress is fully lined in a silky black silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The bias cut should allow it to work on a range of sizes and frames.
• There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
• Excellent condition

Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under natural waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17.5" from top of shoulder to seam under natural waist
Total length: 61.5" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5546

Reference Photos: Fall 1995 Valentino. Model: Stella Tennant.

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.