• This dress dates to the 1970s
• It was made under the creative direction of Bill Blass.
• The dress is made out of a deep blue silk that has a beautiful depth of colour.
• The first thing you notice about the dress is that wonderfully dramatic floral collar that is made of the same silk as the dress. It has been hand cut and sewn into place to form a dense applique of flowers that follow the curve of the neckline, runs over the shoulders and outlines the V at the back.
• I love the bare expanse of skin that the open V reveals at the back and how it is surrounded by the silk flowers. 
• The dress is cut to skim over the bodice and then cinches in at the waist. If you wanted to add even more shape there, you could add a belt of your choice.
• The shoulders are soft underneath the applique detailing of the collar and the sleeves underneath are full. Each one becomes fuller as it runs down the arm. The wrists are cinched in for shape and then the cuffs have the same floral detailing that you see on the collar.
  
• Under that the skirt opens up to be very full as it falls to the hem. All of the silk has been gathered in all around the waist and this is what allows the fullness that you see.
• It may be possible to turn this dress around and wear the plunge to the front. You might need to use a double-sided tape to hold it in place but we think it is potentially possible.
• The dress is fully lined in the same blue silk through the bodice and a black silk organza through the skirt. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. There are hand finishes throughout.
• The dress is tagged a vintage Blass 12
  
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 22.5" and they are full and open through the upper arm
Shoulders: approx 15"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips:  open
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5585

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 1979 Bill Blass collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Bill Blass.
• I have had the twin of this dress in the shop a few years ago and I was very pleased to find another. Since we have had that original dress we happened to find the runway photo of the dress firmly dating it to Fall 1979.
• A similar version of this dress was worn by Slim Keith to attend the Met Museum Gala that year. We have also included a couple of shots of me in the one we had previously to give you an idea of how it is on.
• And a note to those who prefer not to wear fur; you could always un-tack and remove the sleeves and replace them with a faux version, feathers or anything you could imagine, or leave them without as Slim did and just store the cuffs for archival purposes.
• This dress is one of the best that he ever made. The dress has elements of his work that he would touch on continuously over the coming decades. It is also a wonderful example of just how sophisticated and glamorous he could be.
• The silk chiffon used for the base is feather light and it has a fine gold, metallic lurex thread that is woven through the silk to create vertical stripes.
• Hand applied gold sequins were then added to follow those gold threads. The sequins catch the light beautifully and add another dimension and texture to the dress.
• There is a subtle leaf print that runs through the silk and this adds a beautiful extra level of visual texture. 
• The upper part of the skirt is the same deep red as the bodice of the dress and then that leaf print gradually becomes more dense until it forms a solid soft brown around the lower hem. There is a slit up the front to let you walk.
• The dress has a nod to the 1930s in its cut but he has exaggerated some of the elements to keep it modern.
• The bodice crosses over itself and there is a built in brown silk under piece so that you can wear the dress and not have it completely transparent. On the bodice there are no sequins and this is deliberate to keep it lighter in feel.
• The sleeves extend directly out from the bodice and they narrow down as they reach the cuff. The cuffs are both finished with a 7" band of fur that is either a mink or a sable. It is gorgeous.
• The dress is fully lined in brown silk chiffon and closes with a hidden set box zipper. Hand finishes and hand set sequins. The cuffs have perhaps the very slightest of wear to the edges and are soft and supple. This one does not have its Bill Blass tag present, but has the appropriate size tag and a Saks Fifth Avenue tag inside. 
• Tagged a vintage Bill Blass 6
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: approximately 27" 
Shoulders: no defined seam
Inner bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from the top of the shoulder to waist
Total length: 57.5" from the top of the shoulder to hem and the front slit is 19" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5563

Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1979 Bill Blass.  /  (2-3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.  /  (4) Socialite Slim Keith in Bill Blass (left) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala in New York City, 1979.

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

• The twin of this dress walked the Fall 1987 Bill Blass runway.
• It was made under the creative direction of Bill Blass.
• I love that we found a reference photo from the runway so you can see just how fantastic this is once on.
• This is the actual dress worn Mikey Madison to the Oscars Nominees Dinner in February and she landed on several best dressed lists as a result.
• Bill Blass launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with unexpected materials in way that was very flattering to the wearer. 
• It is one of those dresses that looks amazing on the dress form but is even better on an actual person.
• The fabric feels like art. The base is a rich blue silk and then onto this is a fantastic design made of out a black velvet. The velvet is very soft to the touch with a chenille like finish that gives the design a beautiful texture and softness.
• The dress has the feel of an antique 18th century gown and I love this reference back to the past.
• The top is a fitted and strapless with a band of black silk wrapping around the breasts. It falls from there to skim outward over the waist and hips, and then narrows back down to the floor as it reaches the hem. This gives the front of the dress a more long and lean feel but with a hint that something special might happen as you turn.
• The back is the star of the show. Sitting over the top of the closure at the back is a large black velvet bow. This tops an added panel underneath that is very extravagant. The panel curves outwards and then loops back in to attach just under the hips. A second black velvet bow sits at the base of where it is attached back into the dress. A slit is hidden under the panel to give you room to walk while keeping the narrow silhouette of the hem.
• The dress is fully lined in a black silk. It closes with a back painted metal zipper hidden under a seam and there is an inner hooked waist stay. There is light boning through the bodice. Hand work throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
• There is no size tag present, so please go by the measurements below.
• Excellent condition

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5411

Reference Photos/Video: (1) Fall 1987 Bill Blass Runway.  /  (2-6) Mikey Madison wearing this dress to the Oscars Nominees Dinner, February 2025, styled by Jamie Mizrahi. 

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 the 1970s
• It was made under the creative direction of Bill Blass.
• The dress is made out of a deep blue silk that has a beautiful depth of colour.
• The first thing you notice about the dress is that wonderfully dramatic floral collar that is made of the same silk as the dress. It has been hand cut and sewn into place to form a dense applique of flowers that follow the curve of the neckline, runs over the shoulders and outlines the V at the back.
• I love the bare expanse of skin that the open V reveals at the back and how it is surrounded by the silk flowers. 
• The dress is cut to skim over the bodice and then cinches in at the waist. If you wanted to add even more shape there, you could add a belt of your choice.
• The shoulders are soft underneath the applique detailing of the collar and the sleeves underneath are full. Each one becomes fuller as it runs down the arm. The wrists are cinched in for shape and then the cuffs have the same floral detailing that you see on the collar.
  
• Under that the skirt opens up to be very full as it falls to the hem. All of the silk has been gathered in all around the waist and this is what allows the fullness that you see.
• It may be possible to turn this dress around and wear the plunge to the front. You might need to use a double-sided tape to hold it in place but we think it is potentially possible.
• The dress is fully lined in the same blue silk through the bodice and a black silk organza through the skirt. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. There are hand finishes throughout.
• The dress is tagged a vintage Blass 12
  
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 22.5" and they are full and open through the upper arm
Shoulders: approx 15"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips:  open
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5585

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 label on this dress date it to the 1970s period.
• It was made under the creative direction of James Galanos.
• In 1951 a 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.
• His ready-to-wear line was made close to couture standards and with a level of craftsmanship that was on par with the French couturiers. He was truly one of the great American designers and his work is held in all of the major museums around the world.
• This is a dress that is extremely well made with a very high level of construction techniques.
• The dress is made out of the most beautiful floral print silk chiffon in a mix of soft pastels. The print forms large flowers that cascade over the entire dress.
• There is a full inner bodice made of the same printed silk chiffon. This inner piece has straps that curve up and around the shoulders with a scoop at the front and back. Blousing over that is a fuller cut, single layer of the silk chiffon. It has long sleeves that narrow to the cuff and the most incredible beaded butterfly that is completely made by hand adorning the front. It is spectacularly beautiful.
• The waist nips in and the dress comes with a matching silk covered leather belt.
• The silk is gathered into the waist seam on one side so that it wraps around you. There is a high slit hidden underneath the wrap over on one side and another matching high slit on the other side so you get an unexpected flash of bare leg when you move or sit.
• The workmanship on the dress is absolutely stunning and the vast majority of it is all done by hand including the butterfly at the front.
• The inner bodice that sits under the top acts as the lining and then that is lined with another layer of nude silk chiffon. The skirt is made of two layers of chiffon. It zips to close at the back with a hand set zipper and the outer bodice hooks to close at the back of the neck. Each sleeve ends in a little zipper. I see a tiny pinhole just above the butterfly at the front and some very minor repairs - one near the neckline of the back and some near the hem. Please see the photos after the label shot.
• The dress has no size tag so please go by the listed measurements below.
• Excellent condition with the notes above.

Sleeves: 23" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Inner bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 62" from top of shoulder to the longest point of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5574

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 beautiful example of Bill Gibbs work from the early 1970s.
• It was made under the creative direction of Bill Gibb
• Gibb was one of the most influential designers in 1970s Britain and his clothes were sought out and worn by the rich and famous. His work has a high fantasy element and he was crowned Designer of the Year in 1970. Much of his work verged on couture and he was unrelenting in striving for perfection.
• The dress is made from a silk chiffon that has been dyed to a deep pink that gradually darkens and colour as it loves down both the top and skirt of the dress. I love the depth this creates and how it highlights the parts of the dress.
• The sleeves start off wide as they come out from just above the waist. They narrow down to their ends from there.
• The front and back dip into a V and the neckline is cut so that it sits wider across the shoulders. There is a little silk flower finished with sequins nestled at the base of the front V.
• From just under the bust to the top of the hips the silk has been hand gathered and fitted for shape.
• The skirt falls to the floor from there in a sweep of silk chiffon.
• Pink glitter is fused onto the silk in a wide panel all the way around the lower skirt. This catches the light from every angle and as the perfect subtle touch of glitz.
• Under the top layer of silk chiffon of the skirt is an inner lining in a pale silver blue. The two colours layered over each other adds an extra dimension to the skirt that is even better in person.
• Iridescent round bubble buttons are the perfect finish on each cuff.
• The dress is fully lined in a pale silver blue silk and closes with a side zipper with hook and eye along part of the bottom seaming of the arm just above the zipper going into the under part of the sleeve. Glass buttons on each cuff. I see a tiny repair under one arm. 
• There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: approx 23" and they are full and open around the upper arm
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: no true side seams so open and variable
Natural waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hip: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 24" from the top of the shoulder to the seam at the top of the hip
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5573

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 1979 Bill Blass collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Bill Blass.
• I have had the twin of this dress in the shop a few years ago and I was very pleased to find another. Since we have had that original dress we happened to find the runway photo of the dress firmly dating it to Fall 1979.
• A similar version of this dress was worn by Slim Keith to attend the Met Museum Gala that year. We have also included a couple of shots of me in the one we had previously to give you an idea of how it is on.
• And a note to those who prefer not to wear fur; you could always un-tack and remove the sleeves and replace them with a faux version, feathers or anything you could imagine, or leave them without as Slim did and just store the cuffs for archival purposes.
• This dress is one of the best that he ever made. The dress has elements of his work that he would touch on continuously over the coming decades. It is also a wonderful example of just how sophisticated and glamorous he could be.
• The silk chiffon used for the base is feather light and it has a fine gold, metallic lurex thread that is woven through the silk to create vertical stripes.
• Hand applied gold sequins were then added to follow those gold threads. The sequins catch the light beautifully and add another dimension and texture to the dress.
• There is a subtle leaf print that runs through the silk and this adds a beautiful extra level of visual texture. 
• The upper part of the skirt is the same deep red as the bodice of the dress and then that leaf print gradually becomes more dense until it forms a solid soft brown around the lower hem. There is a slit up the front to let you walk.
• The dress has a nod to the 1930s in its cut but he has exaggerated some of the elements to keep it modern.
• The bodice crosses over itself and there is a built in brown silk under piece so that you can wear the dress and not have it completely transparent. On the bodice there are no sequins and this is deliberate to keep it lighter in feel.
• The sleeves extend directly out from the bodice and they narrow down as they reach the cuff. The cuffs are both finished with a 7" band of fur that is either a mink or a sable. It is gorgeous.
• The dress is fully lined in brown silk chiffon and closes with a hidden set box zipper. Hand finishes and hand set sequins. The cuffs have perhaps the very slightest of wear to the edges and are soft and supple. This one does not have its Bill Blass tag present, but has the appropriate size tag and a Saks Fifth Avenue tag inside. 
• Tagged a vintage Bill Blass 6
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: approximately 27" 
Shoulders: no defined seam
Inner bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from the top of the shoulder to waist
Total length: 57.5" from the top of the shoulder to hem and the front slit is 19" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5563

Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1979 Bill Blass.  /  (2-3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.  /  (4) Socialite Slim Keith in Bill Blass (left) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala in New York City, 1979.

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

• When dating this extraordinary Yves Saint Laurent dress, we found a photo of a piece with almost an identical cut bodice from 1972 along with several runway photos that show other pieces with that same cut to the bodice.
• It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
• I have included the reference photos here for you and it is interesting to note that the pleating technique that is used around the upper hip of the skirt was also done in a more intricate fashion for the 1974 Couture show.
• Yves often use ideas from both collections. - Rive Gauche and Couture - to build and develop ideas and it is fascinating to see the progression of his work from garment to garment.
• The dress combines a floral silk chiffon with a muted red silk on the skirt.
• This combination of silks give the dress just enough weight and structure to be able to create the impressive lines and volume that you see but while still making it feel soft and romantic.
• The top is a printed silk chiffon and it has a floral pattern in red, purples and greens that float over the entire bodice and the sleeves.
• The bodice is cut to skim over you and the waist nips in. It plunges at the front and crosses over itself. The neckline has been detailed with ruffles that begin at the back of the neck and circle around to follow the V at the front and then run down to the waist piping done in the same fabric detail.
• The skirt falls to the floor from there and it has yards and yards of fabric in it that creates the fullness and volume that you see.
• It is quite full by the time it reaches the hem and I love the volume that this type of fabric creates and how it billows around you as you move but at the same time it is as light as a feather.
• Under the waist are a series of tiny pleats that gradually open out to create the volume underneath. This intricate detail is a beautiful addition to the dress.
• The sleeves are outstanding and the perfect finishing detail. Each is a single layer of the silk chiffon and are wide and very full. They are caught up at the wrist with a circle full circle ruffle underneath. This creates a beautiful and dramatic finish to the top.
• The dress is fully lined in a red silk except for the sleeves which are unlined. It closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. Attached ties at the waist and elastic in each cuff. Between the top silk and inner lining is a tulle ruffle that helps keep the volume of the skirt. I see some light marks around the hem of the skirt that are minor but mentioned for accuracy.
• Tagged a vintage YSL 38
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 24" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Total length: 62" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5561

Reference Photos: Fall 1972 Yves Saint Laurent.

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.