I recently saw a near twin of this dress at auction and it sold for about this price after fees and exchange. That one did not include the two jewel brooches that this one has. It is incredible to have a complete example of this one that is more a true twin to the runway. Christian Lacroix launched his Haute Couture house in 1987 and was an instant worldwide sensation with the press declaring him to be the 'King of Couture'. His collections were exotic and he mixed patterns and line in a way that had never been done before. His inspiration often came from the past and I doubt there was ever a more high glamour couturier.

This dress is very special and a stunning example of his work during this time period. It has all the signature Lacroix drama that you could ask for. It is from the original couture client who was fitted by Christian himself which makes it that much more special. My client ordered this one in a slightly different shade of silk then that dress that walked the runway and the colour of the stones in the jeweled brooches were made to match this colour. I lovee this colour more then the one on the runway as it has a touch more depth to it and is more flattering in a wider range of skin tones.

The dress is made out of an iridescent silk taffeta that has a slight colour change to it depending on how the light hits it. It can go from felling like a deep bronze colour to a more iridescent blue / purple tone. I love it. The  sleeves are long and there is a row of five silk covered buttons at each wrist. The body of the dress is cut to skim over you. It is gathered at one side at the front and here we see the first incredible brooch. The brooch is hand made from a gold toned metal with large golden topaz glass crystals mixed with brilliant blue glass stones. The neckline is cut to slant down on that same side with a fold of fabric set around you. It is cut wide across the shoulders and is meant to sit slightly off one shoulder to leave that bare expanse of skin showing. At the back the neckline dips and angles down into a deep offset V that leaves your back bare and exposed. Another huge jeweled piece sits at the base of that V. Below that a stiffened panel of silk flares out dramatically to one side to give it a half bow, half bustle feel. The skirt is cut straight and depending in your height will sit at about the knee or just above. Excellent condition with a couple of small notes below

Fully lined in a black silk organza and closes with an elaborate mix of a zipper, snaps and hooks at the back. One flaring panel loops through the other. There is fused rubber ribbon along the inner neckline to hold it in place and this has changed colour here and there. One stone is missing at the bottom of the front brooch. The brooches are removable and you can see little marks on the fabric under them where the pin has been pushed through in different places. There are a couple teeny pinhead marks on the fabric where the brooches have caught on the silk near the brooches. These are all very minor and mentioned for accuracy. Unlabeled. Sourced from the original couture client and Mr Lacroix has mentioned to me on insta that he remembers fitting her.

Sleeves: 19.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 36" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3602

Reference Photos: Fall/Winter 1990 Christian Lacroix Haute Couture 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.

This dress is very special and an extremely well documented piece from Spring 1988. It also has the special added provenance of being the twin of one of the four dresses portrayed in that instantly recognizable photo taken in his stunning atelier at that time. That photo is perhaps one of the most famous photos in the Lacroix history. This is from his Luxe label that was only produced the very first couple of seasons. It was very high end, expensive ready-to-wear that was made to near couture standards and was only available primarily to his couture clients and a select few. It was the predecessor to his later regular ready-to-wear collections. It is said that this label only lasted a couple of seasons because some of the couture clients complained at how close the garments were to their Haute Couture pieces. We also found numerous reference photos of the dress as it appeared on the runway so you have an amazing idea of how this dress looks on the body.

Christian Lacroix launched his Haute Couture house in 1987 and his work was instantly adored and revered world wide. He defined an era and he was crowned the King of Couture. A ready-to-wear line soon followed along with perfumes and menswear. His Couture collections in particular were always exotic lavish affairs. He drew his inspirations from across the decades and I doubt there was ever a more high glamour couturier.

The dress is gorgeous. It is made out of a textured silk organza that has a slightly bubbled texture running through it. This gives it this extra added dimension while the lightness of the silk keeps the dress feeling light and airy. Over that is a glorious floral pattern in pinks, yellow and greens set on a black base. It feels so vibrant and beautiful and that combined with the fabric is stunning to see. The sleeves are long and they are cut on a proper curve in the traditional proper dressmakers technique. The shoulders are lightly shaped and the front falls into a shallow V. The dress has a little bit of gathering just at the bust area along the center seam that runs the length of the dress and then it falls smoothly along that seam to the hem under that. It is cut to be fairly straight through the body and meant to skim over you with just a suggestion of shape through the waist. The back has that same sleek shape all the way to the hem and then the bottom 9 inches of the skirt has an inset panel and bustle. This panel is gathered into a curving seam so that it is full and fabulous and at the very center of that there is three half bows done in a black textured silk organza. These are stacked one on top of the other to give that little bit if volume and detail right under your bottom. It is deliciously Lacroix in every way and one of his most famous pieces. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

The body of the dress is fully lined in a black silk and the sleeves are lined in a white silk. The dress zips to close at the back and each cuff has a zipper to close it. Light padding in the shoulders. Tagged a 44

Sleeves: 22.5" and 13" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 17"
Bust: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 35" from top of shoulder to hem with 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4401

Reference Photos: (1-5) Spring 1988 Christian Lacroix Collection.  /  (6-7) Models in Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Atelier, Paris, 1988. Photos by Arthur Elgort.

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 set walked the runway and was worn by none other then Carla Bruni. Which makes this suit that much more special. It also still has all three of its original pieces and I love that as well. Christian Lacroix launched his Haute Couture house in 1987 and his work was an instant worldwide sensation with the press declaring him to be the King of Couture. A ready-to-wear line soon followed along with perfumes and menswear. His collections were always exotic and lavish affairs. He drew his inspirations from across the decades and I doubt there was ever a more high glamour couturier. This suit with its supermodel tie-in is very special and a stunning example of his work during this time period. His couture pieces rarely come to market and I love having them in the shop when I can get them.

I love that this still has all three original pieces. It came to me with the jacket, skirt and the inner silk top that matches the lining of the jacket. Which is a very traditional Haute Couture detail. Having all three pieces makes it that much more versatile since you can mix and match all of pieces and wear them in so many different ways. The inner top is made of a silk with a abstract vertical wavy pattern in ivory, pale blue and pastel lavender. That exact same silk is used to line the jacket so when you wear the jacket open you get that incredible continuation of design. The skirt and the jacket are both made from a textured wool boucle with the skirt being a two-tone aqua and pale blue and the jacket picking up the lavender in the silk top. Unusual colour and pattern mixing was a forte of Lacroix and we see that beautifully in the suit. The jacket is stunning and every seam has been meticulously executed. The sleeves are long and the rounded shoulders have soft padding inside for a touch of structure. The seaming is set in curving lines to create the shape that you see and there are little boned Silk satin inserts at the front for shaping. That same silk details the inside of the collar runs across the top of the shoulder and along part of the edge of the split cuff sleeves. At the back he used that same fabric to gather and bring in the back of the jacket for shaping and add a pretty romantic detail with the bow. It snaps to close down the front with silk covered hidden set snaps. Buttons are sewn on the outside and each is a stunning jewel. Gold tone metal has been set with rhinestones crystals and turquoise. So even if you wear the jacket on its own or closed you get this stunning jewel detail there. The skirt is precisely and simply cut with that slight flare as it reaches the hem. The front panel wraps over which as a touch of detail and also leaves a hidden opening underneath so that when you sit or walk you get a tiny flash of leg. It is lined in an extremely high-quality pale blue silk. This is a stunning example of his work that will never go out of style and it is exceptional. The fact that it is true Haute Couture just makes it better and the workmanship is out of this world. Excellent condition.

Both the dress and the jacket are fully lined in silk described above. The top is made of a single layer of silk. Top closes with a hidden setbacks zipper and has ribbon finishing at the hem. The skirt closes with a side zipper and couture hook and eye at the waist. The jacket has hidden set snaps down the front. All three pieces are completely made by hand and have their proper Haute Couture tags present with sequential couture numbers under the tag.

Jacket
Sleeve: 21"
Shoulders: approx 15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 19" from neck to back hem, 22" the longest points of the front hem

Top
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 21" from shoulder to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 21" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4391

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 1996 Christian Lacroix Runway, Look 4. Model Carla Bruni.

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4434

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

Todd Oldham showed his first collection in 1981 and officially launched his label in 1989. In 1991 he won the Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent. By 1995 when the twin of this dress was shown on the runway and worn by Brandi Quinones. At thois point in his fashion career he was the darling of the media, models, and everyone who anyone wore his clothing. His shows were extravagant and full of the reigning supermodels and his clothes beautiful. Nothign was being produced in great quantities and the more extravagant dresses are extremely hard to find. This is a rare piece and the twin of the runway one. It is exceptional

This is the most unusual dresses I have ever had in the shop when it comes to the fabric that it is made out of. The entire dress is made out of to ribbons. which is unusual in itself and speaks to his creativity. One ribbon is a more metallic gold lame that has a true gold feel to it, and then the other ribbon used is a more muted almost matte, deeper gold. These been basketball been to create the top layer of the dress. This back-and-forth between the two and a check pattern has this incredible way of catching the light and making the entire dress feel like liquid gold. The straps or made out of the more muted ribbon and then he has three stripes hanging from the base of the front. I have left them hanging down for these photos but you can see on the runway that they were tied behind the models backs. The draft itself is meant to skim over the body and has an hourglass shape built into it through the vertical seaming on it. It's the front and back and then flies over the body from the bus to the hips. Under that the skirt falls to the floor and there is a defined flareout at the bottom skirts that hold and gives the shape that you see. There's a slight bit more fabric worked into the back panel so you get this gorgeous little bit of volume at the back as well. It is exceptional dress on and it is an even more exceptional piece of fashion history. Excellent condition

The dress is fully lined in a gold silk satin and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. I see the tiniest little bit of wear to the back past of the straps near the base. It looks like they were pinned in place on someone at some point and you can see a touch of the pin marks. perhaps a touch of scuffing to a ribbon here and there but I am being pretty picky. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all. It is amazing. There is no give in the fabric

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4427

Reference Photos/Video: Fall 1995 Todd Oldham Runway. Model: Brandi Quinones.

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

This dress is just exceptional. Its twin walked the runway that season and we found the barest second of it on the runway as the model walked back down the catwalk. We have included that little bit of film along with a couple of stills taken from the clip for you to see. They are not the best photos ever but we were still very happy to have confirmation that the twin of this one was indeed a runway piece. We also included an editorial shot from Marie Claire that season that shows a different piece from the show in the same fabric. This fabric in a variety of different colour ways was integral to the show and there was a an entire section of the show devoted to them. The dress is gorgeous and its so very rare to find these more exceptional YSL pieces anymore.

The dress is made from a feather light cotton voile that that has enough weight and structure to it to perfectly fall into the line that Yves desired it to have. The fabric has just a touch of transparency to it but at the same time the print and the way it wraps around you covers everything and perfectly the transparency feels like more of a suggestion of sensuality. I love the bold use of all those brilliant colors that covers the entire dress. The print is a stunning abstract and it is just a piece of art in itself. There is a soft strap that curves over one shoulder on an angle from the other side. Inside the bust there is a soft bodice piece built in that has a bit of boning for shape. This zips and hooks into place to hold the dress in place on you. The outer where is gathered in under the strap and then it falls over you to the floor. Part of the fabric at the waist wraps around and snaps in the place and this gives just a suggestion of shape there. The shape is soft as it falls over you and meant to have a bit if a sarong feel. It is cut to skim over the body loose and easy with the only fitted place being that inner built in bodice. The skirt wraps over itself and part of it is longer then the other. This does two things. First, when you walk or sit that opening will open a bit to show some leg and second it allows the skirt to the air and billow around you when you walk. I love that way it drapes around you at the top. It is fantastic on the body and really showcases his genius at both print and cut. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes in the inner bodice with a zipper and flat hook and I as described above. The waist snaps and hooks in place.  Light boning in the inner bodice. Tagged a vintage YSL 40.

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hooked waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: variable because of the wrap
Bodice: approx 15" from top of shoulder to inner hooked waist
Length: approx 50" from top of shoulder to shortest part of from hem and approx 67" to the longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4411

Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Spring 1991 Yves Saint Laurent Runway.  /  (5) Yves Saint Laurent Editorial, Marie Claire, June 1991

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

I recently saw a near twin of this dress at auction and it sold for about this price after fees and exchange. That one did not include the two jewel brooches that this one has. It is incredible to have a complete example of this one that is more a true twin to the runway. Christian Lacroix launched his Haute Couture house in 1987 and was an instant worldwide sensation with the press declaring him to be the 'King of Couture'. His collections were exotic and he mixed patterns and line in a way that had never been done before. His inspiration often came from the past and I doubt there was ever a more high glamour couturier.

This dress is very special and a stunning example of his work during this time period. It has all the signature Lacroix drama that you could ask for. It is from the original couture client who was fitted by Christian himself which makes it that much more special. My client ordered this one in a slightly different shade of silk then that dress that walked the runway and the colour of the stones in the jeweled brooches were made to match this colour. I lovee this colour more then the one on the runway as it has a touch more depth to it and is more flattering in a wider range of skin tones.

The dress is made out of an iridescent silk taffeta that has a slight colour change to it depending on how the light hits it. It can go from felling like a deep bronze colour to a more iridescent blue / purple tone. I love it. The  sleeves are long and there is a row of five silk covered buttons at each wrist. The body of the dress is cut to skim over you. It is gathered at one side at the front and here we see the first incredible brooch. The brooch is hand made from a gold toned metal with large golden topaz glass crystals mixed with brilliant blue glass stones. The neckline is cut to slant down on that same side with a fold of fabric set around you. It is cut wide across the shoulders and is meant to sit slightly off one shoulder to leave that bare expanse of skin showing. At the back the neckline dips and angles down into a deep offset V that leaves your back bare and exposed. Another huge jeweled piece sits at the base of that V. Below that a stiffened panel of silk flares out dramatically to one side to give it a half bow, half bustle feel. The skirt is cut straight and depending in your height will sit at about the knee or just above. Excellent condition with a couple of small notes below

Fully lined in a black silk organza and closes with an elaborate mix of a zipper, snaps and hooks at the back. One flaring panel loops through the other. There is fused rubber ribbon along the inner neckline to hold it in place and this has changed colour here and there. One stone is missing at the bottom of the front brooch. The brooches are removable and you can see little marks on the fabric under them where the pin has been pushed through in different places. There are a couple teeny pinhead marks on the fabric where the brooches have caught on the silk near the brooches. These are all very minor and mentioned for accuracy. Unlabeled. Sourced from the original couture client and Mr Lacroix has mentioned to me on insta that he remembers fitting her.

Sleeves: 19.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 36" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3602

Reference Photos: Fall/Winter 1990 Christian Lacroix Haute Couture 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.

Not only is this dress the twin of this dress was used for the 1992 ad campaign shot by Helmut Newton that featured the beautiful Karen Mulder, we also found the runway shots of it on a young 19 year old Tyra Banks. This one also has its original hang tag in place and on the back it has its original price of $1990, the equivalent of $4335 USD in today's dollars. Pricey then, pricey now, but a bargain as a pristine and collectable vintage piece that has never been worn. This was one of the iconic pieces of that season and I am very pleased to have found this example.

The dress is made from a crisp cotton silk mix that has just enough weight to it so that it sits perfectly once on the body, skimming over your curves in a chic and simple line. The dress perfectly represents this time period and you can see the transition from the stronger, more angular shaped of the eighties slowly moving into simpler shapes for the 1990s while still retaining the emphasis on the shoulders that the eighties had. That touch of excess from the 1980s is still there, but the shape is softening. The neckline is scooped and just deep enough to feel sexy but without being too deep not to be able to easily wear. It has a row of buttons under that that run to past the waist and this is held closed with those incredible poured glass enamel buttons. There are six in total, three red and three green and I love the heart shape they are done in. It skims over the bust waist and hips. The skirt widens out just a touch as it nears the hem. That ruffled shoulder and neckline detail is the star of the show. It follows the cut of the neckline and puffs out above the shoulders for a bit of high drama. I love that we have so many reference photos so that you can see just how amazing this dress is on the body. It still has its original hang tag and was never worn. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes down the front with the buttons as seen. Original hang tag. Tagged a vintage YSL 40

Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 35" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4409

Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Spring 1992 Yves Saint Laurent Runway. Model: Tyra Banks.  /  (5) Spring 1992 Yves Saint Laurent Ad Campaign.

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