In 1952, Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris and quickly rose to fame as one of the grand couturiers. 16 years later for the 1968-69 season, he added a ready-to-wear line of clothing and accessories called 'Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique'. The line was initially sold in the United States exclusively through Bergdorf Goodman stores and was eventually available at other retailers as well. The line was high end and extremely well made. He launched this line to expand his customer base and it made to appeal specifically to his non-couture clients. This label continued until 1992. This set is very reminiscent of the pieces that Audrey Hepburn was wearing in the 1972 to 1976 time period. It's labels are extra interesting. Besides the Givenchy Nouvelle label in the top, it also has the black boutique label on the skirt and that label has a numbered tape behind it, which was usually reserved for special orders made in the atelier. I wonder if the original client perhaps bought the ready-to-wear top and then had a skirt custom-made… or perhaps both pieces were a special order and they just used a label on the top that was on hand in order to put the fabric content tag on. It just makes the set a little extra interesting. It could not be more gorgeous.

The set is made up of two separate pieces, a skirt and matching top. They are both made out of a cotton fabric that has a slight ribbed texture running through it. Over that is a charming little design that depicts hundreds of little round pine cones that completely cover both pieces. The backdrop is black and the print is a deep coral orange. The top is stunning. It has an elastic neckline that is squared off at the front. The sleeves are shaped into a high cap and have a little bit of stiffened black tulle underneath their edges to help hold the shape that you see. The elastic that runs through the entire neckline would allow you to wear this off-shoulder if you wished. The top skims over the bust and then widens out over the waist to its hem. It is very easy to wear and it's only when tucked into the skirt that you get shape. Each sleeve is full and poufed above its elastic cuff. You can then wear that tucked into the skirt. The skirt has a band at the waist and then is very full under that. When you stand still it falls in a pretty column but when you move you see that there are actually yards and yards of fabric in the skirt. The skirt is made of two tiers of fabric. One that is gathered into the band at the waist and then the other one is set on top of that with a ruffled finish to create a deep 20" lower hem all the around the bottom. It's spectacular. The cotton keeps it light and easy to wear while the cut and design are phenomenal. This is beautiful and classic Givenchy for this time period. I've included some reference photos of Audrey so you can see how beautifully pieces similar to this sit on the body. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Both pieces are unlined. The top slips over the head with elastic at the neckline and cuffs. Stiffened tulle at the top of each shoulder for shape. The skirt closes with hook and eye at the waist and snaps below that. Both pieces look to have been worn very little if at all.

Top
Sleeves: approx 19" and will come up when on
Bust: 16-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom hem: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 25" from top of shoulder to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam and you could easily move the hooks at the waist to get 1.5" more
Hips: open
Length: 42" from waist to hem with 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4220

Reference Photos: (1) Audrey Hepburn, in Givenchy, photographed by Henry Clarke for Italian Vogue, Feb 1972.  /   (2) Audrey Hepburn, in Givenchy, photographed by Elisabetta Catalano at her apartment in Rome, March 1976.

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

This is an incredible Haute Couture dress that came to me unlabeled. After some research and feedback from my client I think this may be a Givenchy or a Givenchy copy. I have a Givenchy in my own archives from his demi-couture boutique label from this same time period and the construction of the sleeves and the overall lines of the dress are remarkably similar other then the fact that this dress was entirely made by hand. Given the client's overall wardrobe and love of couture combined with the level of workmanship in the dress it is not a stretch. It could also be another of her Ady Couture piece as well. Ady Couture was based out of Lausanne Switzerland. She would buy couture fabrics from the couture houses along with the patterns and with permission make copies of the piece presented in the Haute Couture collections. When she was younger, and lived in Amsterdam, Ady would attend the private viewing and purchase directly from the couture houses. My client believes that her arrangement with the ateliers was a way to work around customs that prompted Ady to negotiate this arrangement with the ateliers. In my hunt for more information I have been able to verify that they made this permissible copies of the work of Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Ungaro. There may have been others but this are the four houses I am confident on. It is priced as an Ady piece and the context that it would have with that label. The dress is completely made by hand to Haute Couture standards and it is incredible.

The dress is made from a black silk taffeta and this fabric choice allows it to hold the almost sculptural lines that you see. It is absolutely beautiful and a testament to the level of design that you only see in couture pieces. At the front the neckline dips into a V and the dress is vertically seamed to follow and curve over the body. The sleeves are a work of art. Each is made on a curve to follow the shape of the arm They are set into the shoulders with a beautiful series of soft pleats so that you get a bit of volume there. They then taper down to the cuffs where they zip to close around the wrist. At the back the dress is cut into a second V that is lower then the one at the front so that you get a bare expanse of skin. The waist is set to curve in at the front for a suggestion of shape but at the back is is cut so that the low waist and the top of the skirt lifts off and away from the body for more of a sense of volume. The skirt at the front is cut on a bell and curves gracefully away from the hips. At the back it is fuller and cut to fall longer then the front. Underneath is an interior skirt that is edged in a ruffle of black silk netting so that when you move you see just a peek of that from under the top skirt. At the top of the inner underskirt are layers of silk that help to hold the shape at the hips. Otherwise all of the volume is created but the cut and the fabric alone. The perfect final detail is the series of dots that you see scattered over the sleeves and bodice of the dress. These run past the waist and circle the upper portion of the skirt. They are various sizes and some are made from circles of tiny silver sequins while others are a iridescent pale blue sequin. The blue ones catch the light and range from silver to an ice blue. It's incredible. There are also some that are made from the finest little crystal beads. Inside the dress is completely finished to couture standards with every seam hand finished. I have taken some detail shots for you to see the fine workmanship inside. It is an incredible piece and just beautifully made. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition 

The bodice is unlined and the skirt is fully lined with a built in underskirt in a black silk taffeta. Built in paniers around the hip area that I have photoed for you. It closes with a back fine zipper and the skirt snaps into place with silk covered snaps over it. Hidden set zippers at each wrist. Hand finished throughout. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. There may be the occasional sequin or crystal missing on the dots but no bare spots.  Made to Haute Couture standards with a tremendous amount of detail put into its construction.

Sleeves: 24"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 58" from top of shoulder to front hem, 60" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3677

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 love all of the pieces by Bill Tice that I bring into the shop. Most, including this one, were made in the 1980-1981 time period. His easy-to-wear and glamorous jersey pieces have been worn by countless celebrities for the red carpet and events. Every girl that has bought one of his pieces through me has absolutely loved it. This is the first time I have had one of these long open jackets in the shop and I'm absolutely obsessed with it

It is made of a black jersey that is meant to mimic the feel of silk jersey. This is one of those things that is a fail-safe piece that you know is going to work every time you put it on. This fabric has the added bonus of traveling very well. It is the kind of piece you can throw into your suit case and slip on over just about anything upon arrival with either flats or heels and you are instantly ready to walk out the door. It is cut to feel long and slim with pleats running down its full length. It has gold cording that defines the collar, the bodice and back, around the arms and the cuffs. There's also a long stripe of the gold cording that follows the ties that close it at the neck. To wear it you just slip it on and tie it at the neck with those ties. The fabric is very light so when you move this has a ton of movement and will billow out around and behind you. It's fantastic. Excellent condition.

Unlined and ties at the top of the neck. The easy cut and open front should allow it to fit a range of sizes

Sleeves: 24"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: 26"+ flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 59" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4247

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 absolutely love the cut of this dress. It is made out of a beautiful pink silk taffeta that has a slight iridescent quality to it. The choice of this silk gives it just enough structure to hold the shape but allows it to feel almost weightless once on. That fabric choice mixed with the soft billowing cut that it has gives it feeling of high drama. The bodice is cut to skim over the torso and the neckline is cut so that it is scooped at the front and the back. The sleeves are unlined and are cut to be extremely full and wide so that they billow out to just past the elbow and above the elastic at each cuff. The dress can be worn off the shoulder as I have shot it for a bare expanse of skin to show across the top or fully on the shoulders. The shoulders on the bodice are edged with a little matching silk ruffles along their tops for a pretty detail. The front is set with an elaborate design made of little glass tube beads that are set in a 3D pattern that comes off of the silk. These are then mixed with clear iridescent and facetted beading. The beading follows the neckline and then comes down into a point towards the waist. It is repeated at the back where it is even more densely applied. The beads catch the light wonderfully and add a little bit of sparkle to the dress. The skirt is very long and full. It flows to the floor in a cascade of silk. I have shown it without any underskirts but you could easily add a crinoline if you wanted even more fullness. A long matching silk sash cinches in the waist. The dress has a fantastic romantic, pretty and light feel, but is still sexy and beautiful. Excellent condition.

The bodice is lined in a matching silk, the sleeves in a silk organza and the skirt is lined in a pink cotton feeling fabric. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Each cuff has elastic. Has its original matching sash belt. Hand finishes.

Sleeves: 18"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips at inner lining: open
Bodice: 18" from shoulder to waist
Slightly dropped skirt: 42" from waist to hem
Sash: 11" x 90"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4237

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

Vicky Tiel was backed by Elizabeth Taylor as a young designer after working on the costumes for 'Whats New Pussycat'. After a stint with a partner she launched her self named label in Paris in 1970. She as one of the very early boutique owner/designer that offered a ready-to-wear option in Paris. That said, her clothes often walk a fine line between ready-to-wear and couture in terms of their construction and techniques used. By the mid to late seventies her style had developed into the ultra sexy and feminine clothing that she is now known best for. By the eighties and into the nineties, she had a cult celebrity following. This is a stunning example of just how gorgeous and dramatic her work could get.

This is a spectacular two piece set in a ivory silk. It is an early example of Vicky Tiel's talent and ability to work and tailor a pieces while working with very fine fabrics. I love the versatility of having the two pieces. It means that you can mix and match them with existing pieces. The colour of the set lends itself to be a great piece for a potential court or more casual wedding or any other great event. Both pieces very light in weight and the silk is very fine. The skirt is a masterpiece. It is banded at the waist and then there are two tiers of fabric under that. The top tier is completely and meticulously pleated with tiny precise knife pleats. At just about the knee the second panel creates a more ruffled feel to the hem. The pleats on the bottom tier open out as they near the hem. The skirt has a lot of fabric and can be worn with or without a crinoline. I have photoed it both ways so you can see the fullness you can achieve. The jacket has a strong nod to the Victorian era with those amazing puffed shoulders. Each shoulder is very full at the top and then narrows down to the wrist. The waist is nipped in and below that is a feminine little hip peplum. The collar is neat and rounded and it closes with a series of silk covered buttons down the front. It is just a gorgeous little set. Excellent condition with a small note below.

Both pieces are unlined. The jacket closes with silk covered buttons down the front and the skirt closes with a side zipper and flat hook & eye at the waist. Light padding in each shoulder. Hand finished throughout. I see one mark on the skirt and a very tiny one on the top. Please see the two photos after the label shot. It is slightly creamier in colour in person.

Top
Neck: 16" around
Shoulders: 15" across
Sleeves: 25" long
Bust: to 18" flat across the back from seam to seam
Waist: 13" flat across the back from seam to seam
Length: 21" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side to side
Hips: open
Length: 29" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4211

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 Capriccio label was founded in 1987 and they quickly grew in popularity. During the late 1980s and early 1990s they were the brand to wear and they were known for their historically based designs with the added volume and excess of the eighties. Some of the Capriccio stores had an in-store area where you could get custom pieces in silks and based on the rest of the pieces from the estate I have been working through lately this may be one of those. It is incredible and it would make an amazing wedding dress for the bride looking for a non-traditional choice or as an alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration. And of course it could also be worn to any event. It is just so spectacular. 

This is actually a set and I love that about it because it makes it that much more versatile. You can wear it together for the full on effect or mix and match either with simpler pieces from your wardrobe for an entirely different feel. I also think there is the possibility that the top could be worn as an ultra-mini depending on how it sits on you. Both pieces are made out of a tea stain feeling coloured silk organza. This fabric choice helps to keep the volume and shape that you see. It also keeps both pieces extremely light in weight. The top is spectacular. It is cut so that it skims down and past the hips and has a back and front draped panel at the center that extends down over the skirt. It is shaped through the waist by the way that the fabric is formed and gathered into the middle. Pin tuck detailing runs from the collar to that panel on both the front and back. Elaborate floral appliqué work adorns the entire front and details part of the back. The collar is high and the top is cut to skim over the bust. The sleeves pouf out dramatically and are caught up with a little clusters of lace appliqué and beadwork. This gives them that extreme full volume feel but they still have a sense of  shape and detail. The lower portion of the sleeves are gathered all along the lower arm to the wrist. Each is then finished with appliqué work all the way down. The skirt below that has incredible volume and fullness. It is cut to be more fitted over the top of the hips and then opens out to that incredible volume that you see. When laid out flat the lower portion under the hips is a full circle skirt. Depending on your height it will be full length or fall to just about the ankle. The amount of detailing on this piece is fantastic. This may not be a piece for everyone but on the right person this is going to be unbelievably spectacular. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

The top is made from a double layer of the organza and the skirt has an inner cream silky rayon lining. The top slips over the head to wear with pearl buttons at the back of the neck and on each cuff. The skirt closes with a zipper and flat hook and eye at the waist. Rolled padding on the very edge of the inner shoulder to help support the volume. The top is tagged a size small and the skirt a medium. You could get a little more room on the neck by moving the buttons probably up to 1/2-3/4" depending on where you place them.

Top
Sleeves: 23"
Slightly extended shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 36" from neck to longest point at the front and approx 28" to the sides.
Neck: 15" around

Skirt
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4198

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 an interesting dress because a version of it was shown on the runway for Fall 1972 but this one seems to be even more elaborate than the runway one. And it is usually the opposite of that in many cases. I like to think that the woman that bought this saw the one on the runway and then worked with George to make this one even more dramatic and spectacular. George Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear. He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. His dresses were made by hand and to couture standards. By the early 1980s a gown by him started at around $8500 and they went up in cost from there and that starting price point equals to around $26,000US in today's dollars. A vintage Stavropoulos dress is an incredible thing to own and this is one of the best ones I have ever seen.

This dress is drop dead gorgeous and I think it's even better in person. The dress is made out of a ivory coloured silk organza that is heavily embroidered with a leaf pattern. Those silk 'leafs' have been embroidered over the entire dress to highlight the cut. Part of the design are actually individual embroidered leafs that have been appliqued and embroidered into place. It is stunning to see in person. The silk is feather light and I love the airy feeling that this creates. This light feeling is highlighted even more all of those little embroidered pieces. On the skirt they are set so they are scattered lightly over the upper skirt and become denser as they reach the hem. Along the hem are these curving inset panels. They are attached to the dress but the design is finished to follow the jagged edge of the embroidered leafs. I love this double layer of texture this gives around the actual hem and then above it on parts of the dress. The skirt is very full. I have photoed it with nothing underneath but there is enough room that you could add a crinoline underneath  and get a very full look if you wanted. The lightness and fullness mean that when you move the dress will move with you and the effect is gorgeous. The neckline is beautiful. It is squared off on both sides and the applique work is set to go inwards around the neck and slightly up the sides of your neck. It also frames the opening at the front and the back. The bodice is layered over an inner dress that the skirt is attached to. This gives it the look and feel of two pieces but it is actually one dress. It also exaggerates that gradual widening that you see happening from the bust all the way down to the hem. At the same time it also allowed him to do another spectacular edging where that jagged edge is picked up and tied into how it's done at the hem. The last perfect touch are those magnificent sleeves. Each one falls from a rounded soft shoulder and is cut with tremendous volume. They have a huge and elaborate pouf to them. Each of them ends in an elaborate cuff with the same detailing applique that the other edges have. They are the perfect finish to this high fantasy gown. The workmanship is incredible and it is absolutely beautiful. This is a fabric that is notoriously difficult to work with and it shows just what a genius he was by the way that he was able to make it sit so beautifully. The majority of work is all done by hand and it would have taken many hours of work to create this dress in this way. This is a dress that must be on a body to really come to life. As good as it looks here it is nothing compared to it on and moving. This would make an extraordinary wedding gown for the bride looking for something unique. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in an ivory silk that has a stiffened inner hem to help hold the volume. It closes with a zipper on the inner dress and then the outer dress snaps into place over that with hidden set silk covered snaps. The inner seams are finished by hand to couture standards. The colour in person is softer and even prettier then how it photoed. The camera gives it more shadow than it has in person on the embroidered parts. It is a touch creamier in real life. This is cut generously underneath the top added bodice but the skimming design will work on a smaller frame as well and could easily be altered if needed

Sleeves: approx 21"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Inner bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of shoulder to inner waist
Skirt: 44" from inner waist to longest points of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4200

Reference Photo: Fall 1972 Stavropoulos 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.