Oscar was known for his beautiful and feminine designs and this dress really showcases that. With our modern day obsession with all things eighties and nineties this play on proportions and fabrics still feels extremely of this moment fashion wise. Oscar had an amazing sense of aesthetics and his genius was in making women look and feel beautiful. I love that we found an amazing backstage shot of it from the runway show that let us date it. It is very hard to date his earlier work and its also nice to be able to see it on. It is just an absolutely gorgeous example of his work from this time period. 

Three different fabrics were combined to make of this dress and each one becomes a an element of the design. The sleeves are a light weight silk taffeta and that is how they hold their fullness without being heavy. The bodice is done in a black lace for a pretty touch. The skirt is a black silk that has a very fine thin ribbing that runs through it for added texture. The neckline is scooped low and it is set wide across at the front so that it sits on the outer edge of your shoulders. At the back it is scooped so you get an expanse of bare skin. The sleeves are spectacular. They have built in panels of tulle to help hold their shape. They are cut to be every full so that they billow out to just above the elbow. They have elastic running through the edges nearest to the shoulders and this allows you to be able to wear them up and on the shoulder like I have shot them here or you could let them fall off the shoulder to get an even more bare feel. It skims over the bodice to the waist and I love the little lace peplum that sits just under the waist seam. The skirt falls from under that on a beautiful curve to the floor. There is a built-in underskirt made out of a black silk organza that has a wide ruffled bottom. This helps to hold the shape of the outer skirt. The fulness of the skirt moves beautifully when you move. Excellent condition

The bodice is lined in a black chiffon, The skirt in a black organza and the sleeves have tulle inside them to hold the shape. Built in underskirt. It closes with a back zipper. Tagged a vintage ODLR 6

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 17" from natural shoulder to slightly dropped seam under natural waist
Skirt: 44" from slightly dropped seam under natural waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4444

Reference Photo: Resort 1978 Oscar de la Renta.

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.

I love when I find these earlier examples of Oscar de la Renta's work. He would heave been more personally involved in them and they really showcase the designer he was to become. The label on this dress tells us that it's probably late 60s maybe the first couple years of the 1970s and it seems similar to some of the pieces I've seen from the 1970 season. The dress beautifully showcases the the genius of his work and attention to detail. This is a favourite from him that I've had in the shop

The dress is gorgeous and is made from a beautiful black silk taffeta that holds the shape and volume that this dress has perfectly. The fabric choice also keeps the dress fairly light in weight while giving the dress some structure and shape. The front bodice is stunning. Two shaped triangles cover the front of the bodice, and there is a deep V for the neckline. The triangles extend all the way to the top of the neck and they are finished with a ruffle in the same fabric. This makes that V be a little less apparent and is a pretty detailing as it goes up and around your neck. Ties extend from just behind the peak of each triangle to tie behind the neck. It wraps around the waist and scoops low there. This leaves your entire back open and bare above that. I love this unexpected bare skin moment that is in stark contrast to the coverage at the front. The waist nips in and we have added a wide grosgrain ribbon to add a little more shape. The skirt deserves it own moment. It is made out of the same silk taffeta as the bodice. It explodes out from the waist to become incredibly full by the time it reaches the hem. Tiers of silk allow this expansion and there are five tiers in total. Each tier is finished with that same ruffled detail that you see around the halter neck and this really makes the dress special. Inside there is a silk lining and then another netted lining sits between the outer skirt and that inner layer. This helps to hold the volume that you see and it is spectacular. The photos on the dress form do not come close to doing it justice. This is a dress that needs an actual body in it and then it really comes to life. When you walk the taffeta rustles and the skirt swoops around to create this stunning billowing effect. Then when you turn to leave you have that flash of bare skin at the back. It is utterly amazing. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a layer of silk taffeta and the skirt is lined as described above. The dress closes with a low set zipper at the back. Hand finished throughout. The ribbon at the waist is not original to the dress but will be sent with it

Bust: each triangle covers 8 inches plus there's an inch and a half a ruffle on each side. There's no true side scene.
Waist: 12.5-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 59" from neck to hem and can be adjusted a bit depending on were you tie the neck

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4633

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 Oscar de la Renta dress is gorgeous. The Fall 2011 Oscar de la Renta Bridal collection was amazing and this was one of the star looks of the show. His wedding pieces range from about $10000-$20,000 USD with the more elaborate ones like this tending to be in the upper range of that. Oscar launched his first bridal collection in October of 2002 and his wedding pieces have been worn by some of the most famous women in the world. He once said 'In the same manner that she fell in love with that man, I hope she's going to fall in love with that dress.' Countless brides have done just that. This gown is absolutely beautiful and if you are a bride looking for that very full princess feel then this is the ultimate dress for that. It literally takes your breathe away when you see and hold it in person.

The skirt of the dress is magnificent. It is made from many yards of multiple layers of a white tulle silk netting. The strapless bodice above that is a slightly more ivory colour and it is stunning. It is completely covered with tiers of lace and little scalloped silk chiffon rows. I took close ups of the work done there for you to see. The edges of the lace are embroidered and there are tiny curvy rows of ivory iridescent sequins mixed in. If that wasn't enough there are also little rhinestones set in rows over the bodice. The top curves in a pretty sweetheart neckline and it has a full built in hidden corset inside the bodice so you don't have to worry about additional underpinnings. The bust is strapless and fitted across the bodice. It is cut to follow your curves and there are built in hidden cups inside to lift the breasts. It tightly hugs the bodice and then nips in at the waist. The waist is detailed with elaborate appliquéd 'belt' that is made from various faux pearls, silver tube beads and glass cut rhinestones in different shapes. For the runway presentation it was shown with a simple sash and I believe that this was a custom add on. The skirt is extremely full and that beautiful volume would float all around you. There are 12 layers of tulle in the skirt and many of the inner ones have a double hem finish at the bottom. Under all of that there is a silk taffeta inner skirt in a deeper ivory. If you look closely you can see that under the top two layers of tulle the skirt has been gathered up all around in little drapes. This gives it this depth in fullness that is incredible. It's a subtle detail that you can see through those top layers of skirts that is just absolutely genius. I did not add any additional crinolines to the dress for these photos. It has enough built in layers in the  skirt already that it falls on its own perfectly. Every angle that you look at this dress from gives you drama and gorgeousness. It is cut longer at the back so that it flows out behind you when you walk. If you wanted even more of a real princes gown feel I think you could have the inner layers starched and you would get even more volume. I love the bareness of the shoulders the strapless silhouette gives you. It is the perfect balance to that full on princess skirt. It is a very stunning gown and is a beautiful example of Oscar's work. Excellent condition with a minor note below

The bodice is boned with padded inner cups for structure and support. The dress closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. Multiple layers of built in tulle and skirting as described above. The edge of the bodice near the arm area has some minor grubbiness and the hem of the inner skirt is grubby and some of the very inner layers of tulle have some marks at their hems and I see the very occasional small tear near the hem. You see none of these once on. It otherwise looks to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged an ODLR 8 but seems to be cut small

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam if inner hook is closed 13" if left unhooked or the hooks moved
Hips: open
Bodice: 9" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 45" from waist to front hem, 50" to inner back hem and 5*" to the ends of the tulle at the back

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML maybe a smaller MED

Item# DD4222

Reference Photos: (1-4) Fall 2011 Oscar de la Renta Bridal Collection, Look 5.  /  (5-7) Solea, wearing this dress, for her tribute performance to Evita for PBS Great Performances, March 2023.

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 was featured prominently in the 2016 exhibit at the Museum of FIT. This dress is often referred to as the fairy castle, or skeleton castle dress, because of the print that runs over the front of the dress. It is an interesting dress in that it is instantly recognizable as a McQueen piece, and yet it was not one that was featured on the runway. Despite being a museum exhibition piece, and one that is very well known, it was a piece produced for limited production in stores. He also produced an all black version of this dress, that you will see more often, but this printed version is far more rare. We have had that all black version as well and it was worn by Alix Earl to the Grammys before it was purchased. Besides the exhibition photo of the twin of this dress, we have included some photos of Alix in the all black version for you so that you can see how amazing this will be on the body. It is truly one of the more iconic McQueen pieces.

No matter how good you think that this dress looks like in photos or in its all black version on Alix, it is even better in person and moving. The dress is made out of a black bias cut silk that has a stunning grey scale scene printed over its entire front. I love that you literally feel like you are wearing a piece of art when you wear this dress. The dress is cut completely on the bias so it just glides over the body. It skims over the bust with a draped front that falls in a soft fold. The back is incredible and it is scooped down into a low draping that leaves a good portion of your back bare. From there  it skims past the waist and hips to the floor. The silk follows your curves and highlights the body underneath without it being too tight and fitted. Once past the hips the dress flares out as it nears the bottom so that it has beautiful movement when you move. The back is cut slightly longer than the front so you get a beautiful sweeping feel behind you. The dress is in its original uncut supermodel length. The design on the front features a castle that has winged skeleton fairies and leaf bare trees sweeping up and over it. The design is all printed into the silk to add the perfect amount of detail to the otherwise perfectly simple dress. It is just amazing. Excellent condition with a very minor note below

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. The measurements given below are the comfortable range when the dress is laying flat. Being bias cut the length may come up a bit once on the body and it should fit a range of sizes. There is a tiny area of thinning near the back hem on the outer fabric and I do see some scuffing and a couple tiny holes on the inner lining. Please see the photo after the label shot. Tagged a vintage McQueen 42

Bust: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 64" from top of shoulder to front hem, 67" to the back

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4862

Reference Photos/Video: (1) 2007 Alexander McQueen Gown on display at the Fairy Tale Fashion Exhibit at The Museum at FIT January, 2016.  /  (2-4) Alix Earle in Alexander McQueen from Shrimpton Couture, at the Grammys, 2024.

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

This gorgeous dress is from Mr. Valentino's final show before he retired. Its twin in a pale green walked the runway for Look 75 and we were very happy to find both runway shots and video for you to  see just how great the dress is on. Vogue said this last collection was; 'Crisply puncturing the potential for a predictable end-of-era wallow in sentiment, Valentino played it as an upbeat, fast-paced whirl of breezy, pretty, drop-dead gorgeousness that blew any lingering sense of ladylike stuffiness to the winds. If there's a problem, it's only being spoiled for choice. What to pick from the head-spinning plethora of dresses on offer?' This was one of my favourites of the show and I think it is even better in the more versatile black.

I love the contrast between the two types of silk used for the dress. It adds that little extra flash of interest when you see it. The dress falls from one shoulder and then drapes down and over the body to the floor. The shape is created by vertical seaming that run from shoulder to hem. The softer silk parts are bias cut and allow the dress to skim and drape over you so that is shows every curve but is not overly fitted. The seaming is intricate and beautifully done. A single shoulder panel curves over your shoulder and runs across the bust to the other side. There is a large bow set at the front of that shoulder and then a second bow sits just below the hip on that same side. The bodice curves down into the side panel on the bow side, draping down and along the curved panel that cuts across the body and extends down into the skirt. The waist is shaped by the vertical seaming. The skirt flares out and is quite wide by the time it reaches the hem. It sweeps around you as you walk and even more movement is created by the slit that runs from the hem to that pretty little bow. The dress is even better in person. It is an gorgeous example of his work and looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

The bodice is lined and then the rest of the dress is unlined. It closes at the side with hidden set zipper. In its original uncut length and looks too have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a vintage Valentino 8

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from top of shoulder to front hem
Slit: 25" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4493

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2008 Valentino, Look 75. Model Laura Blokhina.

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 Fall 2005 ready to wear show was called 'Propaganda' and for the pieces sold from her personal collection in the recent Christie's auction they referred to some of the information from the Vivienne Westwood Catwalk book which I will share here; With "Propaganda‘ Vivienne Westwood, more than perhaps any other fashion designer, understands the power of a garment to communicate a meaning and a message…The message was writ large: PROPAGANDA, in block lettering worked into multitudes of garments. The inspiration was an essay by Aldous Huxley, ‘Propaganda in a Democratic Society’, asserting – Westwood stated – that the world suffers from three evils: ‘Nationalist Idolatry’ in place of religion; ‘Non-Stop Distraction’; and ‘Organised Lying’. Headbands also bore the word ‘Branded’, reference to Canadian author and social activist Naomi Klein’s book, No Logo. Again, Westwood was challenging orthodoxy through her designs.’ --Alexander Fury, Vivienne Westwood Catwalk"

The collection also featured a segment of pieces that were a mix of stripes, silks and tulles in a variety of colours. The near twin of this set walked the runway and I love that we have video so you can see how fantastic this is on the body. The dress on the runway seems to have had a half skirt made of the white tulle that tied into place over the skirt. I think if you wanted the full on look, you could easily have that re-created. It is gorgeous worn without as well and perhaps a touch more wearable this way too. This might even make for a beautiful set for a bride who doesn't want to go the traditional route.

I love the soft dusty ballet pink silk striping combined with the ivory and soft green cotton striped fabric. The corset has one of her trademark flattened front bodices that is boned and shaped so that it angles towards the centre waist inside. It closes at the back with a zipper and then the silk buttons over itself so that the zipper closure is completely hidden. The top angles down on one side and she has inset a panel of white tulle from shoulder to the long point of the hem. Combining both the pale green striped pattern with the pink silk stripes over the bodice creates this wonderful contrast. The skirt is equally as remarkable. Again we see her play with the pink striping and the green, mixing them together in that perfectly Westwood way to create interest and shape over the body. I love that the zipper is set on an angle at the back of the skirt to follow the pattern instead of creating a vertical line across all of those angles. The skirt is meant to fit more snug around the hips and then flares out tremendously into a pointed hem around you. Under that layer you see a multi-length finish of tulle. Five layers of tulle are wrapped around you and sit over top of a heavy cotton muslin inner skirt for support. It is all constructed to have this incredible fullness and movement. I also took a close-up of the pink striped fabric so you can see the beauty of the secondary floral pattern that runs through the pink striping. No matter how good it looks in the photos the mix of colour and extraordinary patterning that the pieces have is just phenomenal to see in person. Both pieces appear to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

The corset is lined in a combination of the green striped fabric and stretch lingerie netting. It closes with a zipper at the back and then buttons over the zipper as described above.  The front of the corset is fully boned, and the sides have stretch lingerie net. The skirt is lined in a pale pink silk above the cotton muslin lower portion of the skirt. It closes with an angle set zipper that follows a seam and a button at the waist over that. Both pieces are tagged a UK10 US6

Corset
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 15.5" from top of bodice to shorter side and 30" to the longer

Skirt
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 45" from waist to longest points of the tulle of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4861

Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2005 Vivienne Westwood.

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 Oscar de la Renta dress is gorgeous and it is a definite statement piece. We believe this to be from the early 2000s and probably part of a bridal collection. It might even be a custom piece. His wedding pieces range from about $10000-$20,000 USD with the more elaborate ones like this tending to be in the upper range of that. Oscar launched his first bridal collection in October of 2002 and his wedding pieces have been worn by some of the most famous women in the world. He once said 'In the same manner that she fell in love with that man, I hope she's going to fall in love with that dress.' Countless brides have done just that. This gown is absolutely beautiful and if you are a bride looking for that very full princess feel and with the added pop of pink, this is the dress. 

The skirt of the dress is magnificent. Underneath the top layer are two layers of a pale smoky greyish white tulle and then that tops nine layers of pink tulle. Then under that are three more layers of a stiffen white tulle. Incredible! The dress is strapless to balance out the incredible volume that all of those layers create. The neckline is embroidered and finished with muted silver gold thread and tiny little pink beads, mixed with clear iridescent beads. This is all attached to the dress with pink thread. Inside the bodice there is a full built-in hidden corset that is boned and has underwire cups hidden under the pink silk lining. It nips in at the waist for shape and then the skirt explodes out in volume under that. I did not add any additional crinolines to the dress for these photos. The very top layer of tulle is covered with a scattering of tiny silver sequins and little clear beads that are fixed in patterns over the bodice as well as the skirt. This allows the dress to sparkle in the light from every angle it is seen from. The top layer of the skirt is gathered into the waist and on the sides it is gathered more so you get a bit of interest and draping of that top layer of tulle. The hem has been finished with an elaborate pattern that picks up on what you see on the bodice. On one side of the skirt the hem and tulle have been gathered up and into a pink bow for the perfect little finishing detail. If you needed the dress to feel even fuller you could have the inner layers starched and you would get even more volume. I love the bareness of the shoulders the strapless silhouette gives you. It is the perfect balance to that full princess skirt. Gorgeous. Excellent condition with a minor note below

The bodice is lightly boned with wired inner cups under the lining for structure and support. The dress closes at the side with a hidden set zipper. Multiple layers of built in tulle and skirting as described above. I do see some tiny breaks in the net and you will see the occasional missing bead or sequin or loose thread. 

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 50" from top of bodice to front hem, 52" to the back 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4860

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 one of three spectacular and extremely rare Dior pieces by John Galliano from the 2008 Resort collection. This dress is the twin of the dress that walked the runway for Look 60 and it is a very rare piece to find. Vogue said that the collection was done "in an electric-bright palette.. and channelled Barbara Hutton's sixties—a glittery, lame, paisley, and leopard-print world of muumuus, bikinis, capri pants, trapeze dresses, cat-eye sunglasses, and scarf-wrapped hats. It bordered on camp... and Kitschy or not, there was no denying the workmanship that went into crafting the large collection." I love having the runway photos that give you an idea of how fantastic this is on the body. It is absolutely brilliant and a true jewel.

Just as a side note and to give you an idea of the cost of these beaded pieces by Dior, the coat that I have from this collection has its original price tag and in 2008 it was US$16,775 and it is the simplest of the three pieces design wise. Even though that is only 16 years ago, the inflation value of that in 2024 dollars is about $25,000. And that is not even taking into account the value that John Galliano adds to the equation!

The fabric of this dress is incredible. It is a brilliant blue silk brocade that has a floral pattern running through it that is made from a silver thread woven into the silk. The bodice has been heavily detailed with silver sequins, beads and rhinestones. It is incredible to see. The design runs over the entire dress and the dress seems to almost glow from within as a result. The silver thread has been done in such a way that it feels like it sits within the base a bit which gives the design this fabulous bit of extra texture. The blue has a very rich and vibrant feel to it and in person the entire dress has a more luminescent effect to it then how it photoed. I know the person who buys this will be very pleased once they see this one in real life. The bodice is strapless and it is cut to curve around the bust with an built in cupped, wired and boned inner corset. The inner dress begins just below the bust with a natural waist that curves in by the cut alone. There is no seam there to break the eye. It is shaped from there to curve out and over the hips. From there it falls to the hem, slightly narrowing in as it reaches the floor. A slit at the back allows enough room to walk. Over this is a huge over skirt that is set in to that seam under the bust with a little flared peplum that wraps all the way around you. The over skirt is incredibly full and billows out around you as you walk. It is cut and open down the centre at the front so that you have incredible movement like you see in the runway video. Above that the entire bodice is detailed with silver beads, sequins and prong set rhinestones. These are set on top of the floral pattern of silver underneath and are densely applied for a touch of a 3D feel. It is stunning. The construction of this dress is impeccable. It is also drop dead gorgeous and even better in person. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a blue silk. There is a full built in netted corset with lightly padded underwire cups and boning. The corset closes with its own set of lingerie hooks and then the dress closes over that with a hidden set zipper. There are little loops inside the bodice that you could add straps if you wish. Fabric could be stolen from one of the inner hems to make them. If having them is important to you, let me know when you purchase and I can have those made for you before shipping the dress. Tagged a vintage vintage Dior FR40, GB12, IT44, US8

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam with room for up to a B-maybe small C cup at the front
Seam under the bust: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 54" from top of the bodice to inner hem and 55" to the hem of the over skirt, with approx 2" turned under both hems

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4858

Reference Photos/Video: Resort 2008 Christian Dior Runway, Look 60.

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.