Bill 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. I love finding his worn becasue its rare and exceptionally well made. It represents the more fantastical side of British fashion during this time period and I love that. 

The dress is made from a silk chiffon that has been dyed to a deep fuchsia that gradually darkens to a deep mauve as it loves across the dress. I love the depth this creates and how it highlights the parts of the dress. The sleeves are wide and come out from just above the gathered waist. They narrow down to their ends from there. The front and back both dip into a deep V and the neckline sits wide across the shoulders. There is a little silk flower finished with sequins nestled at the base of the V. From just under the bust to the top of the hips the silk is 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 and it catches the light with your every move. Under the top layer of silk on 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. It is gorgeous. Excellent condition.

The dress is fully lined in a pale silver blue silk and closes with a side metal and nylon zipper. There are hook and eye along part of the bottom seaming of the arm on that side as well. Big iridescent glass buttons on each cuff. Small areas here and there where the glitter has fallen off but it is minimal and I am being picky. 

Sleeves: approx 23"
Shoulders: no defines seam
Bust: no true side seams so open and variable
Natural waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at bottom of gatherings 24" down from the shoulder: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam, skirt is open under that
Length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3068

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 fabulous three-piece complete set circa 1972 from the Valentino boutique label. Valentino launched his ready-to-wear label in 1962 just two years after opening his first salon in Rome. His work was so popular that when he launched the New York boutique in the fall of 1970 it shut down the city. Traffic was backed up 3 blocks with everyone who was anyone trying to get in on opening night. He wanted everyone to have access to the Valentino experience and he often brought in the designs that he created for his main couture label into the boutique work. In these early days pieces were remarkably close in quality and the line between the two labels was often blurred. On this set you can see that in the hand finishing that is has. Though I have seen various combinations of these pieces this is the first time I've seen all three sold as a proper full set. I love it.

This really is an incredible set and it shows his love of prints. I love how all three pieces use the same print layered on top of each other and the combination of the two fabrics. The skirt and jacket are made out of a flat pile cotton velvet and the top is made out of a scarf weight silk. A charming acorn pattern combined with flowers covers all three pieces and you will notice how the design on the skirt and jacket are weighted heavier towards the bottom. This draws the eye downwards and cleverly gives added length to the wearer. On the top the pattern is scattered evenly over the entire bodice which gives a slight contrast to the other two pieces. The skirt is banded at the waist and skims over the hips. There are pockets on each hip for the perfect slouchy feel. It falls to the floor in a slight A-line that perfectly showcases that gorgeous print. The jacket is also made of a velvet and it has an equally simple cut. It has soft shoulders and the sleeves end just above each wrist depending on the length of your arms. There is a yoked seam across the top of the bodice on the front and the back and then the jacket falls in a soft A0line from there to just past the hips. The jacket also has pockets and these are sat at each hip on a slight slant. It has no closures and is meant to just sit over the little silk top underneath. The top is everything you want from a piece from the 1970s. It has a structured and very pointed little collar and it buttons down the front. It is shaped to follow the curves of the body and then the sleeves are phenomenal. Each is cuffed and above that there is that beautifully shaped arm that balloons out extensively just above the cuff. I love that the three pieces are phenomenal when worn together but they are also pieces that you can easily mix-and-match with everything else in your wardrobe. Excellent condition.

The top is unlined and buttons to close at the front. There are two buttons on each cuff. It is tagged a size 6 and I see evidence that the back was let out a touch. The jacket is fully lined in a brown silk. It has no closures and it is tagged a vintage Valentino 10. The skirt closes with a flat hook and eye at the waist and a zipper below that. It is lined in a black silk and it is tagged a vintage Valentino size 8. It has pockets on each hip

Top
Sleeves: 26" and the upper arm measures 12" around
Shoulders: 14.25"
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 22" from neck to hem

Jacket
Sleeves: 21" and the upper arm measures 12" around
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-hips: open
Total length: 31" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 40" from waist to hem with 5.5" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4705

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 very beautiful example of Halston's work using cashmere during this time period. He was a master at combining function and ease but without sacrificing glamour. He did this with the absolute minimum of seaming that a garment required. They seem so very simple but they are not. This one had a Halston tag when I acquired it many years ago but unfortunately it was lost during the cleaning process. 

This is a great jumpsuitl. It is  made out of a soft black cashmere and is strapless. Inside is a fall, built and boned corset that holds the jumpsuit into place. This inner core set closes with a series of lingerie hook and eye, and then the jumpsuit zips to close over that. The cashmere is attached along the top edge of the neckline, and then just glides over that inner peace. The waist is easy on the outside, but you're cinched in inside. It skims over the hips, and then the lay. The width of the legs gives it some movement when it's on, and elevate the feel of the jumpsuit. I love the simplicity of the peace, and how you can change it by layering something underneath it over it, or just simply wear it on its own. In the book 'Halston; An American Original' they talk about Halston's cashmere pieces and quote Polly Mellen as saying: "His cashmere pieces to the floor... they were very cozy and at the same time elegant". It is said that all of his cashmere pieces were inspired by a close associate that was a dance instructor and were intended to give the body complete freedom because of their ease of movement they have when you wear one. Excellent condition.

Unlined and with a built-in inner boned corset. The corset hooks to close at the back and the jumpsuit zips to close with a hidden sets zipper over that. Unlabeled

Bust: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 54" from top of bodice to hem
Inseam: 33.5"
Gusset: 21.5" from the top of the back to the inner seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD4699

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.

Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional. Hanae Mori excelled at these beautiful prints that combined nature with elements of her homeland. When I find pieces like this one with such a stunningly beautify example of her early prints I am very happy. I feel that pieces like this are among the very best representations of her work. This one in its pretty and fresh green colour palette is just so pretty.

This is everything you look for in a piece by Hanae Mori. It has one of her custom designed prints screened onto a feather light silk chiffon. Think the finest silk scarf you could have in terms of weight and feel. The entire dress has been printed with a gorgeous and romantic flower design that combines several types of flowers. I love that it includes some tiny little insects and birds flying over the flowers in the print. The neckline is high with a neat little collar. The sleeves are incredible. The silk has been gathered into the shoulders and this is the secret behind their fullness. From there they open out to be incredibly full and balloon over the wrists. I love that she used the parts of the silk that have the most extensive amount of the print on it for the sleeves. This perfectly picks up on the hem of the dress where that same extensive and dense floral print has been used. The fullness of the sleeves allow them to billow out around the cuff and create such a pretty effect once on the body. From the neckline it cascades and skims loosely over the body and gently widens out until it reaches the hem. The dress is cut to simply float over the body. It does come with its original wide sash belt that is done in a solid green and has been top stitched. This gives you the option of wearing it more cinched in through the waist. I have photoed it both ways for you to see and I love that you can add shape and completely change the look of the dress by adding the belt. This is a dress that you slip on and feel completely comfortable when wearing and yet it has as much drama and impact as you could ask for. It is a stunning example of her work and beautifully made. I love it. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Fully lined with a green silk and a full second layer of silk chiffon under the top printed layer. It closes with a back zipper. The sleeves are unlined. Each cuff closes with a two hidden silk covered snaps. The original tie belt is included. Hand finished throughout. The hem is finished by hand, but it looks like it was redone at some point by someone and I see a tiny little stitch of a repair on one sleeve. The loose and easy cut should allow it to fit a variety of sizes. It will just drape more on a smaller frame and be more fitted on a larger frame.

Sleeves: approx 25" and very full through the arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4688

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 the actual dress that is in the book on Thea Porter's work that accompanied the exhibit n her work. The photo appears on page 88. The caption in the book notes that this dress is a "Faye dress in ikat silk chiffon, designed by Sandra Munro, with a bodice of Damascus brocade". The Faye dress was named after Faye Dunaway and she made these in various fabrications starting in 1968. It also has a Giorgio Beverly Hills tag where she sold her designs starting in 1969. It was said that when word got out that Thea had new things in the Girorgio boutique, women ran to be able to get a piece for themselves. This print was very well documented and Thea made a small series of pieces from this fabric. Each piece was made specifically so that it was cut to follow the print perfectly. This is the only one I've ever seen made in this length and in this style. Given her extremely limited run on certain pieces it may in fact be the only one that exists. It is truly a very special piece.

The cut of this dress is exceptional and this is a highly recognizable design from Thea. The neckline is scooped and edged in a gold cord that wraps around the neck and then runs down the front. It buttons to close at the front in three groups of buttons. I love how each of the buttons are covered in the same silk as the skirt and sleeves. As noted in the book the fabric of the bodice is a Damascus brocade in a muted gold with pops of turquoise and orange. Thea was known for picking up antique fabrics in her journeys and this is undoubtedly a piece or sample of fabric she sourced on her travels. I love that you feel fully covered but there is a tiny gap between the two sides of the front bodice so depending on how you move you get the tiniest glimpse of bare skin. The sleeves are phenomenal. Each is gathered into the top of the shoulder and then they are a huge balloon sleeve under that. They are made from a single layer of the Ikat printed silk chiffon and the pattern is set horizontally on the sleeves. This makes it feels like it wraps around the arm right down to the elastic cuffs. The waist is finished with a wide horizontal band of that same silk and it is cut with a more generous feel. These Faye dresses were not a true caftan but they did have that easy to wear feel to them that her caftan pieces also have. The skirt has an incredible amount of fabric. Here the Ikat print was set vertically which perfectly contrasts all the other elements of the dress and adds visual length. There is a good amount of fabric in the skirt so it moves beautifully once on the body. This is an exceptional and extremely rare example of her work. Excellent condition with a small note below

Fully lined in a green silk and zips to close at the back. The buttons at the front are functional but meant to be decorative. Each sleeve ends with an elastic. I see a tiny bit of colour change to the lining near one arm and a slight darkening to the brocade on that side as well but it is very minor. The tiniest bit of a run in the fabric near the base of the zipper. Please see the photos after the label shot. The easy cut should fit a range of sizes

Sleeves: 24.5" and they are very full
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12.5" from top of shoulder to top of the band at the waist
Total length: 42" from top of shoulder to hem with 1.5" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4690

Reference Photo: From the book 'Thea Porter: Bohemian Chic' by Laura McLaws Helms and Venetia Porter.

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.