Fausto Puglisi
Fall 2012 Fausto Puglisi Ad Campaign Multi Colour Mini Dress w Gold & Rhinestone Detailing
I Have a Question
- The dress is from the Fall 2012 collection
- It was made under the creative direction of Fausto Puglisi
- The twin of this dress was used in the Ad campaign and we also found a reference photos from an editorial that took place in the showroom. It was also shot for a magazine editorial that season. I love that we have these reference photos so you can see how fabulous it is once on an actual body.
- When these debuted they sold out worldwide and seemed to be everywhere on all of the fashion people.
- His first collection debuted in 2006 and Italian fashion editor Anna Dello Russo started to wear his pieces everywhere and is largely responsible for bringing his work to the spotlight. His style during this time period was often referred to as "Greco-Roman glitz".
- The dress is made out of a light wool that has a slight texture to it. It is a mix of six different colours.
- The bodice is a pale purple with soft yellow straps that are cut wide. They curve up and over the shoulders to meet the back.
- Around the waist at the front there is a wide panel of ivory embellished with an over-sized metal and rhinestone medallion.
- The band at the back is done in a soft green and then you have black panels that wrap around the hips to the back zipper on either side.
- The skirt is a deeper purple at the front with yellow used for the back.
- The back of the skirt has been pleated and has slits on either side of the skirt to show even more leg than the short length already does.
- It is beautifully made and is an incredible mix of sexiness and a sense of lightness and fun.
- The bodice is fully lined in an ivory silk and there is light boning at the sides. It closes with a back hidden set zipper and an inner waist stay snaps to close. A touch of a mark on the inner lining. Please see the photo after the label shot.
- Tagged modern a US6, UK10, IT42, FR38
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 31.5" from top of shoulder to hem and the slits at the side are 5.25" from the hem up.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5663
Reference Photo: (1) Fall 2012 Fausto Puglisi Ad Campaign photographed by Paolo Santambrogio. / (2) The Fausto Puglisi Showroom. / (3) Model in Fausto Puglisi for En Vie Fashion Magazine, July 2014.
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.
alex perry
Spring 2020 Alex Perry Runway Brilliant Blue Dress w Twist Front & to the Floor Caped Sleeves
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was presented for the Spring 2020 Alex Perry collection.
- It was made under the creative Direction of Alex Perry.
- Alexandros Pertsinidis is an Australian fashion designer who launched the Alex Perry label in 1992. His work has been featured on numerous the covers worldwide since then and is a favourite on the red carpet. It's been worn by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Lupita Nyong and countless others.
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Mindy Kaling wore its twin to the 2021 SAG awards and Deepika Padukone was also seen wearing one. We've added reference photos of each, along with the runway presentation photo, so you can see how fantastic this is on the body.
- The dress is made from a brilliant royal blue crepe finish fabric is used for the entire dress including those incredible sleeves. The fabric choice gives it. a beautiful drape and is what lets it move so beautifully over the body once it is on.
- It is constructed so that it drapes and skims over the body perfectly. The skirt falls to the floor in a sweeping expanse of fabric. When you stand still it looks more like a sleek column but when you move you realize how much fabric is in there as it billows out behind you.
- The bodice drapes softly over you at the front and is twisted in a knot that meets at the waist.
- The shoulders are padded to give them a defined and shaped silhouette. Caped sleeves extend out from the shoulders to fall all the way to the floor to create this elegant and dramatic feeling over your arms.
- The fabric has enough weight that it stays in place when you are standing still but when you move you get a billowing effect around you with the sleeves.
- It is a fantastic dress and I love how it is so well documented.
- The dress is lined in a matching blue and the sleeves are unlined. It closes with a hidden set zipper at the back. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a modern Alex Perry 8
- Excellent condition
Bust: 17-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from neck to waist
Total length: 63" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5660
Reference Photos: (1) Spring 2020 Alex Perry. / (2) Mindy Kaling in Alex Perry for the SAG Awards, 2021. / (3) Deepika Padukone in Alex Perry for The World Economic Forum, 2020.
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.
valentino
Chic Spring 1974 Valentino by the Original Mr. Valentinop Green Silk Shell Print Top & Head Scarf
I Have a Question
- This top is from the Spring 1974 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of the original Mr. Valentino
- Valentino launched his ready-to-wear label in 1962 just two years after opening his first salon in Rome. 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.
- I love that this has the classic seashell print from that year. We included reference photos of similar pieces from the collection. It is a very special and rare piece of original Valentino.
- The top is made out of a beautiful green silk that has the fantastic seashell print made up of several varieties of seashells.
- The seashell pattern has been set onto the silk on an angle and it covers the entire top.
- The shoulders and the way the sleeves are cut on this one are wonderful. The shoulder is deliberately dropped and then the sleeves are cut to be extremely full and generous. They almost have the feel of a pirate sleeve. They are full all the way down and then are brought back in at the buttoned cuffs.
- The cut is boxy and generous through the body for an easy fit. The top came with its original little matching silk string belt that you can use to tie around the waist for added shape. You could always use it around the neck.
- The collar is fantastic. It is pointed in that wonderful feel of the 1970s.
- Not only did this one come with its original little belt but it also came with a triangular shaped matching scarf that you can wrap and tie around the neck or around the head as a head scarf like how I styled it here for you to see.
- This is a fantastic piece of Valentino history, and I love that it has one of his most iconic prints from this era.
- The top is unlined and closes at the front with a series of buttons. Each cuff buttons to close. I see one small mark. Please see the photo after the label shot. The top is meant to feel more loose and generous if you choose to wear it without a belt and un-tucked. It should fit a variety of sizes and just feel more oversized on a smaller frame.
- Tagged a vintage Valentino 8
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 25" and they are up to 21" around the upper arm
Dropped shoulders: approximately 21"
Bust- hem: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 26" from neck to hem
Head, scarf: 49 from end to end x 21" at the widest point wide
Modern Sizing Equivalent:XS-MED
Item# DD5659
Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1974 Valentino Ad Campaign photographed by Gianpaolo Barbieri. / (2) Spring 1974 Valentino phootgraphed by Andre Carrara.
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.
hermes
Fantastic Vintage 1999 Hermes Rythmes du Monde by Laurence Bourthoumieux Green Silk Twill Top
I Have a Question
- This is an exceptional vintage Hermes top from 1999.
- This print is called Rythmes du Monde and was created by Laurence Bourthoumieux and first issued in 1999.
- Laurence Bourthoumieux is also known as Toutsy on her later works. She is well known for her work for Hermes.
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The top is made out of one of their signature silk twills that has a bit of give so the fit is amazing.
- The print that covers it is phenomenal. It combines greens with a deeper yellow and has a classic Hermes pattern that covers the entire top.
- The collar is fantastic with a pointed finish and I love how the entire front edging is a contrasting print.
- That same contrast is picked up again on each cuff.
- The colour is pointed and slightly exaggerated. The shoulders are soft, and the sleeves are slightly full above their cuffs. The cut through the body is easy and boxy so it is easy to wear and fit.
- There are two extra buttons still sewn inside near the side seam.
- The text identifying the print is on the inside edge of the bottom of the top.
- This is a fantastic way to add a piece of Hermes magic to your wardrobe.
- The top is unlined and buttons to close down the front and at each cuff. I see some minor colour transfer here and there in the print. I have taken photos of where it is the worst. It is mainly around the lower edge. The print is so extensive over the top that it blends in well but it is mentioned for accuracy. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes and on a smaller frame it will just be slightly more oversized.
- Tagged a vintage Hermes 40.
- Excellent overall condition with the note above
Sleeves: 24" and they are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom edge: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 26" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5657
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 Have a Question
- This is an original Mexican sundress that dates to the 1960s or maybe even a little earlier.
- These were made by hand by local artisans for the tourist market. I think this one is one of the prettiest I have ever seen and I think I will be sad to see it go once it sells.
- I love that it has its original label inside as the label is as pretty and unique as the dress itself.
- These lovely little hand embroidered cotton Mexican dresses are works of art in my opinion and this one is an amazing example.
- The base fabric is a crisp black cotton that has been top stitched with little vertical pin tuck seams that cover the entire dress. These add visual detail and also help to shape the dress.
- Distinct bands of hand embroidered yarn flowers run around each sleeve, the band around the waist and above the lower hem of the skirt. That is what adds the bright pops of colour to the dress that you see. It is incredible.
- The neck line is squared off at both the front and back and the shoulders are soft.
- Each sleeve is cut so that it fall straight from the shoulder to the embroidered band and then underneath that it has these amazing cuffs that expand out to become incredibly full. Each is a full circle all the way around if you lay them out flat.
- A wide band of lace edges the bottom of the sleeve. You see lace used throughout the dress in between the different portions and parts of the pattern.
- The lace is all placed strategically so you get a little glimpse of skin underneath but are still properly covered. It is fantastic.
- The bodice skims to the band of embroidery at the waist and then the skirt sits under that. It gradually widens out to be very full by the time it reaches the hem.
- Everything about this dress is beautiful and it is rare to find one that is still so crisp and perfect. It is a beautiful dress.
- Unlined and closes with a painted metal zipper at the back. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 22" and they are 14.5" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14-15"
Bust: 16.5-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of shoulder to the top of the 3.5" band around the waist
Total length: 58" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5649
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.
stavropoulos
Exquisite Fall 1978 Stavropoulos Bias Cut Black Silk Dress w Red Striped Pattern & Red Underskirt
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Fall 1978 runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of George Stavropoulos.
- Stavropoulos was known for his evening wear and his signature looks often involved draping and the use of silk done on a bias cut. He focused on cut and fabric to convey the beauty of each piece. It was said that his gowns 'seemed to float on air'.
- He launched his label in 1960 and soon was dressing women like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Barbra Streisand and Maria Callas. His gowns are were made by hand and to couture standards in his salon.
- I love that we have runway documentation as documentation on his work can be rare.
- The dress is made out of a feather light black silk that has tiny little red lines running over the silk that highlight the cut and line of the dress.
- The neckline is cut straight across at the front and the back of the dress.
- Tiny straps in a matching black silk curve up and over each shoulder.
- The seam work is set on angles and it is cut so that the waist is brought in and then it curves back out and over the hips.
- From there the skirt falls in this extravagant sweep of bias cut silk to the floor. I love how much it. widens out by the hem. This allows it to move beautifully around you as you move.
- Underneath the top layer of silk is an unexpected red lining. When you sit or move you get these little flashes of that great red that is fantastic.
- The same red is used in the stripes that run over the entire dress. These bands of colour are stacked on top of each other and are set on angles running down and around the entire dress to add visual interest and shape.
- There is a slight elastic around the top neckline and this would let you wear this as a strapless piece and just tuck the little straps in if you wanted.
- The dress is fully lined in a red silk and it closes with a side set zipper. It appears to have been worn very little at all.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from the top of the shoulder to the waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem, with the inner lining intentionally extending slightly past the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5648
Reference Photo: Fall 1978 Stavropoulos Runway.
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.
yves saint laurent
Divine Fall 1979 Yves Saint Laurent True Haute Couture Blue Silk Harlequin Print Dress w Ruffled Cuffs
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Fall 1979 Haute Couture Yves Saint Laurent collection.
- It was made under the creative direction Yves Saint Laurent.
- The 1979 collection was an a homage to Picasso and Diaghilev. Yves had been to an exhibit on Picasso costume and set designs for Diaghilev's ballet Russes. At the time he told French Vogue that he had been on a different path entirely for the collection but then he saw the exhibition and "my collection took on the structure of a ballet. I embroidered on Picasso, on a slightly soft cubism, on harlequin, the Blue Period, the Pink. It's best when in inspiration comes! You no longer have any doubt, you get on with it, you feel an immense joy!"
- You can see that inspiration of the harlequin especially on the pattern of this dress. We found several runway examples where he used the same pattern and added those here. It was a significant part of the collection.
- In the YSL folio that contains all the drawings from the collection, I saw that he had to use this particular print in several colours; a golden brown, a red, a white and black, and this magnificent blue. I have also included a sketch of the dress that is closest to this particular piece. Based on the drawings in my folio, it seems that this is most likely a one off done in collaboration with the client's request.
- The dress would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- It is made out of a beautiful fine silk that has a secondary pattern within the weave in the same blue and then it is printed with that black design leaving the blue to show between. The silk is of the highest possible grade.
- You can see the very beginnings of the classic Yves Saint Laurent sack dress to come in the cut and silhouette in this dress. These sack dresses played on volume and cut. As the years went by they got bigger and looser through the middle. This one is still on the edge of being a more loose-waist A-line.
- The collar is banded in the same silk and the silk is gathered in around it for a little added detail. The shoulders are soft and the upper portion of the sleeve is wider and set in a slight cap on the top of the shoulder. This narrows down to a cuffed wrist that ends in a ruffle made of the same silk.
- The cut through the body is loose and easy and it is almost tubular in feel with just the slightest bit of narrowing as it nears the hem.
- I love how this makes it easy to wear and that it gives you the option of wearing it loose or adding a belt to cinch it in and add shape around the waist.
- I have shot it both of those ways with an added black rope belt. The belt is not original to the dress but will be included.
- The perfect finishing touch is the little slits on either side of the skirt. These allow for movement when you move and gives you ease of walking plus a little bit of extra leg to show.
- This is a superb piece of Couture and is an early example of his work.
- The dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear with a single button at the back of the neck above a keyhole. Each cuff buttons to close. It is entirely made by hand. The appropriate Haute Couture label is present.
- There is no size tag present because it is true Couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 23.5" they are 15" around the upper arm. The neck is 13" around. The cuffs are 6" around where the button is presently but could be opened and the button moved to get 7".
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 36.5" from neck to hem. Each side slit is 9" from the hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5644
Reference Photos: Fall 1979 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture.
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.
celine
Ad Campaign Spring 2016 Celine by Pheobe Philo Runway Look 38 Jersey Dress w Cut Out Open Back
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2016 Celine show as Look 38.
- It was made under the creative direction of Phoebe Philo.
- This is a fantastically documented dress. It was used in the ad campaign that season, shot for various editorials and was seen on multiple occasions being worn and documented on various people.
- Phoebe Philo told Vogue that "It's about taking her out of urban life and putting her feet on the sand. It's where I long to be, more and more. I am somebody who is interested in how clothes makes us feel and and how we behave in different places. I thought if you were travelling for a year what would you need to take with you?" Vogue noted the jersey dresses especially saying "long fluid jersey dresses with high waisted bodices and chaste-medieval scooped necks."
- The dress is made out of one of her signature jerseys and is a remarkable colour that is best described as perhaps a pastel peach with a touch of sand.
- The jersey makes it fluid over the body and easy to travel with.
- The shoulders are soft, and the sleeves are long with hidden set zippers at the end of each cuff.
- As noted in the vogue description, the front scooped with a band of the same fabric, edging and neckline. This goes around to the back where long ties extend out and tie as you wish.
- The back is scooped in a fantastic rounded form to leave a bare expanse of skin showing. I love the sensuality of the ties draping over the skin.
- The waist is banded and at the back there is a little unexpected suede rectangle that snaps over the top of the zipper and is highlighted with two gold studs.
- The skirt falls from under there to between the ankle and knee depending on your height. It's gathered in around the band at the waist and then has quite a bit of jersey so it move spectacularly around you as you move. You can see this in the reference video.
- This is a highly collectible and a fabulous piece from Phoebe's time at the label.
- The dress is online but beautifully finished inside. It closes with a hidden set back zipper, and then that suede piece snaps in place over that the ties tie behind the neck. Each cuff has a hidden set zipper. I see one tiny smudge near hem otherwise the dress appears to have been worn very little if at all
- Tagged a vintage Celine 38
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 25.5" and they are 10-10.5" around the upper arm
Shoulders: adjustable because of the tie at the neck
Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of the shoulder to the top of the 1.5" band at the waist
Total length: 54" from the top of the shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5640
Reference Photos/Video: (1-5) Spring 2016 Celine, Look 38. Model Ola Munik. / (6-7) Spring 2016 Celine Ad Campaign photographed by Juergen Teller. / (8) Photographed by Irina Gavrich for Madam, March 2016. / (9) Julia Hafstrom for W Magazine, February 2016. / (10) Lindsey Wixson for Americana Manhasset’s Spring Campaign, 2016. / Various streetstyle - credits unknown.
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.
chloe
Chic Spring 2019 Chloe by Natacha Ramsay-Levi Pleated Chiffon Dress w Attached Caped Back
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Spring 2019 Chloe runway for a Look 52
- It was made under the creative direction of Natacha Ramsay-Levi.
- This is a wonderfully documented piece. A version appeared in the ad campaign, seen on the red carpet and was shot for an editorial. I love that this lets you see how wonderful it is once on the body.
- The Vogue review of the show noted that "Natacha Ramsay-Levi's instincts lead her to Ibiza and Morocco and what she described variously as hippie, modernism and new age Boho." They noted this dress in particular saying "the plisse goddess gown worn by Grace Hartsell" was one of the "clothes with the most persuade of power, exuding and elegant unfettered purity."
- This dress was the stand out piece from the collection in my opinion and it is even better in person.
- The dress is made out of a lightweight chiffon that is pleated and textured in a soft plisse that is set vertically from shoulder to hem. At first glance, you might think that all the colours are separate panels that have been attached together, but it is actually dyed vertical stripes down the length of the dress. I love how where they meet a softly fade into the colour next to it.
- The chiffon is light in weight and the plisse adds such a gorgeous texture. I am very glad that we have both the runway photos and so many reference photos and video for you to see how fantastically it moves once on.
- The front is set in two triangles that meet at a seam just under the bus. This repeats at the back where the panels meet in a more true V. I love how this gives you four distinct panels and leaves the sides open to that same sea under the bust. Even with the plunging the way that it has been cut keeps it very secure around you.
- A peplum made of the same fabric circles all the way around the waist for a pretty detail.
- Under that screw in a beautiful column of the plisse fabric. There's actually quite a bit of fabric in the skirt that only shows when you begin to move and walk. And the lightness of the fabric gives you beautiful movement around you as you can see in the video.
- At the back panels of the same fabric have been attached at the top of each shoulder with a little ruffle for added detail.
- These panels fall down the back connecting at their centre to create the feel of a cape behind you. They are cut, so they're a little longer on each outer edge to fall slightly past the hem of the dress.
- The panels only add to the beautiful movement that the dress has.
- The the colour is described as being sand brown on the label and it is a very pretty muted colour with the feel of beach or desert sand.
- The lightness of the fabric gives it incredible movement as you move. It is a fantastically cut dress that perfectly encapsulates the Chloe girl.
- The dress is lined behind the panels of the bodice in a matching chiffon, and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. The dress is new with its original tag and appears to have never been worn.
- Tagged a vintage Chloe 36
- Excellent condition
Bust: each panel at the front is 6" flat across from side to side at its widest point
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 12" from top of the shoulder to the seam under the panels
Total length: 61.5" from the top of the shoulder to the hem and the cape extends another 7" past that at its longest points.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5639
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Spring 2019 Chloe, Look 52. Model Grace Hartzel. / (4) Spring 2019 Chloe Ad Campaign. / (5) Pets Tseng at the Golden Bell Awards, October 2019. / (6) Credit Unknown.
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.
yves saint laurent
Wonderful c.1974 Yves Saint Laurent Brilliant Floral Print Strapless Cotton Dress w Top Stitched Gathers
I Have a Question
- This dress has a print that was used in and around the 1974 collections. Similar prints were also used slightly earlier.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
- The colours in the cotton are amazing. It has held the colour extremely well and they are as crisp and vibrant as the day it went on the shop floor.
- Yves was a master at choosing the fabrics that were the perfect compliment to the prints that he used. This dress is no exception to that rule with its riot of bright flowers covering its surface. The choice of the cotton make it feather light and allow the skirt to float around you when you move.
- This is such pretty and easy to wear dress. It is actually a very simple shape that is meant to skim over the bust, waist and hips.
- It is strapless with band of gathered top stitched fabric around the top of the neck line to hold it easily in place on you. The band is meant to sit just above the bust.
- The dress floats over the bodice and then there is another wider band of the gathering that runs around the waist. The bodice is cut so that it drapes over the waist a touch.
- The skirt falls in to the floor under the elaborate gathered portion of the waist. The top part of the skirt widens out to a seam around the knee and then the lower skirt is gathered into that.
- The lower skirt has quite a bit of fabric and has a gorgeous flounce around you. It is quite full so has gorgeous movement around you as you move.
- The dress is flattering, easy to wear, and is a really beautiful piece of his work that is very representative of this era of his work.
- The dress is unlined and closes with a back zipper. It appears to have been worn very little at all
- Tagged a vintage YSL 42
- Excellent condition
The band at the top" 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Top seam at the waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10" from top of the bodice to the top of the gathers at the waist
Total length: 50.5" from top of the bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5638
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.
versace
Rare Spring 1993 Versace by Gianni Versace Silk Black & White Printed Off Shoulder Bell Bottom Jumpsuit
I Have a Question
- This is an absolutely fantastic and rare piece from the Spring 1993 Versace collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gianni Versace.
- Similar pieces was seen on the runway worn by Linda Evangelista, versions were shot for Italian Vogue and used for various editorials that season.
- This collection was an homage to South Beach, a place that Gianni absolutely loved. In 1991 he bought Casa Casuarina, a mansion on Ocean Drive. Two years and $30 million later it was a lavish palazzo. But before that completed, he created this spring 1993 show as a love letter to South Beach. Little Havana was referenced in the amazing bell bottom pieces and floral printed silks, both of which are found on this jumpsuit.
- The jumpsuit is made out of a black and white floral printed silk that has a beautifully soft finish to it which makes it very comfortable and easy to wear once on the body.
- A wide 5" band of the floral printed silk is mixed with a second ruffle made out of a black and white dotted silk. This gorgeous double layer of ruffles circles around the shoulders with a silk covered elastic band that lets it sit perfectly in place on you. I I love the bare expanse of skin this leaves showing across the top of the shoulders. As good as it looks on the dress form it will be even better once it is on a body.
- The body of the jumpsuit skims over you and its cut is shaped to follow your curves. Depending on your preference and size, it can be worn super fitted or have more of a skimming feel over you.
- All of the shape over the bust, waist and hips is created by long vertical seaming. The waist curves to come in for shape and then the silk curves back out over the hips.
- The pants are phenomenal. Each one has a fairly straight leg to about the knee. At that point there is a curving seam that wraps around the waist and into that the bottom of the pant leg has been added. The fabric is done in an extra full flare to create that fantastic bell bottom that you see. It is made out of two layers of silk. There is an inner dotted layer that extends out past the hem and then the floral printed layer over that. When you lay it out each bell bottom is a full 52" all the way around. I love how the dotted fabric peeks out from below the hem and ties the dotted fabric on the ruffle around the shoulders together perfectly.
- The extreme bell shape of the lower pant legs creates phenomenal movement when you move but because the silk fabric is so light and fine they have the perfect amount of fullness when you stand still.
- The jumpsuit is unlined and closes with a back zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Versace 40
- Excellent condition
Elastic shoulders: 19-23" flat across side to side
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 60.5" from top of natural shoulder to hem
Inseam: 29"
Gusset: 27" from the top of the zipper to inner seam
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5633
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Linda Evangelista for Versace, Spring 1993. / (4) Spring 1993 Versace. Model Angelika Kallio. / (5) Backstage at Versace, 1993. / (6) Photo by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia March 1993. / (7-8) From the book "Versace: Catwalk".
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.
Prettiest 1960s Unlabeled Pale Pink Strapless Dress w Silk Chiffon & Flower Detailed Bodice
I Have a Question
- .This dress dates to the 1960s and is an unlabelled piece by no specific designer.
- This is the type of piece you will only ever find in vintage.
- The bodice is strapless and completely covered in hand cut silk chiffon flower petals that are combined with little drops of pale pink lily of the valley flowers strung from little hand cut green 'leaf' bases. It is very pretty.
- All of the embellishment covering the bodice was done and applied by hand.
- The skirt is made from a pale pink silk chiffon and falls outward from just under the bust on a pretty line to the floor. Soft folds gather it in under the bust with more gathers placed towards the sides.
- Underneath the top silk layer is an attached inner silk dress made out of a slightly deeper pink silk layered with a silk chiffon over top of it. This inner layer makes it opaque enough to wear.
- Built inside the bodice is a cupped and boned inner support that holds the dress in place.
- It is very pretty and romantic in feel.
- The dress is fully lined in silk and closes with two back zippers. There is an inner waist stay that hooks to close. I see some faint marks on the bottom of the skirt and some minor thinning of the silk near the hem here and there. The cut flowers on the bodice have darkened slightly with age I think. Please see the photos after the label shot and know that the dress is in good-great condition but it is not perfect. The colour is a bit paler pink in person than how it shot.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Good to great condition
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 11-12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to inner waist
Total length: 45" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD5629
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.
dolce and gabbana
2012 Dolce & Gabbana Limited Release Pale Net Tulle Strapless Dress w Lace Flower Applique
I Have a Question
- This dress is from 2012 and it was a limited release piece.
- It was made under the creative direction of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
- The twin of this dress was worn by Kylie Minogue and I love that the reference photos show how amazing this one is on. We were told that these were made in extremely limited quantities on a special order basis only so very few exist.
- Dolce and Gabbana was launched in 1985 by founders Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. By the 1990s they had open their own boutiques and in 1993 Madonna chose them for her Girlie Show tour and they gained world wide recognition. They are known for their dramatic designs that are heavily inspired by their Sicilian heritage.
- The dress that is incredibly beautiful. It is made from a pale nude silk tulle net that has a touch of a pink undertone to it. This is layered over inner layers of more tulle, lace netting and silk.
- The bodice is strapless and has a heavy application of hand cut out flowers hand applied to the tulle. Under that are more flowers that are scattered over the entire dress from there all the way to the hem.
- Running down the centre of the bodice are a cluster of soft silk chiffon flowers that add a beautiful detail. Small versions of these are also worked into the design over the top layer of the entire dress.
- The top layer of tulle is cut to be full all the way around you. More layers sit under that. At the back it is cut longer so you get a beautiful sweeping effect behind you and it adds incredible movement as you move.
- Under the top layers of netting is an inner dress that has a dotted lace finish. I love the effect of this that it gives the dress. Under that layer are still more layers. The multiple layering creates a beautiful texture as they float over each other and they also help to give the dress its structure so that it holds the shape around you once on.
- The bodice is strapless and cut on a soft curve across the neckline. There is a built in boned corset on the inside for shape and to hold the dress in place on you.
- It is an incredibly beautiful and romantic dress.
- The dress is fully lined in a soft nude silk. The innermost layer of stretch silk goes to just above the knee. It closes with a back zipper and then the tulle layer snaps over that to hide the zipper. Inside the bodice is a cupped and boned corset. I see one vertical repair in the tulle of the skirt at the back otherwise it appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a Dolce & Gabbana 36
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam with an approx A cup built into the front
Waist: to 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 5.5" from top of bodice to seam under the bust
Total length: 60" from top of bodice to front hem, 69" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-SML
Item# DD5627
Reference Photo: Kylie Minogue for her 2012 release of the single ‘Flower’.
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.
valentino
Divine Fall 2019 Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli Runway Look 55 Yellow Ruffle Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for Look 55 for the Fall 2019 runway show.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli
- The Vogue review for this collection touched on Pierpaolos's inspiration for the show saying; "(he is) a man on an intuitive mission to place fashion on a positive plane. 'I feel that people are looking for emotion and dreams—but not distant dreams,' he said today before his ready-to-wear show was about to take to the runway. 'I want to create a community for Valentino. I mean something different from ‘lifestyle,’ which is about owning objects. It’s about people who share values.'"
- I love that we have the runway reference photos and video so you can see just how spectacular this one moves once it is on the body. It is one of my favourite dresses he ever made.
- The dress is made out of yards and yards of a feather-light yellow silk chiffon that is an exceptionally pretty colour. This fabric choice keeps the dress extremely light in weight and easy to wear.
- The neckline is scooped wide across so that the straps sit more on the edges of the shoulders.
- At the back it is scooped even lower to leave your back bare and exposed.
- A wide ruffle follows the entire neckline and gives it the prettiest flounce all the way around you. It continues down to follow the scoop at the back and it creates a bit of a pretty caped feel to the upper part of the dress.
- Underneath the ruffle the bodice skims down to the more generously cut waist. These more generous waists became a signature of Piccioli's work and made his pieces exceptionally easy to wear and fit.
- I love that except for that very top ruffle that edges the neckline all of the other ruffles are set in long vertical ruffles that run the full length of the dress all the way to the hem.
- The ruffles start underneath that ruffle around the neckline and then fall in long rows that follow vertical seams set from there to the hem. As they run down the length of the dress they widen out both in how they are spaced apart and also in the width of the actual ruffles.
- The incredible amount of ruffles covering the skirt combined with the lightness of the fabric gives you the prettiest movement when you move.
- The final perfect touch is that he extended the skirt out past the hem at the back. This gives you a beautiful sweeping effect behind you.
- This is an absolutely stunning dress and this particular cut of dress is one of my favourites.
- The dress is fully lined in a marching coloured silk chiffon and closes with a hidden set back zipper. The main Valentino tag is missing but it still has its inner tag which I have included in the photos. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a modern Valentino 38
- Excellent condition
Bust: the front bodice covers to 16" flat across from side to side
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to front hem and the back extends another 12" past that.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5621
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2019 Valentino, Look 55. Model Kris Grikaite.
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.
james galanos
Exceptional 1960s James Galanos Yellow Silk Crepe w Blue & Yellow Beaded Back Cut Out Top
I Have a Question
- The label on this dress gives us a date range of 1963 to 1977 for it to have been made in.
- It was made under the creative direction of James Galanos.
- In 1951 Galanos was only 27 when he launched his first label called Galanos Originals. By 1954 he had won a Coty award and the Neiman Marcus award.
- His custom pieces were made close to couture standards and with a level of craftsmanship that was on par with the French couturiers. He was truly one of the great American designers and his work is held in all of the major museums around the world.
- This is a dress that is extremely well made with a very high level of construction techniques.
- The body of the dress is made from a yellow silk crepe that is cut on the bias and that has a slight texture to it. This is topped with a hand beaded bodice that is completely covered in a combination of yellow and blue glass tube beads.
- The straps are detailed with handset rows of the yellow beads set vertically and stacked side by side as they curve over the shoulders.
- Over the bodice the beads are set horizontally to form stripes in different thicknesses. I love that they have mixed the deep royal blue beads with the yellow. These run all the way around the entire bodice from front to back.
- At the front, the fabric extends down at touch to attach into the waist and more beads are added there to form a thick band that runs all the way around the waist. Below the seam where they attach there is another inch of beadwork that wraps around you.
- At the front the bodice extends out into the straps and is meant to be more fitted to you. Starting at each side the fabric and beads split and this creates a full cut out open at the back so you get a strip of bare skin exposed. It is fantastic.
- The skirt skims over the hips and then flares out dramatically as it reaches the floor. The extra fabric in the skirt gives you beautiful movement as you move.
- As good as this dress looks in the photos, I think that it is so much better in person it is almost ridiculous. It is a really outstanding piece by him.
- The dress is fully lined in a handset yellow silk chiffon. There is elastic around the inner waist that just helps to hold it in place so it doesn't dip too much at the back. It closes with a side zipper on the bodice and then a second side zipper from the waist down. All of the bead work is done by hand and there are hand finishes throughout the dress. This is made to Demi Couture level.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem with 1.5" turned under the hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5623
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.
givenchy
Sensual Spring 2018 Givenchy by Clare Wright Keller Long Tie Black Front Plunge Jersey Dress
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2018 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Clare Wright Keller.
- The dress is made out of a black jersey that is cut on the bias. This lets it drape beautifully over you as it fall over the body.
- The ease of the jersey make it easy to both fit and wear and the fabric has enough weight to it that it is completely opaque.
- The construction of the dress is fantastic. It is made to be one long tube with a seam at the waist on the front of the dress only.
- The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are long.
- The dress has no collar and plunges down at the front to the waist. Two long ties extend out from the base of the front plunge. You can loop or knot them and then they fall almost to the floor at the front
- The plunge at the front gives it a very edgy and sexy feel while the jersey keeps it feeling comfortable to wear.
- The skirt flares out at it reaches the floor with a high slit runs up the front so you get a flash of leg when you move
- The dress is in its original length and it closes with a back hidden set zipper. I see some minor grubbiness around the hem. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a modern Givenchy 36
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 25" and they are 10-12.5" around the upper arms
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Total length: 62" from neck to hem and the slit is 32" from the hem up.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5615
Reference Photos: (1) Melanie Hamrick at the American Ballet Theater Spring Gala, 2018.
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.
pierre cardin
Exquisite 1978 Pierre Cardin Haute Couture Black Silk Chiffon Dress w Huge Balloon Sleeves
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the 1978 season.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pierre Cardin.
- The dress would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The dress is made out of a very high-quality black silk chiffon that is feather light in weight. It gives the dress phenomenal movement around you once on the body.
- This is a fantastic and surprisingly avant garde Haute Couture dress by Pierre Cardin that shows the breadth and depth of his talent.
- From a historical perspective it is also an interesting insight on the volume and play on proportion being done during this time period.
- The design is simple and has a minimalist feel but is still striking and dramatic. It is really a piece that will only truly come to life once on so is a bit of what I like to call a 'trust me' dress because you have to trust a bit on how phenomenal it will be.
- The neckline is squared off right to the outer edges of the shoulder on both the back in the front. The back dips down a little bit lower for more skin to show.
- You could also wear this fully off the shoulders if you wished and just have the top of the sleeves drape down the arm.
- Inside the bodice of the dress there is a strapless soft cupped bra made out of lingerie nude netting for the barest bit if support.
- The silk chiffon falls from the shoulders and skims over the bust, flows past the waist and hips and then it widens out a touch more as it nears the floor.
- The easy flowing cut of the dress makes it easy to fit and wear.
- Under the top layer of black silk chiffon there is a layer of a dark brown silk chiffon. This keeps the dress from being too transparent and at the same time it creates the illusion that the dress has more transparency than it actually does as the two colours play against each other.
- The sleeves are phenomenal. They are cut on a curve and are gathered into a piped wrist finished with a little bow made of the same piping.
- Once on they pouf and balloon out fantastically above your wrists. They are one of the most exaggerated balloon sleeves that I have ever actually seen on a dress but in the best possible way. Once on and held in place by your wrists they billow out around the arm. They are quite brilliant.
- It is an incredible dress and like many of his pieces it truly will only come to life once there is a body in it.
- It is remarkable piece of true couture and a true piece of fashion history.
- The dress is fully lined with a layer of dark brown silk chiffon. It slips on to wear and the inner bra hooks to close. It appears that a extension piece was added to the bra at some point. It would be easy to adjust the fit a bit on that if needed. I have included the measurements of the outer dress for you as well as the inner bra.
- The dress has no size tag since it is true couture. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 24" to the actual wrist and then the sleeve extends another 10" past that when hanging loose. They are 17" around the upper arm.
Inner bra: tagged 34-35B and is 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam, the outer dress is to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 58" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5616
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.
givenchy
Rare Spring 2000 Givenchy by Alexander McQueen Runway Look 12 Jumpsuit w Drawstring Cuffs
I Have a Question
- The twin of this jumpsuit walked the runway for the Spring 2000 Givenchy show.
- It was made under the creative direction of Alexander McQueen
- This is a very rare piece as are all of the pieces that he created while at Givenchy.
- Vogue noted that "Most of the collection was made up of tracksuits with high heels" and variations of the distinctive legs used on this jumpsuit were used through out the show. This jumpsuit and some variations of it was shown in several colours making it a key look of the collection.
- The jumpsuit is made from a black fabric that has an almost utilitarian look to it. Somewhat like a light weight canvas in a way but without being a canvas. It is still light enough that it falls fantastically over the body.
- This is a piece that shows his strong tailoring background and detailed knowledge of how to cut a piece to best suit a woman's body.
- The shoulders are lightly padded and the sleeve extend out straight to their ends.
- The collar is a nod to a men's suit with a notch above a graceful curve that falls to just above the waist.
- I love the plunge of the front and how it can be adjusted to sit as high or low as you dare. A zipper runs up the centre front and you can zip it higher or lower.
- The waist is brought in through the seams at the sides with no horizontal line to break the eye. You could cinch it in even further by adding a belt either at the waist or at the hip like they did on the runway.
- It glides over the hips with a band in the same fabric that sits just on top of the hip for detail and shape.
- Each pant leg is cut long with a drawstring cuff at its end.This allows you to wear them with a more straight cut or it creates a more harem effect if you bring the drawstring in.
- Pockets on each hip are the perfect finishing detail and are a clever way to add to the jumpsuits shape. I love that it has these slant pockets on each side of the hip to slip your hands into.
- It is a phenomenal McQueen for Givenchy piece and highly collectible.
- The jumpsuit is fully lined in a black silk with ribbon finished edges. It closes with the zipper at the front. Light padding in each shoulder. What appears to be hand done top stitching on the collar. Drawstring with push metal clasps at each cuff. It will fit with a slightly more oversized, cut on a smaller frame.
- Tagged a vintage Givenchy 38
- Excellent condition.
Sleeves: 24" and they are 13" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at top of hips: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 20" from neck to seam at the top of the hips
Total length: 60" from neck to bottom of pant legs
Inseam: 31.5" and the gusset is 31" from neck to inner seam
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5617
Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2000 Givenchy Runway, Look 12.
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.
lanvin
1972 Lanvin by Jules-Francois Crahay Printed Silk Jersey & Waffle Weave Low Back Dress
I Have a Question
- The fabric on the dress dates it to the 1972 collection. He did use some fabrics similar in 1971 as well so it is in that range.
- It was made under the creative direction of Jules-Francois Crahay.
- Crahay headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984 and he has been noted as one of fashion’s 'great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugely desirable and influential.'
- His time at the Lanvin label is one of my personal favourites for the house. I especially love the his work during the period through the late sixties and into the early 1970s.
- He was a genius at print and colour and he pushed the envelope in terms of using cutting edge fabrics available during this time period. This Lanvin dress is gorgeous and is from the main label.
- The dress has a gorgeous colour and print combination and it is made from mixing two fabrics and both hold colour exceptionally well so the colours are still crisp bright and true.
- The top portion of the dress is an easy silk jersey and then the skirt is one of his signature waffle weave cottons.
- The sleeves are long and simple. The neckline is scooped with a slightly wide cut. The top skims over you and the back goes down in a scoop to leave a bare expanse of skin showing.
- The waist is seamed and I love how the skirt is set into the waist in soft gathers so that it puffs out slightly around the waist. It also has a bit of a wrap effect where one side is open down the full length, but it is fully wrapped underneath so that you are completely covered.
- From there the skirt falls to the floor and it widens as it nears the hem.
- The fabric change on the skirt gives it a touch of weight so that it holds the shape well. The pattern is the same on both fabrics and yet they look slightly different because of the change in texture. It is brilliant.
- This full on pattern from head to toe makes the dress instantly recognizable as a piece of his work.
- The bodice is unlined and the skirt is fully lined in a white silky rayon. It closes with a back zipper. I see what looks like remnants of a lining here and there along the seams of the top. I see a small mark at the front. Please see the photo after the label shot. Hand finishes. The fabric of the top has some stretch and I have put the comfortable range below.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition with the note above
Sleeves: 25" and they are up to 11" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: to 14"
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at top of hip: 13"
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 19" from top of shoulder to seam at the top of the hip
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5612
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.
christian dior
Incredible Spring 2003 Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Silk Open Cut Out Bow Dress w High Slit
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2003 Dior collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- Vogue set of the collection that John Galliano "has rebranded the legendary Parisian house via high-octane couture shows that broach the wilder shores of creativity and are then filtered down to be instantly recognizable ready-to-wear pieces for Christian Dior addicts."
- I love that we have photos of Laetitia Casta wearing a gold version so you can see how spectacular this is on the body.
- To help visualize what this dress looks like on the body in black, we changed Laetitia's dress too black, which gives you a great idea of what the final result will be on.
- The dress is made from a bias cut black silk that has a slight texture to it that is beautiful. It is strapless and has an inner built-in and boned bodice to hold the dress in place around you.
- It's skim over the bus and he has used beautifully curved seaming to shape the dress in words at the waist, and then it curse back out over the hips.
- The back simply circles around to leave the entire upper back and shoulders bare and exposed.
- The skirt falls to the floor in a beautiful line. It is cut to curve over your hips and then flares out dramatically for the lower portion of the skirt. There's actually quite a bit of fabric in a lower skirt, and this allows it to move beautifully around you as you walk and move.
- Adding to the movement that the dress has is an exceptionally high slit that runs up one side all the way to just under the hip. This leaves an incredible amount of bare leg to show. It's just fantastic.
- Besides, that high slit, the star of the show on this dress is that incredible curved cut out that runs from the centre of the bodice on a graceful arc down to the hip.
- Interspersed along that cut out or four bows that are made of the same fabric. Each bow has been tied around the silk that connects the two pieces together.
- I love how there is an open, cut out between each bow all the way down that leaves that unexpected flash of skin.
- And then having a slit meet, the bottom bow at the side is just the perfect tie into it all. When you move and the slit opens and you see the leg everything just feels so perfectly designed in that absolutely perfect Galliano way.
- It is a really exceptional dress and is extremely sexy once on the body.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk chiffon with a lightly boned inner corset attached inside the bodice. It closes with a combination of a row of tiny silk covered buttons at the back that sit above a hidden set zipper that follows one of the curved seams. The inner corset closes with its own zipper. The bias cut and slight stretch of the fabric gives it some movement. I have given the comfortable range of the measurements while laying flat below.
- Tagged a vintage Dior US6, GB10, FR38.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam.
Inner waist: 13-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner bodice: 9.5" from neck to inner waist
Total length: 56" from top of the bodice to hem
Slit: 32.5" from the hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5611
Reference Photos: Laetitia Casta in Dior at Cannes Film Festival, 2003
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.
oscar de la renta
Fall 2002 Oscar de la Renta Runway Look 50 Deep Purple Silk Dress w Hand Applied Patchwork
I Have a Question
- The near twin of this dress walked the Fall 2002 runway for Look 50 in the collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Oscar de la Renta.
- Photos from a Moroccan open air market were projected onto the stagefront and this is what set the tone for the show that season. In the review of the collection that year Vogue commented; 'There was a whiff of far-flung exoticism throughout the collection... almost every outfit got a touch of spice via embroidery, (or) a dusting of sequins. De la Renta ended as always, with a parade of great evening wear... just a thing for midnight at the Medina.'
- The dress has this fabulous almost sculptural feel with is simple cut and that beautiful deep purple silk fabric. It's full coverage keeps it feeling very refined and elegant.
- The silk is a very high quality and feels very smooth to the touch. This fabric choice keeps it fairly light in weight but it still has enough structure to hold that gorgeous shape that you see.
- The neck is a shallow scoop and the bodice is cut to skim over you. The shoulders are shaped but soft and the sleeves are long and slightly taper down to the wrist.
- The waist is brought in through curved vertical seaming and the skirt falls from there to the floor.
- I love the patchwork panels that are added all the way around the lower hem. These are made up of a variety of embroidered silks and velvets that have the occasional mirrored embellishment worked within the embroidery. These run all the way around the hem and up and into the skirt.
- Underneath the top layer is a vivid pink underskirt with a stiffen hem and ruffle covering over that. I have taken a photo to show you how the very edge of this ruffle peaks out from underneath the outer hem of the skirt for an unexpected shot of vibrant colour.
- The underskirt helps add support and hold the fullness of the skirt. It adds a pretty sense of sweeping skirts as you walk away.
- Hidden pockets are set along each hip.
- The dress is fully lined in a vibrant pink silk. It closes with a hidden back set zipper and each sleeve has a hidden set zipper at its cuff. There is a tiny bit of stress to the center and one side seam near the waist at the back. Please see the photo after the label shot. The zipper has a tiny bit of stick when it hits the spot. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little at all.
- Tagged a Oscar de la Renta 4
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 24" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 61" from neck to bottom of the pink ruffled hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5606
Reference Photos: Fall 2002 Oscar de la Renta, Look 50.
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.
christian dior
Spring 2019 Christian Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri Runway Look 86 Metallic Gold & Printed Dusty Pink Silk Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2019 show for Look 86.
- It was made under the creative direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri.
- Maria said of the show that "I wanted to speak about dance with a different point of view, I think that dance and fashion are very close, for they both speak about the body. Modern choreographers speak about freedom." Vogue mentioned the "neo-Grecians frocks" saying that "It is a beautiful set of clothes that Chiuri has proposed for spring and one that takes many of the seasons trending boxes without seeming calculated or forced."
- It was the second to last look on the runway and one of the best dresses shown. It is absolute magical in person.
- The dress is made out of a light weight muted dusty pink silk that is densely covered in a gold metallic thread. The underlying silk has a pattern worked through it and then the gold has been applied over that.
- The gold metallic part is done in a leaf pattern that trails over the entire dress. The metallic gold catches the light from all angles and gives it this wonderful added extra texture.
- As it nears the hem the gold begins to soften and gradually dissipates so that you get that unexpected soft wash of colour around the bottom.
- The entire dress had been softly pleated and the pleating adds yet another layer of texture to the dress.
- It is suspended from twisted straps that curve over the shoulder and cross over each other at the back. The front plunges into a V and the back is left bare underneath the crossed over straps. I love the curving angle of the sides.
- The waist nips in and the skirt falls to the floor under that in a sweep of silk and gold thread. There is an incredible amount of fabric in the skirt. The fabric is feather light and so fine that when you stand still it falls in a column but moves around you with your slightest movement.
- No matter how great the photos look it is that much better in person. The fabric is stunning. It is a really beautiful and wonderfully made dress. One of the best I have seen from her era at Dior.
- The dress is fully lined in a nude silk chiffon and closes with a hidden set back zipper. It is in its original uncut length and appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a modern Dior FR36, GB8, IT40, US4.
- Excellent condition
Bust: approx 16-18" flat across from side to side with no true side seams
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 14" from top of natural shoulders to waist
Total length: 62" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5603
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Spring 2019 Christian Dior, Look 86. Model Fran Summers. / (4-5) Spring 2019 Dior Ad Campaign photographed by Harley Weir.
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.
thierry mugler
Outstanding Fall 2000 Thierry Mugler Dusty Pink Metallic Dress w Rhinestone & Metal Collar
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress in a different fabric was seen on the runway for the Fall 2000 Thierry Mugler collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Thierry Mugler.
- The fabric is what makes this dress stand out. Mugler's choice of a dusty pink bias cut lame is perfect. It has enough weight so his intended drape down the front hold perfectly when you move.
- The light catches it in different ways as it glides over you so that you shimmer and sparkle from every angle.
- The cut has that nod back to the glamour days of Hollywood that you see in his best pieces.
- The bodice is shaped and formed to hug the bust. It is gathered in at the centre and then drapes outward. Attached along that centre line is a thick and very heavy gold metal chain that creates the strap that wraps up behind the neck.
- Set into each link of the strap is a large square cut glass rhinestone. It becomes like an attached piece of fine jewellry.
- The strap curves around the neck with a clasp at the back.
- The back dips down to reveal bar skin and I love this unexpected Flach when you turn around.
- Below the gathering at the bust is an extra panel of fabric that falls down the centre of the dress to the hem. Around that the dress glides over your waist and hips in an easy to wear and fit way.
- The perfect final touch is a high slit hidden in behind the front draping so that when you walk or sit you get an unexpected flash of leg.
- The dress is fully lined in a pink silk chiffon. Inside the bust is a full built in pale pink silk satin corset that is shaped and boned. The inner bodice closes with hook and eye and then the dress closes with a hidden set zipper over that. There are two rows of hooks on the inner bodice. Hand finishes. The chain closes with slip loop closure that is very high end. One rhinestone has been replaced at some point with a round rhinestone. It is near the back so you don't see it and it is not very obvious. Please see the photo after the label shot.
- Tagged a vintage Mugler 38
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12 -13" flat across from side seam to side seam at the inner corset. The fabric over the inner corset it is loose and easy.
Hips: open
Length: approx 58" from neck to hem and it extends another 3.5" at the back.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5598
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2000 Thierry Mugler.
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.
yves saint laurent
Exceptional Spring 2002/Spring 1991 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Black Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of the dress walked the Spring 2002 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture for Look 240.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- It would've been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- This was Yve's final collection ever so has significant historical importance.
- That final show was over an hour long and was presented to a room of 1500 hand picked guests. To tell the story of his decades long career there was a total of 371 garments shown that day. The presentation began at the beginning of his career and the show was a full retrospective of his work that showed a highlight of all of his creations through the decades.
- There were also a small group of 11 new items for the 2002 season included about 2/3rds of the way into the show created as the Spring 2002 couture collection. All were pieces that were based on dresses from the past but done in new colours. They were all made of weightless silk chiffon and were in a variety of colours.
- The twin of this black dress was included in that grouping and it is based on the green dress we have included a reference photo of for you here from the Spring 1991 collection.
- This blending of past and present further evoked the idea of his journey and how his designs are truly timeless no matter when they were made.
- The dress has its own special couture tag that commemorates it as being a part of this final show. It is an extremely rare and wonderful piece.
- "I have chosen today to say goodbye to the craft that I have loved so much. The next show to which I invite you, on Tuesday, 22nd January at 6 PM, at the centre of George's Pompano, will predominantly be a retrospective of my work… Some designs from the currencies will also be shown."
- The dress has a strapless bodice that is fitted to hold the dress on the body and then it falls from there to the floor in layers of weightless black silk chiffon.
- The silk of the bodice is gathered and set vertically and inside the bodice there is a full inner built-in corset that is shaped and seamed so the dress stays perfectly in place once on.
- A wide band of silk wraps underneath the breasts to the waist and there is a sash that ties in a soft bow off to one side.
- The ends of the sash trail all the way down the side to the floor and this helps to add to the beautiful movement this dress has once on.
- Below the beautiful shape through the bodice the skirt falls to the floor in a soft cascade of silk chiffon. The side of the skirt that opens is slightly longer than the other and this is a clever way to give that side of the skirt even more movement. These are the tiny details in Couture that make a dress move the exact perfect way.
- The innermost layer of silk chiffon is set all the way around you and then the other layers of the skirt are set over this and slit right up to where the waistband meets the top of the skirt on that side. So when you walk and move you are covered by that single layer of silk chiffon underneath but you are still bare underneath the transparency of the chiffon. You can see this clearly in the video as the model walks. It is very sexy.
- The layers and open side of the skirt combined with the trailing ties from the waist are then what allow the dress to move so beautifully around you when you move.
- It is absolutely perfect in every way. The workmanship is beautiful and the dress appears to have never been worn or worn very little. What a joy to have such an important dress from Yves very last collection.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silk chiffon as described above. Boning and structure through the inner bodice and it closes with a hidden set side zipper. Its proper Haute Couture tag is present.
- There is no size tag present because it is true Couture. Please see the measurements below.
- Excellent condition.
Bust: 15.5-16" flat across from side seam to side seam with an A-B cup
Seam under the bust: 14.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 4.75" from top of bodice to seam under the bodice
Total length: 51" from top of bodice to shortest part of the hem, 54" to the longest
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD5594
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Spring 2002 Yves Saint Laurent Couture, Look 240. / (4) From the book “Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture: CATWALK” / (5-6) Spring 1991 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture. / (7-9) Spring 2002 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Sketches.
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.
john galliano
Rare Fall 1999 John Galliano Soft Ivory Wool Sleeveless Shift Dress w Tiny Black Bow Detailing
I Have a Question
- This is a rare and early example of JohnGalliano's work from the Fall 1999 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- We have included several runway shots that we found that show the same fabric as it was seen on the runway.
- The dress is ultra soft to touch. It is made from a deep creamy ivory and then onto that are tiny little black bows made out of yarn. They form a grid in their centres as they weave through the underlying ivory and then the ends are allowed to extend out on both side sides. This is what forms the bow and also gives it the 3D feel as each end sits up and off of the fabric.
- The dress is done in a simple shift feel with no sleeves and an easy to wear cut. Long vertical seams curve over you to add shape. The bust is simple and set to curve over you. The waist is shaped to come in slightly. From there it curves back out over the hips.
- The skirt is a simple slim pencil shape that comes in very slightly at the hem. At the back extra fabric is hidden inside of an inverted vent. The fabric is pleated on both sides inside the vent. It gives a little unexpected flare at the bottom of the back skirt while you are moving.
- It is the perfect minimalist 1990s piece with a Galliano twist.
- The dress is lined in an ivory silk with hand finishes around the neck and arms. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged an early Galliano FR38,GB10, US4
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 37.5" from neck to hem with approximately 1" turned under the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5592
Reference Photos: Fall 1999 John Galliano, Look 12.
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.
chloe
Prettiest Fall 2006 Chloe Ivory Dress Silk Chiffon Strapless Dress w Sash Waist Detail
I Have a Question
- This is a very very pretty little dress from the Fall 2006 Chloe collection
- The dress is strapless and gathered across the bodice in a series of soft gathers that wrap around to the back.
- Inside there is light boning and structure to hold the dress around you.
- The waist nips in under that and gathers extend slightly past that just above the top of the hip.
- Some of the chiffon has been gathered along one side of the waist and then a wide deeper ivory panel of fabric wraps around the waist and is brought into a half bow on one side with the ends trailing down.
- Under that the skirt is made out of a matching ivory chiffon and it is gathered in all the way around the waist to create soft pleats to the hem.
- As it nears the hem it flares out slightly and I love how the chiffon has been caught up and curved back back under the hem of the skirt. This gives it a little bit of extra volume and a pretty movement when you move.
- Underneath the edge of the skirt there is a pretty little scalloped ruffle set in three layers so you just see a touch of it peeking out from the edge of the hem.
- The dress is fully lined in an ivory silk and it closes with an exposed zipper at the back. I see some very shallow marks under each arm and tiny bit of fraying along the edge. Please see the photos after the label shot. They are very minor, but mentioned for accuracy.
- Tagged a vintage Chloe 36.
- Excellent condition with the minor note above.
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 6.5" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 30" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5591
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.
balmain
Spring 2001 Balmain by Oscar de la Renta Silk Floral Jacket, Skirt & Bandeau Dress Set Covered in Iridescent Sequins
I Have a Question
- This set is from the Spring 2000 Balmain collection.
-
It was made under the creative direction of Oscar de la Renta.
- The Spring 2001 show featured Spanish and Russian influences and you can see the impact of Oscar in the beautiful floral print that covers this set.
- This is the full set that includes the jacket, a long full length skirt and a little bandeau style top.
- All three pieces are made from a silk that has a floral pattern scattered over the surface and then each piece has been covered in iridescent clear sequins over the print.
- The skirt has a small band around the waist for definition. From there it curves over the hips before falling to the floor. It widens out slightly and there are high slits that run up both sides of the skirt. When you walk or move you get a flash of this unexpected bare skin on both sides. Pockets sit on each hip that are still lightly tacked shut.
- The top is cut like a bandeau and is suspended from the shoulders by tiny little bands of a piped ivory silk. There is a horizontal seam that runs just under the top edge of the top. This continues all the way around you and then it zippers with a hidden set zipper at one side. The bandeau is wide enough to cover the bust but still gives you a bare expanse of skin between it and the top of the skirt.
- Last is the most beautifully cut and tailored jacket. It has lightly padded shoulders and the sleeves are long. The collar is notched and it is cut so that it comes in at the waist for shape. There is a single hidden hook at the waist to hold it closed and then it curves back out over the hips. I love the two top set pockets on either hip.
- The silk that all three pieces are made from is light in weight and easy-to-wear. With the added iridescent sequins over the fabric the entire set catches the light from every angle. It is phenomenal.
- I love that the three pieces give you the versatility to wear together as a set or mix and match with existing pieces in your wardrobe.
- All three pieces are lined in an ivory silk. The skirt closes at the side with a hidden set zipper and has a hook and eye at the waist. The bandeau has a hidden set zipper at the side that opens from the bottom up leaving an inch of the top closed. If you need more room to get into it you could have the zipper switched for one that opens it completely. The jacket has a single hook at the waist to close and the shoulders are lightly padded. The front pockets are functional. I see a tiny bit of grubbiness on the edges of the inner arm of the jacket.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Jacket
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 25.5" from neck to hem
Bandeau
Top seam: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom seam: to 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 14" from top of shoulder to bottom hem and the bandeau itself is just under 6" wide at its widest point.
Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 44" from waist to hem with about 2" turned under the hem.
Slits: 20" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5588
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.
nina ricci
1990s Nina Ricci by Gerard Pipart Haute Couture Black Off Shoulder Dress w Hand Quilted Floral Skirt
I Have a Question
- This dress best matches the look of the collections that were being done in and around the late 1980s to the early-mid 1990s.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gerard Pipart.
- The Nina Ricci brand was founded in 1932 at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris. In 1964 Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant, as head of the brand. Pipart, who had previously worked for Balmain, Fath, and Patou, brought a wide range of experience in all aspects of fashion to the brand.
- Over the following three decades, Pipart's couture vision 'celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day.' He headed the Couture division until 1998.
- This is an incredible and very beautiful piece of Haute Couture and would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- This dress is a masterpiece and really showcases how beautiful a piece of true couture can be. Everything about its construction goes above and beyond.
- It is made out of a black silk for the bodice with a black silk netting used for the sleeves. This is combined with top stitched silk on a dotted netting for the the top layer of the skirt.
- The bodice curves and dips across the front and then wraps around to the back. There is inner built-in structure to hold the dress in place and add shape so that it is fitted around you. The silk has been gathered into a seam running vertically down the front and then it does the same thing at each side and the back. A panel wraps over the top of that across the breasts with no seam down the sides. A clever way to subtly add some extra shape and curves. It is fitted to the waist where it nips in.
- The sleeves are spectacular. I have set them slightly on top of the shoulders on my dress form but they can be worn fully off of the shoulders. There is an elastic that is tacked on their insides to help hold them in the spot that you choose to wear them. I love that you can wear them higher up or wear them completely off the shoulders so that you get that gorgeous expanse of bare skin across the top. They are made from layers of silk netting that have been gathered tightly and stacked on top of each other to form the gorgeous bit of fluff and volume that you see.
- The skirt is just extraordinary. It is very full and voluminous as it curves outward and down to the floor. To achieve that shape there is elaborate layers of built-in underskirts that is all hidden. The very top layer is made out of a black dotted net. Onto that are beautiful sprays of flowers and leaves.
- These have been created by a hand cut outs of silk in pink, purple and white that were hand applied to the netting. Top stitching in a black thread is done onto each piece to create the illusion of flowers and leafs. All of the top stitching is entirely done by hand and I cannot even imagine the hours this would have taken to complete.
- That very top layer has an attached inner layer of silk organza and the way that it is attached gives it a bit of volume and air between the top layer and that underlying organza.
- Underneath that are six layers of tulle stacked on top of each other. All of those layers are what gives the skirt the support needed to hold its volume and shape. We have not added any crinolines under the skirt. All of the volume is created because of the brilliant infrastructure underneath. If you had the underskirts lightly starched when pressed in the future it would give an added boost and you could create even more fullness.
- As good as it looks here in the photos it is even better in person.
- The dress is fully lined in a handset cotton muslin through the bodice and closes with a back set zipper. An inner waist stay hooks to close. There is hidden boning and support through the bodice. I see two small repairs along the edge of the hem. It is minor but mentioned for accuracy.
- The proper Haute Couture label is present.
- There is no size tag since it is a couture piece. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10.5" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 54" from top of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5584
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.
chanel
Fall 2000 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Runway Look 72 One Shoulder Printed Pink & Purple Silk Chiffon Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 2000 Chanel collection as Look 72.
- It was made under the creative direction Karl Lagerfeld
- Three versions of this dress in this print were presented on the Fall 2000 runway that season. The twin of this one was worn by Trish Goff.
- Vogue's review of the collection states in part; 'Fall 2000 was, overall, the season of the lady. One who had polish—and, likely, two homes and one eye on the fluctuating stock market. “With the Dow Jones and Nasdaq soaring and plunging like a late-sixties hemline,” wrote Sally Singer in Vogue, “it was perhaps inevitable that many designers would choose for fall 2000 to forgo fantasy and get back to basics—luxe basics, that is.”
- I think this was one of the best dresses in that collection and it is an absolute favourite.
- The dress is a stunning example of the work that Lagerfeld was doing during this time period.
- It has an easy sexy feel to it. It feels like the kind of dress that you just throw on and walk out the door in and feel fabulous.
- The dress is made from a feather light silk chiffon that has an amazing print combining pinks and purple that covers the entire surface.
- The fabric is draped and gathered over the body to create the very feminine silhouette. There is an inner purple lining that goes to just below the hip so that the silk has something to attach to and the dress is opaque enough to wear. Over that the silk is gathered in soft sweeps around the body.
- A curved panel of fabric attaches in along one hip and drapes down and around the hips. Another panel is attached at the top to drape over one shoulder.
- The panels are a single layer of silk so that they have an interesting play on the overlapping of the pattern as they float over each other.
- The part of skirt below the inner lining also has a touch of transparency that gives a glimpse of the shape of the leg underneath. It is cut on an angle to play on the asymmetrical feel of the dress.
- A slit runs up one side of the skirt so when you move it can catch the air and it move around you.
- The famous double C logo is worked through the print for the perfect finishing touch.
- The dress is lined in a purple silk chiffon through the main body of the dress and upper part of the skirt. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. Light boning on either side of the bust. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Chanel 40.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 6" from top of the bodice to the seam under the bus
Total length : approx 65" from top of shoulder to longest point on hem
Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5582
Reference Photos/Video: Chanel Fall 2000 Runway Collection, Look 72. Model: Trish Goff.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
yves saint laurent
Fall 1988 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway Look 79 Strapless Dress w Bows & Matching Cape
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress with a brown cape walked the Haute Couture YSL runway for Fall 1998 for Look 79.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- The press declared "The youthful influence has faded what remains is the enthusiasm and the desire to raise Couture to the height of art." The collection symbolized the recognition of the sacred power of the feminine. "No one is better than Yves Saint Laurent at making observations of his time."
- Both pieces have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier and I have included a snap of the original sketch from my YSL folio.
- The dress is made out of a rich brown silk and all of the seams have been covered with hand set panels of a brown velvet. This emphasizes the structure and cut of the dress.
- At the front there are two large bows made of a green silk faille that are attached to the dress by brown velvet loops. On top of the loops are two oversized handmade buttons covered with tiny handset metallic gold finished brown sequins.
- The cape is made out of a heavy green silk faille and slips over the shoulders to wear with a little straps along the top shoulder
- The cape has a good weight because of the sheer amount of fabric in it. Bows are set all the way around the edges of the entire cape.
- The dress has a cupped and boned inner corset that closes with its own zipper. An inner waist stay hooks to close. A hidden set zipper is set under one of the side velvet panels to close the dress over the inner corset. There are some small nicks and scuffs on the silk of the lower portion of the dress starting just under the bottom bow. Please see the photos provided.
- The cape has a fair amount of marks and discolouration. This is seen primarily along the bottom of the front where many of the bows and some of the cape's fabrics have a pink stain on them. There is also a watermark that runs faintly around almost all of the cape and some yellowing here and there. One bow is missing from the bottom to the left of the centre seam but you could easily just move the bow opposite to it towards the centre and it would look fine. Some of the seams show strain and the start of splitting from hanging and the weight of the cape. Please see the photos provided.
- The overall value of the price is based primarily on the dress and the cape is just taken into account for its historical importance as part of the set.
- Both pieces have their appropriate Haute Couture tags
- The dress is in great condition with the small flaws as noted above and shown in photos and the cape is in wearable condition with its flaws noted and shown in photos.
Dress
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 32" from top of bodice to hem
Cape
Total length approx 42" from neck to ends of the bows and should fit any size
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5579
Reference Photos/Video: (1-6) Fall 1988 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture. / (7-9) Fall 1988 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Sketches.
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.
yves saint laurent
Superb Fall 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Green Version of Runway Dress w Silk Bow
I Have a Question
- This amazing dress is from the Fall 1987 Haute Couture collection and is a colour variation of the ivory dress that walked the runway that season.
- It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent.
- The dress would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- In the book YSL:Catwalk they note about this collection that "The year 1987 was marked by the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective at the new South Wales Museum of Sydney and it was also the 25th anniversary of the Couture's first collection. L'Officiel said 'under the expert hands of the magician, the drapery falls fluidly and intangibly, like myriads of fantastic bodies'."
- As good as the dress looks in the photos the colour of the green is even better in person. The silk that it is made out of is so rich and decadent that it almost seems to have an inner glow when you see it in person.
- The dress is strapless and elaborately draped over the bodice on one side. It comes over and is gathered in to form the 'knot' of the bow that sits on the other side. On the side of the bow, a panel of fabric is draped and attached over the strapless bodice, then runs underneath the gathering, and then extends down to form the bottom loop of the bow.
- Bows were integral to the work of Yves Saint Laurent and this is a beautiful example of how he used them to manipulate the shape of the body.
- The silk of the skirt is cut in a curved panel that circles around you to the back and then back to the front to fall under the top layer of silk. When you walk or move the curved skirt at the front allows for more leg to show.
- You will note in the photos that there are the absolute minimum seams used in the dress. All of the shape and structure is created from a single bias cut piece of silk that is wrapped and shaped around you with the seams primarily along the zipper The draping and inner structure are what create the shape over you.
- Inside there is a full built-in structure to hold the dress in place around you.
- This is a remarkable example of his Couture work from this time period and it is an absolutely stunning little dress in its own right.
- The dress is lined in a matching green silk and there is a full built in boned and structured corset that holds the dress in place. Inner hooks sit at the waist and just under the bust for additional support. All of the edges of the inner hem are ribbon finished by hand. Perhaps a tiny scuff on the fabric here and there but I am being very picky. Every stitch is done by hand and it is an absolutely remarkable thing to see.
- There is no size tag present because it is true Couture. Please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9" from peak of bodice to inner waist
Total length: 29" from peak of bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5581
Reference Photos: Fall 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture.
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.
jean patou
1940s Jean Patou Haute Couture Strapless Black Silk Chiffon Dress w Tiered Full Skirt
I Have a Question
- This is an exceptionally beautiful Jean Patou silk chiffon dress that is an absolute masterpiece. It is an important and early representation of both the house of Patou and the level of Haute Couture being produced during this time period.
- Jean Patou once said "Certain dressmakers desire to pass for an artist. I have one ambition: that is to have good taste." and this dress is the very epitome of that statement.
- The dress is made entirely by hand and represents countless hours of dedicated hand work within the atelier.
- It is one of the most beautiful dresses that I have had come through my hands and the photos cannot begin to convey the detail and fine work that has gone into the creation of this piece.
- It is constructed from a fine black silk chiffon and the bust is fitted with a boned and shaped interior to hold the dress around you. The upper edge of the bust has a little silk chiffon ruffle that folds over for a pretty detail.
- It cinches in at the waist and the skirt flows down on a gentle curve. The waist seam curves upwards at the centre front and then curves downward towards the hip. The back seam continues curving downwards to to create a dip at the back.
- Under this the skirt falls in a cascade of silk chiffon tiered panels. There are three in total and each one overlaps the one underneath. Hidden in between the ruffles are panels of silk organza which helps to give the dress its volume. An extra panel sits under the very lowest tier. Inside the skirt is a layer of stiffened netting.
- The skirt follows the same curve the waist seam has with the front coming up a touch and the back sweeping out behind you.
- We have not added anything under the skirts. There is room to go fuller if you wanted to add a crinoline underneath you can go as full as you wish.
- A spray of pink silk flowers and black velvet leaves run down one side of the skirt.
- This is really an extraordinary piece of early golden era Haute Couture.
- The bodice has a hand set silk lining and is boned. It closes with hand set back metal zipper. The skirt is lined as described above. I see some minor grubbiness around the hem of the interior lining. The tulle lining under the skirt is raw cut and there may be occasional little break near the hem here and there. There is light stress near the seams on the bodice around the waist area that indicate there was a belt or ribbon attached at some point. You could easily add a belt or ribbon and you would never see these. The flowers do not feel fresh. They are just tacked in place and they could be removed or replaced.
- There is no size tag present because it is Couture. Please see the measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the notes above.
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 12" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 53" from top of bodice to front hem, 62" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5578
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.
givenchy
Resort 2011 Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci Runway Look 5 Striking Red Lace & Black Net Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was Look 5 for the Resort Givenchy collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Ricardo Tisci
- This was his fifth year at the label and in the Vogue review of the show they noted that Tisci told them that the colour palette of black, red and white mixed with the occasional leopard was inspired by Frida Kahlo and her animal-filled paintings.
- The dress is made out of a black net with a red lace overlay strategically placed over the dress to emphasize the cut and design.
- The dress is is suspended from two tiny straps that curve up and over the shoulder. The very upper edge of the bodice is finished with leather piping.
- The bodice is cut to skim over you and I love how the red has been applied on the black to give you extra coverage and really highlight the cut and flow of the dress.
- It continues down to skim over the waist in a more loose and generous feel and then it curves back out over the hips.
- The skirt cascades outward from there to the floor and it is fuller by the time it reaches the hem. The lace applied around the bottom and the way it is cut helps to hold the shape around you.
- That combination of red lace and netting that has been applied over the dress creates a beautiful and striking pattern. The pop of red against the transparent black net is even more striking once on the body and you see the transparency through it that contrast against the red lace and netting.
- The width of the lower skirt allows the dress to move beautifully around you as you move.
- The inner black silk chiffon slip acts as the lining. Both the dress and the inner slip have no closures and slip over the head to wear. I see a couple of tiny repairs in the net near the raw edge finish of the skirt. Very minor but mention for accuracy.
- Tagged a Givenchy 40
- Excellent condition
Dress
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under the bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14" from top of shoulder to lowest part of the seam under the bust at the sides
Total length: 67" from top of shoulder to hem
Inner slip
Bust: 15.5-17" 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
Total length: 36" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5577
Reference Photo: (1) Resort 2011 Givenchy, Look 5. Model Daphne Groeneveld. / (2) Ciara in Givenchy by Cameron Smith for Wonderland Magazine, Nov 2010.
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.
nina ricci
Exceptional c.1990 Nina Ricci by Gerard Pipart Haute Couture Strapless Red & Black Silk Dress
I Have a Question
- This dress best matches the look of the collections that were being done around the 1990 time period.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gerard Pipart.
- The Nina Ricci brand was founded in 1932 at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris. In 1964 Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant, as head of the brand. Pipart, who had previously worked for Balmain, Fath, and Patou, brought a wide range of experience in all aspects of fashion to the brand.
- Over the following three decades, Pipart's couture vision 'celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day.' He headed the Couture division until 1998.
- This is an incredible and very beautiful piece of Haute Couture and would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- This dress is a masterpiece and really showcases how beautiful a piece of true couture can be. Everything about its construction goes above and beyond.
- The bodice and hem are made out of a red silk that has a bit of very fine ribbing through the fabric. That same fabric in a black is used for the main part of the skirt and then the band around the top of the bodice and the band around the waist are detailed with a wide black velvet ribbon.
- The bodice is strapless and curves across the front and around to the back. There is a built-in inner structure to hold the dress in place and it is fitted to the waist where it nips in.
- The way that the skirt falls is just extraordinary. It is so full and voluminous as it curves outward and down to the floor. To achieve that shape there is an elaborate built-in underskirt that is all hidden. It is made out of a stiffened net that is hidden between the outer layer and the inner silk lining.
- The silk of the skirt is set in beautiful rounded pleats in the hidden structure underneath is what gives the support needed to hold the shapes. I have not added any crinolines under the skirt - all of the shape and volume is there because of the brilliant hidden structure underneath.
- The back of the skirt is cut slightly longer then the front for a beautiful sweeping feel behind you.
- A final band of black velvet circles its way around the lower skirt, topping a wide panel made from the same red silk as the bodice.
- The contrast between the red and black is absolutely stunning. It is an exceptional piece of Couture.
- The dress is fully lined in a handset black silk and closes with a handset back zipper. An inner waist stay hooks to close. There is hidden boning through the bodice and structure through the hips as described above. I see that the zipper was let out a bit at some point and there is some grubbiness and tiny breaks along the edge of the hem. All minor but mentioned for accuracy.
- The proper Haute Couture label is present.
- There is no size tag since it is a couture piece. Please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the minor note abovewith the minor note above
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 52" from top of bodice to front hem, 60" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5575
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.
valentino
Spring 2018 Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli Pink Silk Dress w Rhinestones & Metallic Silver Appliques
I Have a Question
- This dress is from the Spring 2018 Valentino collection.
- It was made under the Creative Direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli
- This was a red carpet favourite and its twin was seen on both Nicole Kidman and Nicky Hilton.
- Over the course of his time at Valentino Pierpaolo did several variations of these elaborate ruffled and embellished dresses in different fabrications and each is beautiful. The cut of the dress makes it easy to wear and it is very flattering once on the body. It has a beautifully feminine feel and is very striking with the addition of the ruffles. The pink is infinitely gorgeous on almost every skin tone.
- The dress is even better in person than how it photoed here.
- It is made from a pink silk organza mixed with panels of lace set in a chevron pattern that runs down the bodice and top of the skirt on both the back and the front. These fabric choices keeps it light in weight but still give it enough structure to hold that gorgeous shape that you see.
- The neck is cut high with a band of lace running around the neck. A little ruffle of organza runs around the bottom of the collar and this sets the tone for the rest of the dress.
- A ruffle details the top of each shoulder, at each of the cuffs, and then more ruffles are set throughout the dress and around the hem.
- The bodice is cut to skim over you and I love the bit of play on transparency with the very top of the bodice and the sleeves with them being a single layer of the organza. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are long and slightly taper down to a ruffled wrist.
- The waist is detailed with more ruffles and is cut slightly on the more generous size. This is a signature cut for him and makes the dress very easy and flattering to wear.
- The skirt falls from there to the floor. It is wonderfully full and extremely elaborate. Chevron panels of lace detail the top portion of the skirt and then panels of organza continue down set on angles for the full length of the skirt. Every second panel of organza has a ruffle peeking out from underneath. The skirt is very wide by the time it reaches the hem and it has wonderful movement.
- Over the entire dress is an absolutely gorgeous mix of hand set rectangular silver metallic sequins that are set vertically over the dress. These are mixed with hand set pronged rhinestones that follow the design of the dress. On the sleeves they are set in vertical rows and then throughout the dress they are set in angled rows to follow the chevron design of the lace and organza.
- This was a special order piece and very few were made.
- The dress is fully lined in a pink silk. It closes with a hidden back set zipper and buttons at the back of the neck. Each sleeve has a button at the wrist. It is in its original uncut length. It has its original tags attached and was never worn.
- Tagged a Valentino 40
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 27" including the ruffle that is just under 2" wide. Each sleeve is 11.5" around the upper arm. The neck is 14" around
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from neck to the top seam of the 2" band around the waist
Total length: 64.5" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5575
Reference Photos/Video: (1-3) Nicole Kidman at the Critics Choice Awards, 2018. / (4-5) Nicky Hilton at the Fall 2018 Paris Couture Valentino Fashion Show.
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.
Rodarte
Dreamy Fall 2016 Rodarte Runway Look 40 White Lace, Silk & Net Bias Cut Dress w Hand Done Detailing
I Have a Question
- The twin of the dress was presented as Look 40 for the Fall 2016 Rodarte collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Kate and Laura Mulleavy.
- 2016 marked the 10th anniversary of the label and in Vogue's coverage of the show they noted that "The best Rodarte collections - and this was surely one - come across like manifested daydreams. Lots of designers like to talk about tapping into the fantasy element of fashion, but Kate and Laura are perhaps the only ones whose clothes summon the ludic sensibility of kids playing dress up. The demented level of embellishment which here included ruffled leather, hand, cut floral paillettes, and mesh, and lace sequined and watery patterns, recalls a child's take on glamour with every available fancy piled on. That the Mulleavys manage the muchness with such grace is something of a miracle.... the hand craftsmanship, the romance, the touch of the macabre - those qualities were present in Rodarte a decade ago, and they are communicated as clearly now as they ever were."
- There is a lot of hand work in the dress and it is a part of the collections where they were doing a lot of the work in-house and the pieces were not so mass produced as they are now. The pricing for pieces during this era were also extraordinarily higher than what they currently can be, with the then pricing being up to and over the 20k mark.
- I love how heavily influenced by the 1930s and 1940s that this dress is. It has a decidedly vintage feel to its cut.
- The dress combines bias cut silk and netting with a fine lace that is laid out softly over the body but in a way that still gives soft structure. There are lot so beautiful added hand cut details, beads and appliqué.
- As good as it looks on the dress form, I am glad that we have so many reference photos so you can see how beautiful it is once it transforms onto an actual body.
- A ruffle of lace and netting highlight the wide set neckline. Small panels of netting drape softly down from each shoulder and are set more towards the back. These are detailed with hand cut outs and beads. At the back there is a small V for a touch of skin to show.
- I love how the inner dress creates that dramatic cut out effect that sits underneath the top layer of lace at the front. It really makes the dress feel dynamic and special and adds a subtle bit of sexiness.
- The dress glides over the waist and then curves back over the hips. There are more hand applied, hand done cut out appliques and netted beading details on one hip for added detail.
- The skirt is phenomenal. The skirt is split on one side right up to the flower at the hip. The inner part of the skirt is made out of a matching ivory silk that has a layer of soft tulle underneath so you get all of these layers around the slit that help to cover how high it is but still allowing it to open.
- A hand made rosette sits at top of the slit and then on the other hip there is another matching rosette. An inset panel made of netting that has two more handmade handset flower cuts added to it as it trails from under that rosette down to the hem.
- The topmost layer over all of this is a beautiful soft ivory lace that is just magical. I love how the ivory of the lace is offset by the more white leaf cut outs that are on the little cap sleeves and at the waist.
- The final perfect touch is a band of tightly gathered ruffled lace that goes all the way around the hem. There are yards and yards of fabric in the lower skirt.
- I think this is one of the most beautiful dresses that the duo have made throughout their entire career.
- The dress is fully lined in a combination of the netting and the ivory silk and nylon netting. It closes with a hidden setback zipper. It was never worn and all of the applique work is done by hand and set onto the dress by hand. There is an amazing amount of hand work in the dress. There is one small break in the netting on the innermost layer that does not show. It was never worn and is otherwise pristine. The colour is perhaps the tiniest bit more ivory than how it photographed.
- Tagged a modern Rodarte 6
- Excellent condition
Bust: 15-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 64" from top of shoulder to hem and the slit is 42" up from the hem.
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5572
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.
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2016 Rodarte, Look 40.
dolce and gabbana
1993 Dolce & Gabbana Three Piece White Silk & Tulle Wedding Dress Overskirt & Veil Full Set
I Have a Question
- This is a fantastically beautiful set from 1993.
- It was made under the creative direction of Domenico Solce and Stefano Gabbana.
- It has its three original pieces. There is a corset topped inner dress that ends at or just below the knee depending on your height. Over that is a white tulle over-skirt that falls to the floor and then there is a matching huge rectangle of white tulle that can be used as a full cathedral length veil.
- The inner dress has a slightly off-white silk corset style silk top. The sweetheart neckline is cut to highlight the bust and then it nips in to follow the body to the waist. All of the seaming is done vertically and pieced together all the way around you. Inside there is full boning and support to hold it perfectly around you.
- The corset curves to just over the top of the hips and then under that there are two layers of a white tulle that tops a ribbon edged silky rayon layer and an inner-most white layer that feels slightly stiffened. This makes the lower skirt full and also acts as the support when you add the outer skirt over it.
- The outer skirt is banded around the waist with a 3 inch panel in the same silk used over the corset. It curves over the top of your hips for a touch of added shape. Under that are multiple layers of tulle that give it the tremendous volume that you see. The very bottom hem of the top layer is finished in a band of pretty lace.
- The dress comes with a huge rectangle of the same tulle that both skirts are made out of. I have draped it over the top of the dress form so you can just how much of the fabric there is. It easily extends down and past the hem of the dress. Once pinned into place, or draped over your head, it can be worn as a full cathedral length veil.
- I love the versatility of the two pieces since you can take the outer skirt off for dancing after the wedding. If you wanted it even more volume you could add another underskirt underneath.
- The inner dress is lined in the same silk as the outer corset and is boned and shaped. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. The skirt goes over that and closes with a button at the waistband a hidden sat back zipper under that. The veil is one large rectangle of matching tulle.
- Tagged a vintage D&G 42
- Excellent condition
Dress
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam at the top of the hips: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam and then it is open and full under that.
Bodice: 11.5" from top of bodice to seam just below natural waist
Total length: 35" from top of bodice to hem
Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 46" from waist to hem
Veil is just over 10 feet long x 9 feet wide
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5571
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.
emanuel ungaro
Documented Fall 1987 Emanuel Ungaro Runway Velvet & Lace Mini Dress w Peaked Bodice
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1987 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Emanuel Ungaro.
- An example of the dress is also held in the permanent archives of the China National Silk Museum Collection.
- Ungaro launched his label in 1965 after stints at both Balenciaga and Courreges. He was a brilliant designer who was known for his extravagant fabrics and flamboyance. He often participated in the design and execution of new fabrics and for him the design process started there. His work always has a sense of exuberance and joy to it and he mixed fabric and prints with a master's eye.
- The dress is made out of a black velvet through the body to the top of the skirt and then the lower skirt combines lace, netting and stiffened finishing around the lower inner hems that help support and hold the volume.
- Both the fabric combination and cut of this dress are fantastic and no matter how great it looks in the photos you will love it even more in person.
- The strapless bodice is cut across the neckline and the bodice is meant to hug the body. It is elaborately gathered and fitted around the bust and body with a series of soft gathered folds that angle in towards the sides.
- The top of the bodice is cut with a curve on one side and a peak on the other. We have left the peak folded up for the photos but you could potentially fold it over more once it is on the body if you prefer that look.
- I love how the gathering is done to emphasize the cut of the bodice and then changes slightly through the waist and over the hips to a more horizontal line to give you added shape.
- These folds that emphasized the curves of the body were a signature of his and really made his pieces flattering once on.
- The seam where the skirting starts is set on a slight angle and then the skirt itself is a double layer of netting with bands of stiffened finishing along the hems. The layers are stacked on top of each other with a layer of black lace floating over that.
- There is an incredible amount of fabric in a skirt and it falls in swirls and folds all the way around you. I love the unusual shape with one side longer than the other. It is just phenomenal.
- Inside where the skirt attaches it has been gathered up and folded with padding put inside and this acts as a little bit of support to help hold the volume of the skirt.
- It is a gorgeous piece and it appears to have been worn very little if at all. An amazing piece of fashion history.
- The bodice is fully lined in a black silk and there is light boning through the inside dress for structure, including partway down the sides to give you support. The skirt is made of three layers as described above. I have taken a photo of the way the padding is constructed just inside the top of the inner skirt for you to see.
- Tagged a Ungaro 6
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 31" from top of the rounded side of the bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5565
Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1987 Emanuel Ungaro RTW. / (2) Emanuel Ungaro dress in the China National Silk Museum Collection.
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.
bill blass
Incredible Fall 1979 Bill Blass Couture Red Silk Chiffon Dress w Gold Sequins & Mink Cuffs
I Have a Question
- The dress is from the Fall 1979 Bill Blass collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Bill Blass.
- I have had the twin of this dress in the shop a few years ago and I was very pleased to find another. Since we have had that original dress we happened to find the runway photo of the dress firmly dating it to Fall 1979.
- A similar version of this dress was worn by Slim Keith to attend the Met Museum Gala that year. We have also included a couple of shots of me in the one we had previously to give you an idea of how it is on.
- And a note to those who prefer not to wear fur; you could always un-tack and remove the sleeves and replace them with a faux version, feathers or anything you could imagine, or leave them without as Slim did and just store the cuffs for archival purposes.
- This dress is one of the best that he ever made. The dress has elements of his work that he would touch on continuously over the coming decades. It is also a wonderful example of just how sophisticated and glamorous he could be.
- The silk chiffon used for the base is feather light and it has a fine gold, metallic lurex thread that is woven through the silk to create vertical stripes.
- Hand applied gold sequins were then added to follow those gold threads. The sequins catch the light beautifully and add another dimension and texture to the dress.
- There is a subtle leaf print that runs through the silk and this adds a beautiful extra level of visual texture.
- The upper part of the skirt is the same deep red as the bodice of the dress and then that leaf print gradually becomes more dense until it forms a solid soft brown around the lower hem. There is a slit up the front to let you walk.
- The dress has a nod to the 1930s in its cut but he has exaggerated some of the elements to keep it modern.
- The bodice crosses over itself and there is a built in brown silk under piece so that you can wear the dress and not have it completely transparent. On the bodice there are no sequins and this is deliberate to keep it lighter in feel.
- The sleeves extend directly out from the bodice and they narrow down as they reach the cuff. The cuffs are both finished with a 7" band of fur that is either a mink or a sable. It is gorgeous.
- The dress is fully lined in brown silk chiffon and closes with a hidden set box zipper. Hand finishes and hand set sequins. The cuffs have perhaps the very slightest of wear to the edges and are soft and supple. This one does not have its Bill Blass tag present, but has the appropriate size tag and a Saks Fifth Avenue tag inside.
- Tagged a vintage Bill Blass 6
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: approximately 27"
Shoulders: no defined seam
Inner bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from the top of the shoulder to waist
Total length: 57.5" from the top of the shoulder to hem and the front slit is 19" from the hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5563
Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1979 Bill Blass. / (2-3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon. / (4) Socialite Slim Keith in Bill Blass (left) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala in New York City, 1979.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
christian dior
Spectacular Cruise 2009 Christian Dior by John Galliano Soft Pastel Blue-Green Ruffle Dress w Beading
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress was Look 52 from the Christian Dior Cruise 2009 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- The Vogue report on the collection noted that: "Galliano has been mining the good old U.S. of A. for raw material from which to spin his dreams....grandes dames like Barbara Hutton, Millicent Rogers, and Nan Kempner—women who weren't afraid to make a bold sartorial statement, one that preferably involved a whopping piece of jewelry. From a shimmering backdrop that conjured a Tony Duquette garden, there emerged a full wardrobe for their modern-day counterparts in Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, and Dallas.... What this season is really about is not so much breaking the mold as delivering a vision of the good life—and Galliano can do that in spades."
- This is the actual address that worn by Caitlin Thompson to the 2024 Emmys.
- Emmy Rossum also appeared in its twin in 2009 and I love that the reference photos show just how wonderful this dress is once on the body.
- The dress is made out of a pale pastel silk chiffon that is in the beautiful pastel shade of a turquoise / seafoam green. It is an absolutely beautiful colour and even better in person.
- The bodice is cut slightly wider across the neck and it is meant skim lightly over you to the waist.
- The waist is defined by a wide beaded band that highlights and adds shape.
- From there curves back out over the hips and then cascades to the floor gently widening out as it near the hem.
- The entire dress is finished with silk chiffon ruffles that are stacked and set to slightly overlap the ruffle sitting underneath all the way down to the hem, with the only break being the detailing around the waist for added shape.
- The ruffles add a lovely soft bit of movement as you move, and I love how he has played with the width of the ruffles as they work their way down to the floor. It makes it more visually interesting and also allows the dress more movement than if he had kept the ruffles all the same size.
- Extensive bead work wraps all the way around the band of the waist. The work has been completely done by hand and the beads are set out in a complex pattern with pale ivory beads mixed with beads of various sizes and finished in romantic pinks and soft greens.
- This is a phenomenal runway piece by John Galliano for Dior and is one of the prettiest dresses that he ever created.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching colour silk. It closes with a hidden set zipper at the side and there are hidden hooks on the top of one shoulder. I see one bead missing at the back of the waist. The bead work has all been added by hand.
- There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements listed below
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 57" from top of shoulder to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5559
Reference Photos/Video: (1-6) Cruise 2009 Christian Dior Runway. Look 52. / (7) Emmy Rossum at the New Yorkers for Children Spring Dinner Dance, April 2009. / (8-12) Caitlin Thompson in this dress at the 2024 Emmys.
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.
christian dior
Important Fall 2006 Christian Dior by John Galliano Pale Silver Grey Version of Runway Look 41 Dress
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress in red was Look 41 on the Fall 2006 Dior runway.
- It was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
- He began his own label in 1984 and he was instantly a bit of a 'boy wonder' in fashion. He was British Fashion Council Designer of the Year in 1987, 1994 and 1995. In 1991 he made his Paris catwalk debut. In 1995 he was asked to head Givenchy and then went to Dior in October of 1996.
- His bias cut pieces have a feeling of the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and they are beautifully cut. They marry Old Hollywood with the minimalist spirit of the nineties and early 2000s and the results are stunning.
- The red version was used for the ad campaign that year and was worn by Kate Moss. It has become one of his most iconic dresses.
- We have had this dress in red in the past and it flew. I love having another in this soft pale grey colour. It is just dreamy.
- The dress takes inspiration from the bias cut couture pieces of the 1920s and 1930s. The seam work and simplicity of this dress is stunning to see and it is even better on an actual body.
- It is made from a beautiful silk velvet in a pale silver grey. A design that includes the Christian Dior name has been pressed into the velvet over the entire dress. This gives it this incredible added texture that you see in the photos.
- The dress is completely cut on the bias so that it flows over the body and skims its way over the bust, waist and hips as it falls to the floor.
- The neckline drapes down and there is a panel of silk chiffon tucked just inside the neckline at both the back and the front. This creates a bit of a swooping plunge that is slightly set to the side. Thin bands of a silver grey grosgrain ribbon run up the sides of the dress and around the waist. The velvet is gathered into the ribbon in various spots to create the asymmetrical draping.
- The skirt flows down to the floor from there, skimming over the hips and then flaring out as it reaches the hem. This gives you a ton of movement around the lower skirt when you walk or move. It also adds to the hourglass shape that the dress has.
- This is an amazing example of his work from Dior and it is gorgeous.
- The bodice is lined in a pale grey silk chiffon and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a hidden set zipper down one side. The bias cut fabric does have some stretch. There is a small mark on the inner silk chiffon and a couple tiny marks on the velvet near the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot. The measurements below give you the comfortable range the fabric has when lying flat. It is in its original unaltered length. The bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes
- Tagged a Galliano FR38, GB10, US6
- Excellent condition
Bust: 16-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 16.5" from neck to dropped seam
Total length: 62" from neck to front hem, 64" to the back hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5549
Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 2006 Christian Dior, Look 41. Model Caroline Trentini. / (3) Kate Moss for the Fall 2006 Dior Ad Campaign by Nick Knight. / (4) Olivia Cooke at the 'House Of The Dragon' London Premiere, 2022.
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.
tiziani
Documented 1960s Tiziani Couture by Karl Lagerfeld Peach Silk Plunge Dress w Matching Feather Cape
I Have a Question
- Note that due to new customs regulations this piece can only ship to a Canadian address. If you need assistance with this please touch base.
- This is a fantastically well documented piece Tiziani couture set that dates to the 1960s.
- It would have been made under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld and is a very rare example of his work there especially with the amount of documentation on it.
- We have included the digital copy of the original sketch done by Karl along with photos of the dress on a model with Tiziani when it was originally produced. I do have modern photos of the dress on someone and will share those upon request.
- The inner tag on the dress is numbered and handwritten and then it has its Tiziana tag on the cape. I was told that this is the actual original sample dress and came from the archives.
- I posted a video of the dress on my Instagram back in 2023 when it was still in my personal archives. You can see that here and it speaks more about its history and you can see the dress on video.
- The dress is made out of a peach silk chiffon that is heavily embellished around the V neckline. The coat is made out of a slightly deeper coral peach silk that is completely covered in hand dyed soft peach feathers.
- The dress has a V at the front and the neckline has a band of embellishment that mixes silver tube beads, peach embroidery, sequins and seed beads, with prong set rhinestones. This follows the neckline at the front and then runs across the top of each shoulder. At the back it creates a wide band across the upper shoulders.
- It skims over the bust to a higher set waist seam. From there it skims over the hips and the skirt falls to the floor widening out slightly as it goes.
- The dress is fully lined in a matching peach silk and it is entirely made by hand with all of the inner stitches finished by hand. This would be considered Alta Moda couture with its level of finishes
- The cape sits over that and comes down to just past the waist at the front and then falls around you on the sides and back in this incredible sweep of hand dyed soft peach feathers.
- The feathers are all set onto a silk organza backdrop by hand and they overlap each other all the way down the length of the cape. The collar of the cape is finished with the same hand beading you see on the dress.
- Both the dress and cape are a touch paler in colour than how they shot. They are more like the colour shots added here.
- The dress is fully lined in a peach hand-finished silk and zips to close at the side. The outer layer of the bodice snaps to close over that. The cape is a single layer of silk organza with the feathers attached directly to it. The cape is also completely finished by hand. It hooks to close at the collar. There is perhaps the tiniest bit of grubbiness to the hem of the dress. Some small areas of missing embroidery / beads. Some of the organza has shattered near the top of the cape on the interior side. I have included photos here after the label shot. It can be worn as is but if you want me to have some reinforcement added you can touch base with me before I ship it and I will have my seamstress add that for you. Please see the photos after the label shot.
- There are no size tags so please go by the listed measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the note on the cape lining above.
Dress
Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 13" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 59.5" from top of shoulder to hem
Cape
Neck: 15.5" around
Total length: it falls to approximately 17" at the shortest point of the front and the back falls to approximately 61"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD5544
Reference Photos: (1) Sketch by Karl Lagerfeld for Tiziani, 1960s. / (2-4) Model in Tiziani, 1960s. Credit unknown. / (5-7) Photos from the client of this set.
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.
jacques fath
Incredible 1953 Jacques Fath Haute Couture Leopard Printed Silk Strapless Dress w Full Skirt
I Have a Question
- This is an incredible and rare true Haute Couture dress whose pattern remarkably resembles a sketch we found from his 1953 collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of couturier Jaques Fath.
- Jacques Fath showed his first collection of just twenty garments in the spring of 1937. It was well received and he steadily built a strong clientele to become of of the busiest ateliers in Paris.
- Fath is considered to be part of the 'big three' post-war Parisian designers, along with Dior and Balmain. The Fath label was shuttered in 1957 after Fath's death three years earlier. One of his signature looks was a strapless hourglass silhouette. The dress is gorgeous and a beautiful and rare example of his work during this time period.
- It would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The fabric is a stunning silk that has a pattern suggested of an animal print running over its entire surface. This has been done in an ivory with shades of charcoal grey. Worked into the pattern is a subtle muted gold metallic thread.
- The dress is strapless and curves up on the bodice. There is a black silk inner panel that is set behind the front panels that you see here. This let those front panels sit slightly off of the body and create the illusion of more bust.
- The fabric is gathered in along an angled seam under that to a wide band that defines the waist. I love how there is a bit of the same black silk that peeks out along one edge to tie all of the elements of the bodice together.
- The waist is cinched in and to achieve that beautiful hour glass silhouette there is a full built-in boned couture corset attached to the inside of the bodice. I have taken photos so you can see how beautifully and intricately this is constructed.
- From there the skirt expands outward over the hips and curves beautifully down to the floor. The front has a slightly more sleek feel to it and then the back has added fabric built into it down the centre so that you get a beautiful soft fullness there. It is cut slightly longer at the back to help to add to that feel of more fullness there. If you really wanted the skirt to be very full you could add an underskirt. There is more than enough room.
- It is an absolute extraordinarily beautiful early Couture peace from the most magical era of Couture.
- The skirt is backed with a netting and there is a built-in boned corset. It closes with a back zipper and an inner waist stay hooks to close. There is light discolouration to the inner corset. At some point, someone added fabric tape over some small holes in the netting of the interior skirt and I see some tiny ones without tape. None of this shows on the exterior. There is light fraying on part of the front hem. Please see the photos after the label shot. All of the interior work is done completely by hand to Couture standards.
- No size tag is present so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent overall condition
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 10.5" from top of bodice to bottom seam of the 3.25" waist band
Total length: 51" from top of bodice to front hem and the back hand extends another 6" past that
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5531
Reference Photo: Spring 1953 Jacques Fath Haute Couture. Illustration by Pierre Simon.
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.
nina ricci
Exceptional Spring 1997 Nina Ricci by Gerard Pipart Haute Couture Runway Black & White Strapless w Beaded Details
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the Spring 1997 Haute Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Gerard Pipart.
- The Nina Ricci brand was founded in 1932 at 20 Rue de Capucines in Paris. In 1964 Gérard Pipart succeeded Jules-François Crahay, Nina Ricci's former designer assistant, as head of the brand. Pipart, who had previously worked for Balmain, Fath, and Patou, brought a wide range of experience in all aspects of fashion to the brand.
- Over the following three decades, Pipart's couture vision 'celebrated a flamboyant woman and his ready-to-wear found a loyal following among the most stylish women of the day.' He headed the Couture division until 1998.
- This is an incredible and very beautiful piece of Haute Couture and would have been made entirely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The upper portion of the dress is a strapless and structured ivory that is made out of a beautiful silk that has a slight texture.
- At the waist it changes to a black silk to create that gorgeous skirt. The silk there also has a slight texture and enough weight to hold the intended draping but without being heavy.
- Deep silver beads are placed by hand to run up from the waist over the bodice and then more beading runs down from the waist with some parts ending just past the hips. It adds the perfect amount of glitz to the dress.
- The skirt curves outward over the hips and then widens out as it nears the hem. On one side of the skirt an added panel drapes down past the hem and appears to be caught up with the handset bow that sits there. This adds a beautiful little bit of extra movement and curving line to the dress. It is a design detail that is just brilliantly executed.
- It is fully lined in a white silk through the bodice with light boning for support. Through the skirt it is lined in a black silk. It closes with a side set zipper and has an inner waist stay that hooks to close. I see the very slightest bit of grubbiness around the upper edge of the bodice that is mentioned for accuracy.
- The proper Haute Couture label is present.
- There is no size tag so please go by the measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Bust: to 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9.25" from the top of the bodice to the waist
Total length: 52.5" from the top of the bodice to the shortest point of the hem, 57" to the longest
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5532
Reference Photo: Spring 1997 Nina Ricci Haute Couture.
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.
yves saint laurent
Fantastic Spring 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway Unlabeled Black & White Print Plunge Dress
I Have a Question
-
A magnificent dress that is the twin of the one that walked the runway for the It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
- The dress would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier.
- The famous socialite Nan Kempner owned its twin and we have included photos here so you can see how fabulous this is on the body.
- The dress is made out of a printed silk that has a black abstract pattern covering it from head to toe.
- In the book Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture: Catwalk they tell us that for the show Yves celebrated the 20th anniversary of his Couture house. The collection emphasize small waists counterbalance by wide shoulders that accentuated narrow hips. Many of the pieces were inspired by India and the craftsmanship that was available there. You can see the inspiration in the front set crystals. He used glass crystal rhinestones that were cut specifically to mimic the type of diamonds called Polki Diamonds that often seen in Indian jewellery and have a more raw cut feel to them.
- The dress is gathered at the shoulder but the gathers are brought down more towards the front. The shoulders are soft.
- The sleeves are extremely generous through the upper arm and are set into the top of the shoulder with a series of soft pleats that give them height and volume. They narrow down to the cuff where they close with a zipper.
- The entire front of the bodice is brought down into the centre waist in a series of soft pleats with a plunge that is fairly low but not too low.
- Set in the middle of the waist is that fantastic diamond shaped applique that has the glass crystal stones mixed with black stones and black glass tube beads. This catches the light fantastically.
- The skirt is gathered up and into that diamond to mimic what is happening on the bodice. It falls to the floor from there. There is a lot of fabric in the skirt because of the front pleating but it feels like it narrows in a bit to keep the silhouette long and narrow.
- At the back it falls in a simple sheath from shoulder to hem.
- All of the inner seams are finished by hand and the entire dress is made by hand to Haute Couture standards
- The dress is unlined and closes with a side set zipper. Zipper sit at each cuff. There is some evidence that the seams at the side of the waist were let out slightly. They could easily be brought back in. I see a small mark on the back of one sleeve. The piece is unlabelled.
- No size tag is present so please go by the listed measurements below.
- Excellent condition
Sleeves: 28" and are 14" around the upper arm. They are 7" around the wrist.
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-17" 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
Total length: 61" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5533
Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Couture. / (2-6) Spring 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Couture Advance Preview. / (7) Nan Kempner in Yves Saint Laurent. / (8-10) Sketches from the YSL Folio.
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.
1940s-1950s Possible Stage or Showgirl Strapless Dress Covered in Hand Placed Sequins & Beads
I Have a Question
- This is original dress from the 1950s, maybe the 1940s that is completely made by hand.
- It is an absolutely incredible example of the high level of hand work being done during that time period and you would be hard pressed to find anything modern done to this degree outside of true Couture pieces.
- I have no formal history on the dress but it does have a handwritten tag with the name Edith that sits inside the hem. The possibility of this being the name of the owner is fascinating and one wonders if it belonged to perhaps a showgirl, dancer or perhaps an actress who would have worn the dress. Having the name added like that certainly does imply that it was more of a stage piece as this was common in stage pieces from the era.
- The dress has hundreds of thousands of sequins and beads hand applied over every inch of its surface. The sequins are incredibly dense in the way that they have been applied. They are set so that they overlap each other to the point where they stand up and off the dress slightly. The black sequins were done in a swirling burst design and this lets it catch the light differently and creates the most amazing effect.
- Added to that is a floral design in pale pink, gold and greens that is also done in sequins. This wraps around the bodice and then runs down the entire skirt of the dress with the density of the design getting heavier as it near the hem.
- Then over all of that are over-sized faceted beads in a variety of colours that have been applied by hand to add an extra bit of detail and sparkle to the dress. They are all jewel tones mixed with gold and copper and it is just incredible to see.
- The dress does have weight to it but it is perfectly balanced once it is on the body.
- It has straps but can also be worn strapless. Inside there is a full built-in boned and cupped corset that holds the dress in place and adds shape. The waist is brought in by this corset and then the dress skims over the hips. As it falls to the floor it narrows down. There is an overlapping curved slit at the back that allows you to be able to walk in it.
- The dress is fully lined in a black silky rayon. The dress has an inner corset that hooks into place with a double row of metal lingerie hooks. The inner corset is boned and cupped. It is lightly tacked into the dress. I see some wear on the inside of the corset here and there. The dress zips to close over that. It is completely made by hand.
- There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements below
- Excellent condition with the note above
Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 53" from top of bodice to hem
Back slit: 26" from hem up
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5524
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.
Heirloom Level Exquisite 1950s Handmade Couture White Lace Wedding Dress w a Matching Veil
I Have a Question
- This dress was sourced from France and it was noted as being from the from the 1950s or earlier and into the 1930s or 1940s.
- The entire dress and its huge matching veil have been entirely made by hand and the lace itself is also handmade.
- Both of the veil and dress have been meticulously pieced together from larger sections of lace to create the shape of both pieces. That means all of the lace would have had to have been made and planned out ahead of time.
- The dress has higher neck and I love the soft scalloping around the edge.
- The shoulders are sloped and soft and extended into long sleeves that narrow at the cuff. Five little lace covered buttons and loops sit at the end of each sleeve.
- It is meant to to be more fitted over the bust and then comes in at the waist.
- From there it expands outward over the hips and is very full and open over the hips.
- The skirt is lovely and very full. It falls in beautiful soft rounded folds around you. There is enough room underneath that if you wanted it to feel very full, you could add a crinoline and/or additional under-skirting.
- The dress is made from a single layer of the lace so it does have transparency through the lace. This allows you to wear as little or as much of an undergarment underneath to be either daring or more conservative.
- The matching lace veil is two long continuous pieces of lace pieced perfectly together. It is narrow at one end and then opens up to be very wide by the other. A bride would have draped this over her head and then she could pin it into place or add flowers or some other decorations around the head to frame the face and hold the veil.
- This is an absolutely beautiful piece of history and an extremely rare thing of beauty.
- The amount of hours and work to have made this is staggering to think about.
- Both pieces are an excellent condition with perhaps a touch of very minor age related patina here and there on the lace. The colour in person is slightly more ivory.
- The dress is unlined and closes with a back zipper. Buttons and loops are at the end of each sleeve. I see a slight darkening to the fabric here and there but it is very minor. It makes it feel authentically vintage and does not detract in any way.
- There is no size tag present because it is a one off.
- Excellent condition
Dress
Sleeves: approx 22"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 58" from neck to hem
Veil
14" at the narrowest point at one end and 55" at its widest width at the other
It is 9 feet from end to end
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS
Item# DD5514
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.
dolce and gabbana
Extraordinary Rare Fall 2016 Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Couture Gold Tweed & Lace Covered Jacket & Skirt Suit Set
I Have a Question
- This is a private custom order suit from the Fall 2016 Alta Moda "Naples" collection and was acquired directly from the Couture client. Alta Moda runway footage and Look Books are only available for those invited to the spectacular 3-day events held in different locations each season.
- It was made under the creative direction of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana
- This suit was a special order custom piece by my client and the original price was just over 45,000 euros.
- This collection was inspired by Sophia Loren who was also the guest of honour at the show.
- Both pieces are made out of a hand woven tweed that has gold metallic thread woven through it in a thatched weave. The goal is more apparent when you see this in person. As you get closer, you realize that over top of the tweed there is a layer of a floral lace that floats over and creates a beautiful pattern on pattern effect.
- The lace pieces were all hand made individually to fit the part of the pattern that they were to be applied over top of. Inside the inner edges of the jacket there is a another panel of handmade lace that is done with a more dense weave so that it has a darker feel to it. It is all just extraordinary.
- The jacket has soft shoulders that have a slight peak at their tops. The sleeves are long and the lace covering them is their only detail. The body of the jacket is shaped around you with the waist nipped in for shape. A double row of handmade buttons runs down the front with hidden hand covered silk snaps set underneath to close the jacket. Each hip has a double flap to suggest pockets but these are decorative only and their purpose is to help shape the hip and add detail. The collar is soft with an extra band of the handmade lace applied around it to give it a touch of definition.
- The skirt has a wide grosgrain ribbon to cinch it in and it skims over the top of the hips. The lower skirt is added with and exposed top set seam attaching it to the upper part of the skirt. This lower piece is pleated so it opens up into a beautiful shape and a bit of a swing feel while still maintaining its structure.
- It is truly a work of art and showcases the very best of Dolce's craftsmanship.
- Both pieces are unlined and are entirely made by hand to Haute Couture standards. The jacket closes at the front as described above and the skirt has a back zipper. They have their appropriate Couture tags in place with a hand written tag behind. Both pieces appear to have been worn very little if at all.
- There is no size tag present since it is a couture piece so please go by the measurements listed below.
- Excellent condition
Jacket
Sleeves: 25.5" and are 12" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 24" from neck to hem
Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 24.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD5510
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.
Size XS

















































