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james galanos
1970s James Galanos Couture Floral Print Silk Chiffon Dress w Beaded Butterfly Detailing
I Have a Question
- The label on this dress date it to the 1970s period.
- It was made under the creative direction of James Galanos.
- In 1951 a 27 year old James Galanos launched his first label called Galanos Originals. By 1954 he had won a Coty award and the Neiman Marcus award.
- His ready-to-wear line was 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.
- I think this is one of the best Galanos' pieces I have ever had in the shop. It is extremely well made with a very high level of construction techniques.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful floral printed silk chiffon in a mix of soft pastels. The print forms large flowers that cascade over the entire dress.
- There is a full inner bodice made of the same printed silk chiffon. This inner piece has straps that curve up and around the shoulders with a scoop at the front and back. Blousing over that is a fuller cut, single layer of the silk chiffon. It has long sleeves that narrow to the cuff and the most incredible beaded butterfly that is completely made by hand adorning the front. It is spectacularly beautiful.
- The waist nips in and the dress comes with a matching silk covered leather belt.
- The silk is gathered into the waist seam on one side so that it wraps around you. There is a high slit hidden underneath the wrap over on one side and another matching high slit on the other side so you get an unexpected flash of bare leg when you move or sit.
- The workmanship on the dress is absolutely stunning and the vast majority of it is all done by hand including the butterfly at the front.
- The inner bodice that sits under the top acts as the lining and then that is lined with another layer of nude silk chiffon. The skirt is made of two layers of chiffon. It zips to close at the back with a hand set zipper and the outer bodice hooks to close at the back of the neck. Each sleeve ends in a little zipper. I see a tiny pinhole just above the butterfly at the front and some very minor repairs - one near the neckline of the back and some near the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot.
- The dress has no size tag so please go by the listed measurements below.
- Excellent condition with the notes above.
Sleeves: 23" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Inner bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 62" from top of shoulder to the longest point of the hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD5683
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
Iconic Spring 1984 Hubert de Givenchy Haute Couture Runway Silk Chiffon Strapless Dress & Coat Set
I Have a Question
- The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 1984 Givenchy Haute Couture collection.
- It was made under the creative direction of Hubert de Givenchy.
- The dress would have been completely made by hand in the Paris atelier.
- This is a very recognizable piece of Couture by Givenchy and a rare collectible. Its twin was used for the ad campaign that year.
- This would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
- It is the full set comprised of the strapless dress and the matching evening sleeved cape/coat.
- Both pieces are made from a silk organza that has a brilliant floral print covering its entire surface. The fabric choice keeps both pieces very light in weight.
- The dress is strapless and has a full built-in inner boned corset that holds it in place on you. The neckline is detailed with a double layer of ruffles in the same silk and then the silk glides over an inner silk ivory dress to widen out a touch as it reaches the floor.
- The front of the dress is a touch shorter than the back and you get this pretty line as a result. It is very easy to wear because of the ease of the cut through the body.
- Over that is an incredible sleeved evening coat. This is where the piece really takes on its dramatic feel. It is meant to feel oversized and voluminous over the inner dress.
- The outer piece has that same ruffle treatment that follows the entire front edge and hem. More ruffles circle around the top of each shoulder.
- The sleeves are incredibly full above their cuffs and each one has built-in tulle and stiffened netting. That helps to hold the incredible shape once it is on.
- The outer silk layer of the coat sits over an inner silk chiffon layer for the perfect light structure. It billows out from the shoulders down to the floor in a massive bit of volume.
- Shoulder pads sit inside each shoulder for added shape. They could be easily removed if you wanted a softer look.
- Both pieces are completely made by hand and are of an absolutely beautiful quality.
- The dress closes at the side with a row of silk covered snaps and then the inner built-in corset zips to close under that. There is a hooked stay at the waist and another stay placed just under the bust to help hold the dress properly in place. On the outer coat there is a single hook at the top of the neck. The proper Givenchy Haute Couture label and written couture tape tag under the label are present on both pieces. They also have their attached metal disc Couture hangtag that was added to Couture pieces during this era. They appear to have been worn very little at all.
- There is no size tag present because these are true Couture. Please go by the measurements below
- Excellent condition
Dress
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to inner waist, not including the ruffles
Total length: 49" from top of bodice to front hem and 52" to the back
Evening Coat
Sleeves: 23" and are full and open through the upper arm
Shoulders: approx 16.5"
Bust: to 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-Hips: open
Total length: 57" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED and the coat is OSFA
Item# DD5682
Reference Photo: 1984 Givenchy 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.
valentino
c. Resort 2020 Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli Ruffle Detailed Silk Chiffon Floral Caftan Dress w Tie Belt
I Have a Question
- We believe this dress is from the Resort 2020 Valentino presentation.
- It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli.
- Vogue said that 'Pierpaolo Piccioli had his Resort collection photographed in Rome’s Orto Botanico, a green oasis in the center of the city with giant bamboo stands and towering palm trees.'
- This is one of my favourite Valentino dresses I have had and it is even dreamier in real life.
- The dress is made out of a beautiful lightweight silk chiffon that has a joyful floral print over its entire surface. It comes with a matching pink inner dress worn underneath to act as the lining for the dress.
- The flowers of the print are large and combine the most gorgeous tones from mixing pinks and greens.
- The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are full above their wide cuffs. They are a single layer of the silk chiffon and this gives them a beautiful delicate feel.
- The dress skims over the bust from a scooped neck and drapes easily over the body to the waist. It expands outwards all the way to the hem so has a very caftan feel if you choose to wear it without the matching tie belt.
- The matching tie belt is made out of the same printed silk chiffon and you can cinch in the waist area as much as you wish for added shape.
- Ruffles made out of the same silk start at the dropped shoulder and run vertically down the front all the way to the top ruffle on the lower skirt. This adds the prettiest extra detailing.
- The skirt flows to the floor from there and it is extremely full. The excessive amount of fabric used through the skirt give it a ton of movement when you walk and move.
- At the bottom hem are two stacked ruffle layers that add even more movement and detail.
- The lightness of the silk and the way that it lays over the body allows it to move spectacularly over you and it will pick up the slightest bit of air as you move. It really is even more stunning in person.
- The inner pink slip dress is meant to be worn underneath and the dress itself has no lining. The inner dress slips on to wear and has some stretch. I put the comfortable range of measurements below for it. There is elastic around the back upper hem of the inner dress. The outer dress closes with a hidden set back zipper. Comes with its original matching tie belt in the same chiffon. Each cuff closes with small button. On a smaller frame it will just drape more. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
- Tagged a vintage Valentino 46
- Excellent condition
Outer Dress
Sleeves: 26" from the drop shoulder and they are 15' around the upper arm
Shoulders: 18"
Bust: to 21.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 25.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to the front hem in the back extends another 6"
Inner Slip Dress
Bust: 17-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 25-30" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 62" from top of shoulder to hem
Sash: approximately 120" x 6"
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-XL
Item# DD5681
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.
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From its humble beginnings in 2006 with just a dozen or so vintage pieces, Shrimpton Couture has grown to be one of the most respected online shopping destinations for vintage shoppers world-wide.
It is our mission to find the timeliness and special pieces that are cherished and coveted by designers, museums, celebrities and countless fabulous women around the world.




