• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1984 collection
• It was made under the creative direction of Marc Bohan.
• It is also the exact dress that was worn by Krysta Rodriguez in 2023
• This is a beautiful example of the work being produced by Christian Dior in this time period.
• In the book Dior; Catwalk, the notes on the fall collection state that the collection was placed 'under the sign of opposites' and that he had looked to the work of Abstract Expressionist painter Jackson Pollock for inspiration. Pieces were adorned in drip embroidery and motifs and then he did a series of long sheath dresses that were 'accessorized with 'Pollock jewels" in jet and multi colour stones'.
• We found several photos of the twin of this dress on the runway which shows you how fabulous it is on the body.
• The dress is a true Haute Couture piece and has the appropriate numbered label intact. It would have been made completely by hand in the Paris atelier.
• The dress is made out of a soft textured silk velvet in a jet black. Using a velvet that has this added texture to it is an incredible choice as the dress catches the light in different ways as you move and it really makes it come to life.
• The cut is simple and sleek with a low front neckline that dips from an angle created over each shoulder. It slightly curves down to the centre and then the fabric is softly gathered from there to the waist.
• This leaves it with a slightly bloused over feel over the the nipped in waist.
• The sleeves are cut long and they slim down as they reach the wrists. There is a slight volume built in at the outer part of each shoulder. On the inside I see hand made silk cases that at one time had light padding in them but the padding has been removed at some point to give it a softer shape. You could easily have some padding put back in if you wanted a stronger shoulder.
• Inside the bodice is a more fitted and boned inner silk corseted piece that holds you in place while the silk velvet simply drapes softly over that outside.
• The skirt is cut to feel sleek and simple as it falls to the floor narrowing in slightly as it reaches the hem. A vent runs up the back so that you can walk.
• It is a beautiful and dramatic piece despite its simple lines. 
• Fully lined in a black silk and it has a built in bodice made of black silk. The inner bodice is boned and closes with its own zipper. The exterior dress closes with a back painted metal zipper. Each sleeve has a zipper at the cuff. Tagged with the Couture #19469. Silk hand made pads that have no padding inside each shoulder as described above. I see some small flaws to the silk on either side of the zipper on the inner corset. Please see the photo after the label shot. 
• There is no size tag present because it is true Couture. Please see the measurements below.
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 24.5" and they are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14" from shoulder to waist
Total length: 58.5" from waist to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5624

Reference Photos: (1-3) Fall 1984 Christian Dior Couture Runway.  /  (4) Fall 1984 Christian Dior Couture, credit unknown.  /  (5-7) Krysta Rodriguez, in this dress, for the opening of Bad Cinderella on Broadway, March 2023.

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

• This is an amazing example of Galliano's work from Fall 2006 collection.
• The dress was made under the creative direction of John Galliano.
• The more elaborately beaded pieces were usually released in more limited quantities.
• It is very similar to a dress that I had in the shop before but this one is more elaborate and much longer. It is a really striking dress that is also very easy to wear because of its simple and bias cut. 
• The dress is made from three layers of a feather light black silk chiffon that are all attached to each other at the top of the shoulder and then float over each other from there. The very inside layer is a black silk chiffon with no texture and then the two top layers are a textured silk chiffon.
• The dress has a very loose and easy cut through the body so is very easy to wear and comfortable once on the body.
• The bodice has a draped neckline at the front and it does the same at the back. One shoulder is cut wider across and this is what extends out to form the neckline. The other shoulder is more delicate in feel and it is edged in lace. A small bow sits on the top of the shoulder.
• The bodice on the side with the wider strap is detailed with pintuck that runs vertically down the dress. On the side with the more narrow strap the silk is swept up to one side and held in place with a flat bow and a bit of a ruffle. The ruffle runs down the length of the dress all the way to the hem.
• This creates the illusion that the dress is wrapped around you and the bow is holding it in place. It is very clever.
• A hand set design that combines tiny seed beads and silver sequins details the neckline and are set in little clusters that run down the length of the dress. These give the dress a pretty glint in the light. 
• Most of the edges of the dress have a raw finish which adds an extra delicate bit of texture to the dress that is lovely.
• A slit runs up one side so you get a flash of bare leg when you move or sit and it is cut longer at the back so you get this fantastic sweeping feel behind you as move.
• The bias really only comes to life once on. As good as it looks in the photos here it is even better in person and on the body.
• The inner silk chiffon and middle tulle layer act as the lining underneath the top layer. The innermost layer has no closures. The middle layer closes with its own hidden set zipper and the very top layer closes with one of his signature tightly spaced rows of silk covered buttons. Because of the bias cut, it may come up slightly once on. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. 
• Tagged a FR40, GB12, US6. 
• Excellent condition 

Bust: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total Length: approx 61" from top of shoulder to front hem and the back extends another 12" past that.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD5625

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

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1998 YSL collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Yves Saint Laurent
• The dress is gorgeous and the fabric itself is part of what makes it so fabulous.
• The body and sleeves are made out of a inky black velvet that gives the dress some structure. Onto this is a band of heavily applied overlapping glossy black sequins. The effect of the sequins in contrast to the richness of the velvet adds depth and interest.  
• This is a piece that shows his strong tailoring 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 from there. They are a touch fuller near the upper arm and then narrow slightly to their ends.
• The addition of the sequins is just spectacular. They are set in a band that has four stacked rows of sequins that are more densely applied so that they overlap each other. They begin at the back of the neck, curve around to follow the view of the front and then sit side-by-side all the way down to the hem.
• 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 zipper only goes partway and then there is a high slit from the ham up. You can see how it sits in the runway photos and how great it is once on.
• The waist is brought in through the seams at the sides with no horizontal line to break the eye. 
• It glides over the hips and then widen out as it near the hem. The front slit helps to give it some width around you so it has great movement as you move.
• It is a phenomenal YSL from this time period.
• The dress is fully lined in a black silk and it closes with the zipper at the front. Light padding in each shoulder. I see the slightest wrinkling in the velvet under the arms. Nothing beyond normal wear and mention for accuracy.
• There is no size tag present. Please go by the measurements below.
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 19" with 1.5" turned under. They are 13" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15.5-16"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem. The slit is 28" up from the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5626

Reference Photos: Fall 1998 Yves Saint Laurent.

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.