This dress is from the Spring 1984 collection and it's twin walk the runway that season. It is a dress that I have had in the shop before and I am always so happy to find one of these because it's just exceptional. Bill Blass launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of  the American designers. He was one of the forerunners in being able to mix simple styles with luxurious materials. His evening wear in particular seemed to have a way of flattering the wearer. He knew how to walk that line perfectly. This is a gorgeous example of his work from this time period.

The dress is made from a purple silk that has a vivid pink ruffle that runs all the way down one side. The way that the pink is attached to the dress t is fantastic. It makes it feel like it has been wrapped around you and tied into a dramatic bow at the shoulder with the ties left to trail down to the floor. The pink is gathered all the around the bust area and then swoops up to the bow at one side. A tiny pink strap is hidden underneath the bow so that the dress stays perfectly in place. This leaves the other shoulder bare. The silk runs down the side of the dress from there in an attached ruffle of silk all the way to the hem. Under the bodice the dress is cut to feel more generous and easy and it widens out it falls to the floor. I love it. It appears to have been worn a very little if at all. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a deep purple silk. The inner bodice closes with its own zipper and then the dress zips to close over that with a hidden set zipper. Lightly boned through the inner bodice.

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam and the outer waist goes to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of shoulder strap to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML or a small busted MED

Item# DD4109

Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 1984 Bill Blass Runway, Model Dalma Callado.  /  (3-4) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

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 launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of  the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with luxurious materials and his evening wear in particular seemed to have a way of flattering the wearer. He knew how to walk that line perfectly. This is a beautiful example of his work from this time period.

The dress is made from a light weight black silk organza and it is an easy-to-wear and very pretty dress. The dress is made to look as if it wraps around you but it actually is fully secured all the way around. The bodice has a cross over the front and is meant to skim over you to the waist. At the back it closes with a hook and eye at the top of the neck and then there is an open keyhole slit to where the zipper begins just above the waist. I love how the back and upper part of the shoulders are made from only one layer of the organza so that it has a touch of transparency. This transparency has been carried over to the sleeves as well. The sleeves are spectacular. Each one is extremely full and balloons out over the cuffs. They are also open with a keyhole from the top of the shoulder to the wrist. The wrist is highlighted with a bow made from the same organza and then you have a huge double ruffle of silk that falls over your hands. The waist is brought in and has an attached band of the same organza that you tied to one side. Under that the skirt falls to the floor and widen out beautifully. It is scooped up at the front to one side and there is another double layer of ruffles that begins at the top of the hip and then falls all the way to the floor. It follows the edge of the skirt all the way around the back and then scoops up the other side. This adds that incredible volume and drama to the skirt that you see. The skirt is lined underneath and the inner skirt has a smaller open slit so that your full leg is not exposed. If you wanted to, you could easily expand that inner slit so that opened all the way up and you did see all of your leg. It is gorgeous and even more beautiful in person. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in a black silk. It closes at the back of the neck with a hook at the top of the neck and a zipper starting just above the waist. Each cuff hooks to close, and the belt at the waist snaps into place. Perhaps the tiniest bit of fading to an edge here or there, but this is a natural occurrence with this type of fabric in this age of garment and I'm being pretty picky.

Sleeves: 29" including the 6 inch ruffle. 15" around the upper arm.
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14" from top of shoulder to top of the band at the waist
Total length: 61" from top of the shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4656

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 launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of  the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with luxurious materials and his evening wear in particular seemed to have a way of flattering the wearer. He knew how to walk that line perfectly. This is a gorgeous example of his work and I love that I can date it based on the very similar one that was used the a Vogue shoot that year. It gives you a better idea of how it will look like once on a body.

The dusty pink mauve coloured sequins that cover that entirely this dress are so densely applied that they actually overlap one another. There are hundreds of thousand of sequins used and it is incredible. Mixed in with those is a band of gold beads that wrap around the hips. This is set around the on one side and widens out over the hip and then narrows to a point where it meets the low set waist seam. Another triangle feeling band sits at the hem of the skirt on the opposite side. This time done in silver sequins. It is cut in that fabulous eighties big volume on top over a fitted skirt. The shoulders are strong and padded for shape. The neckline is scooped and the sleeves are long. The bodice is cut long and it is meant to blouse out over the skirt. Inside there is a silk lining in that same purple and then the sequin fabric is also lined in silk. It buttons down the back and you get a tiny glimpse of skin between the buttons. The sequins catch the light at your slightest move and its fabulous in person. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in silk with a low set inner zipper at the waist and a series of buttons down the back. Padding in the shoulders, It is meant to be oversized at the top so the hips are the most important measurement to consider.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: open
Seam at top of skirt: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 19.5" from top of shoulder to seam at top of skirt
Skirt: 22" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-XS

Item# DD3953

Reference Photo: (1) Models in Bill Blass, Vogue, October 1982.  /  (2-4) Fall 1982 Bill Blass Collection. Model Alva Chinn.

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

This is a gorgeous little set that was one that was produced for the shops that season. It is very pretty and has that perfect feel of the work that Galliano was doing for the label during this time period. 

I always love finding a pretty little set like this because it just gives you more options to be able to style the pieces. With this particular set you also get the option of wearing the top tucked into the skirt or letting it lay above the skirt's waist-line for a softer feel. Both pieces will also mix and match with other things you already have in your closet. The pieces are made from a pretty silk that has a secondary deeper ivory flower woven into it with a different finishing thread. There are also little medallions of embroidered clusters of flowers as well as a scattering of gold flower and leaves. This gives the fabric in almost antique feel that is gorgeous. The top buttons to close and is suspended from the shoulders by tiny straps that come out from the centre of the top and cross over the upper back on the other side. The top has the feel of a lingerie piece with soft gathered cups and little insets of lace underneath the breasts. Both the top edge of the camisole and the bottom hem are detailed with a lace finish that has a pretty ivory ribbon running through it. It buttons to close up the front. My dress form doesn't have quite enough chest to really have this sit on it properly but it will be better on an actual body. The skirt is a little masterpiece. It has a banded waist for shape and then it is made of several panels placed horizontally on curving bands down the skirt. When you lay it out flat it is tremendously full across the bottom and this is what lets it fall in those pretty folds that you see here. It is a gorgeous little set. Excellent condition.

Both pieces are unlined. The top closes with a series of MOP appearing ,Dior engraved, buttons down the front. The very bottom button is missing. The skirt zips to close with hidden set snaps on the waistband. Tagged an FR36, GB8, IT40, US4

Top
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total Length: 23.5" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: " from waist to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Total Length: 26" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4937

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.

After the death of Bill Blass in 2003 the house originally hired successor Lars Nilsson and then abruptly let him go to replace him with Michael Vollbracht. Michael was still going strong by Spring 2006, which is the collection that this dress is from. Its twin walked the runway for Look 30 that season and I love that you can see how pretty this dress is on and walking.

The dress is so pretty. It is made out of a pale chiffon that is dusky lavender tone. Onto that is a gold fabric that has been applied in a floral pattern to highlight the cut and flow of the dress. The front bodice is made into a curving triangle that almost has the feel of a breast plate to it. Pleated panels wrapped all the way around you on either side of that. The skirt is set in just under the bodice in a series of soft folds so that there is quite a bit of fabric in the skirt. It sits over a nude silk lining to give a pretty depth to the pattern. The bottom of a skirt is more heavily adorned in that gold fabric and it ties the gold of the top together perfectly. The top of the bodice at the back is more of a square feeling and very flattering. What is very unusual about the dress is that underneath the top chiffon layer on the upper portion of the bodice is an inner layer that is heavily detailed with bead work. It is very subtle and something you don't see until you get very close to the dress, but it is there. It just give a little secret extra touch to the dress. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The dress is fully lined in a new silk crepe and closes with a hidden set back zipper. I see some signs of a repair done along the top edge of the back bodice. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from top of shoulder to seam under the bust
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4934

Reference Photo/Video: Spring 2006 Bill Blass, Look 30. Model Tiu Kuik.

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

This is a very pretty and easy to wear dress from Alexander McQueen whose pale taupe colour is flattering on almost all skin tones. It is a dress that is insanely sexy and bare feeling yet that pale and pretty colour combined with that brilliantly bright hued flower print keeps it feeling fresh. The dress is made of a jersey that gives it amazing drape and it feels easy-to-wear once on the body. The bodice has a halter style front that crosses over itself and creates a V at the front. A double strap curbs over the shoulders, and then at the back one set of the straps fall straight down to the sea there and the other one twist around itself to create a little X in the centre of your bare back. The skirt falls from the seam under the bust and is set to wrap around you at the front. Each edge at the front is set on a curve so that it opens as it falls down your leg. It skims over the hips, opens up around the legs, and then the lower skirt curves back in to fall long at the back. Wrapping it like this gives it tremendous movement when you move and with the back cut longer than the front it adds a gorgeous little kick as you walk. Over one side of the skirt is a huge flower in shades of pink that offer a bright and gorgeous contrast. The dress has the added bonus of travelling very well. It is the kind of piece that you can throw into your suitcase and slip on with either flats or heels when you reach your destination and be instantly ready to go. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Lined through the bodice in the same fabric and the ski skirt is unlined. It closes with a set side zipper. The inner fabric content, McQueen tag is present, but the main McQueen label was lost or removed at some point. The fabric has some stretch.  There is a bit of a mark on the inside of the bodice and it very very slightly shows all along the edge, but it  just looks like light hitting it so is wearable as is with no issue. Please see the photos after the label shot. The comfortable range of measurements when laying flat are given below.

Bust: 14-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14-15" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: to 63" from neck to back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4932

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

This is the second time that I have had this dress in the shop and I love it even more now. 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 I am very pleased to have it again.

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 silk chiffon is feather light and has an amazing print in pinks and purple that covers the entire surface. The fabric is draped and gathered over the body to create the very feminine silhouette that you see. 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. There is a curved panel of fabric attached along one hip that drapes down and around the hips and then another panel attached at the top that drapes over one shoulder and that you can wear straight down and over the top of your arm. Because all of the panels are unlined you get this interesting play on the overlapping of the pattern. The skirt that falls beneath where the lining ends has a touch if transparency that gives a glimpse of the shape of the leg underneath. It is cut on an angle to further play on the asymmetrical feel of the dress and slit up one side of the skirt. This means that when you walk and move the slightest bit of air catches that layer of chiffon and it moves beautifully around you. The famous double C logo is worked through the print for the perfect finishing touch. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a purple silk chiffon through the body of the dress and closes with a hidden set side zipper. Light boning on either side of the bust. Tagged a vintage Chanel 40. Because it is bias cut the length will come up once it is on.

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# DD4928

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.

The twin of this dress walked the runway in the Spring 2003 show for Look 64 and I think it was one of the best dresses of that collection. And it is also interesting because it was literally the only dress shown in this entire collection that season that was done in his signature Valentino re. So when you look through the collection photos, it really stands out. I love that we have runway shots and the runway video so that you can see just how fantastic this dress is on the body. It is so hard to capture it on the dress form but when you see that video you can see that it is stunningly beautiful. The show was a huge success and Vogue especially loved the evening pieces; "For the evening review, it gets even better. Valentino's communiqués from his couture collection show up as delicate metallic-embroidered chiffons made into fragile capes, cardigans or dresses. And for the grand occasion, there's a full battalion of the designer's fabulous signature chiffon gowns." The dress moves beautifully and once on it has all the signature elegance that the label is known for. This is a beautiful example of the magic of an original Valentino piece.

The dress is beautiful. It is suspended from the shoulders by two tiny straps in the same red silk that curve over your shoulders to the back. The bodice is seamed just under the breasts in that classic Valentino way and have minimal darting. On this one, he has not put any boning inside, so the dress is soft and comfortable over you. It skims over the waist and hips, and then from there it falls to the floor in a beautiful column of the red silk crepe. The skirt gradually opens as it reaches the floor, so you have a ton of lovely movement when you move. The back of the dress is cut slightly longer so you have a tiny bit of a sweep behind you. What really makes this dress outstanding is the two panels of silk chiffon that wrap around the waist area. These add a bit of detail and contrast against the silk crepe the dress is made out of and they also help you shape the dress. The panels are attached all the way around you and then loop through openings at the front of the dress. The ties are cut extra long and fall to just above the hem at the front of the dress. They catch the air as you walk and create beautiful movement around you. Because of the way they loop through little openings at the front, they can also be used to tighten the dress around you and add a little bit of extra shape through the waist area. It is a fabulous dress and a shining example of why the Valentino label has endured for the many decades. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The dress closes with a hidden set side zipper. The top panel of the bodice is lined in a red silk and the rest of the dress is unlined. I see a touch of grubbiness here and there around the hem. Tagged a vintage Valentino 10.

Bust: 17-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam with a A-B cup
Seam under the bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: just under 4" from top of bodice to seam under the bust at the middle and it is 10" from the top of the strap to the seam under the bust
Total length: 61" from top of shoulders to front hem, 63" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4916

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2003 Valentino, Look 64.

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.