The twin of this walked the runway for Spring 1991 and we found just a second of footage of it as the model walks back down the catwalk. We have included that little bit of film along with a couple of stills taken from the clip for you to see. They are not the best photos ever, but we were still very happy to have confirmation that this was a runway piece. Marie Claire shot a different piece from the show done in the same fabric and that is also here for you to see. The dress is gorgeous and its looks like it was never worn. Truly a time capsule piece. 

The dress is made from a lightweight cotton voile that that has just enough weight so that it falls and drape perfectly over you. I love the bold use of all those brilliant colours in the print. There is an angled strap made out of the same fabric that curves over one shoulder. Inside the bust there is a built in, lightly boned bodice, with its own zipper that holds the dress in place over you. The dress drapes over the inner bodice and wraps around you almost like a sarong. Part of it wraps around the waist and snaps in the place for a touch of shape. It falls over the body in a loose and easy-to-wear way. The entire skirt wraps over itself and the wrapping of the fabric gives the hem an asymmetrical feel with one side hanging lower than the rest for a beautiful trailing feel. The wrap lets the slightest bit of air catch the fabric and lets it billow out around you when you walk and move. It is fantastic once on the body and really showcases his genius at both print and cut. Excellent condition

The inner bodice acts as the lining there and the rest is unlined. The built in, lightly boned bodice, closes with a zipper and flat hook and eye. The waist snaps and hooks in place. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a vintage YSL 40. 

Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 15" from top of shoulder to inner hooked waist
Total length: approx 50" from top of shoulder to shortest part of from hem and approx 67" to the longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4411

Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Spring 1991 Yves Saint Laurent Runway.  /  (5) Yves Saint Laurent Editorial, Marie Claire, June 1991

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 an interesting YSL. It appears to be the Rive Gauche version of the Haute Couture piece from that season and on the RTW runway we found a jumpsuit version of it that is identical in all but the legs vs the skirt. Is possible that it was also shown on the runway as well since collections from this time period were not fully documented. But even with these two reference photos you can see how much it comes to life when worn. It is such an easy dress to wear and it is drop dead gorgeous.

The fabric is a beautiful light weight deep brown silk jersey. The cut of the dress is incredible. The neckline is scooped and then the dress skims over you to the waist. The very edge of the neckline has been piped in the same fabric and the scoop is set a bit wide across so you see a touch of collarbone. The sleeves are fabulous. Each is cut to be very full so that they balloon out over their elastic cuffs. Very tiny padded insets sit just inside that slim band of fabric between the scoop and the seam of the sleeve and this adds the perfect amount of structure to hold the dress in place. The waist is seamed with a small band for shape and you could add a belt if you wanted even more definition. Once on the body the bodice will blouse over the skirt slightly. The skirt falls from the waist and is gathered in tiny gathers all the way around the waist. This allows the skirt to flare and open out slightly as it nears the floor. The quality of the jersey is beautiful and the workmanship in this dress is fabulous. It really showcases just what a genius he was that he could create such a simple piece with such a masterful hand. And it has pockets. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Unlined and closes with a side zipper. Each cuff has elastic and the elastic has softened a touch. Hand finishes throughout and beautifully made. Tagged a vintage YSL 38.

Sleeves: 26"
Inset shoulders: approx 13-14"
Bust: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 18" from top of shoulder to top of the 1" band at the waist
Total length: 65" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4947

Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1975 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture.  /  (2) Fall 1975 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche.

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 gorgeous little dress is the ready-to-wear version of the Spring 1987 Haute Couture version. We have included the runway photos of the couture version and the editorial photos to give you an idea of the dress on. This version is simplified version but still has very similar line. It is fascinating that he did this at times with a few select pieces from his collections so that his non-couture clients had access to his couture designs. The 1987 collection is a favourite and I love having this dress in the shop for you.

This is a dress that is not being done full justice on my dress form but it is gorgeous once on the body. The dress sits off the shoulders to leave a bare expanse of skin and the sleeves are cut to just past the elbow. A pretty chiffon ruffle runs around the neckline and then another ruffle wraps around each wrist. The bodice skims over the bust and comes in at the waist for shape. Under that the skirt flares out dramatically and is quite full. The front of the skirt is cut to the knee, or just above depending on your height, and then the edges of the skirt curve down and around to be full length at the back. The fullness and the length change give it a ton of movement when you move. The fabric is so unusual. It is made from a black silk net backed by a black silk tulle. Then onto the top net layer is a design made of black raffia. This gives the dress an incredible texture. The parts of the dress that are not lined have a touch of transparency which is very sexy. This is an incredible piece of Yve's history and an absolutely gorgeous dress. Excellent condition with a minor note below 

Lined in a layer of tulle as described above and then there is a inner lining though the bodice and to just past the hips made out of a gold nude toned silk chiffon covered in a layer of black silk chiffon. It closes with a side set zipper. The raffia has small breaks in it here and there that is inherent to the material and normal wear. 

Sleeves: 18"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam before it flares out
Length: approx 35" from natural shoulder to front hem, 52" to lowest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3888

Reference Photos: (1-2) S/S 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway Show.  /  (3) Brynja Sverrisdottir in S/S 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Couture. Photo by David Bailey.

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 Spring 1982 collection marked the 20th anniversary of Yves' Couture house. In the book Yves Saint Laurent: Catwalk they note that the historical importance of his collection made him feel very anxious. He was quoted as saying "I am frightened of this collection. I am far more anxious than I was for my first collection. It is a reassessment of 20 years… It is the end of adolescence, the beginning of maturity. I really feel like a beginner." But of course, it was a masterpiece of a collection and raved about.

The collection was extravagant and was heavily influenced by India and the beautiful work done by Indian artisans. There was a play on proportions with wide shoulders and a narrowing at the hips. This tunic was one of the more simple pieces in the collection but it still has the touch of an oversized shoulder and the ease and elegance of a beautiful silk in its making.

I love that you can wear this as a tunic over something else. It was shown over a skirt and a modern girl could easily wear it on its own as a dress. It was shown belted with a silk sash in the advance photos for the collection and you could easily add a belt or ribbon if you wanted to have more shape. The shoulders are padded and set a little wide. The sleeves are cut wide through the upper arm and even as they narrow to the wrist, they are still wide set by the cuff. The cuffs and collar are done in a black silk and I love the contrast to the ivory of the body. It is meant to be worn fairly loose and easy to skim over your bust, waist and hips. It falls to about the knee or just above depending on your height. A slit runs up each side and you can see that he has lined the entire inside of the piece in that same black silk as the collar and cuffs. When you walk and move the slits let you to see that flash of black which ties the whole piece together perfectly. The silk is a rich and heavy weight that drapes beautifully over the body. This is a dress that really needs to come to life with a body in it and my dress form photos are nowhere near to doing it justice. It is completely made by hand and an absolutely beautiful, refined and easy piece of true Couture. Excellent condition with a small note below.

Fully lined in a handset black silk and closes at the back with a hand set zipper. Handmade padding in each shoulder. It is completely made by hand to Couture standards. Has it proper YSL numbered Couture label. There is one small mark near the elbow of one sleeve. Please see the photo after the label shot. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. On a smaller frame, it will just feel more oversized.

Sleeves: 22.5" and each is 20" around the upper arm
Exaggerated shoulders: 16.5"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 39" from top of shoulder to hem
Slits: 11.5" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4913

Reference Photos: Spring 1982 Yves Saint Laurent  Couture Advance Preview. Model Kirat Young.

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.

When dating this extraordinary Yves Saint Laurent dress, we found a photo of a piece with almost an identical cut bodice from 1972 along with several runway photos that show other pieces with that same cut to the bodice. I have included those here for you and it is interesting to note that the pleating technique that is used around the upper hip of the skirt was also done in a more intricate fashion for the 1974 Couture show. Yves often use ideas from both collections. - Rive Gauche and Couture - to build and develop ideas and it is fascinating to see the progression of his work from garment to garment. This is an incredibly beautiful example of his work from this time period.

This dress combines a floral silk chiffon with a muted red silk on the skirt. This combination is absolutely gorgeous. Is combination of silks give the dress just enough weight and structure to be able to create the impressive lines and volume that you see but while still making it feel soft and romantic. The colours are spectacular. The top is a printed silk chiffon, and it has a stunning floral pattern in red purples and greens that float over the entire bodice and the sleeves. The bodice is cut to skim over you and the waist nips in. It plunges at the front and crosses over itself, and the neckline has been detailed with ruffles that begin at the back of the neck and circle around to follow the V at the front and then run down to the waist. piping in the same fabric detail. The waste and ties have been left off to the side to hang down and create a pretty little detail. The skirt falls to the floor from there and it has yards and yards of fabric in it that creates the fullness and volume that you see. The skirt falls in a gently widening line and is quite full by the time it reaches the hem. I love the volume that this type of fabric creates and how it billows around you as you move but at the same time it is as light as a feather. Around the entire upper hip area, and starting at the waist or a series of tiny cleats that gradually open out to create the volume underneath. This intricate detail is a beautiful addition to the dress. The sleeves are outstanding. Each is a single layer of the silk chiffon and are wide and very full. They are caught up at the wrist with a circle full circle ruffle underneath. This creates a beautiful and dramatic finish to the top. I love everything about this dress. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a red silk and closes at the back with a hidden set painted met zipper. Attached ties at the waist and elastic in each cuff. The silk skirt and the exterior layer is a tool ruffle that helps keep the volume through the skirt. Tagged a vintage YSL 38. I see some light marks around the hem of the skirt.

Sleeves: 24" and 14" around the upper arm
Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from neck to waist
Total length: 62" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4665

Reference Photos: Fall 1972 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.

This dress was designed by Belgian-born Jules-Francois Crahay, who headed the Lanvin ateliers from 1964-1984. He has been noted as one of fashion’s 'great colorists with his colorful patterns making his 1970s Lanvin designs hugel​y ​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 dress dates to the Spring 1972 collection and I am very pleased to have found a reference photo for a version of the dress in slightly different print. This dress has the extra modern provenance of its twin being worn by the character Samantha in the 2008 Sex and The City movie. I love it.

This Lanvin dress is gorgeous. The dress has a gorgeous bright colour and print combination. The crisp cotton fabric it is made of is holds colour exceptionally well so the colours are still crisp, bright and true. It has a waffle weave texture woven through it and that just contrasts and brings out the pattern on the dress even more. The dress a single shoulder that angles across the neckline at the front and the back. The fabric has been gathered into an open ring at the top of the shoulder. It is cut to be more loose and easy to skim over the bodice and then it cinches in more under the bust to the waist. You can see how that sits in the editorial shot that we have included here. You could also add a belt if you wanted to add even more definition around the waist. From there the skirt falls to the floor and it widens substantially as it nears the hem. The skirt has yards of fabric in it. The pattern that runs over the entire dress is spectacular and I love how he played with the angles of the stripe so the eye is brought in at the waist. The final finishing touch on the dress is that big oversized silver zipper with its giant silver loop at the top that acts as it's zipper pull. A very avant-garde detail for this time period. It is an amazing dress and it is one that is instantly recognizable piece of his work. Excellent condition

The bodice is unlined and the skirt is lined in a black silk. Ribbon finished hem. It zips to close at the side with a hook and eye above the zipper. 

Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 17" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item#DD4968

Reference Photos: (1) Model in Lanvin photographed by Kourken Pakchanian, US Vogue April 1972.  /  (2-3) Kim Cattrall wearing Vintage Lanvin in Sex and the City: The Movie, 2008.

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 unexpected materials in way that was very flattering to the wearer. These pants are so unusual and I absolutely love them. This is the type of piece that you are only going to find in vintage.

These are based on the classic harem pant that you see in many cultures around the world. You have to wonder if he travelled somewhere and was inspired to make a version for the western market. They are made out of a beautiful black silk chiffon with another layer of chiffon inside acting as the lining. Onto the chiffon is an amazing pattern of flowers and vines done in metallic gold, red, green and purple. This gorgeous design completely covers the pants from top to bottom. As they near the hem of the pants the pattern changes to horizontal stripes that anchor the entire design. They have no closure. Instead there is elastic around the waist so you just pull them on and go. The bottom of the pants also have elastic and this lets them blouse and balloon up around the ankles. It is an extremely simple design that is easy to wear. The gold and metallic colours are so striking. These would be fantastic to travel with and you can easily dress them up or down. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black chiffon with elastic at the waist and cuffs. They appear to have been worn very little if at all. The elastic at the waist does give them flexibility in measurements. I have given the approximate range of measurements and I think if you were smaller you could have the elastic at the waist tightened. They are very easy to fit.

Elastic waist: 12.5-21" flat across from side to side
Hips: open
Length: 43" from waist to hem
Inseam: 29"
Gusset: 16" from back waist to inner seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-LRG

Item# DD4964

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 beautiful skirt by Adolfo. Adolfo started his career under Balenciaga and like Halston, he was a successful milliner before opening his own fashion house. He became know for his Chanel inspired suiting and beaded pieces. Adolfo often did custom work for his clients who ranged from the Duchess of Windsor, to Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Gloria Vanderbilt and Nancy Reagan. He even won a Coty Award in 1969. I love his work and am very pleased to have this exceptional skirt in the shop today.

The skirt is made out of a beautiful back chiffon that is has a second layer of black silk floating underneath it. The waist is banded for shape and then two layers of silk fall from there to float over you. It will fall all the way to the floor or just above depending on your height. Onto the top layer of chiffon he added a geometric pattern that combines black eyelash velvet and gold metallic eyelash fabric. This pattern covers the entire skirt. The bottom hem of both the outer and inner layer are both finished with a band of metallic gold lame. I love the effect that the touch of metallic gives to the skirt. It is fabulous and it looks to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a second layer of black silk as described above. It closes with a zipper and a hidden set snap and a hook and eye at the waist.

Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 41" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4962

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 Oscar de La Renta boutique label first appeared in 1967. His boutique label is important as it is know for being the first ready-to-wear line for a Seventh Avenue designer to be launched. These early pieces have lots of hand finishes and are just stunning examples of his work during these early days of his career. I am certain that this dress is from Spring 1971. I have had dresses in other colours with the same bodice treatment and that is the only collection that I am aware of that he did under this label with this type of treatment through the top. 

I love this dress. It is not only so easy to wear and so cute, but I don't think it was ever worn. The cotton is as crisp and bright as if it had just come off a rack. It is light in weight and feels exactly what it looks like - an early rendition of the bandana. The lightness of the fabric mixed with its crisp finish is what lets it move so beautifully over the body once it is on. When you walk, the fabric of the skirt and that fabulous handkerchief hem catch the air and move around you. The colour is a beautiful true red and the print layers white and black on top of the red cotton in a classic bandana design. The top is fully finished with horizontal elastics that give it the stretch and feel of a tube top. He has left a bit of a ruffle around the neckline. The sleeves have the same elastic treatment with another ruffle at their ends. I have photoed the dress with it sitting fully off of the shoulder, but you could also wear it higher up on the shoulder if you wished. The gathering goes to the top of the hip so you get an amazing shape through the body. The skirt falls from there skimming over the hips. Depending on your height the skirt falls from just below the knee to mid-calf. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear. The fabric through the bodice where it is finished with elastic has a lot of stretch. I have put the comfortable range of measurements below when laying flat.

Sleeves: approx 8.5" and the upper arm will stretch from 12-20" around
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 15-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 18" from top of shoulder to where the elastic ends
Total length: 51" from top of shoulder to longest points of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4959

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Hanae was the first woman of Japanese descent to have presented on the Paris and New York runways and the first Asian woman to be admitted as an official Haute Couture house to La Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Her work is exceptional. This set is an amazing example of how she could design for a younger audience and still keep her aesthetic. It is a rare and fabulous piece of her work.

I am a huge Hanae Mori fan. A jersey pant suit is perhaps not what you first think of when you think of her work but once you see it you realize that it shows how broad her range was. The set is made up of pants, the top, and a matching belt. The fabric is a thicker jersey that holds that gorgeous bright floral print perfectly and it is a dream to travel with. These jerseys would have been used to make garments to appeal to her younger jet-set clients. Hanae was a master at colour and print and you see that in this set. An amazing flower print covers the entire surface of the jersey. The colours are bright and intense. It is like wearing an entire bouquet of beautiful flowers. The pants have a flat waist, skim over the hips and then the legs are cut wide and full. By the time they reach the bottom hem they are a full 32" around. The top has a high collar and long sleeves. It buttons down the front and the collar snaps into place. The belt is done in a matching jersey. It cinches around the top and adds shape at the waist and finishes the look. If you choose not to wear the belt then the top has a more loose and easy feel. I love the extensive beading that finishes the piece. On each cuff there is a 3" band of dense beadwork in colours that pick up on the colours in the print. The collar has 2 1/2 inch band of the same beading and then each end of the belt is finished with another 4" of beading on both the back and front sides. You can wear all the pieces together for a strong statement or break up the set and wear them as separates with other pieces in your closet for lots of styling options. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Both pieces are unlined. The pants have a flat waist and close with a zipper and hook at the waist band. The top buttons to close and the collar and cuffs have hidden set fabric covered snaps. The belt ties into place. The fabric has some stretch but the waist measurement is fixed with no give.

Top
Sleeves: 23" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Neck: 15" around
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 25" from neck to hem

Pants
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam with no give
Hips: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from waist to hem with 2" turned under the hem
Inseam: 28"
Gusset: 15.5" from the back waist to inner seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4952

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.