In the 1980s and 1990s Gianni Versace ruled the catwalks. He was the favourite of the Supermodels and they were featured predominately in his runway shows and his ad campaigns. Versace launched his label in 1978 and by 1989 he presented a couture collection. The days that Gianni headed the label were heady, glamorous ones and set the tone for the label as we know it today. He remained at the helm until his death by assignation in 1997. Everyone wanted to own and wear a Versace. When looking for the date of the show, we found pieces with similar straps in both the 1995 and 1996 seasons.

This is a dress that is extremely simple in cut but every line is done with purpose to highlight and shape to the body. It is also a dress that really needs a body in it to truly come to life. I think it looks pretty great on my dress form but it is going to be even better once it is on an actual body. The fabric that it is made out of is light in weight and holds its shape well. It is a stretch fabric that is going to mold and shape itself around the body. That fabulously fitted shape that you see is all constructed by the bare minimum of seams needed. There is a seam that is defined by a silk satin ribbon right under the bodice. Simple little darts help to shape the bodice. The rest of the dress is as minimal as possible. Seams have been set in a curving line down each side and then there is one that runs down the back to create an hourglass shape. The waist nips in and the hips curve out following the lines of the body. The skirt falls to the floor and there are high slits on both sides of the skirt so that you get a flash of leg when you walk. The bust is fabulous in its simplicity. Straps curve up and over your shoulder and each one has a silver metal Versace Medusa medallion at the front. A subtle nod that you are wearing a Versace. The front dips down into a shallow curved V and the upper back is left bare. It is the ultimate simple and sexy dress. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips on to wear with no closures. The fabric stretches into place around you. The stretch fabric will allow it to fit a range of sizes and I have put the comfortable range of measurements below.

Bust: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam 
Seam under the bust: 13-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 11.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 15-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" to the seam under the bust
Total length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem
Slits: 19" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4931

Reference Photos: (1) Spring 1995 Versace, Look 33. Model: Helena   /  (2) Spring 1996 Versace, Look 74. Model: Linda

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 book 'Givenchy: Catwalk' says of this collection, that "after the relative exuberance of the last few seasons, this show had a more subdued feel. The simplicity of the designs encapsulated Hubert de Givenchy's constant search for refinement."  We were able to find runway photos of the dress and I love that this shows you how it was presented at the time. We have also added to the modern provenance of this dress. It is the actual dress that was worn by Nicole Ritchie in 2019. Truly superb.

This is an amazing true Haute Couture Givenchy dress that is a very rare and special find. Two things of immediate note for this dress. First is the unusual fabric. It is a silk organza that is extremely light in weight. It has all been gathered by hand into little 3D 'bubbles' that run horizontally down the entire dress in bands of three rows stacked on top of each other. The time and technique to do this would have been astounding. This unusual technique gives the dress a bit of an elastic bandeau kind of feel and a lovely movement and shape. I cannot even imagine how many hours this would have taken. The second thing of note is its weight. Because it is all made from a silk organza the dress is exceptionally light in weight which makes it quite magical. The cut is tremendously flattering to the body and it feels a little bit sexy with the way the top sits off the shoulder to leave that expanse of bare skin. The sleeves are attached to the dress but are also set off the shoulder. I have shown the dress with the little straps up and over the shoulders, but they hook into place and you can easily wear this dress as a strapless piece as Nicole did. Since we have the photos of Nicole wearing it without the straps, I only photoed it on the dress form with the straps. I love that you have the versatility of the two different ways to wear it. Inside there is a wide inner corset band that is about 6" in height and this hooks into place around you. This is what keeps the dress in place and gives it structure underneath. It is lightly boned and meant to wrap around you. There is a silk organza ruffle that goes all the way around the neckline and the top of each sleeve. Another ruffle sits at the bottom of each cuff. It is shaped to come in at the waist and then curves out over the hips. The dress was shown with a flower adorned belt on the runway, which did not come with this dress. I have added a wide grosgrain ribbon that will be sent with it instead. The bottom of the skirt is quite wide at about 20" in height. It is shaped outwards in a bell shape and this flares out around you for pretty movement as you walk. The fabric is backed in a black silk organza and the entire dress has a touch of transparency in brighter lights. It is spectacular. This is a very beautiful example of Givenchy from this time period and an amazing example of the technical skills that can be achieved in Haute Couture. It is easy to see why his work is the subject of so many books and retrospective shows at museums worldwide. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The dress is fully lined in a matching hand set black silk organza. It zips to close at the side and then there are a series of snaps and hooks under the arm on that side as well. The inner waist corset hooks to close and has light boning all the way around. A hand set strip of velvet sits under the hooks so that they do not touch your skin. Hand finished throughout to couture standards. I see two vertical repairs on the ruffle of the neckline near the sides. There is some wear and slight fraying on both straps. There is light wear to some of the interior seams. Proper couture tag and numbered tape present. The fabric has a lot of stretch, but the inner waist corset does not. I have given the measurements of both the inside corset and the exterior of the dress because if you needed more room you could extend the inner corset.

Sleeves: 22" from the top of the ruffle to the bottom ruffle at the wrist. The upper arm is 9-12" around.
Bust: 15.5-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner seam under the bust: 14-14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam. The outer fabric would go to 16"
Inner waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam. The outer fabric would go to 15"
Hips: 17-24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 54" from top of straps to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4930

Reference Photos: (1-3) Spring 1978 Givenchy Haute Couture.  /  (4-6) Nicole Richie in this dress, 2019.

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 recently had another of these Valentino dresses from the Spring 1993 show in the shop and I am very happy to find another twin from the group that walked the runway that season. Valentino did a series of these dresses that were all done with this touch on a Western theme of stars on them with slightly different upper bodices. We have included photos of the runway and of video many of the pieces, including this one, so you can see how fantastic this is on the body.

The front of this dress is a solid black crepe that extends all the way down the length of the dress. Where the first one had the interest at the front, this one is all about the back. The dress is suspended from skinny straps that curve up and over the shoulders to meet at the middle of your back. The neckline plunges into a low V at the front and then it curves in at the waist. From there it falls to the floor, expanding out as it near the hem. The shape on this one is all created by long vertical seams and the bottom skirt is quite full and generous. This creates a beautiful movement as you walk. Where the straps meet at the back you have two triangles of mesh. These extend out from each side to the centre of your back. This leaves the entire back open above and below the mesh and of course you can see skin through the mesh as well. I love how this makes the body feel bare but you are still somewhat covered at the same time. At the centre of your back you see the first of the five rhinestone encrusted stars that the dress has. Another star sits at the top of each of the mesh panels and then you have the fourth and fifth star sitting at the base of each of those panels. I love that because of how the stars are placed you can clearly see them from the side as well as the back. The stars make this dress instantly recognizable as being from this collection. It is truly a fantastic piece of Valentino history. Excellent condition with a small note below.

The dress is fully lined in a black silk and closes with a side set zipper. We see a couple rhinestones missing off of the very tips of the stars. Please see the photo after the label shot for an example. Tagged a vintage Valentino 6

Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" 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

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4929

Reference Photos: (1-6) Spring 1993 Valentino.  /  (7) Spring 1993 Valentino Ad Campaign by Walter Chin.

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.

This is an incredible dress. This was a dress produced for the shops and it is especially interesting because it is a dress that was produced again in 2011 and re-issued in an ivory for the wedding collection that year. I know this because I have had that dress listed in the shop now and you can see it here. You will recall that I recently had a lace dress in that was also made under the same circumstances where a original dress done by Lee was re-issued at a later date for a wedding collection. I love having the original and as far as I am aware it was only produced in black and this purple in 2007. It has that same bias cut draped feel as the McQueen that Elle Fanning borrowed and wore recently so that will give you an idea of it on

This is a stunningly beautiful dress. It is one that will come to life even more once it is on an actual body and will only truly come to life when worn. It is a dress that definitely takes inspiration from the bias cut couture pieces of the 20s and 30s. McQueen was a master tailor and the seam work and simplicity of this dress do not hide that fact. It is made from a beautifully weighted purple silk satin that has a slight texture running through it. It has that same liquid feel that the best of the 1930s pieces did that were made from this similar fabrics. Like those dresses of the thirties this is also cut on the bias but with a more shaped silhouette. I love that the fabric is heavy enough and that the dress is lined so that it will not highlight 'flaws' underneath like some bias cut pieces can. It is cut to flow over the body and skims over the bust, waist and hips to the floor. The neckline drops into a V at the front for a bit of skin to show. It glides over the bust and there is this interesting softly curved seam that starts at the bust and runs down into the side seam. This not only helps to add a little shape but it also becomes this interesting design feature and a subtle way for him to work in one of his signature angled seams. The skirt continues past and over the hips and then flares out as it reaches the hem. At the back there is extra fabric worked around the centre seam to give you a trained effect behind you. This flaring out at the bottom and the extra bit at the back give you fabulous movement when you walk or move. It also adds to the hourglass shape the dress has. The sleeves are incredible. They are set in these soft loops around each arm. They leave the sides of the shoulders bare and really add to the thirties feel of the dress. They are spectacular. It is in its original uncut length. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a purple silk satin and closes with a hidden set back zipper. Tagged a McQueen 40. The bias cut fabric does have some stretch. The measurements below give you the comfortable range the fabric has when lying flat. It is in its original supermodel length. The bias cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. I see perhaps a touch of grubbiness and scuffing near the hem bit it is very minor and mentioned for accuracy only.

Bust: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from top of shoulder to front hem, 72" the longest point of the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4461

Reference Photo: Elle Fanning in Spring 2008 Alexander McQueen, from our archives, at the Critics Choice After Party, January 2023.

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 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.

This is dress is the all black twin of the dress that walked the Fall 1984 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche runway. We were so pleased to find shots of it on because it really shows you just how much it comes to life when worn. It is extraordinary and it is a stunning example of his work during this time period. The wrap design is so flattering for so many body types. I am in complete love with it.

I love the soft and romantic lines that this dress has. The dress flounces over the body and is easy to wear and very flattering. It is made of a black velvet that has enough weight to hold the shape that you see but still feel light on the body. A wide ruffle in a black silk taffeta is set so that it runs around the neck down the front and all the way around the hem. This stunning framing of the entire front of your body is quite beautiful and gives the dress is dramatic feel. To wear the dress there is an inner strap that wraps around your waist and hooks into place and then a long tie ties into place at one side. This creates a gorgeous bow on the side, which is of course a signature Yves detail. The wrapping of the dress allows you to adjust the fit around you so that it sits perfectly on you. The skirt flounces out under that and the ruffles run down the sides and around the hem. What you don't realize until the dress is on is that you are going to see a flash of leg as you move. The ruffles hide most of your leg but it does peak out as you walk. It is an insanely sexy detail that is in total contrast with the sweetness of the ruffles. Even trying to show you on the dress form doesn't get the same impact that this is going to have on the body. It looks remarkably simple yet is genius in its execution. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a inner strap that hooks around the waist. It ties to one side on the exterior as described above. The easy wrap cut makes it easy to fit a range of sizes. You could easily adjust the inner waist and I have given both the measurement of the inner strap below as well as the actual dress itself.

Sleeves: 24" and are 16" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 16.5"
Bust: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam and the inner waist strap is 25" end to end
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 57" from neck to longest point of the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4927

Reference Photos: Fall 1984 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 spectacular dress is the twin of the dress that was worn on the runway for the Fall 1995 Karl Lagerfeld show. The dress is from Karl Lagerfeld's own label. He launched his self-named label in 1984 and by the 1990s it was firmly established. Pieces from his personal label were far edgier then the work he did for Chanel. It was a label where he explored a more avant garde feel with his designs and pushed the envelope more. This is a fantastic example of his work for that label and I love that you can see how it moves in the video we have. 

This is a fantastic dress that is made out of a mix of a light weight black net that is backed in more layers of netting and silk chiffon. Then onto that is a pattern made from black velvet fused onto the netting.  I love that the velvet is set to really highlight the cut and lines of the dress. It has a slightly more bare and fitted feel through the upper bodice and then flares and widens out very dramatically to the hem. The fabric is light in weight but the layering underneath the top layer of netting gives it enough weight and structure to hold the shape. The bust drops into a V and the velvet details on the bodice are set on angles to work into a centre vertical velvet line. This same striping runs horizontally all the way around the hem. The line that runs down the centre of the bodice extends all the way to the hem and then more vertical lines go all the way around the skirt to break up it up into panels. The waist comes in a touch, but has a more generous feel to it, and the skirt swings in a a wide A-line. At the back, the dress completely opens with a series of silk covered buttons that run from neck to just above the hem. I absolutely love this unexpected detail. I also love how he used those little bands of velvet to highlight where the buttons are set. The buttons become an integral design detail in themselves. It is a very collectible and rare dress from the earlier years of his self named label. Excellent condition.

The bodice is lined in another layer of the same netting and the skirt has three more layers of netting under the top layer and an inner nude silk chiffon layer under those. It closes at the back with the series of buttons that you see. 

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15" from top of the shoulder to waist
Total length: 55" from top of the shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4926

Reference Photos/Video: Fall 1995 Karl Lagerfeld.

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 twin of this dress was shown in a more colourful mix for the look book collection presentation. You can also see the same black, white and gold sequin pattern that you see on this dress used in other pieces of that same collection. When the collection was produced for the shops they decided to make that pastel colour dress in this colour way as well and it is equally as phenomenal. Pierpaolo shot the collection himself and all of the pieces were worn by his longtime friend Mariacarla Boscono. This was due to the timing of this collection, which was during the lockdowns. The focus was on workmanship and craft. So much so that Vogue noted that 'He has imbued the rarefied world of couture with emotional values—exposing and revealing its craft and handmade processes, and shining a light on his team of seamstresses and artisans as essential players behind his fabulous creations.' Piccoli said of the collection that 'It’s a radical simplicity though, I wanted to be even more radical, in that the simplicity I’ve tried to achieve in shapes, volumes, and construction comes at the end of a process of resolved complexities. It’s a study and a project on cut, proportions, balance. Reducing and subtracting to reach the core, something essential and pure—but not more banal. Simple, not simplified.” .' This is one of my favourite Valentino dresses of this collection. It is exquisite.

This dress is such an extraordinarily special piece and it feels thoroughly Valentino. Spectacular sequin work covers the entire dress and it is just a joy to see. This may not be couture, but it certainly feels like it should be. The dress is made from a double layer of a pale ballet blush coloured nude pink netting. Inside it is lined in a slightly deeper colour chiffon. The two fabrics layered over each other, gives this wildly airy feel and keeps the dress light in weight. The netting has a touch of transparency to it between the sequin pattern, but the underlying chiffon keeps it opaque enough to wear. I love that Valentino goes to these lengths to choose the most beautiful fabrics to bring a dress to life. It is part of what makes the exceptional beauty of the pieces from the Pierpaulo era. The lightness of the netting combined with how much of it there is, is what lets it move so beautifully over the body once it is on. When you walk, the fabric of the skirt and those fantastic caped sleeves catch the air and billow out around you. The entire dress has been finished with a stunning pattern of flowers and curving, flowing designs that are completely done in sequins. The sequins range in size and are done in only three colours - a dark white, a gold, and a black. The contrast of those stark colours against that soft blush background is absolutely beautiful. The neckline is scooped and the shoulders are soft. It skims over the bust and has a very simple cut so that the sequins that completely cover the front and back can take centre stage. The waist is brought in, but with a slightly generous cut, so that it skims perfectly over you. The skirt falls from under there to the floor in a sweeping expanse of netting. It widens out as it nears the hem and by the time it reaches the bottom of the skirt is extremely full. There are yards of fabric in the skirt and this gives it a floating effect as it moves around you. On the skirt the sequins are over that expanse of netting and it is like wearing a piece of art. The sleeves are wonderful. Each is almost a full circle around and they fall over your shoulders with a touch of a caped feel. They are also covered with sequins. There is a second layer of tulle underneath that helps to support and hold the shape. They are so pretty and feminine. The precision in cut and vision of how the pattern should sit over the entire dress to have this all fall and move so beautifully should not be underestimated. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

The dress is backed in a second layer of the netting and it is lined in chiffon as described above. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. The netting has a bit of a bias cut to it and I have put the comfortable range of measurements below when laying flat. The bottom hem of the tulle is intentionally left raw. Tagged a modern 40. The original price tag would have been well over $20,000. It is spectacular in person.

Sleeves: 14" and are approx 19" around the upper arm.
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 64" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent:  SML-MED

Item# DD4925

Reference Photos: (1-3) Resort 2021 Valentino.  /  (4) Janet Gretzky wearing Valentino at Paulina Gretzky's wedding, April 2022.  /  (5-6) 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.

The twin of this spectacular dress walk the runway for Fall 1998 and Mr. Valentino obviously thought it was one of the best pieces in the show as he also used it for the ad campaign that year. It is spectacularly beautiful and like many Valentino pieces, as you get closer to it you really start to see all of the incredible details it has. He was a man who lived in the fine details on even the simplest looking pieces and this dress is a beautiful example of what he could create. It is phenomenal and I love it.

The dress is suspended by two little lace covered straps that curve up and over your shoulders. The top of the bodice is cut straight across and that continues around to the back. The bodice is covered in a layer of fine black French lace that is layered over an inner ivory silk. and then that has a layer of fine ivory netting over that. This softens the black of the lace underneath and acts as a diffusion of the black colour underneath for a more romantic feel. The bodice is simple in feel and ends at a seam set just a touch above the natural waist. A dense one inch high band of the tiniest black seed beads are set just above the seam and then the beads continue up onto that top net layer. They are scattered over the bodice and getting more spaced apart as they go upwards over you. Under that band of bead work is a dense silk eyelash fringe that sits up and off of the dress from this incredible tactile effect. More of those tiny black seed beads have been scattered throughout the fringe. I have taken several close-ups so that you can see just how incredible this workmanship is. The skirt falls under that to the floor and it is made up of three more tiers of this same lace, silk fringe, silk net and bead work. Each tier overlaps the one below it. Each has that same net overlay as the bodice but he let it sit more as a separate layer rather than an attached one like it is on the bodice. So that softening effect is greater on the skirt and it also adds a little more volume than you see through the bodice. It is very subtle but this is where he just excels in the detailing. The edge of each layer is finished in the same manner of bead work, and that ivory silk fringe. When you move all of the layers softly move around you. It is very beautiful and an exceptional piece of Valentino history. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a white silk through the bodice and a silk crêpe through the skirt. I see a couple small layers where the lace has broken on the straps, but it's minor. Some very minor grubbiness to the edge of the inner hem. It otherwise appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a vintage Valentino 8.

Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" 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: 65" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4924

Reference Photos: (1-3) Fall 1998 Valentino Runway Collection.  /  (4) Fall 1998 Valentino Ad Campaign.

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 is a production piece based on the similar sequin work done for Look 41 of the Fall 2022 collection. Vogue said that the show was his darkest and most unnerving show to date, as well as his most ravishing. Pieces focused mainly on nightwear. I love that when the collection went to production he made this dress very easy to wear for most, but still added the touches and feel from the runway to give it that dose of high glamour.

This is a truly gorgeous dress. The fabric is a creamy almost nude silk organza that is lined with a silk crepe in the same colour so that it is opaque enough to wear even while giving the illusion of being quite bare from a distance. Onto the top layer he has added large sequin flowers on trailing stalks and these have been applied over the entire dress from shoulder to hem. The flowers are made from silver and pewter sequins that are set to overlap each other so that they sit up and off the dress to create a slight 3D feel that is fantastic. In the centre of each flower is a cluster of prong set glass rhinestones that are a mix of sizes and colours. The colours ranging from a clear glass, to a smoky grey topaz, a bright clear blue, and black. The effect this creates is just absolutely stunning when you see the dress as a whole. The sequins catch the light from every angle. The neckline is scooped and the shoulders are soft. The sleeves are long and simple so that the sequin work on them takes centre stage. It is cut to skim over the bust with just a little bit of shaping through the waist. It curves over the hips and then falls to the floor from there. It is cut with a little extra fabric at the back of the skirt for a sweeping feel behind you. It is like wearing a bouquet from head to toe but one that is slightly edgy feel. It is absolutely lovely. In its original uncut length and appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a matching silk crepe and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. Tagged a modern UK12, US8, IT44, FR40

Sleeves: 25" and are 13" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 16.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 63.5" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4923

Reference Photos: Fall 2022 Erdem, Look 41.

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 exceptional dress is by Marc Bohan for Christian Dior and it is a wonderful example of his work during this time period. We have had print dresses in the shop in the past from the early to-mid 1970s and I feel that this is most likely the correct era for this dress. It is a very easy and comfortable dress to wear but it also really special with all its embellishments. His work was integral to the label's development over the decades that he headed the atelier and this is a stunning example of his vision. Beyond that it is just an extraordinarily beautiful dress.

This dress is incredible. The cut is simple and easy and those details that run over it are pure magic. The dress is light and very easy to wear. It is made out of a fine silk that has a clay and black coloured check print that covers most of the dress. Screened in between that are four wide bands that have a floral border and then a larger checked print within those borders. One of the things that makes this dress so special as you can see how they have lined up the bands on the dress with the corresponding bands on the sleeves. The neckline is set high. Under that the bodice is meant to skim over you to the seam at the waist. The waist has a slightly more generous fee and there is an attached black silk ribbon belt that ends in a bow at the front. The skirt falls out from under that to the floor or slightly above depending on your height. The sleeves are fantastic They fall softly from the shoulder and are the full and wide all the way to their ends. The printed bands run across the centre of the bodice, just under the waist, the mid-skirt, and then around the hem. Each of the bands has little pink, green and soft pale pastel beads that are set in and among the floral borders. On the check parts in between, the squares have been highlighted with gold coloured square sequins. This really helps glam up the dress and make it so unique. The fabric is light and easy to wear but packs a tremendous amount of style with the that print combined with the detailing that covers the dress. The dress has the Christian Dior New York tag hidden inside the inner lining. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The dress is lined through the skirt in a taupe pink silk. The bodice is unlined. It closes with a back zipper. I see tarnishing on some of the gold sequins and there are a couple missing near where the sleeves rub against the side of the dress. Very minor. All of the beads and sequins were applied by hand and it is hand finished throughout.

Sleeves: 22.5" and are 13" around the upper arm
Neck: 14" around
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 56" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4922

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 I have had this dress in the shop and I love it as much now as then. It is the twin of the dress that walked the Fall 1975 runway,  it was featured in the ad campaign that year and was shot for several editorials. These really show you just how much it comes to life when worn. On the runway Yves put a gold belt on it and it was shown in the editorial without. My client told me that the belts were sold separately and it would be easy to recreate the belted look with any gold belt that suits you best. I love having such a well documented piece in the shop and it doesn't hurt that it is drop dead gorgeous.

This is a dress that is insanely sexy and bare feeling and yet that deep brown colour and minimal lines keep it feeling fresh and minimal. The dress is made out of a bias cut brown silk jersey that has amazing drape and feels easy-to-wear once on the body. The bodice has a halter style front that comes up at the centre and then gold coloured leather straps are set on a curve that goes up and over your shoulders and falls down the back to meet in the middle of the waist. The back is fully open and this bare expanse of skin is fabulous. The sides curve down on an angle to the waist. Despite its bareness it is cleverly cut so that when you have it on it stays perfectly in place. The waist has an attached wide band of the same fabric that wraps around you and hooks into place on one side. One side of the halter does the same and I have taken photos of how it closes as it is very clever. Under that the skirt flows to the floor in a sweep of silk jersey that has two tiers of it stacked on top of each other for added detail in the skirt. This gives the skirt beautiful movement when you move. It is stunning and a beautiful and very well documented piece of Yves early work. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The dress is unlined and closes with a side zipper and then hooks for the side of the bodice and attached band at the waist. Tagged 38. There is a bit of patina on the gold painted leather. It looks like the hammer was let down and there's a very slight mark where the fold was. The lower seam is finished nicely though, so I've left it so that you have those extra inches if needed.. Hand finishes throughout and the fabric has some stretch. 

Bust: no true side seams but the front covers up to 14-17" across
Waist: 12.25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from top of shoulder to top of band at waist and meant to blouse over a bit
Total length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4921

Reference Photos: (1) 1975 Yves Saint Laurent  /  (2) Fall 1975 Yves Saint Laurent Ad   /  (3) Fall 1975 Yves Saint Laurent  /  (4) Fall 1975 Yves Saint Laurent   /  (5-7) Fall 1975 Yves Saint Laurent Runway.

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

John Bates founded the Jean Varon label in 1960 and it quickly became known for the futuristic designs and innovative use of fabrics. He dressed Dianna Rigg portraying Emma Peel in the 1965 season of the action TV series 'The Avengers' and that helped bring him even more commercial success. By the late sixties and into the seventies his work tended more towards more floating, feminine designs. Some of the very best pieces were made during this time period. His more caftan feeling dresses in particular are fabulous and they are some of my favourites to find. This one with its dramatic sleeves and plunge front is fantastic. 

The cut of this dress is spectacular. The fabric is a rust clay coloured silk that is very light in weight and drapes beautifully once on. There are two secondary patterns woven into the fabric and this gives it a little pop that I love. The border on the neck line, around the waist, the bottom of the sleeves, and all the way around the hem have a square check design worked into them, and then the bodice and skirt have stripes. I love how he has put the stripes horizontally on the bodice to really highlight and add to the feeling of width through the sleeves and then the skirt is done the opposite way. The dress feels very sexy but in an easy to wear kind of way. It slips on and zips at the back. The top is spectacular. It is cut to skim over you to the waist. The waist is set on an upward curve and sits slightly below the bust line. The front plunges to the waist band for a gorgeous expanse of skin to show. There is space left between the two sides of the plunge and I love that little detail. The sleeves extend out from the fabric on the bodice with no side seams at all. They come out from the waist and are cut wide and straight. That makes them very full and they just sit beautifully on the body. The dress falls to the floor from there and the skirt widens out slightly as it nears the floor. It is gorgeous. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Unlined and closes at the back with a zipper. I see some tiny areas where the fabric has changed colour just very slightly. It's so minor, but I mentioned for accuracy. I could not capture it on camera.

Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: no true side seams
Seam under the bust: to 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top of the shoulder to seam under the bust
Total length: 57" from top of the shoulder with just about 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4920

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.

A long sleeve version of this dress walked the runway for Look 88 in the Spring 2016 runway. This is a dress that is truly a work of art. In 2016 Valentino was headed by both Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli. They had stepped into Mr Valentino's shoes and were breathing new life into the brand. The show was based on Africa as its inspiration and at this period of time the world was watching refugees attempting the journey to Italy. In the Vogue review for this collection Maria and Pierpaulo were quoted as saying; 'We probably feel that the greatest privilege in doing our work is that fashion can give a message,” said Chiuri. “We think every person coming here is an individual, and we can show that we can improve ourselves by understanding other cultures.'... 'The message,' added Piccioli, 'is tolerance. And the beauty that comes out of cross-cultural expression.' Many of the pieces fused both Italian and African traditions , 'They met in the textiles' they stated. This dress was one of the most stunning looks of the show and the combination of netting and ivory bead work it was made out of made it one of the most beautiful. 

The lines of this dress are wonderfully simple and yet it still feels glamorous with the head-to-toe bead work. It is a dress that it is even better in person and on an actual body. As with many Valentino pieces the dress has a bit of a bias cut to it through the body so draped wonderfully once on. The dress is made from a nude silk netting with another layer of that netting backing it. When it went to the shops it was sold with a matching nude silk chiffon slip and this lets you wear it either with the slip so that you are opaque through the body, or if you dare, you can wear it without and then you have that amazing transparency between the bead work. The dress is completely beaded from the top of the shoulders to the hem. It is very beautiful. The neckline is high and I love how he created a bit of a ruffled effect there with the netting and beads. It skims over your bust, past the waist and starts to widen out over the hips. From there it falls to the floor. The skirt gently widens out as it nears the hem. The dress is in its original uncut length. The bead work that covers the dress is stunning. It is set to highlight the lines of the dress and combines curves with more angular patterns. That front panel that starts just below the waist is done in tiers of the same little ruffled netting and bead work that you see around the neck. This falls all the way to just past the hem and it adds the perfect softness and added texture to the dress. The beads are a combination of tiny matte finished ivory seed beads and iridescent ivory tube beads. It is a beautiful and glamorous dress that is red carpet worthy and would make an amazing wedding dress for the bride looking for a non-traditional choice or as an alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration. And of course it could also be worn to any big event. It appears to have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

The dress is backed in a second layer of the nude netting and it comes with a separate silk chiffon slip. It closes with a hidden set back zipper and the slip slips over the head to wear. I see one tiny mark on the inner slip. It otherwise appears to have never been worn and has its original hang tags. The netting has a bit of a bias cut to it and I have put the comfortable range of measurements below when laying flat. Tagged a modern 40. The original price tag would have been well over $20,000 even then. It is spectacular in person.

Dress
Sleeves: are 12" around the opening
Shoulders: 14.5-15"
Bust: 16-17.5" across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16-16.5" 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 hem and the front ruffled panel falls about an inch past that

Slip
Bust: to 19.5" across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 59.5" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4917

Reference Photos/Video: (1-5) Spring 2016 Valentino, Look 88. Model Liza Ostanina.  /  (6) Franca Sozzani at the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience, 2015.

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 spectacular dress that has no label and could very well be a one off. I can't help but think that it was inspired by the stunning dress worn by Hedy Lamarr in the 1941 film Ziegfeld Girl. This would make a spectacular event dress and would absolutely be a phenomenal piece for a bride.

The upper bodice of the dress is made from a deep nude coloured netting done in a double layer. Onto this is a white netting that has gold flowers woven through it. Rhinestones are scattered over the entire bodice and run down and around the waist. The neckline is made from four flowers cut out and wrapped around the neck. It is meant to skim over the bust and waist and then the skirt falls from under that to the floor. The skirt widens out substantially as it nears the hem which gives you beautiful movement when you walk and move. The entire lower hem of the skirt is finished with more of the same rhinestones that are scattered across the bodice. It is gorgeous. The sleeves are spectacular. Each sleeve falls from the shoulder all the way to past the hem of the dress. They are cut very wide and are open to give them a cape feel. Each one is finished along the bottom hem with a row of ostrich feathers in a deep ivory. This is a clever way to add some weight to the bottom of the sleeve and also add spectacular movement. When I say they are wide by the bottom of the hem, I mean it. I measured and each one is just under 8 feet across. Each sleeve is detailed with more of the rhinestones along with more cut outs of the gold and white flowers set along the vertical lengths on each side of the sleeve. It is beautifully elaborate and over the top. This is the type of piece that you will only ever find in vintage. It is spectacular. Excellent condition

The dress is lined in an ivory silky rayon through the skirt and a the same nude netting through the bodice. It closes with a zipper at the back. The zipper has a slight sticky feel to it, but it is original and works perfectly fine so I have left it. Otherwise it appears to have been worn very little.

Sleeves: 60" plus the feathers go past the hem a few inches
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 15.5" from neck to waist
Total length: 59" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4918

Reference photos: 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.

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.

The near twin of this dress walked the runway as Look 65 for the Fall 2018 Valentino season. The entire world was in love with Pierpaolo and this collection was raved about. Vogue opened their review saying "Something is going very right at Valentino. It would be hard to name another designer in the establishment echelons of fashion who is putting out a more inclusive, relatable, and unforced sense of modern elegance than Pierpaolo Piccioli. They continued saying "How to put it? Where so many other designers have sought to meet these fraught times with throwbacks to ’80s-power-woman shoulder-padded templates, Piccioli has found a new cadence of expression. It includes flowing lines, flowers, layers, scalloped edges, and a vibrant, sophisticated colour sense. For evening, there was a wealth of options to cover all occasions, according to the person a woman might be. It might mean flowing, completely covered-up gowns or ankle-length A-line tunics with slim trousers beneath... Piccioli handled both minimalism, in spare, dramatic shapes, and decorative embellishment in blown-up floral appliques and jacquard... It recognized dignity and delighted in amazing colour. Bravo, Piccioli. This was outstanding." The dress on the runway had a more bare front and it was the third last look of the collection. I am happy that I have the runway photos and a reference video for you because they show how beautiful it is once on the body and moving. It was also worn on the red carpets and in editorials that season. It is one of the best from a show filled with outstanding dresses.

The halter of the dress is made from a deep forest green velvet and then the skirt is a slightly-heavier-in-weight silk brocade that has a beautiful floral pattern worked over its entire surface. An exuberant, oversized floral pattern covers the entire skirt. The black portions that you see are a finely ribbed velvet that has an almost ultra fine ribbed corduroy finish to it. You can feel the added texture of the black parts of the print and it makes the print that much better. The dresses that went to the shops had tops that had more fabric in them then the runway and sample pieces that were loaned out for the red carpets and editorials. It makes the dress much more wearable and I like the balance more between the top and skirt. The top is made from two simple triangles in a deep green velvet. Each has a vertical dart up the front centre to add a touch of shape. They extend out from the waist into two long straps at the top that curve behind your neck, cross over themselves at the back, and then button and snap into place on either side of the little bit of velvet that curves around the sides and into the low back. The halter front and tiny straps leave your sides and your entire back bare. It is the perfect balance between the dress feeling romantic and being very sexy. The skirt is remarkable. It is set in around the waist in a series of tiny gathers and there is an internal stiffening around the waist to create that fullness of the skirt coming up, out and over the hips that you see. The fabric choice helps to hold the shape and the fullness. There is weight to it, but it doesn't feel too heavy to move in once on. As good as it looks here it only really comes to life when the dress is on and you are moving. The back of the dress has extra fullness built in and it is cut a touch longer so you get this beautiful sweeping feel behind you that just adds to the overall glamorous feel of the dress.  It is incredibly beautiful . And it has pockets. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The halter is backed with silk and the skirt is unlined. The straps button into place and it closes with a low hidden set back zipper at the waist. Ribbon edged finished inner hems. Some minor grubbiness here and there on the hem and perhaps the tiniest snag here and there on the skirt. Presents pristine once on.

Bust: has no fixed side seams. Each halter covers to approx 8.5"
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: Approx 14" from top of neck to waist band and the length of the straps could be adjusted as needed by moving the buttons
Total length: 61" from neck to front hem, 62" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4915

Reference Photos/Video: (1-2) Fall 2018 Valentino, Look 65. Model Sterre Dekker.  /  (3-5) Amber Heard at the premiere for 'Sorry Angel' at Cannes Film Festival, 2018.  /  (6) Barbara Shilova for Fashion & Arts Magazine, 2020.  /  (8) Model in Valentino for The Financial Times UK. Photographed by Vikram Kushwah, 2018.  /  (9) 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.

This is the second of this Fall 1999 John Galliano dress that I have been lucky enough to source and this one still has its original John Galliano hang tag. Which is just an incredible added bit of its history. It is a dress that was made for the shops based on the grouping of red dresses that closed the Fall 1999 runway show. On the runway there were several pieces that were very similar in cut and feel and I have a feeling that this one may have been edited out of the actual show because it certainly could fit right in. This piece has the added provenance of being the twin of the first dress that Dakota Fanning wore for her appearance on the Tonight Show. I love having these photos of her in it so that you can see how spectacular this dress is. It is also nice to own a piece of his work that has both a historical and modern context. These early pieces are among the most coveted of his work and this is a beautiful and rare example. The dress is absolutely gorgeous.

This John Galliano dress is incredibly beautiful and it is a stunning example of his work. It is also wonderful to have such an early piece of Galliano. No matter how good you think that this dress looks like in photos and on Dakota it is even better in person and moving. The dress is made out of a deep red silk that has a beautiful secondary pattern woven through the silk. I love how that woven design catches the light as you move and adds an extra layer of visual interest to the dress. The dress is cut completely on the bias so it just glides over the body. It doesn't even have any closures, it is made to just fall over you in a sweep of bias cut fabric. It skims over the bust with a draped front that falls in a soft fold. The back is incredible. It is scooped down into a low open V that leaves your entire back bare. The dress skims over the waist and hips with the bias cut of the silk follows your curves and highlights the body underneath without it being too tight and fitted. Galliano was a genius when it came to this cut. Once past the hips the dress flares out as it nears the bottom hem so that it has beautiful movement when you move. I love the use of the soft velvet ribbon that is used for the straps that crisscross across the back and also highlights the cut of the bodice, adding a pretty and feminine touch. The attached ribbons wrap around to crisscross over your front and then tie at the waist to add the perfect amount of detail to the otherwise perfectly simple dress. This cleverly draws the eye in to add shape but without sacrificing the comfort of the bias cut. It is just amazing. Original hang tag attached in its original uncut length. Excellent condition

Unlined and slips over the head to wear. The measurements given below are the comfortable range when the dress is laying flat. Being bias cut the length may come up a bit once on the body. Tagged a vintage Galliano FR38 GB10 US4

Bust: no true side seam but the front covers to approximately 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: approx 67" from top of neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4914

Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 1999 John Galliano Runway.  /  (3-5) Dakota Fanning in this dress on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, March 2024.

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.

For the Cruise 2012 Karl booked the entire Hotel du Cap in Eden Roc on the French Riviera so that he had it at his full disposal for the show. This is remarkable in that it is arguably one of the most expensive hotels in the entire world. The show is also of note because he accessorized all the pieces with real diamonds and pearls. Vogue noted that he said "too much may not be enough" when asked about this extravagance. The twin of the suit walked the runway for Look 8 and was adorned with diamonds on the pockets and at the neck. It was sent to the shop with a beautiful crystal rhinestone and faux pearl button at the top of the neck and left to the clients to add their own personal diamonds.

This collection was a nod to old-school glamour and you can see that in the beautiful lines of the suit. It is constructed from an absolutely stunning ivory version of the Chanel signature boucle fabric. The weave is very tight and it is one single ivory colour. It has little bits of silver thread woven through it. These glitter in the light in this very subtle and beautiful kind of way. I know the still photos are not properly capturing it but in person it is magical. The collar is soft and rounded with a raw finish to its edges and then it is covered with the tiniest possible ivory sequins. He added another band of sequins under the collar to circle the inner shoulders near the neckline. A little jewelled clasp sits at the top of the neck that has crystal rhinestones and large faux pearls with the double C logo on their sides. I love the nod to the 1940s this little jewelled detail has and how it picks up on that old Hollywood glamour theme. The sleeves end at about the wrist depending on the length of your arms. The jacket has a beautiful curving seam at the front and two top set pockets. I photoed the jacket open as it was shown on the runway but there is one single little hidden snap so that you can close the jacket more if you wished. A second curved seam sits at the back. The construction is absolutely beautiful. Inside it has a Camellia flower embossed silk lining and a silver chain is hand sewn along the inner hem. The skirt is as beautifully cut as the jacket. It has a curved band around the waist and pockets on either side of the hip. It curves out to skim over the hips and then comes in at the bottom. There is a wide 7" band of the same fabric circling the bottom hem. He added a back vent that has three beautiful buttons and you could open those if you wished. The set comes with the matching belt that you see on the runway. The belt follows the same curve of the waist band. It hooks in place and it is completely covered on both sides with more of those tiny little ivory iridescent sequins. This is an exceptional Chanel. It would make a great bridal piece for the bride not looking for something traditional or as a piece for an event surrounding the ceremony. Excellent condition.

The jacket is fully lined in an ivory silk embossed with the Chanel camellia flower print and has a clasp at the neck and a hidden set snap halfway down. The skirt is lined in an ivory silk and closes with a hidden set zipper. The belt hooks to close. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. All three pieces are tagged a Chanel 38. The very subtle bit of metallic silver thread that runs with through the boucle is more apparent in person.

The Chanel boucle is created with their proprietary method of weaving that they themselves describe as "by weaving the warp and weft, using a variety of different kinds of threads which creates a unique and somewhat irregular appearance. The warp – vertically strung – is the background of the fabric, the base that will support the assembly of materials. There can be up to 12 different threads used for a single warp. The weft – woven horizontally – gives the fabric its unique character and can have an unlimited number of threads. Tight, perforated, textured, thick, with a relief, plaited, random, twill… the potential number of effects is endless". 

Jacket
Sleeve: approx 21" from the natural shoulder and is 17.25" from the dropped shoulder scene. They are 14.5" around the upper arm
Dropped shoulders: 19"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom hem: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 21.5" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27" from waist to hem

Belt: It currently hooks to close at 28" and you could move the hooks if needed. it is 30" in total from end to end.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4911

Reference Photo/Video: Resort 2012 Chanel, Look 8. Model Sigrid Agren.

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.

In the book Chanel: Catwalk they called this collection "Concrete Baroque"  because of the innovative use of concrete within the collection. A material you definitely do not normally associate with Couture. The set was minimal and was inspired by a penthouse owned by the eccentric art collector Carlos de Beistegui in the 1930s. That penthouse featured an outdoor fireplace with a circular mirror set against a concrete wall and Karl incorporated that into the set. 'I like the idea of baroque elements and modern touches. This is the theme of the collection concrete with Baroque elements – la corbusier goes to Versailles'.

What is remarkable about this collection is that actual concrete was used throughout the pieces in the collection. It was formed into miniature tiles and used as embroidery, jewellery, buttons, braiding and mesh. In the recent Netflix show on the 90s, it is noted by Andrew Bolton, the Met Museum Director, that the process took about four years to develop. Lagerfeld stated that he 'liked the idea of using materials you wouldn't normally use for Haute Couture.'

The book also notes that several dresses were directly moulded from neoprene. Lagerfeld joked that this was 'Couture without seams'. This twin of this dress was Look 36 in the show. It was shown with a little vest over it that my client did not purchase. The pieces were sold separately. This is a modern day masterpiece and an exceptional dress from this collection.

The dress is made from neoprene as noted below and it is almost devoid of seams with only curved darts at the bust besides the bare minimal seams needed to construct the dress. The colour is a very pale ivory and has perhaps a touch more ivory than how it photoed. The hundreds of little square beads that you see are indeed that concrete material as mentioned above. They circle around the neck, the hem, run around each cuff and define the waist. A band of them runs down the front and the back and he has used them to create the idea of two little pockets on each side of the hip. They held into place by silver thread. Each individual tile was cut by hand and then carefully drilled with a small hole to allow the silver thread to be passed through it. Each would have been applied by hand. Again, it took four years to develop the technology to be able to pull this off. The dress is completely assembled by hand and it is lined with a beautiful silk lining. The proper Chanel label and numbered tape underneath is in place. This would be an exceptional dress for a bride who doesn't want to wear something traditional or perhaps as a piece for an event around a wedding weekend. And of course it would be a highlight of any Chanel collection. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Fully lined in a hand set ivory silk and closes with a hidden set back zipper. There is a very small bit of pilling here and there, but it is extremely minor. All of the concrete tiles appeared to be fully intact and present. The Couture tape is under the Chanel couture label. It is exceptional.

Sleeves: 8" and are 12" around
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 33" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4912

Reference Photos/Video: Fall 2014 Chanel Couture, Look 36. Model Charlotte Coquelin.

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.

This is a superb Christian Dior dress from the Marc Bohan years. It is a wonderful example of the work being done during this time period and shows how well the label could be when it delved into a more minimal cut combined with that full out glamour. The dress has classic feel of the best of Old Hollywood. Don't let the simplicity of the cut fool you. The closer you get to it the more you see the incredible and elaborate amount of detail that has been put into this fabric. This is a dream to wear and no matter how good you think it looks in these photos to see this one in person will make your jaw drop.

The dress is made from a black silk net that has an incredible lace floral pattern. The flowers in the pattern are edged in black silk cording that is worked throughout the lace. It is made from three layers. The top beaded layer, a black silk chiffon layer under that and then a nude silk chiffon inner layer that is itself backed in a black silk. Adding that nude layer gives the dress a bit of an illusion of wearing next to nothing underneath. The dress is suspended from two beaded straps that curve over each shoulder. The front neckline dips into a slight V and the back is a simple scoop. It is cut to skim over the body from bust to hips with no seaming to break the eye or the design created by the bead work. The shape of the dress is created by vertical seaming on the inner layers and then the top layer is shaped to follow. The skirt and widens out gradually as it nears the hem. The lace netting is covered with an elaborate design made of glossy black beads in various sized and black sequins. The design is heavier around the top the bodice, lightens in coverage as it goes over the hips and then becomes dense and heavy again at the hem. Glossy black sequins curve over the underlying floral pattern. The sequins are applied so that they are stacked and layered over each other to give a slight 3D feel. Small faceted beads follow other parts of the pattern and these are the same beads that are used to cover the straps. Tiny little seed beads are thrown into the mix and then there are square pailettes and oval faceted beads on a much larger scale to really create impact. The beads are all applied by hand and catch the light from every angle. It is an incredible thing to see and even better once on the body. The label on the dress is numbered and when you see that in a Dior Boutique label it most often meant that the piece was a special order or was a custom made order for a client in the atelier but fitted at the boutique store rather then in Paris. This is a dress that you just slip on and it is perfection. Excellent condition.

Fully lined as per the description above. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. Numbered tag. Perhaps the occasional bead missing but you would never tell because of the extent of the pattern. The slight bias cut will allow for a bit of movement in the measurements. The comfortable range is listed below

Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4909

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

When searching for the date of this dress, we found a runway piece from Fall 2003 that has very similar ribbon edged detailing through the skirt. A dress from the Haute Couture collection that season also had a bodice with a similar feel that this dress has. We have included both of those references for you here. I love that you can get an idea of how well it moves by the runway video and I think that this dress is even better than the one that walked the runway that season. It is truly a beautiful and extraordinary dress and a gorgeous example of the work the original Mr. Valentino was doing for his label.

This is one of the most beautiful Valentino dresses I have ever seen in all of my years of doing this. It is very light in weight and feels like a dream on the body. The dress is suspended from silk straps that have rows of tiny black seed beads covering them. More seed beads detail the upper and lower edges of the bodice. Between those are an extraordinarily beautiful floral pattern that combines a dense design of sequins and beads. These are set on a black net so all of the space is between the floral pattern has a slight transparency once it is on the body. The way that the beads and sequins have been applied give it a slight 3D feel that I love. The waist is detailed with a gathered panel of silk chiffon and he has added a little band of silk ribbon over that that ties in a sweet little knot at the front. The skirt falls from under the bottom of the band at the waist and it is a work of art. Six tiers of silk chiffon cascade down the skirt to the floor. Each tier gets wider as it near the bottom of the dress and each tier is finished with a black silk border that has been set along the edge of each ruffle. The way that the edging has been sewn onto the silk chiffon is what creates these beautiful little ruffles all the way around you. It is genius. The movement that this gives when the dress is on the body and you move is magical to see. It is just one of those dresses that when you see it, you know it is so very special. I can't rave about it enough. Excellent condition.

The bodice is lined in a black silk chiffon skirt has inner lining of black silk organza. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Hand finishes

Bust: 16-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from top of shoulders to top of the 5" band at the waist
Total length: 61" from top of shoulders to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4910

Reference Photos/Video: (1-2) Fall 2003 Valentino, Look 71.  /  (3) Fall 2003 Couture Valentino, Look 49.

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 searching for the date of this dress, we found a runway piece from Fall 2003 that has very similar bead work through the skirt and was shown with a different bodice at the front, but with the same crossed over strap open cut back. I love that you can get an idea of how well it moves by the runway video. It is truly a beautiful and extraordinary dress and a gorgeous example of the work the original Mr. Valentino was doing for his self named label.

I love the bareness at the top of the dress with its bare back and the front draping neckline. It is a dress that really comes alive once on the body. It is very light in weight despite its extensive bead work and sequins that cover the dress. It is all cut on the bias so once you slip it on it just skims over the body. The dress is made from a bias cut black silk chiffon combined with a silk netting. The netted portions are covered with thousands of tiny black sequins and beads in a variety of shapes. A little beaded strap curves up and over the shoulders to criss cross over your bare back. A panel of silk chiffon at the front creates a pretty drape. It skims over the waist and then curves over the hips. The skirt flows to the floor from there and widens out a bit as it nears the hem. It is cut a little longer at the back to give a slate sweeping feel behind you. Panels of silk chiffon run down the back for a little added detail. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Fully lined in a black silk chiffon and closes with a back hidden set zipper. Hand finishes. I see minor missing beads and wear to the back hem and there is a couple small areas where the netting has popped out of the seams a tiny bit. Please see the photos after the label shot. All minor. Tagged a vintage Valentino 6

Bust: no true side seams but will cover up to 16" flat across the front bodice
Waist: 12-12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 63" from top of shoulder to front hem, 68" to back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4632

Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Fall 2003 Valentino, Look 70.  /  (5-6) Rupi Kaur in this dress for the South Asian Excellence at the Oscars Event, 2024.

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 one that was produced for the shops and I absolutely love how easy it is to wear with the jersey that it is made out of. I love Clare Wright Keller's time as Creative Director for Givenchy. She designed many beautiful dresses during her time at the label and this is one of them. It is a show stopper. The fact that it is easy to wear while still being incredibly sexy is just bonus. 

The dress is made out of a thicker jersey that is cut on the bias and this lets it drape beautifully over you and be completely opaque. The plunge at the front gives it a very edgy and sexy feel while the jersey keeps it feeling comfortable to wear. The colour is a beautiful deep pink. The slightly thicker weight of the jersey it is made of helps to soften out any bumps underneath which makes it very flattering to wear. The dress is made to be one long tube with a seam at the waist on the front of the dress only. 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 sleeves are long and simple, and the shoulders are soft. The skirt flares out at it reaches the floor and it has a ton of movement when you move. It is spectacular. A high slit runs up the front so you get a flash of leg when you move and that also balances out the plunge above. The dress is in its original uncut supermodel length and still has its original hang tag and price of $2580USD attached. Excellent condition

Made from a single layer of unlined jersey with the ties extending out from the bottom of the plunging neckline. It closes with a back hidden set zipper. Original hang tag and price attached. Tagged a modern Givenchy 42. Slight grubbiness here and there along the hem. The fabric has some stretch and I have put the comfortable range of measurements laying flat. You could probably get a little more if needed

Sleeves: 26" and are 10-12.5" around the upper arms
Dropped shoulders: 17.5"
Bust: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Total length: 70" from neck to hem
Slit: 33"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4906

Reference Photos: (1) Melanie Hamrick at the American Ballet Theater Spring Gala, 2018.  /  (2) 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.

I am always thrilled to find a really great Emilio Pucci piece. The truly great ones are getting very hard to find and this one is exceptional. By the 1960s, the time period that this dress is from, Pucci was a world-wide phenomenon. Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and even Jackie Kennedy were huge fans. For all of the many attempts since to catapult the label back to the height of its glory, the days when Emilio himself oversaw the label and designed the prints will always be the most special to me. It is very rare to find documentation on these early pieces and to have that for this one makes it extra special.

This is one of the prettiest Pucci pieces I have ever had in the shop. It is a gorgeous combination of a pinks, ivory and soft pastels. These colors are combined in a beautiful curving and graphic design that sweeps over the entire jumpsuit. The cut is very flattering. The neckline curves in a slightly upward slope across the front and then the back curves down. There is a full inner bodice built into this one that is lightly boned and made out of a heavy almost grosgrain feeling fabric that sucks you in and holds the jumpsuit in place all around you. The waist is seamed and I have added a pretty pale, pastel dusty pink ribbon that will be sent with the jumpsuit. From there the pants flare out to the floor. Each leg opens up to have tremendous volume. They are fully through the upper leg and then the  lower leg is finished with the bottom ruffle that is over 5 feet around the hem. The movement and drama that this creates when it's on is absolutely wonderful. I cannot gush enough about how fantastic the legs are on this jumpsuit. As is typical in a Pucci piece, he has used bands of a different printed silk to define the neckline and bottom hem on each pant leg. On this one, the borders are pretty little stripes made up of the main colours in the print. That combined with the way that he has pleated them to give it a bit of a ruffle feel is the perfect finishing flourish on the jumpsuit.  It is very feminine but sexy at the same time. I absolutely love it. You will probably never see another one like this. It is exceptional. Excellent condition

Unlined through the body of the jumpsuit, and there is a built-in boned corset as described above through the bodice. It closes with two zippers, one that is on the inter corset and one that is on the exterior silk. An inner waist stay hooks to close.

Bust: 16-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 10" from top seam to waist + 2" for the top ruffle
Pants: 40" from the waist to the bottom of the ruffles at the ham, 42" to the back
Inseam: 28" and the gusset is 12.25" from back of waist to inner leg seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4907

Reference Photo: Emilio Pucci S/S 1969 "Capri", "Arcate" print. Photo Sandro Morriconi.

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 pair behind the La Mendola label met in Rome in 1960 and started their business making dresses and selling them one by one, piece by piece. In 1967 they opened a shop. They soon had a Hollywood following and mega stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth become regular clients who were buying and even wait-listing for pieces as they were produced. They made all of the pieces in their ateliers and designed their own prints. Clients would be sent swatches of the season's available prints and then they would place their orders. They were highly sought after by the jet set crowd. Their pieces travelled extremely well and the colours they used were beautiful. Their atelier closed in 1974.

In the past I had one of their dresses come into the shop and the original owner of that dress had kept the fabric swatch options for the 1972 season along with her correspondence with the atelier. They named all of their prints. I kept a digital copy of it so I know that this dress is a version of their Paridiso print. The fabric that they used for their pieces were very high end chiffons and jerseys and this dress is made from one of those silk jerseys. It is beautifully light in weight. This fabric was prized for its ability to take colour and print. The dress is as bright and vibrant as when it was first made. The pinks used in the print are gorgeous and it is even better in person then how it photoed. The dress has a high neck that extends out from the dress without any seam. I love this small detail because it shows the attention to detail this takes and the masterful cutting the dress has to achieve this without seam work. The sleeves are long and easy. The cut through the bodice is simple and it skims over you, past the waist and over the hips. The skirt widens out just a touch as it nears the hem but still keeps that long column feel it has. At the back it closes with a row of tightly spaced silk jersey covered buttons, a finish that was a signature of the house. The jersey has some stretch and is very light in weight so wearing this is a dream. It is stunning. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes at the back with that row of tightly spaced silk jersey covered buttons. The fabric the dress has stretch and this combined with the easy design of the dress should allow it to work on a variety of sizes. Hand finished throughout. The measurements given are the comfortable stretch when laid out flat. The photo of the swatches is from that previous dress. The actual swatch card is not included. 

Sleeves: 23.5"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 16.5"
Bust: 18-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16.5-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 59" from neck to hem with 2.5" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4908

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 a great Vivienne Westwood faux leopard coat from her Anglomania line from the late 1990s to 2000s time period. She made some of the best faux fur pieces and I am always on the look out to snag one. They were loved and worn so to find one in such great condition as this one is a treat. It is very well made and the faux fur is of very good quality. The leopard print has a fabulous sense of depth and texture and I love that the colours  on this one are a real tawny soft blend rather then the stronger, more orange toned pieces you often see. The fabric gives the coat just enough weight so that the lines are held perfectly when it is on but doesn't make it feel too heavy or unwieldy. The leopard print acts like a neutral in that you can pair it with pretty much anything and any colour. It closes with an offset row of buttons down the front and then there are two buttons placed high on the other side for contrast. The sleeves are long and the cut through the body has a bit of a pea coat feel to it with the waist area brought in a touch. The collar is notched and there are pockets at the side to slip your hands into. It flares out as it reaches the hem and at the back there is a distinctive flaring swag of fabric that is quite fabulous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in an embossed brown and gold. It closes with buttons at the front. Tagged a vintage Westwood 44

Sleeves: 25" and is 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 27" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 34" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4903

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 YSL coat is from the 1970s and it is a great example of the easy kind of work that he was doing in suede for this time period. It is a soft brown and the suede is soft. The collar and cuffs are a coyote and if wearing fur bothers you, you could remove them and wear it without, or replace it with a faux and just keep the original for historical purposes. The shoulders are soft and the sleeves long and easy with the fur cuff adding detail at each end. The collar is wide to make a fabulous statement. It comes in slightly at the waist and then flares out at the bottom. There are five braided suede straps that cross over the opening at the front and loop into place with horn feeling toggle buttons at each end. Pockets at each hip to slip your hands into. It is a coat that was worn and loved which has given it a fabulous vintage patina. Great condition with a note below. 

Fully lined in a brown silky rayon and closes with the toggles at the front. Slight stiffening to the suede through the body and slight wear to the edges of the cuffs. Small marks and scuffs in the suede here and there. 

Sleeves: 23" and are 15" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 41" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4904

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 small collection of historically important, key designer labelled vintage furs and fur trimmed pieces stored away in my archives that I will be slowly posting on the site over the next couple of years until I have none left. I will no longer be buying furs for the shop moving forward and have not purchased anything for several years now. I feel like times have changed and while there still is a place for vintage furs for some, including collectors and historians, many modern girls are choosing other options. Many of the pieces in my collection are representative of the designer during a set time period in history that was different then our modern outlook. I have decided that the best course to handle this controversial issue is to let the pieces I have go rather then sit in a cold storage unit. Fur coats are final sale.

This is what I believe is a later re-issue version of Westwood's famous 1991 leopard jacket. The original was longer and a slightly lighter colour and this one is a more car length / pea coat feel. I think that this might be the more wearable option overall and it is an easy way to get that look without the many thousands of dollar price tag that the original has now. The one I have today was well loved and worn and this has given it a great vintage patina. The collar is notched and rounded to frame the neck. It closes down the front with a series of orb embossed buttons. Flap pocket sit on each hip and the sleeves are long. It comes in at the waist and then flares out around the hips. Extra fabric is built in at the back so you get a bit of extra flare there. It is a classic Westwood piece. Great overall condition with notes below. 

Fully lined in an orb embossed fabric and closes down the front with three buttons. Some of the faux fur has matted and shows wear near the edges here and there. We shot some areas to see. The worst is under the pockets flaps which you of course do not see when it is on. It presents great. Tagged a vintage Westwood 1. 

Sleeves: 23" and are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 17"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 37" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4905

Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 1991 Vivienne Westwood.  /  (3-4) Vivienne Westwood at Heathrow Airport, October 1991.  /  (5-6) Vivienne Westwood with Yves Saint Laurent, 1992.

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 one of Ossie's most recognizable designs and this is a version that was done in collaboration with Radley. It is a jersey version of his famous Moss Crepe dress and we have seen it done in this fabric in a green, red and black. We have added an editorial photo of a dress with the same sleeves and I have photo of myself in my own similar dress just to give you a bit of an idea of how this would look like on. It is a great classic Ossie that you will wear over and over.

The design of this dress has all of the flow and drape that he was known for combined with the ease of wearing a jersey. The front is plunged to the top of the empire set waist band. Panels of jersey angle down from the shoulder and are set into a horizontal panel of gathered jersey at the front for a little extra detail. Attached ties wrap around to the back and tie to give some the shape. This also keeps the plunge from moving too much at the front. The skirt flows to the floor from there and is very wide by the time it reaches its hem. The expanse of the skirt is balanced by huge sleeves that puff up above each cinched elastic wrist. The sleeves come directly out of the waistline, which gives them their immense volume. This dress is made out of a light synthetic jersey. This makes it very easy to wear and travel with. It is a very flattering shape and I own a version of this one myself so I can tell you from personal experience that it is a dress that you will wear over and over. I also love how easily it can go from day to night. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a zipper at the back. Each cuff has elastic at the wrist. The easy cut and ability to tie or leave the waist looser should allow it to fit a range of sizes. Tagged a vintage Ossie Clark 12 UK. 

Sleeves: approx 25" with full and open upper arms
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: no true side seams
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam and can be cinched in with the attached ties
Hips: to 26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 59" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD4900

Reference Photos: (1) Ann Schaufuss in Ossie Clark, photo by Clive Arrowsmith, Vogue UK January 1971.  /  (3) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon

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 beading technique used on this dress is distinctive and it led us to finding that he did in entire series of dresses in several variations for the Spring 1993 collection. The twin of this dress was a part of the runway show and we have included it here. We  also added some other shots from the collection for you to see since these dresses were an integral part of the collection that year. Examples of Karl's work during this time period are held in museums around the world and are rare finds. This is an important piece of his fashion history. 

The cut of the dress is simple but it is very sexy with its long silhouette and see through lower skirts. The dress is made out of a black crepe that has a slight bias cut to it that allows it to drape well over the body once on. The strap detailing that crisscrosses over the body, edges the bust area, and is used for the straps that go up and around the neck, are all made from a wide cotton weave looking ribbon that is applied directly onto the dress. Black seed beads were applied onto that ribbon and they catch the light beautifully when you move. The bodice is extensively beaded, sequinned and embroidered. The colours there are bright and brilliant and I love how they give the dress a fantastic pop of colour. The work completely covers each triangle of the front bust and then wraps all the way around the back. The straps are intricate and hook behind the neck and become a design detail in themselves. I love the wrapped illusion created by the way the beading is applied over the dress and how the straps of the neckline continue that feel. The dress skims over the body, following your curves, and then flares out with that inset of silk chiffon for the very lower part of the skirt. It is magic once on an actual body. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk. The lower chiffon part of the skirt is unlined. It closes with a hidden set back zipper and hooks to close at the back of the neck. Hand finishes and beautifully constructed.

Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4901

Reference Photos/Video: (1-5) Spring 1993 Karl Lagerfeld Runway.  /  (6-7) Kristen McMenamy for Spring 1993 Karl Lagerfeld Ready to Wear Advance.  /  (8) Helena Christensen for Spring 1993 Karl Lagerfeld Ad Campaign.

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.

Loris Azzaro launched his label in 1967 and quickly defined his trademark looks by his avant garde way of defining the body. His work was shockingly sexy for the times. Some of the most beautiful women in the world wore his clothing including Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, Jane Birkin, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot and Tina Turner. The label had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. By the seventies and eighties he was experimenting with volume and proportions and new fabrics that at the time were all cutting edge. This is a stunning example of his work during the mid-seventies. I love this one. 

This is a gorgeous dress and it is a dress that will really come to life once on an actual body. The body of the dress mixes a black jersey with a black sequin fabric that has densely applied sequins covering its surface. These make the dress shimmer beautifully as they catch the light. On one side the sequins start at the shoulder and run down the sleeve on that side. They continue in a jagged pattern down the front and all the way around the back. The entire lower skirt is also made from the sequins and I love this because when you walk, they catch the light fantastically. On the other side the front panel is a black jersey that is gathered and is set in the opposite points to intercept with the sequin side. The sleeve on that side is the same gathered jersey. When the dress is off the body, that sleeve is cut longer than the sequin sleeve and that is because once it is on, you are meant to push it up so you get even more gathers all the way down your arm. The front neck line is a wide set scoop across the front and then the back plunges into a deep V to leave a bare expanse of skin showing. It is incredibly sexy. This is an amazing example of his work and it is fantastic once on. Excellent condition

Fully lined through the body in a black silky rayon. It closes with a zipper down the back and each sleeve has a zipper at the wrist. Hand finishes. 

Sequin sleeve: approx 24" and are 15" around the upper arm
Shoulders: approx 15.5"
Bust: 17-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 61" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4902

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 I have had a version of this dress in the shop and I love it even more this time around in this deep brown colour. This version of the Thea Porter label was only produced between October 1971-March 1972. Laura McLaws Helms, the author of the book "Thea Porter, Bohemian Chic" verified that it was from the Fall 1971 collection. Some of her pieces are so difficult to date and I love having the date on this wonderful dress. 

This is a beautiful example of Thea's work with a brown cotton gauze base that has pink and ivory diamond medallions scattered over its surface. The fabric has a touch of sheerness to it and it is unlined through those incredible sleeves to take full advantage of that. The front dips down in a V and the bodice is fitted over the bust. The waistline sits a touch high for a slight empire waist feel. The skirt flows down and out from there and I love the wide set flat pleats that give it fullness when you move. Each sleeve is cut with a wonderful fullness that widens to a puffed balloon shape over its elastic cuffs. The sleeves really add a sense of drama to the dress. Running horizontally over both the sleeves and the skirt are wide cut lace panels. These are set to circle around each sleeve and just above the bottom hem of the skirt. I love the pretty touch this adds. I personally own the twin of this dress and it is a favourite. Excellent condition

The top is fully lined in a brown silky rayon and the skirt is unlined. It closes with a back painted metal zipper. Each sleeve has elastic in the cuff. Tagged UK vintage 16 but it cut small. Please refer to the measurements below.

Sleeves: approx 25"
Inset shoulders: 12.5" with the natural shoulder falling under the fabric of the top of the sleeve
Bust: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 13.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 55" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4897

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

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

I have had this tucked away in my archives for quite some time and it is spectacular. This is a gorgeous little skirt and halter top set that is a fabulous example of how unique her work could be. Of all of Thea's pieces are so special. Many were one-offs or were made in very limited quantities. She often thrifted and sourced odd bits of fabric and seemed to design with things that caught her fancy rather than have a solid theme season to season. Everyone who was anyone wore her work back in the day, including Elizabeth Taylor who was a huge fan and collector. This set is just spectacular and it is a very special piece.

These skirt and cropped top sets really showcase what the seventies flower power / hippie movement was all about. This set is especially fascinating with its screened wildlife covering both pieces and then the corresponding text that feels like it is from an encyclopedia explaining the different animals shown. The top is a simple halter type top that hooks into place behind the neck and then the bottom wraps and ties around you. When off the body you see that it is one elongated triangle with a strap that goes around the neck and then on each side the fabric extends out into long ties. I shot it with the ties at the back so you could get the full impact of the print on both pieces but you could also choose to wrap the ties to the front. The ties also lets you control how short or long it sits on the torso. You can wrap and roll the fabric so it sits higher or you can leave it where you see it in these photos. The skirt is equally as easy to wear. It has no band at the waist so that the text and photos printed on it are not broken up in anyway. It widens out dramatically to the hem from there. I took a photo of it laying out flat so you can see how wide the bottom hem ends up being. The fabric is a cotton that is a decent weight so that the shape is held. The combination of text and what looks like hand painted animals, but are actually screened into the fabric, is fantastic. It is gorgeous and I love that because it is two pieces you can mix and match it with other things in your existing wardrobe. This was almost certainly a one off and very rare. Excellent condition

Both the top and skirt are unlined. The top is as described above. The skirt zips to close. Both pieces appear to have been worn very little if at all.

Top
It is flexible in size since it wraps and ties and has coverage across the front. The front halter is 17" from side to side with no true side seams and is 13.25" long from neck to bottom.
Neck: 14" from end to end

Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 41.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4898

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 appears in the book on Thea Porter's work that accompanied the exhibit on her work. The photo appears on page 73. The caption in the book notes that "Claudia Bruce wearing a peasant style dress in a Persian paisley print combined with Damascus fabric and a leather and feather headdress. Greeks Street, London, 1969.". It is so rare to find runway photos of her shows and to have all this extra information is fantastic. 1969 is also an interesting year to note because it is the year that she started to sell her designs at Giorgio Beverly Hills. It was said that when word got out that Thea had new things in the Girorgio boutique, women ran to be able to get a piece for themselves, they sold out that fast. This is the only one I have ever seen like this outside of that book photo. Given her extremely limited run on certain pieces it may in fact be the only other one that was made and exists. It is truly a very special piece.

The dress is a fantastic combination of fabrics and this was something that Thea excelled at. She had the ability to source these fantastic antique fabrics and then mix and match them to put them together in a way that you had never seen done before. The front panel combines a floral and paisley print with beautiful detailing between. It runs down the front in a long rectangle shape and then she curved it over the shoulders and ran another panel of it down the back. The rest of the dress is made out of a clay coloured silk organza that has a beautiful pattern hand embroidered over its surface. A little chain of white embroidery runs through that pattern for a little bit of a pop. At the end of each sleeve there is an insert of the cotton fabric. This is set in a wide band all around the cuffs with these little points running up into the sleeve. The shape of the dress is easy and comfortable to wear. It skims over the body and flares out slightly as it reaches the hem. Slits run up each side so you get a flash of leg when you walk. Each sleeve is fantastic. Each is a full and voluminous balloon type sleeve that puffs up extravagantly around each wrist. The collar on the dress is perhaps the best part. A tie loops through the front part only and for most of the shots I have tied it enough so that it scoops like it does in the runway shot. However, you can loosen the front up and that allows you to push the dress down the shoulders to expose a full expanse of bare skin across the top of the shoulders. It is phenomenal. This is a very rare example of her work and most likely you will never see one again. Excellent condition.

Unlined and slips over the head to wear. The front collar can be adjusted with the tie as described above. Each cuff has a snap to close. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. There are little bits of blue dye on the front and back panel that looks like it has run a touch but I believe this is inherent to this fabric and this may have been like that since the day it was made. I do not think it is a flaw, but rather a result of the fact that the fabric was hand screened. Tagged a vintage Thea Porter UK 10. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes.

Sleeves: approx 15" and will come up a touch when the cuff is closed. Each upper arm is 13.75" around
Shoulders: no true defined scene
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 54.5" from top of shoulder to hem with 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4899

Reference Photos: Claudia Bruce for Thea Porter. Greek Street, London, 1969. (2) From the book Thea Porter: Bohemian Chic.

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 amazing little jumpsuit 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. I think that this was his way to play homage to the Lanvin Parfums ads from the mid 1950s. I have included some of those just for your reference to enjoy.

I have seen some vintage Lanvin dresses in the past that have a small bit of the clown print incorporated into them but this is the only piece I have ever seen that has the print completely covering it head to toe. This is the kind of piece that you were only ever going to find in vintage and it is so special. It is made out of a knit jersey that is printed with that fantastic clown and circus print on every inch of it surface. The fabric choice makes it extremely comfortable to wear and it drapes and falls incredibly on the body. It is all one easy piece and you just slip it on to wear. The neck line is scooped and the sleeves are long and simple. There are darts to shape it a bit around the bust and then the waist is seamed and cut a little more on the generous side. The jumpsuit comes with its matching tie belt in the same fabric which lets you cinch it in as much as you like. From there it skims over the hips to long pant legs that are cut wide and extraordinarily full. As they reach the bottom hem they are a full 55" all the way around. When you are standing still this gives the appearance that you are wearing a dress but you still have the ease and comfort of a jumpsuit. I took a photo of it laying out so you can see how spectacular the lines of this are. It is a fantastic little piece of fashion history and yet still so easy and comfortable to wear. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Unline and closes at the back with a zipper. A matching sash ties around the waist. I see a couple of little marks, tiny minor fading and one little nick out of the fabric on one leg. Because of the extensive print you would never see any of it until you laid it out and look carefully. Please see the photos after the label shot.

Sleeve: 23"
Shoulder: 15"
Bust: 17-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20-24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 59" from top of shoulder to hem with about 1.25" turned under the hem
Inseam: 30"
Torso: 31" from back of neck to inner seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4896

Reference Photos: Lanvin Perfumes Ads, 1956-59.

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 set is from Spring 2002 and it is fabulous. On the runway this print was shown throughout the first part of the show and the jacket and pant that make up the set were shown separately. I love that this gives you some styling ideas when you don't want to wear them together as the full set. The book Versace:Catwalk noted that Donatella's "graphic floral prints echoed Andy Warhol's multi huge floral paintings as did the backdrop". I love that.

This two piece set combines a beautifully cut jacket with pants that are beaded from the knee down. I always love a suit because of the ability this gives you to mix and match the pieces with things you already own. The incredible floral print give the suit this incredible rock 'n' roll feel. The jacket is tailored with a sleek cut that follows the curves of the body. It has no collar and the sleeves are long with a notch opening up each wrist. A series of tightly spaced, hidden set, hook and eye close the jacket at the front. It comes in at the waist a touch for shape and is meant to follow the curves of the body, but without being too tight. The floral print that covers the jacket is spectacular to see. The fabric of the jacket is an almost canvas feeling cotton mix with a slight texture that gives the perfect backdrop to the print. The pants are made of a super light in weight stretch fabric that lets the pants hug the body like a second skin. There is a small band at the waist that is meant to flip inwards and then nothing else to break the eye as they fall in a fairly straight boot cut to the floor. From about the knee down the floral print is covered in matching coloured beads and sequins. These catch the light terrifically as you move. It is fabulous and a great little piece of fashion history. Excellent condition

The jacket is lined in an ivory Versace logo embossed fabric and hooks to close at the front. The pants are unlined and close with a back zipper. Padding in each shoulder of the jacket. Both pieces appear to have been worn very little if at all. The pants are tagged a 42 and the jacket has no size tag present. The hips of the pants have some stretch and the comfortable range is given in the measurements below.

Jacket
Sleeves: 24" and each arm is 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom seam: 17.5 flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from neck to hem

Pants
Waist: to 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from waist to hem with 2" turned under the hem
Inseam: 31.25" and the gusset is 14" from back of waist to inner leg seam

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4895

Reference Photos/Video: (1-9) Spring 2002 Versace (Look 9 (jacket) & Look 51 (pants)).  /  (10) From the book "Versace: Catwalk".  /  (11) Spring 2002 Versace Ad Campaign by Steven Meisel.

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 piece that would have been made in limited quantities for the shops and it is spectacular. It also has the significance of being from the final few years that Mr. Valentino was still designing before he retired. It is incredibly beautiful and it might even make an amazing wedding dress for the bride looking for a non-traditional choice or as an alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration. And of course it could also be worn to any event.

This soft romantic pink silk chiffon dress is stunning on the body. The layers of chiffon float over each other to allow it to drape beautifully over the body and highlight your curves. The bodice is finished with tiny and precise pleats. A panel wraps around the top of the bodice to tie at the back. Two more panels of silk are set below that on angles that cross over each other. At the side all three panels extends into long ties that you wrap and tie across your back. It ties behind the neck and then there is a final little tie at the small of your back. I love the bareness this leaves on your back. It is romantic from the front and sexy from the back. A little panel of chiffon floats around the hips and then the skirt falls to the floor. A slit runs up the front of the skirt for a flash of leg as you walk. The skirt is made of three layers of silk chiffon stacked over each other and this lets the skirt float around you as you move. It is cut slightly longer at the back so that you get a pretty sweeping feel behind you. The fabric is feather light. It is in its original uncut length. It is incredible and I love it. Excellent condition.

Fully lined with pink silk chiffon and closes with a hidden set zipper at the low back waist and ties in place above that. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Tagged a vintage Valentino 8. The ties make it adjustable, so this should fit a range of sizes

Bust: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam and adjustable an inch or two from there with the back ties
Waist: adjustable with tie 
Seam at the top of the hip/ low waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam 
Hips: to 19 flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 62" from neck to front hem, 75" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4602

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 the dress was Look 34 in the Resort 2016 lineup. The show was designed by Peter Copping and if you count the bridal collection that he did for the label, this was his third show since being appointed Creative Director at that time. In the Vogue review they noted that Copping stated: "I wanted to embrace color, pattern, and the house's general joie de vivre." And as promised, the clothes were bright, generous with embroideries, and blooming with flowers and ruffles.' They went on to rave about the evening pieces saying that "they captured De la Renta's flair for drama but retained a youthful, playful spirit." This was the second last look of the show and for me, it was one of the strongest. It is an incredibly beautiful dress and a highlight from Copping's time at the label.

This is a dress that instantly captures your attention and I feel like the colours in person are far more striking than how they photoed. There is a richness and depth to them that wasn't quite captured on the camera. The top is strapless and made out of a deep pink silk. It is caught to hug the body and has one of his signature built-in boned and wire cupped corsets inside. I love how the cups at the front have an extra panel of the pink silk set over them. This gives the illusion of a slightly larger bust and also adds a bit of an old Hollywood feel to the top of the dress. At the back it curves beautifully around you. The waist is cinched for shape. On the runway, they showed it with a belt and as far as I am aware that was sold separately. I think the dress works perfectly well on its own without one, but it would be very easy to add a belt if you wanted more shape. The skirt skims over the hips below that and then falls to the floor in a fairly straight column of a spectacular emerald coloured silk. Running down the front on each side is a trailing floral and vine pattern. The vines are made from a thick raffia cord in a deep blue that has been embroidered onto the silk. The flowers are elaborately done and made from deep blue sequins and beads in various shapes and sizes. They are set so that they set up and off of the skirt for the gorgeous 3D effect. There is a high slit that runs up the back of the skirt to allow you to walk comfortably and show a flash of leg. The dress has its original hang tag in place, in its original uncut length and was never worn. It is phenomenal. Excellent condition.

The dress is lined through the bodice in a matching pink silk and has a built-in corset that is boned and cupped. The skirt is lined in a matching green silk. It closes with a hidden set zipper at the back and the inner corset closes with its own zipper.  An inner waist stay hooks to close. Ribbon edge finished inner hem. Tagged a modern ODLR 8.

Bust: 16.5-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 56.5" from top of bodice to hem with just over 1.5" turned under the hem
Back slit: 26" from the hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4894

Reference Photo: Resort 2016 Oscar de la Renta, Look 34.

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During John Galliano's years from 1996-2011 at the house of Christian Dior he arguably produced some of the most amazing bias cut and chiffon dresses in the house's history. His work often has a feeling of the decadence and abandonment of the twenties and thirties with their beautiful cuts. This is an amazing example of his work from the Cruise 2010 collection and it is gorgeous. "For Resort, Galliano had a series of softly draping floor-length evening dresses." said Vogue's review and that "Galliano's light touch...made the retro shapes look modern". A near twin of the dress in beige was a part of the presentation and then this is a dress was made for the shops in this stunning colour. It is so classically Galliano for Dior in its shape and cut. It is a real beauty.

The dress is made out of the prettiest pink silk chiffon that has a touch of texture running through it. It is all cut on the bias which is one of his key signatures. The bodice is beautifully cut. Twisted silk chiffon straps made of the same fabric curve up and over each shoulder and then they extend into the panels that go over the front. They crossover each other and this gives the dress that fabulous plunge. It drapes over the bodice and comes in at the waist. From there the dress drapes the the floor widening out as it nears the hem. At around the knee there are these long, triangular shaped panels sewn into the lower skirts. This is what gives it that the volume that you see. The seaming is a nod to the work you see from the twenties and thirties. The panels help to hold that pretty volume through the lower skirt and the lightness and incredible amount of fabric through the skirt gives you so much movement when you walk or move. It is stunning. A signature row of tightly spaced silk covered buttons run up one side for the perfect finish. The dress is even better in person and on the body as the static photos cannot fully convey how the dress moves once on the body. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a matching silk and closes at the side with a hidden set zipper with a series of silk covered buttons over it. There is an extra 5 inches of the straps inside the back so you can adjust them to the perfect fit if needed. Tagged a vintage Dior F38, GB10, IT42, US6

Bust: 15-17" flat across with no true side seams
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 8" from shoulder to seam under the bust
Total length: 62" from top of the shoulder to the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4627

Reference Photos: 2010 Cruise Christian Dior Collection.

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This gorgeous and easy-to-wear Roberto Cavalli dress is from the Resort 2017 collection under the creative direction of Peter Dundas. “She’s a rock goddess and a summer traveler" said Dundas.... and in the Vogue review they said that "The goddess in question is not just a mood board picture; in the Dundas-sphere, she’s part of an impossibly glamorous posse of globe-trotting #CavalliCats—women like Beyoncé, who is a fan, who revel in the “souvenir” vibe of the lineup." The series of more caftan-like dresses like this one were mentioned specifically saying "Come November, when these clothes ship, they may fight over his Thea Porter–inspired long chiffon dresses printed with traditional Mexican floral and shamanistic motifs." This is the kind of dress that you slip on when you want to make a statement but be completely at ease while doing so.

The dress has a bit of a bohemian vibe to it and that combined with the feather light cotton netting make it a heavenly piece. It is really a dress that needs a body in it to fully come to life and be worn properly. You can see that in the runway presentation shot. The netting is covered in a pretty floral print that covers the entire dress. The fabric has a touch of transparency to it and I love how light in weight it is. This lets it float beautifully over the body. The neckline is ruffled and edged in a black lace. A long cord loops through the neckline so that you can adjust how open it is at the front. Each end of the cord is finished with a little tassel. The front ties top a low-cut keyhole that goes to the elastic that sits just under the bust. The top is cut loose and full. Each sleeve is also very full and billows out above an elastic cuff. The skirt falls to the floor and widens out as it nears the hem. It is made out of two tiers of the printed netting and this adds incredible movement when you move. It is so well made that I think you could choose to turn it around and have the keyhole at the back if you wished. The sheer lightness of it is amazing and makes it very easy and comfortable to wear. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition.

The outer dress is unlined and slips over the head to wear. It comes with a small half slip made of a black silk chiffon that slips over the head to wear. The waist and cuffs have elastic and the neckline ties to close. Tagged a modern Cavalli 38. The outer dress can accommodate range sizes so you could always change what you wear underneath.

Dress
Sleeves: approx 28" and are 17" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true defined seams
Bust: approx to 18" flat across from side to side with no true side seams
Elastic waist: 13-26" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 11" from neck to high set waist
Total length: " from waist to hem

Inner slip
Bust: to 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 33" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4891

Reference Photo: Resort 2017 Roberto Cavalli, Look 23.

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 piece done and shown for the special party and fashion show done in 2012 to celebrate Alber’s 10th anniversary with the company that year. Its twin in red was worn on several red carpets and I love that this lets you see just how spectacular it is on the body. 

The dress is gorgeous and I love the shot of the soft taupe colour against that deep charcoal black. The dress is made from a fine silk shantung and this fabric choice holds the structure and shape of the dress beautifully. The bodice is strapless and cut to hug the body to the waist. The top of the bodice is detailed with a panel of silk in that pale taupe and this folds around the top neck line on a slight angle to one side. Inside, there is a full built in hidden corset that is boned and shaped. The fabric is gathered into the waist so that it cinches in and then the skirt falls from there to the floor. On one side of the skirt there are extra silk panels that have been gathered up to one side to create that elaborate trained feel that you see. It is pleated into the side and then expands outward from there. A high slit is hidden under the panels so you get a flash of leg when you move. The entire skirt, including that outer extra panel, is all backed in a pale taupe silk organza so that when you move you get a flash of colour that ties into the colour at the top of the neck line. The added panelling gives the dress such an interesting shape as it falls around you. For me it is a nod to those grand gowns of the 50s where you saw these side sweeping skirts quite a bit. It is tremendously beautiful and has this wonderful sense of grace and elegance. It still has its original hang tag attached. Excellent condition

The dress is lined in a pale taupe silk organza. The top has a boned inner hidden corset to help hold the dress in place and shape you. The inner corset has its own zipper to close and an inner waist stay hooks to close. A second zipper closes at the side under the pleating of the side panel. It appears to be unworn and the original hang tag is attached. Tagged a modern 36

Bust: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist stay: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 11.5" from top of bodice to waist
Total length: 55" from top of bodice to front hem, 57" to the longest point of the side panel
Slit: 27" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4892

Reference Photos: (1-2) Natalie Portman in Lanvin at the Golden Globes, 2012.  /  (3) Doutzen Kroes in Lanvin at the Tiffany Blue Book Ball, April 2013.  /  (4) Katherine Jenkins Performs At Selfridges, July 2012.

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.

In 1952, Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris and quickly rose to fame as one of the grand couturiers. 16 years later for the 1968-69 season, he added a ready-to-wear line of clothing and accessories called 'Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique'. The line was initially sold in the United States exclusively through Bergdorf Goodman stores and was eventually available at other retailers as well. The line was high end and extremely well made. He launched this line to expand his customer base and it made to appeal specifically to his non-couture clients. This label continued until 1992. This dress has the Givenchy Boutique label without the Nouvelle added and as far as I am aware this label was usually reserved for special orders that were made in the atelier and then shipped to the client without any Paris fittings. All the ones that I have ever seen are machine stitch for the main long seams and then hand finished throughout otherwise. This dress is made exactly like that and it could not be more gorgeous.

This is the kind of dress that makes my heart flutter when I see. I love this particular silhouette from this time period and this one is a beauty. The dress is made out of a beautiful silk brocade that has pink and copper flowers woven throughout the fabric. The pink and slightly coral parts of the flowers are done in a more matte thread and then the copper and gold parts are done with a metallic thread. As a result the flowers almost seem to glow off of the silk. It is an incredible vintage fabric. The top of the dress is equally as stunning. It has a low squared off neckline at the front that is made from a black velvet. It curves up and over your shoulders and has the same squared off opening at the back. At the front it dips slightly at the centre and placed exactly in the middle of that dip is a large black bow of the same velvet that has stiffened netting inside to help hold its shape. The sleeves are gorgeous. Each shoulder is shaped into a high cap. To help support the bit of a rise above the shoulder there is a stiffen thicker grosgrain ribbon that is pleated and stitched into place along the edge of the inner shoulder to add support. The sleeves are cut so that they curve over your arm and narrow down slightly to a zippered wrist. The top is meant to be more fitted and create a more empire feel. The dress is shaped through the waist area with vertical darts to bring the fabric in and create the curve that you see. The skirt falls to the floor from there. It flares out quite dramatically by the time it reaches the hem and I love how the width of the lower skirt perfectly balances the shape through the upper bodice. It is spectacular and the cut and design are phenomenal. This is classic Givenchy for this time period. Excellent condition

The dress is backed in the same velvet where it goes over your shoulders and then the bodice and rest of the dress are lined in a black silk chiffon. It closes with a back zipper and there is a zipper at the end of each cuff. Hand finishes throughout and very well made. 

Sleeves: 24" and are 16" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true defined seam
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 12" from top of shoulder to where the velvet ends under the bust
Total length: 57.5" from top of shoulder to front hem, 59" to the back hem with 2" turned under

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4893

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 sexy Azzadine Alaia dress that we think dates to around 2013 when he did that fantastic red dress for Rihanna. It has the same kind of light in weight liquid knit and the play on transparency that her dress had. It is an incredibly beautiful and sexy dress.

The dress is made from one of his signature feather light knits that seem like magic. It is a deep black in colour and the knit has a touch of transparency to it. The bodice has a second inner layer of the knit at the front but even with that you still get a bit of transparency. Each side of the front bodice of the dress falls from the shoulder and is gathered into the waist for a very Grecian feel. It plunges into a low V and an inner piece is scooped to follow that same shape. The sides plunge almost to the waist and then at the back there is a panel that extends out and hooks into place for a low scoop behind the neck. This leaves a large curving open expanse of skin all the way to the waist. It is incredibly sexy. The waist is banded with a horizontally set knit band that has elastic inside so it is very comfortable and easy to fit and wear. The skirt is gathered into that band and it is very full beneath. There are yards and yards of knit in the skirt but when you are standing still it all falls into a column because of how light the knit is. It is only when you move that you realize how many yards of fabric are in the skirt. You get the most fantastic movement as you walk. The dress is in its original uncut length and it appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

The front bodice has a second panel behind it and the rest of the dress is unlined. It closes with a hidden set zipper from the waist down and hooks to close at the back. Elastic through the waist.

Bust: each side of the halter covers up to 10" flat across from side to side with no true side seams
Elastic waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approx 15.5" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 69.5" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4887

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.