• c. 1972 Pierre Cardin based on the front circle design
  
• Under the creative direction of Pierre Cardin
• Soft shoulders and long, simple sleeves
• The body of the dress is cut loose and easy to skim over you and flares out at the hem
• Made out of a fine black wool with a pale taupe inset at the front
• The long circular design at the front is a Cardin signature
• Six pairs of glossy black buttons run down the front for detail
• Fully lined in a black silk and closes with a hidden set back zipper
• Excellent overall condition with a couple tiny nicks in the fabric here and there

Sleeves: 23.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 39" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5021

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 using ornate beading, sequins, daring cut-outs and avant garde ways of defining the body. 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. It was a label that defined sexiness and had a certain French flare that women world-wide loved. This is a stunning example of his work during the early seventies. We have had several examples of dresses from in and around 1973 that combined the same jagged 'flame' cuts with sequins. I have included some of those for you to see here. 

This is an amazing Azzaro. The skirt is made out of a black silk jersey that is cut on the bias and and falls to the floor. It widens out a touch as it near the hem. Topping this is the most amazing bodice. It is made from curving panels of sequins and the panels have been stitched and overlapped to create the shape that you see. When you realize that this all had to be pieced together in an exact way to create this, it seems that much more amazing. Panels covered in gold sequins extend up to wrap around the back of the neck. Those are covered by two panels of black sequins  at the front and then there is another black sequin panel on each side. The panels are stitched together to the waist so that they are one solid piece forming the bodice but where they hit the waist seam they fall freely beside each other. This is what gives the suggestion of the 'flame' feel. They extend past the waist seam by between eight and 9 inches adding some movement. The back scoops down so your entire upper back is left bare and exposed. Lots of hand finishes inside. It is a fantastic example of his work. Excellent condition. 

Fully lined in black silky rayon through the bodice and a second layer of jersey through the skirt. A slit up one side. Closes with a back zipper and hooks behind the neck. Hand finishes throughout. 

Bust: each side of the bust covers 7" flat across from side to side
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Total length: approx 60" from neck to hem
Slit: 17" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5014

Reference Photos: Reference Photos: (1-2) Marisa Berenson in a Loris Azzaro. October 1973. Photo: Michael Holtz.   /   (3) The cover of the book "Azzaro" for Assouline - Marisa Berenson and Loris Azzaro photographed in 1973, for issue 604 of L'Officiel de la Couture et de la Mode de Paris, by Roland Bianchini.  /  (4) Image from the book "Azzaro: Fifty Sparkling Years"  /  (5) Magazine spread featuring a model in Azzaro, 1973. / (6) Spring 1973 Loris Azzaro Couture.

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

The twin of this dress walked the runway for Fall 1975. Chloe was headed by Karl Lagerfeld at this time making it a historically important piece of fashion history. The evening pieces in this collection were a hit with the press. The Los Angeles Times even said they were "collectors items". On the runway, the dress was worn with a thin gold belt that matches the gold colour on the inside of the back floating panels. I love that this shows you that you can wear it either way and it looks equally fantastic.

The dress is made from a light scarf weight black silk and the back panels are made of the same and then those are completely lined in a darker gold metallic silk lame. The neckline is piped with the same silk and the fabric is gathered softly into it. The neckline is cut slightly wide across and then the dress falls from there to skim over the bust, waist and hips to the floor. It gradually widens out to be quite wide by the hem.  The back dips into a low V above hidden set snaps to close it. I love how this gives you a glimpse of bare skin behind the panels when you move a certain way. The two long panels that hide that open back are are attached along the back neckline and then fall loose to the floor. They are very wide by the time they reach their ends. Each one opens up a full 29" across the bottom. They are lined in a beautiful deep gold metallic lame that has an almost copper tone feel to it. The lame has a horizontal weave to it which gives it added texture. When this is on and moving, these billow out and float behind you. It is utterly fantastic. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

The dress is unlined and closes with a back hidden set series of hooks at the base of the V at the back. There is also a hook behind the neck. Hand finishes throughout. The easy cut should allow it to fit a range of sizes. I see one small area near the bottom of one of the panels on the black side where the fabric is just a tiny bit lighter. It is very minimal and I could not catch it on camera.

Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56" from top of shoulder to front hem, 62" to the longest point of the back panels

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD5012

Reference Photo: Fall 1976 Chloe Runway.

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After much research I believe this to be from the Spring 1979 collection for Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld. In this collection he moved away from 1940s as his inspiration into the sex appeal of the 1950s, said the book 'Chloe Catwalk'. The silhouettes were based on the hourglass. In that same book there was a very similar floral pattern shown that is on this piece. Gathers emphasized hips, which this has, and the waist was emphasized. Feathers and the rooster were a part of both the prints and the accessories. Lagerfeld said of the collection to the press "Frivolity is important. I want shape and sensualness."

The dress is made from one of his signature feather light silks of this time period for Chloe that feel like magic on. It is screened with a custom print that mixes an ivory, pastel coral and a pale lavender purple. The entire dress is unlined and this is what helps to keep the dress so light in weight. An interesting detail is that the labels are on the side of the dress that I think is the front. The side that has the deep plunge is longer in length at the hem so I believe that should be the back. I have seen other dresses with this label placement from around this time period and when the back is plunged like this, so it is not unusual to see. I have photoed it both ways for you, with the plunge at the back and the front. You could potentially wear the plunge at the front if you don't mind the longer hem at the front. Much like that Lacroix dress from me that was worn to the Met Gala a couple years ago when they turned it around backwards. The sleeves are long and it skims over the bust to the waist. The back plunges into a low V to just above the waist. As mentioned above, it is possible that you could wear it either way around. It is incredibly sexy worn either way. The waist is seamed and the dress comes with it original striped screened silk belt that hooks into place around you. The stripes on the belt pick up the stripes that are on the end of each sleeve and circle around the hem. The skirt curves over the hips and there is a gathering of the silk there for added shape. It falls to the floor from there with the back cut longer then the front for a slight trained effect. You get the most fantastic movement as you walk. The dress is in its original uncut length. Excellent overall condition with a note below.

Unlined and closes with a back zipper. Hand finishes throughout. There is light fading to the fabric here and there at the top of the shoulders and edges of the hems where there is the purple in particular. This all looks to be hand dyed and or screened and it presents perfectly once on. The belt hooks to close. It is amazing.

Sleeves: 22.5" and are 11" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16.5" from neck to waist
Total length: 60" from neck to front hem, 68" to the back hem with about 2" turned under the hem

Belt: 2.5" wide x 27" long where the hooks currently sit. 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD5008

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The Leonard Paris label began as a textile firm in 1954 and for the first four years of its existence it only produced fabric. In 1958 they started making garments but it was not until about 1970 when they started using a printed silk jersey for the majority of their collections that the label really took off. They are often compared to Pucci and during the seventies the two labels battled it out to be the label of choice for the jet set.

I love whenever I get a fabulous Leonard dress into the shop. They are so chic. They are also very easy to wear and travel with. This one is a real beauty. It is made out of one of their signature silk jersey fabrics combined with a silk chiffon for the sleeves. This silk jersey fabric choice is what gives these dresses their perfect drape and fit. Each of their dresses were made of a custom designed print. The dress has a solid black full length skirt topped by that pretty bodice. The floral print runs over the sleeves and the entire upper bodice. The colours are a beautiful mix of pinks, pale purples, ivory, taupe and black. The flower print is large and very pretty. At the front the bodice plunges right to the slightly high set waist. At the base of the plunge is a tie that extends out from the fabric on either side of the bust and lets you to pull it in and adds the prettiest detail. The tie is silk jersey on one side and silk chiffon on the other. Each sleeve is cut to puff and balloon out over the jersey cuffs. The sleeves are made of a silk chiffon so have the added charm of being slightly transparent. Under that the skirt skims over the body and flares out slightly as it nears the hem. I love the contrasting borders that define the neckline, cuffs and waist. It is a beauty. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a back zipper. The fabric does have some stretch and I have put the comfortable range of measurements when laying flat below. The printed part of the fabric is signed throughout. Each sleeve buttons to close on the cuff. 

Sleeves: approx 25.5" and are very full through the upper arm
Shoulders: 14-15"
Bust: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5"-15 flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20-25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 13" from top of shoulder to top of the printed band at the waist
Total length: 61" from top of the shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5006

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.