A lovely 1960s black crepe, vintage cocktail dress with lime silk detail by the wonderful designer Luis Estevez. Estevez specialized in elegant cocktail and evening wear and was known for his couture details as well as his creative use of free floating panels. This little dress has all of the Estevez signature design details. The dress itself is simple and gently fitted. The bodice however is draped front and back with free floating panels which are stitched together down the right side. The left side is open and trimmed on the edges (front and back) with a band of lime silk satin. The same silk is used for a fixed bow on the left shoulder. The effect is quite chic.

The garment is beautifully made and fully lined in pure silk. The size is small  with the following measurements.

Bust 35"
Waist 27"
Hip 35"

Excellent Condition

Delicious Emilio Pucci baby doll nightie (or mini slip dress) from the 1960s - possibly the early 70s.  In 1960 Pucci was contracted by Formfit Rogers to design a collection of lingerie and the rest is history. His stunning prints and love of feather weight fabrics lent themselves perfectly to luxury intimate apparel. This iconic baby doll nightie is a true vintage treasure.

Shades of geranium pinks are teamed with deep lilac, gray and white in a lilting psychedelic pattern with the Pucci signature scattered discretely throughout. The fabric is ultra fine nylon tricot.... Pucci was known for light fabrics that felt like nothing more than a soft breath against the skin. The style is a sleeveless baby doll with yoke top, mini length. The yoke and hem are defined by coordinating border fabrics. Although this is a nightie the trend is to wear these lovelies as dresses or tunic tops. If you do intend to wear it as a dress you will probably want  to think of a slip of some kind, to avoid cling. Any slip will do as long as it is short enough. If you don't already own one, there are lot's of vintage slips available online and it is easy enough to hem a longer slip if need be.

The condition is near mint with one tiny strain line, less than 1/4" under the left under arm, right next to the seam. This is a miniscule flaw and does not detract from the beauty or wearability of this garment.

The size is small.... a 32 and it has the following measurements

Bust 34"-35"

Waist and hips are free size

Length from shoulder to hem 31"

Excellent Condition

Fabulous men's tailored vintage trouser suit by Valentino circa 1970s. Mens tailoring was all the vogue for women in the 1970s. We most often think of Yves Saint Laurent as the designer responsible for this trend particularity his Tuxedo look. I do think though, the "mannish" look was inevitable given the social climate of the day. Womens Lib was in full bloom and many women were shunning the traditional roles AND garments of their mothers generation. It wasn't the first time women had dallied with mens fashion. Remember how Marlene Deitrich shocked and bewitched the public with her slouchy trousers and rakish fedora? and who could forget little Coco in her sailor pants and striped jersey? It was however, the first time the look was embraced en mass. For the first time women were wearing pants more than skirts. The pants suit became a wardrobe essential!
Valentino is probably the most famous designer to emerge from Italy. A country with a proud tradition in exquisite tailoring and fine textiles. The suit you see here is impeccably constructed in gray wool flannel. The jacket has a sharp profile reminiscent of the 1940's. The shoulders are well defined and there is a wide notched lapel collar, The edges of the collar, jacket and the vents on the sleeves are trimmed with brown suede. There are two slant welt pockets and a welted breast pocket. The elbows of the jacket have suede patches which matches the trim. The trousers are flat front and high waisted (to the natural waist). The legs are long, lean in the upper leg and wider towards the hem. It is small in size with the following measurements.

Bust 35"
Waist 25"
Hips 36"
Inseam 31 1/2"
sleeve length 23"

Excellent Condition

 I was head of alterations in a salon on Newbury St. in Boston during the later 1980s. The shop carried high end ready to wear and catered to society ladies (LOTS of old money) as well as successful business women. I can remember the Adele Simpson dresses and suits we carried as timeless, elegant and flattering. They were expensive (usually well over $500) but worth it because they LOOKED like couture when worn. Altering them was painstaking due to the high quality workmanship. We were required to finish our work in keeping with the same original standards. I loved working on her clothing.

Adele Simpson had a long and successful career as an American designer. After working in the industry for a number of years she started her solo label in 1949. Adele retired in the 80s at which time her daughter took over the company.

This timeless vintage dress/suit, hails from the 80s and can be worn throughout the day and with a change of shoes and accessories transitions into dinner or evening with ease. Two tone, it is cut from royal blue and black wool crepe. A boxy, open, shawl collar jacket tops a fitted short sleeved dress with jewel neckline. It has a silky black lining. The size is medium around a modern 8 with the following measurements.

Bust 38"
Waist 30"
Hips 38"

Excellent Condition
 

Old World, Egyptian Inspired cocktail dress circa 1980s by KRIZIA.

Beautiful (and expensive) silk face, wool back satin in a luscious shade of fuchsia. If you are a fan of gorgeous fabric you will LOVE this vintage dress.
The design is stunning. The bodice has a pintucked, asymmetrical wrap which borrows from ancient Egyptian design. The sleeves are long and narrow also with pintucks. The body of the dress is a simple sheath style with side vent.
There is a side metal zipper. The condition is beautiful but while I was steaming it I thought I noticed what looked like a faint watermark on the skirt. You have to hold it a certain way in bright light to see it. I am not sure what it is, the dress was cleaned. It is not something that can be seen easily and would not be noticed when worn. This would make a lovely holiday,dinner or even cocktail dress. It's unique design and sumptuous fabric is sure to turn heads. The size is a smallish Medium

Bust 36"
Waist 30
Hips 37"
Length from shoulder to hem 39"

Very Good Condition

Nina Ricci "Boutique" for Bloomingdales, Made in France

The house of Nina Ricci has been designing elegant, sophisticated and classic clothing since 1932. The dress we have here was done in the Early 1980s. During this time Nina Ricci's son Robert was managing the business and Gerard Pipart was head designer. Pipart had worked with Pierre Balmain, Jaques Fath and Jean Pateau.
This handsome vintage dress is done in the most luxurious silk jaquard. The color is a rich olive brown. The cut appears simple and unstructured but this is deceiving. The front of the dress has five rows of vertical pleats which are stitched flat down to the hip where they then fall free. The sleeves are full , cuffed at the wrist and gathered at the shoulder where they set into decorative black velvet insets. These velvet insets are edged with two simple rows of black bugle beads and sequins. An elegant touch! The high neckline sports two generous self fabric sashes which I have tied in a bow. There are a number or ways they can be worn. Perhaps knotted and cascading over the shoulder or loosely wound around the neck for a cowl effect then fixed with a fabulous brooch.
Suggestions:  If you belt the waist or even the hip with any beautiful belt. it will update the look OR if it is to be worn loose, shorten it to above the knee. Since this is a designer example of vintage I would not cut the hem off but create a deeper hem and carefully hand stich it. This way the original design is preserved. I think a sexy shoe is a must with this dress.
The size is medium  and the measurements are as follows.

Bust 38"
Waist free size
Hips up to 39"

Excellent Condition
 

Yves Saint Laurent wide leather belt made for Bergdorf Goodman.

The belt is classic but the subtle details whisper " designer couture". Trapunto stitched lines add texture to the dark olive leather. The buckle is darkened chrome, smooth and sleek. Belt is not oversized but wide, measuring 2" all around. Olive is a great neutral color. it looks well with earthy tones and some shades of gray but it can also add a nice "surprise" if you team it with some of the jewel tones. I like olive and red together...or purple...or saffron yellow...

The belt is lined  with tan leather. The lining is stamped with the Yves Saint Laurent name/logo and there is a Bergdorf Goodman tag as well.

It  will fit a range of waist sizes from small to medium and will adjust to the following range of measurements approx 25 1/2" to just under 29".

Excellent Condition - No flaws to note

Beautiful couture daywear by Yves Saint Laurent circa 1980s.

Fine houndstooth wool dress designed with a nod to the early 1920s era.
The dropped waist, oversized pockets, rounded collar and slim silhouette were surely inspired by the transition period from the later teens into the 1920s. YSL blended these retro elements with modern padded shoulders and a shorter skirt to create a handsome versatile daydress. Perfect vintage couture, business or lunch attire. Skillfully tailored as couture always is, and fully lined in black silk
The size Medium/Small. The hips are quite slim in comparison to the bust so keep this in mind. It is designed to fit loosely on top and fitted on the bottom. It has the following measurements.


Bust 38"+
Hips 36"
Shoulder 15 1/2"
Sleeve length 23 1/2"

Excellent Condition

 

Late 80s, early 90s wool crepe and lace cocktail dress by Carolina Herrera. Herrera designs are always elegant and in the best of taste. This "younger vintage" cocktail dress is from her CH line which was started in the later 80s. The CH line was created to be a bit more affordable but NEVER skimped on beautiful design or construction. All Herrera clothing was (is) treated with the same couture sensibilities.
This classically styled dress is done in black wool crepe (a favorite fabric in the 1980s-90s) and rhinestone studded lace. The rhinestones are black crystal with bezel settings and the lace is backed with neutral silk organza. The cut has a distinct 1940s feel with sculpted shoulders and nipped in waist. The lace sleeves are long and narrow. It has a round neckline in front which dips to a moderate V in back. There is an inset midriff section in lace and the skirt is narrow. The body of the dress is lined in black silk. A beautifully made dress as lovely inside as it is out!

It's an older size 6 which is small.
Bust 36"
Waist 28"
Hips 38"
Skirt length (from natural waistline) 26"
Sleeve length 24"

Excellent Condition