Tuesday, December 16, 2008

..::^**Opening in the NEW YEAR**^::..

I'm very pleased to annouce that I will be opening my own online blog shop in the New Year. I have hundreds of dresses, cardigans, bags, shoes and lots of vintage goodies to offer.
so please STAY TUNED!

Vintage Designer Couture PART:3

Still want more Designer Couture?!?!?

I've scoured the best vintage online shops for designer pieces, including day dresses, cocktail and evening gowns.


1970's OSCAR de la RENTA Boutique Silk Charmeuse Scarf Print Dress

"Oscar de la Renta Boutique" label. Late 60's possibly early 70's. This is a great dress! Late 1960's to early 1970's. Luscious silk charmeuse with vivid floral scarf print of tulips and orchids against a black background. The floral print is done in pastel shades of violet, lavender, tangerine, chartreuse, pale green and pink. The dress is styled with a V neckline with ruffle trim, full length fitted sleeves with ruffle trim. Fitted waist, with wide attached waist band of self fabric. At Kitty Girl Vintage now for $178

Vintage 1970's OSCAR de la RENTA Classic Black Halter Dress
This stunning dress sports a fitted bodice with a neck tie style halter with double hook and eye closure. It has a full skirt. Back zipper closure with a single hook and eye.
Buy it for $360 at C Madeleines




1970's SANT ANGELO Disco Wrap Dress

This is a fun little dress! Its a rayon crepe adorned with an abstract floral print. At first glance it seems pretty tame, but when you look at the way it was made, you see the genius of a true artist. The bodice was pleated perfectly to create a very sexy neckline.

The dress is a crossover wrap style, with an elaborate system of hooks and snaps placed strategically to keep everything in place. The skirting has a few pleats at the hip, and a wonderful flouncy ruffle that enlarges as it travels from the navel to the knee. Get it now at Swank Vintage for $330




1970’s Vintage VALENTINO NIGHT Dinner Dress
This mint condition vintage Valentino Night dress has 2” ruffled taffeta cuffs on the long sleeves and the same ruffling along the neckline. Get it at Dressing Vintage for $575


Vintage 1960's GIVENCHY Sun Dress
Leave it to Givenchy to make a sundress sophisticated! This beautiful structured cotton dress was made in France in the late 60's or very early 70's and is from the estate of a woman who travelled to Paris frequently to visit couturiers and designer shops. it is red white and blue and has a fabric belt, two front pockets and 5 front buttons. Appears to have been never or rarely worn. The label reads Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique and indicates that it was made in France. Buy it now at Dressing Vintage for $695

1970's GIVENCHY Peasant Dress

Don't confuse this label "Boutique Givenchy" with the later ready to wear "Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique". This dress is couture, as evident from the handwritten number on fabric tape behind the Boutique Givenchy label... The dress is made from a delightful voided silk with a leaf & berry motif. It is trimmed in silk velvet ribbon and lined in silk taffeta. It is a soft, romantic style that could be considered a version of the "Peasant Dress" that was so in vogue at the time. This little beauty is a one of a kind treasure, couture #26300. This dress is a true marvel and its available now at Swank Vintage for $865




VALENTINO 1970's Vintage Silk Dress
Another fine piece from one of our estates. This individual loved Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent, so we have many 1970's pieces from those designers. This sea shell dress in pink silk is incredible and in excellent condition. It has a fabric belt and pleated double ruffled skirt. A collectible Valentino piece, and made in Italy, of course.. $695 at Dressing Vintage

1950's Harvey Berin Cashmere and Satin Day/Night Dress
"Harvey Berin designed by Karen Stark" label. Berin's designs are always ultra-chic and classic. He always used the finest fabrics. You never see a 50's era Berin dress made out of rayon or acetate, never. Always imported fabrics and always the best. This is one of the most beautiful little black dresses I have seen. Fitted, with light shirring at waist seam above and below. The back of the dress is a bit more dramatic, and is what takes this design from day to night. The back neckline plunges in a V, and has an inset matte black silk satin panel inserted into the V. The satin has a sculptural quality, and fastens inside the dress with hooks and snaps over the metal zipper placket. There is a little black satin bow at the tip of the V (at waistline). To complete the look, there is a leather-backed black cashmere belt with silk satin ties, to be tied in a bow at front. At Kitty Girl Vintage for $295

1960's BALENCIAGA Day Dress

A dress like only the great Balenciaga could create. Done is a remarkable petrol blue silk, the design is nothing short of remarkable. It is a cross-over wrap style, but instead of being slinky and fitted, it is sculptural, with a single button closure (and a few well placed hooks & eyes) and a built in waist corset to keep everything in perfect alignment. .. The perfectly gathered area in the mid-section leads down to a carefully curved hem. There is also a remarkable projected pleat running horizontally across the derriere. It gives the impression of the back of a jacket. It is something I have never seen on a dress before.... quite astonishing, and very, very beautiful. Buy it at Swank Vintage right now for $1600


Vintage VALENTINO 2 Piece Silk Summer Outfit
An absolutely beautiful skirt and top made of luscious charmeuse-type silk that practically drips through your fingers like warm melted butter! The colors are lemon, taupe, white and a tiny accent of black. The outfit is exquisitely made as one would expect from Valentino. The neckline is ruched with high-cut arms for a slimming look, dropped waist and a lining of sheer double organza which gives the top a bit of body. So gorgeous and available at Midnight Glamour for $350



Vintage UNGARO Electric Blue Satin Evening Dress
A stunning color and elegant style. Made of a thick, smooth, heavy satin. This dress has a beautiful modified bell shaped skirt, heavy gold textured buttons, and matching original belt. The shoulder pads are removable. Buy it for $225 over at Midnight Glamour



1950's Traina-Norell "New Look" Matte Satin Dress
Black matte satin, fairly heavy weight - really gorgeous fabric. Dress is styled with plunging rounded neckline with collar. The original insert for the neckline is gone, the owner had the striped insert made which unfastens with snaps. Short cuffed sleeves, fitted waist. Dress has decorative self covered buttons from waist to collar. Skirt is gored and very very full. Skirt is lined, side metal zipper. Inner grosgrain waist cincher belt.
Just $350 now over at Kitty Girl Vintage


1950's HATTIE CARNEGIE Magenta Ball Gown

An utterly stunning early 50's ball gown & wrap in dramatic magenta silk. Strapless gown has fantastic seaming along front and off-set pleats to side of center waist, drapes dramatically to the floor. Supported by self crinoline, has RIGHT metal zipper suggesting it was custom made for a left handed wearer! Stole wraps around shoulders, seams create lift, straps pull under arms. Priced at $1525 its available at Dorothea's Closet Vintage





1960's HARVEY BERIN for Karen Stark Black Cocktail Dress
Black silk 60's cocktail dress with feminine silhouette. Sculpted puff sleeves accented with flat narrow bow, squared neckline. Seamed at waist above a full skirt with self-crinoline. A beautiful dress that's at Dorothea's Closet Vintage for just $345




1970's HALSTON Coral Evening Gown


Concept VII by Halston empire style floor length poly gown in a rich coral tone from the 1970's. Halter top with a V-neckline and thin spaghetti straps that criss cross at back. Back zipper closure with a single hook and eye. Matching sash. Available for $400 at C Madeleines now




1980's UNGARO Garnet Red Silk Dress


40's inspired sarong style wrap on around sash, padded shoulders and buttons up back. Zip cuffs with decorative buttons, one missing, no other flaws. Click picture for more images.
Get it now at Dorothea's Closet Vintage for $175


Fabulous 1980's HALSTON Sequin Dress

A black sequin evening dress from the 1980's. A sheath style dress with a mock turtleneck collar and long flared sleeves. Lace trimming with brown stitching on cuffs and hem. Dress is fully lined.
Get it at C Madeleines for $1000



GALANOS 1950'S Vintage Party Dress

Purchased at Woolf Brothers and in excellent condition with no flaws found. Appears to have never even been worn! Gorgeous pleating below the waistline and fully lined. The heavy linen bodice is perfectly completed with black satin ribbon that ties in a bow below the bustline. Back metal zipper. Collectible and wearable and available at Dressing Vintage for $599



Halston 1970's Red Hot Chiffon Goddess Dress

This is one HOT Halston! The style is pure goddess, but the flame red color brings it into a whole other realm of fabulous!.. This dreamy dress is made entirely of silk chiffon. Three layers compose the body of the dress, one layer flows from the shoulders like wings. The shoulders are slightly gathered. The neckline is a deep, sexy, plunging V. The armholes are even deeper, opening all the way to the elastic waistband. The bottom three layers of silk are very fitted in the bodice, the top layer is more loose and floaty giving the bodice a light and etherial look. The top silk comes up the front, gathers on the shoulders then pours down the back free and easy. It is just magnificent. Now at Swank Vintage for $2575




Vintage 1960's PAULINE TRIGERE Brown Wool Dress
A sleeveless style dress with a jewelled neckpiece collar. Multiple sized rhinestones on collar, draped waist detail and back center waist. Slightly flared skirt. A large keyhole detail on back of dress. Side zipper closure and four looped buttons on collar. Dress is fully lined. Available at C Madeleines for $1200

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Vintage Designer Couture PART:1

So I'm searching for vintage designer gowns, as per my urge after posting my last entry on celebs, and I came across the creme de la creme of designer choices! Each time I browse The Frock website I almost hyperventilate - that's how gorgeous the gowns are! It is absolute vintage designer heaven and it's only a click away.



MY DREAM BUYS:
(All descriptions and pictures from the Frock website)

YVES SAINT LAURENT
Chic vintage Yves Saint Laurent striped silk georgette halter gown with gold beaded neck, belted waist, and caped back. Classic Saint Laurent Saint Tropez style.
Price: $2700

VALENTINO
(Left) Valentino vintage tiered yellow silk georgette gown with angelic sleeves. Darted bodice and hidden rear entry zipper. Price: $ 1700
(Right) Vintage Valentino tiered red silk chiffon gown. Price: $3800


CHRISTIAN DIOR
The most beautiful pink supremely stylish vintage Christian Dior floral beaded netted tape lace gown with romantic oversized silk chiffon bow. The bows generous streamers fall as a small train from the watteau back. A stunning museum-worthy early Dior.
Price: $4700


BALENCIAGA
Rare and artfully sculptural Balenciaga strapless, entirely knife-pleated, pale soft silver slipper satin gown. Narrowly, horizontally knife-pleated bodice. Skirt pleats diagonally, allowing the pleats to open as they travel down the massive ballgown skirt. Sophisticated internal boned corsetry, and dual hidden rear zipper.
Balenciaga clientele included Marlene Dietrich, Mona Bismark, and the Duchess of Windsor. Christian Dior described the reclusive Balenciaga simply as 'The master of us all'.
Price: $6200


ADOLFO
Adolfo 1960's silk chiffon sleeveless trapeze gown with heavily beaded and jewelled capelet style bodice. Adolfo Ardina began making couture privately in 1965, the Duchess of Windsor, Betsy Bloomingdale, and Nancy Reagan were loyal clients throughout his 25 year career.
Price: $3700



OSCAR de la RENTA
Vintage grecian style Oscar de la Renta generously gathered pearly bronze chiffon over gold brocade sleeveless gown with jewelled waist. Utterly mesmerizing.
Price: $3700



BALENCIAGA
Vintage Balenciaga ivory peiu de soie satin gown with floral pattern beadwork and princess seams on front and back of the sleeveless bodice and surrounding the upper of the pleated ballgown skirt. Similar to the designer's 1963 floral embroidered gown pictured right.
Price: $4800


JEAN PATOU
Jean Patou gathered patterned black silk chiffon with epic crystal jewelled neckpiece. A masterwork of French Couture and one of the best 20th century gowns the Frock has owned.
Price: $7600

LANVIN
Feminine and incomparably glamorous vintage Lanvin gold beaded floral lace gown with silk chiffon trumpet hem. Beaded lace straps and hidden rear zipper. Vintage Lanvin gowns are rare, this is one of the most beautiful.
Price: $5400


ADOLFO
Vintage Adolfo two-tone silk chiffon gown with sharply ruched bodice and dramatic center swag. Crepe lined, hidden rear zipper and mutli hook and eye closures. Adolfo apprenticed with Balenciaga and Chanel, before introducing his own label in 1963. His gowns were made to order for a select clientele, including First Lady Nancy Regan, and are rare finds in the vintage market.
Price: $1750



JEAN LOUIS
Jean Louis paved red sequin tank gown with grand organdy train. While designing at Columbia pictures, the sculptural and voluminous train was a hallmark of Jean Louis design, made legendary by the iconic gowns worn by actresses like Joan Crawford. A rare gown by one of Hollywood's greatest centuries.
Price: $3800



HALSTON
(Left) 1970's Halston black grecian toga style layered satin finish jersey gown. Condition is excellent on this always flattering, red carpet worthy, classic Halston. Price: $ 1300
(Right) 1970's Halston red jersey gown with draped bodice and diagonally tiered skirt. Price: $1600



SANT ANGELO
Giorgio Sant Angelo sleeveless caped-back halter goddess gown. The unique construction of the skirt swags its rear length and to reattach at the back of the halter neckline. The generously gathered ivory jersey is secured with covered button and zipper closures, it dates to the id 70's. Sant Angelo rose in the late 60's when Vogue editor Diana Vreeland personally chose him to clothe supermodel Verushka for the magazine. His custom eveningwear is rare with examples rarely found outside museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Price: $3400



JEAN DESSES
Vintage Jean Desses silk chiffon goddess gown with signature pleats throughout. Floating panel at waist and dual panels from shoulder. Jean Desses gowns are among the rarest and most valuable in vintage couture. Examples in the top picture are from the Victoria and Albert Museum, and worn by Renee Zellweger at the 2001 Academy Awards.
Price: $7700


JACQUES HEIM
Sweetest vintage Jacques Heim sleeveless applique lace gown encrusted with tiny faceted clear aurora borealis sequins. Satin bow tied at waist.
Price: $3300



HALSTON
Vintage Halston single shoulder silver beaded silk chiffon goddess gown. Density of bead pattern graduated up the gown.
Price: $2600

UNGARO
Vintage Emanuel Ungaro glass beaded sleeveless crepe goddess gown with silk chiffon single shoulder floating panel, and silk chiffon spills from the skirt's diagonal outer hem. Princess seamed bodice, hidden rear zipper.
Price: $3200


VALENTINO
Vintage Valentino silk chifon toga gown in a regal paisley print. Chiffon perimeter is entirely hand sewn, attached matte satin underdress, shoulder hook and eye closure. One of the finest and prettiest silk chiffons, a beautiful textile in a classic Valentino toga.
Price: $3500




Have an upcoming ball? A Prom or graduation? Simply collect gorgeous pieces? All over these stunning gowns and more can be found at the website: