Museum Collection
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[ORDER ITEM - #9933]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #9933 - c. Autumn-Winter 1963 CHRISTIAN DIOR, PARIS COUTURE NUMBERED and DATED Coat!  Wow!  Step back into the past - and arrive back to 1963 in style in this vintage Christian Dior Couture Coat!!  Awesome funnel neck, 7/8 length sleeve, checked mohair,  "Jackie-O" coat  (eerily dated at exactly the time of President Kennedy's death of Nov. 22, 1963). Simple, yet classic tan and bone checked mohair.  Nice raglan seaming at the armholes.  Great neck!! Fully lined. Excellent condition with just some scratching of the wooden round buttons. The label shows some age, but the exterior coat does not. Measures: 44" bust and waist, up to 49" hips, 41" long from shoulder to hem.    NEW LISTING!  

$ 1,495.

Approx. - SIZE 6-10 (depending what you wear under and how large you like your coats)
(check measurements above)

RESERVED
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4722 - c. 1902 REDFERN, Paris Trained Evening Gown of Black Chantilly Lace and Heavily Trimmed in Black Paillettes! The label is missing, but the original model, in black lace over a white foundation, was photographed for Les Modes in March of 1902.  The workmanship proclaims that this is not a copy.  Evidently the client wanted a more conservative effect and requested that the gown be made over a black foundation.  The Chantilly lace has a distinctive design which is outlined with black paillettes, suspended on chains of tiny jet beads.  The massive train settles beautifully as the cotton lining is shorter than the lace, so you see the delicacy of the lace at lower back of gown!  Extraordinary design! The wide hem band  and the bodice are solid masses of paillettes.  This is a very heavy trimming for such a delicate fabric - the gown weighs 8 pounds!!!.... yet the condition is surprisingly still good, but please handle with care!  The paillettes due tend to fall off as the threads are old! I suppose the worse issues are there are tears in the Chantilly lace on the delicate sleeves, and many of the paillettes have hazed over.  This is not particularly noticeable under indoor lighting (they just look dusty), but I've been told that the hazing is quite noticeable in natural daylight and positively alarming under fluorescent light.  This according to the previous owner who displayed the gown in various museums throughout the USA.  So even with the issue, obviously still a Museum Quality garment! There is a mended area lost in the folds of the train, not visible unless the dress is turned inside-out.   Measures:  39" bust, 29-31" waist, up to 43" hips, 83" long from shoulder to hem at back of train. Again, an extremely heavy gown!  Price reflects condition.  NEW LISTING!

RESERVED

Approx. - SIZE 00
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #4743]
Click on image for additional photos!
 		#4743 - c. 1960's SORELLE FONTANA Export, Made in Italy Raw Silk/Linen Wiggle Dress with Jacket!  Museum Deaccession!  Quite rare to find a 60's Sorelle Fontana suit!  FYI, according to the Life in Italy website, Sorelle Fontana is Rome's "Prominent and Oldest Fashion House - and is known as Couturiers to the Stars. Their beautiful designs became highly sought-after by Hollywood stars, famous women and the Italian aristocracy. Ava Gardner wore Fontana on and off the set. And Sorelle Fontana even designed for the movies, including dressing the young Audrey Hepburn in "Roman Holiday".  Many others such as Princess Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor wore their designs.  They designed their first ready-to-wear collection in 1960. AND, according to the museum hangtag on this suit, they date it to 1960, and the label indicates "export", so...  I have to assume that this is a wonderful museum example of possibly the first collection of RTW by Sorelle Fontana! Excellent condition.  The exquisite art noveau print dress bodice is the same material lining the boxy jacket!  So beautifully tailored, it could nearly be worn inside out! The tie on the dress can be worn showing the print side out, or solid side, depending on the look you want. Back metal zipper. No skirt slit, so you will wiggle! Measures:  36" bust, 25" waist, up to 35" hips, 20" long jacket.   NEW LISTING!   Also Listed in the 1930-Today Category.

$ 1,285.

Approx. - SIZE 10
(all measurements are maximum, slightly smaller is OK!)

 

[ORDER ITEM - #6431]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #6431 - c. 1960's RARE ODICINI COUTURE White Strapless Silk Satin Gown with Attached Black Silk Lined Train and Heavy Black Beaded Floral Ornaments around Bodice! Sold at Fred Hayman, Beverly Hills. This is a RARE Odicini Couture gown from Italy of the finest quality silk satins!  PLEASE read up on Odicini by clicking on the photo at left and scrolling down.  You really need to know WHAT this is!  They just don't make anything like this any more.  The modern designer couture gowns just don't have the quality fabrics for some reason.  Why?  Who knows!  Perhaps the modern silk worms are eating too much fast food?  Or aren't getting enough loving?  Whatever the reason, that just means that vintage is the way to go!  Especially if you have lusted after Audrey Hepburn's famous Givenchy gown in "Sabrina" and could never find anything even close.  Well... here it is!  White silk satin column strapless gown with attached black silk lined train.  Incredibly heavy black 3-dimentional beading around bodice and waist front to back.  This gown comes with the original large and heavy 115" x 28" black silk satin shawl.  Side zipper.   It's TOP couture!   Measures: 34/35" bust, 27" waist, up to 37" hips, 44" long from natural waist to hem, 50" long in back.  Excellent condition, but as it's white, it either needs hemline cleaning, or hem up for you shorter women and no spot cleaning necessary. I've photographed the gown slightly hemmed up and not hemmed up to see the length of the train.  Either way is great.  For your next BLACK & WHITE Ball!!  With long black gloves!  Oh my! NEW LISTING! Also Listed in the Wedding and 1920-Today Section. 

$ 7,500.

Approx. - SIZE 6
(all measurements are maximum)

[ORDER ITEM - #4321]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4321 - c. 1909-1914 JEANNE LANVIN, Paris Black Cotton Velvet Walking Suit with Separate Original Tasseled Sash! Very Old Label!  Labeled in hard-to-read woven gold: Jeanne Lanvin, 22, Rue du Faubourg, Paris. Jeanne Lanvin started her own line in 1909, so this could be one of the earliest known pieces!  Due to the surprising short bolero shaped jacket, I'm having a bit of trouble dating it specifically to year. Purchased at an estate sale from a wealthy New Jersey estate.  An obviously fashion forward, very tailored Parisian Couture skirt suit in black cotton velvet.  The bodice jacket has a lovely rope frog closure and black silk, nicely shaped collar.  The sleeves are long and each ornamented with 7 working velvet buttons. The back waistline of the jacket has embedded elastic and ornamental tabs with buttons on either side. The skirt is ornamented with 37 or 38 working velvet covered buttons down each side of the lower skirt.  The hemline is surrounded with a box pleated "ruffle".  The skirt is a hidden built-in inner wide waistband with hook/eye closures.  There is a separate (I can't believe this remained with the suit all these years!!) black silk sash belt with an amazingly wonderful long green passementarie and huge, long black silk tassel!!!    Measures:  34/35" bust, 28.5" waist skirt, 40" long from waist to hem in front skirt (may have been shortened), and 44" long from waist to hem in back.  The condition is Quite Good with a few fairly minor issues.  The black silk collar is delicate and tearing at back fold, there are 2 covered buttons missing from each skirt side, and 2 missing from back. Extreme minor wear at hemline and some re-tacking needed. All these issues are nit-picky for such an historic piece!  The only real issue is the silk sash which has fairly large holes and pinholes and is delicate.  But the fact that it exists at all is incredible!!   NEW LISTING! Also Listed in the 1850-1920s Category.

$ 7,500.

Approx. - SIZE 6
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #0157]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #0157 - c. 1925 JEAN PATOU Paris, Cannes, Monte Carlo Couture Numbered Ecru and Black Silk Velvet Flapper Party Dress Trimmed in Rhinestones and Faux Pearls! Larger Size! Wow, if you are one of my website groupies, you might have seen my Alzheimer's is kicking in as I originally had this listed as Jeanne Lanvin! Eek!  Luckily I have my customers and webfriends looking out for me and proofreading for me!  Thanks Mark! OK... Jean Patou dress... got that... Patou, Patou, Patou!  There is a hand-written number under the label as you'd hope to expect.   The dress itself is a glorious design of crushed ecru silk velvet and black silk velvet skirt.  The free-flowing "necklace" is made of fully beaded clear round beads and tiny rhinestones in tiled diamond shapes and is attached at shoulders and at circle at front.  The same design continues at back with TWO free-flowing "necklaces". The low waistline which follows around the back uses faux pearls and rhinestones in a slightly different design which "pops" off the black velvet.  The front ecru velvet "scarf" down the middle of the skirt waves free as you walk. The condition isn't perfect.  There are large underarm stains, one pindot and one pinhead sized light spots, and one pinhead size dark penmark on the bodice (all three marks can disappear with tiny tack tucks in the velvet! - I'd do it if I had a devious bone in my body, but I don't).  There are also beads and rhinestones are missing from the trims which will only mostly bother you on very close inspection- except for one or two pearl trim areas on the waist (so add a pearl or two and it will look nearly perfect from afar).  So the dress is marked according to condition - really only the underarm stains are of great issue!  Rare to find a 1920s Patou dress on the open market, so snap it up for your collection! This has been in my personal collection for 15 years! Measures: 44" bust, 38" at low waist/upper hip, 46" long from shoulder to hem.  Meant to be worn slightly large.  NEW LISTING! Also Listed in the 1850-1920s Category.

$ 5,750.

Approx. - SIZE 10/12 ish
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #4670]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4670 - c. 1911 JACQUES DOUCET, Paris Elaborately Beaded Chiffon Evening Gown! An exquisitely beautiful and rare elaborate evening gown of wedgewood-blue/gray silk chiffon heavily embroidered in small coral and large "white-heart" beads over matching blue/gray satin with matching velvet sash.  Pink satin accentuates the neckline and upper back and gold metallic lace adorns the bodice front and back and inner sleeve.  There are so many things wrong with this piece, that it's really only for study or display.  Ah, where to start with the issues... The joke is that this gown must have been was worn on the Titanic and the label faded from the saltwater ocean during the sinking! :)  However, the true story is almost more unbelieveable....  long story short, the Doucet label has been drawn over!  It is guaranteed Doucet, but the preservationist somehow ruined the label and then tried to cover her mistake by inking her own!!!  Unbelievable but true! I was told she ended up with mental issues!!  I'm right behind her after seeing what she did to this label!  Get me that straightjacket!  Anyway, guess she was the one who also reinforced the bodice with netting to keep the shredded silk lining from getting worse, though it's still a mess inside the bodice. The skirt is unlined. The exterior of the gown has missing coral beads here and there and larger missing beads from the decorative ornaments at back waist. The wedgewood-blue/gray silk chiffon and underdress of matching satin are in decent condition.  The size of this gown is so small I couldn't get it on my smallest mannequin so it's open at back in some photos.  Sorry!!  Measures:  24" bust, 20" waist.   The beads alone are likely worth hundreds of dollars! This gown is only for study or display. The last Doucet 1911 Evening Gown I saw in similar condition sold at auction for $6,000 without such elaborate beading. But due to the issue with the petersham label, I can only sell this as "attributed to" Doucet until, or unless I find an etching of this Doucet model in some old fashion magazine. If I do... the price will go up to the comparable gown at the $6,000 level. NOTE: No Returns on this gown to preserve condition "as is".   NEW LISTING!  Also Listed in the 1850-1920s Category.

RESERVED

Approx. - SIZE minus 00 - preteen size
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #4714]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4714 - c. 1878 EMILE PINGAT, Paris 2-piece Heavy Black Silk Satin Bustle Gown in Near Mint Condition!  EXTREMELY RARE EXTRA LARGE SIZE!  I can't believe the condition of this gown! It's LIKE NEW!!!   I doubt it was ever worn, and then it was stored in some amazing place that didn't allow for anything to harm it.  You'd swear you went back in time to 1878, except for one missing carved abalone button (damn that one button!).  The gown is 2-pieces. The bodice is trimmed in ivory lace at the neckline and cuffs.  The skirt is shown over a bustle (doesn't come with it) and has nice bustle draping and silk floss fringe.  The hemline is fully pleated and has a "kilting" of magenta pleated satin peeking out from under the black satin - which, according to the expert - proclaims that this gown could not, under any circumstances, be worn for mourning. Actually this expert called this an "at home" gown or as we might know it today, a "hostess gown".  Though I'm not sure why it has that designation, nor why she would have such an expensive gown for "at home"!   Unless she was SO damn wealthy that she bought her wardrobe from Pingat and Worth and Doucet and just had so many gowns that she didn't have a chance to wear them all!!  And even her "simplest" gowns were Parisian masterpieces! Now for the other incredible information about this gown. It's an Extremely Large Size by Victorian or any other standards!  Measures an astonishing 45" bust, 37" waist, 42" long from waist to hem, 66" long from waist to back of train.   NEW LISTING!  Also Listed in the 1850-1920s Category.

$ 5,250.

Approx. - SIZE 20/22
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #4539]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4539 - c. 1921 MADELINE & MADELINE, Paris Bottle Green Silk Velvet Embroidered and Beaded 2-piece Dinner Dress! Sold at Bergdorf & Goodman, Co. OK.. pay attention now...  you may not know this label, but you should! A very important Parisian label, they opened their couture house in 1919, but unfortunately they were one of the first casualties of the Depression so Madeline & Madeline garments are very hard to find!  The rest of the label reads:  Modele Depose  and Marque Deposee (I suppose you want me to tell you what that means, but I'm one of those stupid Americans who can only speak American! :)    Very dark bottle green silk velvet dress (with nude net bodice (see last photos - too small for my mannequin so it's a bit funny looking) with great draping at skirt side embroidered with ivory silk floss and tube shaped seed pearls in floral and leaf design.  The same embroidery on the batwing overblouse with wide floss and beaded waistband.  Simply elegant!  Excellent condition with just some beads missing which hardly affects the design from afar and three small velvet crushes at front skirt (just need steaming out). Measures:  32" bust (underdress), 26" waist, up to 36" hips.  NEW LISTING! Also Listed in the 1850-1920s Category.

RESERVED

Approx. - SIZE 2/4
(check measurements above)


[ORDER ITEM - #9887]
Click on image for additional photos!
 		 #9887 - c. 1950's (?) Black Rayon Faille Evening Coat with Elaborate Velvet Design! LARGER SIZE! Be Still My Heart!! Words escape me... I just keep breathing too fast and may soon pass out from the beauty of this coat! Looks like a TOP PARISIAN COUTURIER piece from the masters at the turn of the 1900s.  However, it's later than that as evidenced by the rayon faille base, and non-meticulous machine manufacturing. But my god, the design is brilliant!! Black cotton velvet collar to stand up or down. The ecru velvet design is edged in silk floss and gold metallic threads.  Condition is great with a big exception!  The ecru velvet is darkened in areas, mostly one sleeve and needs expert cleaning.  Once done, you will have a priceless masterpiece!!!!  Could have been an opera costume piece? That is the only guess we have.  Perhaps someone "out there" will know more!  Measures: 62" long from shoulder to hem in front, 70" long in back. 17" across shoulders.  Open at front, just one hook/eye at collar front. The previous owner wore this to a Renaissance Fair when she was a size 16ish, so it isn't the normal vintage tiny.  You will never see another! Also Listed in the 1930-Today Section.

$ 1,485.

Approx. - SIZE Medium - Large and Tall
(all measurements are maximum, slightly smaller is OK!)

[ORDER ITEM - #4502]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4502 - c. 1950's OLEG CASSINI Russet Colored Lace Dress with Original Design Patent Tag!  For those of you who have vintage clothing worthy of a museum, this dress should be added to your collection!  The design itself is, of course as you can see, fabulous... but it's the original Design Patent tag inside that is so unique!  Frankly I've not seen a tag like this on any dress before.  Perhaps it's that rare, or perhaps I'm just not looking hard enough.  I know of two other black lace Cassini dresses of the same design, so obviously the dress was produced, but perhaps this could be the original sample?  Seems slightly better as the others with the bows at straps, and the shape seems a bit more elegant. You know Oleg Cassini as the official couturier for Jackie Kennedy during her White House years.  I'm sure this design was a bit too sexy for her, but would have worked beautifully on his finance, Grace Kelly. Russet color lace in "sunburst" design skimming over a more fitted sexy russet sheathe dress with plunging bodice of nude fabric. Tie bows at shoulders and back. The condition looks Excellent, but is Very Good, as there are small breaks in the lace under the arms (see photos) and one short lace line break on the bodice near front/side. Still a wonderful museum quality early Oleg Cassini dress with great tag! Measures: 34" bust, 24/25" waist, up to 36" hips, 26" long from waist to hem.  NOTE:  To keep dress is best condition, Final Sale Item! Also listed in the 1920-Today Section. 

$ 785.

Approx. - SIZE 2/4
(check measurements above)
Direct From GREENWICH, CT Estate

SOLD		 #9923 - c. 18th Century (likely c. 1750) EXTREMELY RARE Shield Shape French Gold Bullion and Silk Couched Embroidered Figural Pocket Purse with Gold Sequins!  Female Figure on One Side, Male Figure on the Other Side!! Dogs on Both Sides! :) SO rare, that the only other one I've seen of this quality (and even THAT one doesn't compare!) is from London's Victoria and Albert Museum (Museum number  T.89-1935!!  They list theirs as "Date: 1700-1799" and listed as "French".  Unbelievably intricate handmade figural and architectural designs of colored silk couched embroidery with gold bullion metal embroidered into fugureal designs and surrounding designs.  Wearing "modern day" dress (of the mid-1700's) of muted pastel color palettes. The side panels are more intense colors of a rose, burgundy and gold bullion embroidered  Top-closing, side-hinged metal frame with the intricate front and back embroidered panels sewn on. Measures: 4.5" high x 3.5" wide at top.  Excellent condition with only a few tiny gold sequins missing (on closest inspection) and slight pile loss in the design both sides ... but looks like it's meant to be cloud formations in the sky!  Any imperfections are of extreme minor nature.  For something this rare and age, most people would call it "Near Mint" condition!! Green silk interior.  All Original.  Opens by pinching the side hinges.  Mechanics are perfect. NEW LISTING! Also listed in the Early and Hats, etc. Sections. 
 
$ 2,950. SOLD

[ORDER ITEM - #6157]
Click on image for additional photos!

#6157 - c. 1884 A. WALLES, 15 Rue Auber 15, Paris Deep Ruby Velvet, Lace and Jet Beaded Caplet! Ah... you should know this label! First off, this came from a collection that included an exquisite Emile Pingat outfit that was also labeled "A. Walles".  Seems that in 1896 Pingat grew tired and relinquished his business to the well-established dressmaking firm, A. Walles  - who  apparently by 1892 specialized in court dresses, including clothing for the Austrian court. This fabulous capelet certainly could have been worn by royalty!  Deep ruby velvet adorned with elaborate design of sequins and jet beads surrounded in a heavy ecru lace and topped off with large black silk bows.  Lined in an iridescent burgundy silk with scalloped edges.  A few minor marks in the velvet, but basically Near Mint condition.  This is one for the museum collection!   Also Listed in the 1850-1920s and Furs, etc. Section.  NEW LISTING!

$ 2,485.


[ORDER ITEM - #6027]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #6027 - RARE c. 1956 "I LIKE IKE" IKE Cotton Printed Presidential Campaign Dress by JERRY GILDEN SPECTATOR ! As seen in the Smithsonian Institute!  Yup! Own a piece of history!  This dress (not this particular one, but exactly the same) is part of the "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" traveling Smithsonian exhibit consisting of more than 350 presidential objects - including a field telescope used by Washington during the Revolutionary War, the brass inkwell Lincoln used when he wrote the first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation and... ta da... a Eisenhower campaign dress with the word "Ike" stamped all over.  This is the exact same dress. Photos of the exhibition dress can be seen on the Truman Library and LBJ Library websites.... just Google search "Ike campaign dress" to see.  Shown with crinolines under (don't come with it).  MOP buttons, size metal zipper. No belt - but neither does the Smithsonian dress.  Great gathering on bodice. Excellent condition with tiny light spots at skirt side. Hardly an issue.  Measures: up to 37" bust, up to 28" waist, 29" long from waist to hem. Historic piece! Wear it to your next Presidential Fundraiser! :)  Also Listed in the 1930-Today Category.

$ 1,485.

Approx. - SIZE 8
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #4815]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4815 - c. 1893 EMILE PINGAT, Paris Museum Quality 2-Tone Beaded Dusty Rose Wool and Silk Velvet Mantelette with Striped Balls and Feather Fringe!  One of the most exquisite designer pieces I've seen.... in extremely desirable colors!  A soft dusty rose wool with a much deeper "beet-root" silk velvet at yoke and neck covered with beaded design.  The tiers of the cape are finished with a "grelot" fringe (typical of Pingat - you will see this same fringe on many of this other finest pieces!) with each bead covered with silk, striped in two shads of rose.  The extreme high neck and front is edged with a fringe of clipped female ostrich feathers dyed in a two-tone to match the grelot fringe.  The mantel is fully lined in rose colored "Pompadour" brocade, also typical of Pingat - as he was the first designer to use decorative linings.  Excellent condition with a few issues... there are only 12 missing balls on fringe, there are a couple moth nips on one "sleeve" and the lining at the top is shattered!!! The issues are minor compared to the rare beauty of this museum quality Parisian designer piece! Also Listed in the 1850-1920s Category.

$ 3,450.

Approx. - SIZE Small
(check measurements above)
From WHITNEY HOUSTON
[ORDER ITEM - #4886]
Click on image for additional photos!  		#4886 - c. 1980's BOB MACKIE Couture Gold Beaded Gown! Previously Owned by WHITNEY HOUSTON! As Seen in the "Unmistakable Mackie" Book! One of the Holy Grail Mackie pieces!  Top couture Bob Mackie gown previously owned by Whitney Houston! This gown weighs an unbelievable 8 pounds!! Photographed in black and white for the "Unmistakable Mackie" book, this gown is encrusted with gold bugle beads! Looks like a 14k gold Oscar statuette as it drapes the body like the woman in the photo... less exciting on the dressform. This was not a Mackie gown meant for the general public. This is a couture piece with no lining. It's beaded only onto a black net background, so it's sheer, but only slightly as the beads cover every square inch!  Draping low cowl neck back.  Padded shoulders. Near Mint condition. Measures: 35"/36"  bust, up to 26" waist, up to 36" hips, 63" long from shoulder to hem in front 64" long in back. Sharon Stone's Mackie beaded gown from "Casino" sold at auction for $13,200.  And the original cost of this piece new would have easily been $15,000+.  These are the Mackies that will end up in museums... not the newer pieces that are just "pretty gowns".  Here's your chance to own the best of the best from Hollywood's fashion icon and masterful designer!  Also listed in Memorabilia Category and 1930-Today Category.

$ 8,500.

Approx. - SIZE 4/6
(check measurements above)


[ORDER ITEM #2826]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #2826 - c. late 1940's/early 1950's JEAN DESSES, Paris Black Silk Chiffon Cocktail Dress! Did you watch the Academy Award Oscar Ceremony in 2001?  Do you remember the fabulous yellow strapless chiffon gown worn by Renee Zellweger? "Who are you wearing?", asked Joan Rivers. "Vintage Jean Desses", Renee replied, who purchased the vintage gown for a reported $14,000 from a vintage Los Angeles shop! Rare to find vintage Desses dresses and gowns these days except at the top couture auction houses.. oh and from my website! :)  Jean Desses was a TOP of the line Couture house of Paris and this dress was designed while Jean Desses was still designing.  Excellent condition. Side metal zipper. Sheer chiffon yoke and cape sleeves. Structured horizontal and vertical bodice pleating finish at beautifully gathered dropped waistline creating full chiffon skirt in front and flat sleek skirt in back. True couture design you just don't see in mass produced dresses. A Classic! Museum quality. Imagine with just the right Diamonds! I'd go with a small diamond short necklace at neckline and perhaps a figural diamond pin at dropped right waistline - maybe a large nouveau dragonfly? Call Fred Leighton, NYC (finest antique jeweler!) and see what he's got anything for under $80,000! The dress will look like a bargin! Measures: 35" bust, 25/26" waist, 36" hips. According to Kovel's Antiques, here's another comp price for you - sold at auction in 1999: Evening, Black Chiffon, Scalloped Tucks, Train, Jean Desses,1954 for $8625! Also Listed in the 1930-Today Category.

$ 2,450.

Approx. - Size 6
(check measurements above)


[ORDER ITEM - #9825]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #9825 - c. 1830's (perhaps 1837) RARE 19th Century Gold and Silver Embroidered "Riegelhaube" or "Latch Plate Hood" with hand-written German Provenance from an Eleanore Speckner!  Comes with the Original Wallpaper Hatbox AND 8 Silver Filigree Hairpins! AS RARE as they come, this "Riegelhaube" or "Latch Plate Hood" was the head coverage for the Bavarian region - centered in and around Munich from 1755 through about 1850.  Originally much larger in the mid-1700's, they developed over 100 years to form the stiff classic shape of this one dating to approximately 1837.  What was originally a bow on the downfacing side, turned into a stiff symbol of a bow. The Riegelhaube is made of a rigid rag cardboard basis, encrusted over with silver or gold spiral metal embroidery, beading or spangles (sequins).   It's said that silver was for unmarried girls, gold for married, and black for widows/mourning... though no one is sure of that. However it was known that the caps took 200-300 working hours to create, at the price of several monthly wages! To see the Riegelhaube as worn, I found a painting of a Helene Sedlmayr, from 1831. (the painting is not part of this sale!  Geesh!). This Riegelhaube comes with the ORIGINAL green and red wallpaper hatbox and hand-written German note.  AS WELL AS Eight Extraordinary Krausnadel silver filigree hairpins used to hold the schopf (bun) together.  Traditionally only 2-5 pins were allowed used, so there are two sets here... 3 pins in the round pin set, and 5 pins in the floral pin set.  There is a variety to the pins.  And all the flower pins have tremblers!!   Condition of all elements is Excellent!! The hatbox the only piece showing wear at edges. The silver pins are tarnished as is the gold embroidered cap, but that is to be expected and I will not clean for those of you who want items this old in pristine "as found" condition.   Also listed in 1800-1840s and Hats, etc. Categories.

$ 2,850. for all pieces

 
AUTHENTIC - BROOKE SHIELDS Worn

[ORDER ITEM - #4574]
Click on image for additional photos!
 #4574 - c. 1983 BOB MACKIE, Worn by Brooke Shields for Cosmopolitan Cover Red and Black Bugle Bead Gown on Black Netting with Matching Opulent Fox Fur Trimmed Diva Jacket! From Bob Mackie's private collection of gowns purchased from the Sotheby's auction. As far as I am concerned, this was the most amazing piece at the auction! OK.. there were about 3 others that I also loved, but none nearly as opulent!! I've been searching for the Cosmo cover with Brooke Shields wearing this gown, but haven't located it yet. The gown and jacket are in Excellent condition and look incredible on! The red beading on the black netting gives an interesting coloration, with the detail pattern of the gown appearing more pronounced in certain lighting conditions. VERY high slight in the skirt shows almost all your leg when you move. Closes at back with hook between the back straps. Couture construction makes every body look it's best. The jacket is KILLER!!! Massive dolman sleeves and drapy back all trimmed in wide black fox fur around high collar, cuffs, and around entire edge. Fully beaded in all red beads and weighs a ton!! Measures: 34/35" bust, 25" waist, up to 37" hips. The finest early Bob Mackie pieces are coveted by museums. Here's your chance to own the best of the best from Hollywood's fashion icon and masterful designer! So fabulous that even Bob Mackie couldn't part with it for over 20+ years! Sharon Stone's Mackie beaded gown from "Casino" sold at auction for $13,200 - just the gown! Compared to that.. this is a steal! Also listed in the Memorabilia and 1930-Today Categories.

$ 13,500.

Approx. - Size 4/6
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #4534]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4534 - c. 1896 Museum Quality Champagne Embroidered Silk Taffeta Dressing Gown! Near Mint Condition! I'm often asked if it's difficult for me to sell my items as I am a collector at heart. Most of the time I can justify it "as my job".. but there are times I wonder what the heck I'm doing selling some of these most precious, exquisite gowns! I've come upon a few particularly amazing pieces lately. Perhaps I should just close down this website and sell something I love less... let's see... perhaps AntiqueGerbils.com? Yeah, that'll do! If you want to purchase this gown... PLEASE treat it well!!! It's come through over 100 years in near Mint condition... and deserves the only the finest home!!! Champagne colored silk taffeta gown with huge muttonsleeves. Embroidered with Japanese influenced pale pink, pale green and platinum embroidered flowers, leaves and one branch near front bottom. Open robe style with attached blush pink (smocked at neck and waistline) silk gauze front.. also embroidered. Hidden button closures. Patch pockets at sides. Lace at neck. Back of gown is watteau style. Gown is fully lined in a quilted pink silk. With the exception of one eraser size spot at back skirt, and a few very light spots barely seen nearby, and the fact that the blush pink front has slightly faded over time...the entire piece and lining is in near MINT condition!! Nearly like new!!! You just have to wonder what designer label is missing from this piece. Measures: 30/31" bust, 11" across back between armseams - so small back necessary (though it gets on me, so not overly small like some!), up to 30" waist, 55" long in front from shoulder to hem, 59" long in back.  Also Listed in the 1850-1920s Category.

$ 3,250.

Approx. - SIZE 2
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #4453]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4453 - c. 1924 RARE Molyneux, 5 Rue Royale, Paris Fully Beaded Flapper Dress on Black Crepe Silk! Larger Size! According to www.designer history.com, Edward Molyneux opened his salon in Paris in 1919, and from the beginning his style was described as "extreme simplicity and perfect taste. He was best known for his wonderful handling of navy blue and black". As written by Caroline Milbank, "Molyneux was the designer to whom a fashionable woman would turn if she wanted to be absolutely 'right' without being utterly predictable in the 1920's and 30's." So... this is without a doubt a top of the line Museum Quality beaded flapper dress with the right style and coloration to be a classic Molyneux. Perfect addition for your personal museum collection! Gorgeous (and possibly genuine) turquoise beads, iridescent white and gold bugle beads along with rhinestones all in a busy leaf and vine motif on black silk crepe. The "belt" is just more beading and there are two large "flowers" at right hip. The dress has the look of a 2-piece outfit, especially the back, but it's really one piece (see last photo for a peek under the back at hipline). Excellent condition with just perhaps one or two rows of beads missing at hip (just below the "belt" on right side - see close-up photo). Measures: 44" around bust, waist and hips, 48" long from shoulder to hem. Also Listed in the 1850-1920s Category.

$ 6,500.

Approx. - SIZE 12, perhaps 14
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #4796]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4796 - c. SPRING/SUMMER 1962 CHRISTIAN DIOR, Paris Couture Orange Poppy Printed Tulle and Chiffon Dinner Dress! Marc Bohen became head designer of Dior in 1961 after Yves Saint Laurent left. So... this is a Bohen designed Dior. Ain't I smart dating this dress! :)  However, if I was really that smart, I would know for absolute sure if the ruffles are supposed to be worn in the front or the back!  It's confusing, as the zipper is at "the back" under the ruffles, but the Dior dated and numbered couture label is attached at the front of the dress! I admit, I tried it both ways, but this seems correct as there are darts that seem to suggest "ruffles at back."   Besides, there are A LOT of ruffles and a bit overwhelming at front... and hard to sip soup! :)  Amazing construction of 6, count 'em 6 layers of skirt.  Printed poppy design tulle and chiffon layers, two sheer tulle layers, orange silk layer, and then peach lining. Excellent condition. Best for a small busted woman. Measures: 34" bust, 26" waist, 34/35" hips, 40" long from shoulder to hem.  A collectible and luscious piece of Dior fashion history! Also Listed in the 1930-Today Category.

$ 1,695.

Approx. - SIZE 4 - small busted best
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #2787]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #2787 - c. 1890 RARE DOUCET - PARIS Couture Black Velvet Beaded Waistcoat Jacket! Jacques Doucet was the genius at the helm of the House of Doucet, from 1853-1929. A contemporary of Charles F.Worth, the House of Doucet was known for maintaining a character of gracious elegance and unsurpassed fine workmanship. The firm was located on the famous Rue de la Paix, just doors away from Worth. Both Paul Poiret and Madame Vionnet worked with Doucet early in their careers. The arts and decoration of the 18th century fascinated Doucet and he collected garments of the period. Many of the items created by the house were based on historical prototypes. A plush blue-black silk velvet, designed after the court waistcoats of the late 18th century, with opulent and glittering decorative jet beadwork. Beautiful construction and workman throughout. A museum piece with the silk ivory lining in need of conservation, as it has nearly all shattered. I'm assuming a collar is missing (may have been a stand-up, or a lace similar to another Paris couture beaded jacket I have labeled A. Felix). The velvet is in excellent condition with only extreme minor bead loss in the exquisite design. Measures: 34/35" bust, 28" waist, 34" long from shoulders. An extraordinary and rare survivor, important for any clothing collection. Also Listed in the 1850-1920s Category.

$ 4,250.

Approx. - SIZE 6ish
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #4315]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4315 - c. 1980's BOB MACKIE Fully Beaded Fringe and Crystal Dress! $7,000 Original Price Still Attached ! So WHY don't I sell this dress for $7,000?? Seems crazy to me that we should be able to buy 20-year-old dresses for LESS than the original price in NEW, UNWORN condition!! Part of the problem is that it's only these very early net Mackie dresses (and costumes) that were priced at this level. There were many Mackie mass-produced dresses that were produced later, and often people don't know the difference. Always seek out the fully beaded dresses and gowns on nude netting - these were lined in nude material to be worn out in public, but if the linings were removed, they were the same nearly see-through dresses that were worn by Cher, Diana Ross and others! This dress screams Ann Margaret during her Vegas days. So these, along with Mackie's beaded costumes, are the collectable Mackies! (There was a strange silk modesty strap that you step into to hold the dress down, but I detached one side as no human could fit into the dress the way it was. You can easily remove the other side from the lining, but I left it as it is original to the dress.) Measures: 36" bust, up to 28" waist, up to 36" hips (37" tight), 32" long from shoulder to hem of underskirt with additional 4" beaded fringe. Also Listed in the 1930-Today Category.

$ 5,850.

Approx. - SIZE 6 (a/b cup best)
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #9346]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #9346 - c. 1980's RARE MICHAELE VOLLBRACH Gold Lame and Soft Green Wool Felt Kimono Shaped Evening Coat Trimmed in Peacock Feathers! Former Coty Fashion Design Winner! Attention all wall flowers!!!! You do NOT want this coat! However, if you have always craved attention, and you have a flamboyant style.. or if you are a couture collector... well then... you have just found the holy grail! :) Amazing piece.. part fashion, part sculpture.. by the incomparable Michaele Vollbrach! Just so you know... a quilted kimono jacket sold for $2900+ at Doyle's Auction House, so the prices for these extraordinary pieces are high.. for good reason! No museum textile collection should be without Vollbrach! FYI, "Michael" Vollbrach was recently wooed out of retirement to head the house of Bill Blass, but he's had to tame his wild streak, so it's not the same. Originally purchased in mid-1980's for $2,000. Purchased from Charlotte's in Akron, OH during a trunk show when Michaele Vollbrach was there! So no question this is a limited production couture, or one-of-a-kind piece. Unlined felt (see inside photo). Not for warmth! :) The peacock feathers are beautifully iridescent! The gold lame is shiny! Measures: 46" long from shoulder to hem. No closures, so will fit a variety of sizes.. just not small/short please! This will overwhelm you! Excellent, near mint condition. Also Listed in the 1930-Today Category.

$ 1,750.

Approx. - SIZE Medium-Large (sizes 10-14, perhaps 16)
(check measurements above)
OWNED BY BARBRA STREISAND!

[ORDER ITEM - #4340]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4340 - c. Spring 1966 Collection CHRISTIAN DIOR, PARIS Couture and Numbered Dress Owned by BARBRA STREISAND! Yup... Barbra Streisand loves vintage clothing! And this dress was purchased from her recent auction. Amazingly... I have the VOGUE magazine from March 15, 1966 with Barbra on the cover. The article?? "Barbra Streisand at the Paris Collections"! SO.. not only was this dress Barbra's... but we have strong proof (since the dates match perfectly)... that she bought the dress in 1966 during her photo shoot for Vogue!!!! So it's been in her collection since then. Imagine all the times she admired this dress... and now you can own it! Black stiff lace babydoll style with scalloped neckline, short sleeves and hemline. The entire two-tied lace skirt is finely knife-pleated. Black satin ribbon and bow at the slight empire waist. And, as you can see... sheer yoke and sleeves. Metal zipper at back. Excellent condition in everything but the fact that Barbra did not store the dress properly (amazingly!!!) and there is some mildew on the lining and satin ribbon. "Bad Barbra"!! Still with a bit of cleaning, it's nearly perfect! And a COUTURE dress with AMAZING history and PROVENANCE! Measures: 34" bust, 28" underbust, up to 38" hips, 37" long from shoulder to hem. Also Listed in the 1930-Today Section and Memorabilia Categories.

$ 4,500.

Approx. - SIZE 6/8
(check measurements above)
AUTHENTIC - BARBRA STREISAND Owned
and CECIL BEATON Designed Gown

[ORDER ITEM - #4343]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #4343 - c. 1970 Extremely Rare CECIL BEATON Designed Gown and Shawl for "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" Purchased from the Collection of BARBRA STREISAND! The Paramount movie was released in 1970, starring Barbra Streisand with costumes designed by the legendary Cecil Beaton. Deep red silk velvet full length empire style gown with train, having attached nude silk under dress, featuring seven oval shaped cutouts revealing underdress, edged with gold bugle beading and decorative gold metallic thread flowers. "Paramount" label with handwritten notation "Barbra Streisand". The gown is accompanied by a matching long velvet shawl, ends featuring large, full double tassels. Snap hook and eye closures. Built in bra label reads "Saks Fifth Avenue". The photos of Barbra wearing this gown were taken by Cecil Beaton! A postcard of the photo accompanies this gown, as well as the COA. Very Good Condition with occasional loose threading, a few tiny holes at lower front. Cape is Excellent condition. Measures: 33/34" bust (A cup bra), up to 32" waist, 58" long from shoulder to hem, 110" x 22" long scarf with 7" tassles. NOTE: the Cecil Beaton Audrey Hepburn ascot gown from "My Fair Lady" sold recently for $110,000! Oh, and Barbra Streisand's Superman T-shirt (yes folks... a T-shirt!) sold for $6,000, her "Owl and the Pussycat" outfit sold for $15,600, and her signature sailor top sold for $28,800!! Also Listed in the Memorabilia Category.

$ 17,500.

Approx. - SIZE 4/6
(check measurements above
FROM A BEVERLY HILLS SOCIALITE

[ORDER ITEM - #9613]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #9613 - c. 1940's BETH SCHLANK Off-White Mink Jacket / Cape! Beth Schlank's husband was M.R. Schlank, movie producer in the 1920's-early 30's. He and his partner Harry Cohen made silent films, including "Webs of Steel" and "Sgt. Mulligan". MR's wife, Bess Wright, owned her own seamstress shop and was just as well-known as Edith Head for her marvelous designs! You can still see the work of Bess Wright Schlank at the Smithsonian Institute and periodically other museums around the country! Priced accordingly to honor the designer... and for the museum design quality. Not really a jacket as the "sleeves" are not really sleeves... they are long openings (actually interesting as it fits like a sling.. your elbows are cradled and your arm comes out the opening. You can also wear with your arms totally inside the cape. Triple swing back, wide "sleeves", and wonderful curved design at front bottom. A very wide 18"-20" across the back (hard to tell as there are no seams at back, and 22" across shoulders, 30" long from back neck to hem. As always, best to get a new used fur coat cleaned and glazed to look their best, however Excellent condition. Also Listed in the 1930-Today Category.

$ 1,450.

Approx. - SIZE 14/16ish
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #3343]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #3343 - c. 1977 Rare MICHAELE VOLLBRACH Paul Gauguin Kimono Art Gown! Former Coty Fashion Design Winner! An absolute work of art! Stylizing Gauguin's famous work, "Fatata te Miti", painted in 1892, Vollbrach used the color palette and images, and captured the look on fabric! I like it better than Gauguin's original! Recently lured out of retirement, Vollbrach is now head designer for the late Bill Blass. Story goes that Johnny and Joanna Carson (you know, of the "Tonight Show") were his prime backers, but when they divorced in the mid-1980's, they withdrew their support and Vollbrach closed shop and retired as an artist! So his early gowns are rare finds! I'm told this gown is from Michaele Vollbrach's 1977 "art" collection. Fantastic P. Gauguin printed silk gown in shades of lavender, flesh, black, blue, gray, red, with highlights of yellow. Kimono style. 14" side slit. Under the huge "scarf" which becomes the kimono sleeves, It's a tube shape with up to 38" bust and 40" hips.. as it Measures: 19" across bust flat, 19" across waist flat, 20" across hips flat, 54" long from shoulder to hem. In Excellent condition except for a 1.5 x 1.5" grease? mark on lower sleeve (see photo). If I get extremely picky, there is a light pinhead spot on back butt. The last fabulous Michaele Vollbrach garment I saw... a quilted kimono jacket sold for $2900+ at Doyle's Auction house. Also Listed in the 1930-Today Category.

$ 1,485.

Approx. - SIZE 6 - 10
(check measurements above

[ORDER ITEM - #3867]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #3867 - c. 1950's Rare SELINCOURT COUTURE, London Green Changeable Taffeta Hooped Ballgown! I almost fainted when I saw this gown for the first time. I purchased it a few months ago in London at a small Vintage Clothing show. I walked around the first time and saw nothing I wanted. OK, there were a few "nice" items, but nothing I couldn't live without... which means I figure you can live without it, so why buy it. Then I took the second look around and spotted this gown hiding at the back of one booth, tucked away, hanging on a hanger nearly fully covered by other items. Wow! I don't think the dealer really wanted to sell it, since it was so well camouflaged. I got it home and finally got to see it on a mannequin and flipped! Better than I even thought! You are seeing it "as is" without any additional crinolines under. The entire skirt is hooped to create this ballgown shape!! According to "History of 20th Century Fashion" by Elizabeth Ewing, Selincourt was originally Selincourt & Colman, founded in 1857. They began making coats, mantles and fur garments. A dress business was added later. The gowns were very high quality ready-to-wear, manufactured in limited editions. Eventually, Selincourt absorbed a number of other dress businesses, and today (as of 1987) they have fifteen subsidiaries, including three couture houses. Excellent condition except for dark spotting at the back hemline and inside hemline at back, and light water spot at hemline. I hope a museum can clean to make perfect, as it's certainly rare and museum worthy! Blue/green changeable silk taffeta with gathered bodice, gathered skirt front with two tired flowers. Back metal zipper. Measures: 34" bust, 24" waist, 29" long in front from waist to hem, 47" long in back. Boned bodice. Also Listed in the 1930-Today Category.

$ 2,250.

Approx. - SIZE 4
(check measurements above)

[ORDER ITEM - #2211]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #2211 - c. early 1960's HELEN ROSE COUTURE Extraordinary Orange Beaded Gown with "Carwash" Hemline! You will see that I mention Grace Kelly quite a bit in my descriptions. Grace and Audrey.. two of my favorites. Cool beauties. So who did Grace and Audrey love? You know about Givenchy and Audrey. So now you should know about Helen Rose and Grace. Helen Rose was one of the few top Hollywood Designers from the 1940s-60s. She costumed over 200 films for MGM, was honored with 10 Oscar nominations and two Oscar wins! She designed wardrobe for a long list of stars. And her designs are memorable...such as Elizabeth Taylor's famous white wrap dress and slip from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and Judy Garland's 1890s mutton-sleeve gowns from "Meet me in Saint Louis". And she was Grace Kelly's favorite, designing her wardrobe for "The Swan" and "High Society". So when Grace was to marry her Prince, she turned to Helen Rose to design her personal wedding gown! Helen's consumer line, "Helen Rose Couture", existed from 1957-1972. In 1957, the price for her couture version of the Liz Taylor "Cat" short chiffon dress was $250! So you can just imagine the original price of this beaded gown! Easily $1000+ in the 60s! Long fitted fully beaded gown with flattering square neckline, sleeveless. Fabulous floral beaded design at neckline, straps, waistband and at knee.. and then that surprising beaded "carwash" hemline! Awesome! If Helen Rose is good enough for Grace Kelly, just imagine this on you (and don't forget to mention the Grace Kelly connection to every woman in the room!) Measures tops: 33/34" bust, 23" waist, 35/36" in the hips, 53" long from shoulder to hem. This is an opportunity to experience the luxury and glamour that was reserved for filmland's most beautiful women. Near Mint condition!

$ 4,500.

Approx. - SIZE 0/2 (small waist)
(check measurements above)


[ORDER ITEM - #1160]
Click on image for additional photos!		 #1160 - c. 1944 Black Sequin Ballgown Owned by Mrs. J. D. Rockefeller. Tagged with Date and Name from Bergdorf Goodman! Own a piece of history! As celebrity and society women's dresses are commanding top dollar at auction, here's your chance to purchase one. I was privileged to be in the main room of the Princess Diana clothing auction at Christie's in NYC in 1997. I can tell you first-hand about dresses selling for over $200,000! I only wish I had purchased one... but my bank account was nowhere close to the hammer prices of her gowns! However, Mrs. J.D. Rockefeller's January 23rd, 1944 dress can be purchased. A black chiffon overdress of 12 parts flared at the bottom decorated with bands of sequins over a black stiff taffeta slip with scalloped hemline. Side zipper. Excellent Condition!! I can't find anything wrong!! If I had more time.... I'd search though old newspaper and magazines to try to find a photo of Mrs. Rockefeller in this gown. I'm sure that photo exists, but I have no time to look. Whoever is lucky enough to own this would be smart to take the time. My other thought was to offer this gown back to Bergdorf's.... it would make a great museum display if they could gather together some of there couture gowns of the past. Measures: Dress: up to 42" bust, up to 35" waist, up to 48" hips, 18" around upper arms, 18" shoulders, 40" long from waist to hemline. Slip: up to 40" bust, up to 35" waist, up to 46" hips.

$ 1,750.

Approx. - SIZE 12/14, possibly 16
(check measurements above)

SOLD on LAYAWAY		 #6105 - RARE c. early 1970's RONALD AMEY, New York Fabulous "Boho" Print Chiffon Gown!  Museum Quality Design! From 1960-1970 Ronald Amey designed elaborate evening clothes with his partner, Joseph Burke.  The prices ranged from $500 to several thousands! Amey bought out Burke in 1970 and continued for a short time on this own, so there are few Ronald Amey labeled pieces out there - and it's his bold brints that are most sought after today by collectors!  Ronald Amey was best known for his original use of fabrics and colors. I personally don't like to use that "boho" word, but it seems to fit this maxi gown quite well.  It's high class to be sure... but appeals to the bohemian in all of us!  This fabulous print is a flowing chiffon over silk taffeta with solid jersey inserts in bodice.  The  crystal buttons at the cuffs are beautiful. The craftsmanship is extraordinary. The look is killer! Museum quality design!  Measures: 36" bust, up to 28" waist, up to 31.5" at top of waistband, 41" long from waist to hem (57" long from shoulder to hem). Excellent condition with extreme minor pinhead size spots. Best example I've seen of a Ronald Amey.

$ 1,265. SOLD on LAYAWAY

Approx. - SIZE 8
(check measurements above)

SOLD		 #4834 - c. 1960's RARE FONTANA, Roma Fabulous Printed Satin Dress with Original Satin Waistband! Museum Quality! Here's your chance to dress like a star! The House of Fontana was actually comprised of three sisters, Zoe, Micol and Giovanna. They opened their own salon in 1943 after building up a large clientele of Italian aristocracy, and in the 1950s/60s designed for US "royalty" including Jackie Kennedy and Princess Grace of Monaco, as well as Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Mansfield, Kim Novak, Raquel Welch, Audrey Hepburn (designing costumes for "Roman Holiday"!) and their best client, Ava Gardner who had Fontana design her personal wardrobe as well as for the movie "The Barefoot Contessa". This dress is incredible!!!! Simple in shape, but extraordinary in fabrication.  The signature on the satin print fabric is "Stroppa". I've researched and found that the artist is Leonardo Stroppa. Take a look at the close-up photos of the various turn-of-the-century tableaus!  Can-can girls, motorcars, antique bicycles, couples promenading, etc.  All in a gorgeous color paillette. Measures: 37" bust, 27" waist, 32.5" long from waist to hem.  Shown with extra crinoline, but has some under attached.  Excellent condition with just a hint of dinginess on waistband.  Break out the espadrilles and stroll the Italian Rivera as Ava Gardner might!

$ 1,465. SOLD

Approx. - SIZE 6/8 (large bust)
(check measurements above)

SOLD		 #4377 - c. Winter 1926/27 RARE Numbered JEANNE LANVIN, Paris Couture Black Silk Taffeta Robe de Style Dress with Silver Beading! LARGER SIZE! This is the iconic dress from the era by Lanvin. Tom Tierney used the dress to showcase in his paperdoll book. And a similar Lanvin is shown in the Kyoto Costume Institute Fashion History book, which describes the dress as "significant". Black silk tissue taffeta with rhinestones, bugle beads and seed pearls in amazing deco design. LARGE SIZE! Measures: 42" bust, 40" waist, 50" long from shoulder to hem. There are pinholes in the skirt (seen when held up to light), but looks nearly perfect without the light. The front ecru net panel at bust has some minor light staining, and just a small percentage of the seed pearls are missing. Any other beads missing are not worth even mentioning. There is no underpinning or lining. I shaped in the robe de style shape with tissue under. Pannier undergarment is necessary for the correct look. This dress can easily be the highlight of your 1920's clothing collection.

$ 7,500. SOLD

Approx. - SIZE 12, perhaps 14
(check measurements above)

SOLD		 #4641 - c. 1925 RARE LIBERTY & Co., London Phenomenonal Beaded Velvet Evening Coat! The best of the best!!! A gray velvet coat with completely beaded upper portion. Actually the beading design of huge clusters of flowers and large leaves embroidered of silk floss and beads is all constructed on a netting overlay on the gray velvet! Even the striped bodice "background" is beading! Beading design continues as border motif on sleeves and around dropped waist. The netting has been repaired (mostly under the collar), and there are places where the beading and embroidery is missing (again mostly hidded by the collar when worn down) - see close-up photos. The two large buttons may have been covered originally better. Still... even with the issues.. this is a rare, museum quality piece that will be a highlight in any collection. My apologies to the coat as it also deserves a steaming that I didn't give it!!!! So sorry!! FYI.. at the Doyle Auction in 2004, a c.1905 Liberty & Co. fairly plain black satin coat sold for $7,767. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't hold a candle to this coat!

$ 7,750.  SOLD

Approx. - SIZE 4/6
(check measurements above)
RARE MOURNING ENSEMBLE
SOLD


SOLD


SOLD
 

 #4858 and #4859 - c. 1907 and 1909 EXTRAORDINARILY RARE Two Mourning Gowns and Accessories from One Estate!  One DESBUISSON & HUDELIST, Paris Matte Black Sequin Ballgown for Later Stage Morning!  AND One L. MONNEY, New York 4-piece Deep Mourning Ensemble 2-piece Gown with Matching Parasol and Mourning Veil!  I'm hoping a museum, or museum quality collector will find this listing as I would love to sell both gowns together due to the rarity of finding these gowns together.  Often mourning gowns were discarded by the owners after the one year and one day morning period was over for three reasons... 1) it was considered bad luck to keep,  2) by the time you would need perhaps go into mourning again for the next close relative passing away, the dress would be out of style, so would not have been worn again by a fashionable lady, and 3) they were worn at all times, and therefore often worn out.  SO it's hard to find any complete mourning gowns that survived in Near Mint condition today.  To have the original summer 1907 2-piece deepest morning gown of the lovely crinkly crape-anglaise (mourning crape - spelled with an "a" to indicate mourning crape) with the original matching parasol (with wooden handle carved to match the crape material!) and trimmed crape chiffon veil is very rare indeed. I was told that the design of this gown was based upon a gown by Worth.  Then to have the original later stage fancy mourning evening gown of black net covered in matte black sequins (graduating in size from tiny at the shoulder to large at the hem with huge tassel of unpolished jet - if this gown was NOT a mourning gown, it would have been studded with shiny sequins rather than dull, matte sequins) from the same woman! Well.... this is a RARE FIND indeed. The original estate asked NOT to be identified so the provenance will, unfortunately not be provided (damn!). But there is no question it's from the same woman with extraordinary sexy proportions! :) Evening gown Measures: 35/36" bust, 24/25" waist, 76" long at back. Very Good to Excellent condition with some sequins missing, a bit of wear at back net waist. Note: not as shiny in person as in the photo as the sequins are matte finish.  The 2-piece wearable Excellent condition crinkly crape gown Measures: 35/36" bust, 24" waist, 12" neck, 43" long in front, 65" long in back skirt. Excellent condition 55" x 22" scarf. Excellent condition parasol. The hat in the photos didn't come with the gown, but I will throw it in for a complete look.  The hat is tiered dull black lace, but I've been told lace wouldn't have been for the deepest mourning, so.... 

$ 5,985.  SOLD

Approx. - SIZE 2/4, small waisted 6
(check measurements above)

SOLD
June 1983 VOGUE Ad / $7,000 Price!		 #4178 - c. 1983 RARE JACQUELINE de RIBES, Paris, New York Made in France and Numbered Dress! MUSEUM Quality! In looking through my old Vogue Magazines, I found a similar Jacqueline de Ribes dress... it cost $7,000 new (see below!)! Comtesse Jacqueline de Ribes was a socialite dubbed one of the most stylish women by Town and Country magazine. She emerged in the 1980's as one of the so-called "society" designers, a group that included Carolyne Roehm, and Christina Herrera. "Scandalous" is the only word to describe this fancy dress. It teeters on that fine line of "trashy" versus "runway chic". If you have a classy enough look, you can wear this dress and evoke Halle Berry rather than Bjork. You have to look at all the sides and back of this dress. It's awesome. It's one of those dresses that you want to own to try on in front of your mirror and wish you had the nerve to wear it! If any of you are headed to the Grammy's next year... this will get you on TV! Guaranteed! The dress is gathered black taffeta criss-crossed over black dotted velvet net with only YOU underneath. There are seams at the front sides to add even more architecture to the dress. Huge bow at one side. Gigantic pouf sleeves. Back zipper. Killer legs and stiletto heels are the only accessories you will need. Measures: 34/35" bust, 25/26" waist, up to 36" hips, 36" long from shoulder to hem. Originally had shoulderpads which were removed, but will come with the dress (in case they ever come back into vogue). Excellent condition with just one tiny break found in the underlayer of the netting at the front waist. Hardly visible. Make a statement! Grrrrrrrrr!

$ 5,000. SOLD

Approx. - SIZE 4
(check measurements above
From WHITNEY HOUSTON

SOLD		 #4885 - c. 1980's BOB MACKIE Couture Gold and White Beaded Slightly Trained Gown! Previously Owned by WHITNEY HOUSTON!  One of the Holy Grail Mackie pieces!!!  Top couture Bob Mackie gown previously owned by Whitney Houston!! This gown weighs an unbelievable 7 pounds!! This gown was not meant for the general public. This is a couture piece with no lining. So it's sheer, but only slightly as the beads cover most every square inch of the nude net background. The body shows through at certain areas. Measures: 35" bust, up to 26" waist, up to 36" hips, 60" long from shoulder to hem in front, 63" long in back. Excellent condition.  If there are any beads missing, you will have to spend hours searching. Sharon Stone's Mackie beaded gown from "Casino" sold at auction for $13,200.  And the original cost of this piece new would have easily been $15,000+.  These are the Mackies that will end up in museums... not the newer pieces that are just "pretty gowns". Here's your chance to own the best of the best from Hollywood's fashion icon and masterful designer! NEW LISTING! Also listed in the Memorabilia Category.

$ 7,500. SOLD

Approx. - SIZE 4/6
(check measurements above)

SOLD		 #6455 - c. 1927 HOUSE of WORTH, Paris Numbered Black Cotton Velvet Coat! First off,  to find this coat with the original belt still attached is just SO cool!  So many times over the years, belts have been lost... so this is a treat.  An Oh-So-Simple shaped coat with unique tailoring (as you would expect from the prestigious House of Worth!).  The neckline is sublime and can be worn three different ways (I've shown all three - as long as you don't mind seeing the hooks).  And then, ooh,  the elbows are tucked and nearly molded to the crook in the arm! The coat is lined in black silk in quite good condition, though needs re-sewing at the armholes... however it allows you to currently see that the coat has some batting inside for warmth.  The exterior of this coat is in Excellent condition with one tiny exception.... someone tried to get their too large hand into the cuff and there is a small vertical tear that should be mended at one cuff (see photos), but it hardly shows... and I have a largish hand and I don't have a problem with the coat so she must have been HUGE :). Due to wrap, size can be changed, but currently Measures: 33/34" bust, up to 28" waist, 38" hips, 44" long from shoulder to hem.  However, you can move a couple interior hooks to fit a larger size.  Still you would want a smallish back and thin-ish arms.   You probably know that the most expensive antique gown was a Worth court gown which sold for over $100K, so.... Worth is THE name in antique clothing!!!

$ 1,450. SOLD

Approx. - SIZE 0-6
(check measurements above)
 
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