$1,050.00
Striking silk ensemble by Mary McFadden consisting of a maxi skirt and long coat that pair beautifully together. The coat is shin length, with long sleeves, no lapel, button-less front closure, and a jewel neckline. The coat is composed of an amazing hand painted floral lotus design on a pink and blue swirl wave background, with a horizontal quilting stitch that adds plushness and structure. The skirt is ankle length, with a narrow band, and a hidden bubble - like hem that curves inwards, filling the skirt with playful volume.
Mary McFadden is best known for her Fortuny - inspired plisse evening dresses, so we were delighted to find this unusual skirt and jacket ensemble. Although not similar of her usual designs, this dress still features McFadden's fastidious attention to detail.
Skirt Measurements :
Waist: 24"
Hip: 35 "
Length: 41"
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Bold 1960s - does - 1920s Art Deco print dress by Paganne! The dress falls below the knee, has long sleeves, and a jewel neckline. The dress has a loose sheath silhouette, with an A - line skirt and a more fitted bodice. The print is primarily purple, with splashes of light and dark green, as well as white. The piece features an amazing print of fashionable, flapper - type women strolling and posing. The print is very much Erte and Lepape, with strong shapes and stylized forms.
The Paganne label was created by Gene Berk in the 1960s. Berk studied to become a lawyer but found himself working in the fashion industry, merchandising for menswear, and at one point creating sportswear for Oleg Cassini. In the late 1960s Berk struck out on his own, and sent hand sketched designs to Italy so that they could be screen printed onto fabric. He was the American answer to the various French and Italian designers (Pucci, Lanvin, Leonard, and Bessi) who prized bold, graphic prints.
Berk would begin his creative process by designing the print first, and then deciding how it would be formed into a garment; often times the fabric would be used for various pieces. His prints were varied - botanical, geometric, modernist, figural - but all had the same 1960s/1970s bold flair, printed onto silk jersey, cotton knits, velvets, and Qiana nylon synthetics.
$725.00
Paganne does it again with this playful black and red racehorse print knit dress! The dress is maxi length, with an A - line skirt, long sleeves, a jewel neckline, and a fitted bodice. The bodice is primarily red, with black shoulders and arms, and a fun jockey's cap border on the cuffs and at the bust line. The skirt depicts various racehorses and their jockeys trotting and galloping through a scene. Waist is accented by a long black belt with fringe. Slit on left leg adds a bit of drama.
The Paganne label was created by Gene Berk in the 1960s. Berk studied to become a lawyer but found himself working in the fashion industry, merchandising for menswear, and at one point creating sportswear for Oleg Cassini. In the late 1960s Berk struck out on his own, and sent hand sketched designs to Italy so that they could be screen printed onto fabric. He was the American answer to the various French and Italian designers (Pucci, Lanvin, Leonard, and Bessi) who prized bold, graphic prints.
Berk would begin his creative process by designing the print first, and then deciding how it would be formed into a garment; often times the fabric would be used for various pieces. His prints were varied - botanical, geometric, modernist, figural - but all had the same 1960s/1970s bold flair, printed onto silk jersey, cotton knits, velvets, and Qiana nylon synthetics.
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Bold, almost color blocked midi dress by Paganne. The long sleeved dress, with jewel neckline, falls below the knee, with a loose, knit, sheath silhouette that skims the body. The print is primarily grey and blue, with accents of black and pops of bright red. The print is almost machine like, with a great amount of geometric symmetry. The various graphic squares and patches appear to be sewn together, with oversized threads and eyelets. Curious and captivating!
The Paganne label was created by Gene Berk in the 1960s. Berk studied to become a lawyer but found himself working in the fashion industry, merchandising for menswear, and at one point creating sportswear for Oleg Cassini. In the late 1960s Berk struck out on his own, and sent hand sketched designs to Italy so that they could be screen printed onto fabric. He was the American answer to the various French and Italian designers (Pucci, Lanvin, Leonard, and Bessi)who prized bold, graphic prints.
Berk would begin his creative process by designing the print first, and then deciding how it would be formed into a garment; often times the fabric would be used for various pieces. His prints were varied - botanical, geometric, modernist, figural - but all had the same 1960s/1970s bold flair, printed onto silk jersey, cotton knits, velvets, and Qiana nylon synthetics.
$385.00
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Classic 1950s "New Look" silhouette dress by Suzy Perette! The dress has a brilliant, full, circle skirt, fitted bodice, and sleeves that fall just above the elbow. The dress print is playful - a powder blue background of hatching lines underneath a spray of black and cornflower blue polkadots. Delightful!
Suzy Perette was an American company that licensed French designs and created them stateside, usually selling them at more reasonable costs. Their most famous pieces included Christian Dior’s “New Look” silhouette, featuring a cinched waist and full skirt. Suzy Perette was crucial in introducing American women to the marvels of French fashion, and doing so at an affordable cost that allowed the wearer’s to look like chic Parisiennes without having to go on a transatlantic trip!
$555.00
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Wonderful late 70’s dress featuring the iconic geometric forms Bessi was best known for! The dress falls below the knee, has long sleeves, a jewel neckline, and a faux wrap skirt with free panel. The neckline, cuffs, hem, and waist of the dress are highlighted by a narrow ribbon - like print of stacked geometric flowers. The shoulders feature a slight structured puff to them, forseeing the large accent shoulders of the 1980s. Print includes the subtle but scintillating "Bessi" signature.
Averardo Bessi has been producing colorful, playful, and intricate textile designs since 1950. Bessi' first collection was presented to the world in 1968, quickly leading the designer to become an internationally known force.
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$470.00
1970s does 1930s in this sheer floral dress! This beautiful slinky dress is maxi length, with long sleeves, buttoned cuffs, and a jewel neckline. The bias cut of the dress gives it a gorgeous petal - like skirt with lightly fluttering hem that floats beautifully when worn. The dress includes a scoop neck slip that peeks out from under the sheer top layer. Brilliant oversized floral print is the cherry on top, adding drama and playfulness to the elegant silhouette.
Includes oversized shawl that can be worn in numerous ways.
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Bold bright and beautiful Color of the Season “yellow” with orange and red dress by Marc Bohan for Christian Dior. The dress is maxi length with an A - line silhouette, lightly pleated skirt for added volume, long, fitted sleeves, a fitted bodice, and a curving V - neck with sweetheart - like point. The print of the dress is amazing! Vivid florals of varying sizes in orange and red jump off the light cream background, trailing across the dress in an almost uninterrupted pattern.
Fabulous! Zipper closure in back.
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Beautiful intricately printed dress by Youssef Rizkallah for Malcolm Starr. The dress is maxi length, with an A - Line silhouette, long bishop sleeves with a wide cuff, a fitted bodice, and a wide jewel neckline. The dress is brilliant and colorful, with bright shades of green, yellow, orange, and purple offset with cream. The dress features a spectacular Art - Deco - meets - Middle - East pattern with swirling geometric forms offset by conspicuous florals including lotus designs. Truly fabulous.
Not much is known about Youssef Rizkallah’s childhood. He was born in Cairo in the 1920s and went to study at the École des Arts Decoratifs in Paris when he was 19. While in Paris, Rizkallah apprenticed under Jacques Griffe and Pierre Balmain. Rizkallah returned to Cairo and became wildly successful providing couture fashion to the Queen of Jordan and the wives of arab diplomats. In the 1950s he moved to Los Angeles on the behest of fellow designer Jean Louis. Rizkallah soon found himself collaborating with stateside designers including Luis Esteves and Malcolm Starr. Rizhallah then went on to create a womenswear line in 1975.
Rizhallah's work was defined by brilliant colors, textures, and forms that played against each other to create elegant designs.
$1,995.00
Amazing dark navy blue light weight wool dress and coordinating hat by Yohji Yamamoto! The dress has a loose drop waist silhouette with lightly pleated skirt, short sleeves, and a deep V - neckline openings both in the front and back of the dress. The dress comes with a wide scarf that conceals the fichu - like V - neck.
Also available for purchase separately is an iconic wool hat designed by Akio Hirata for Yohji Yamamoto. Hat is featured in last image.
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$900.00
$175.00
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Playful but not puerile, sophisticated but not stuffy herringbone dress by Geoffrey Beene. The dress is composed of soft herringbone woven wool in a beautiful dark sandy brown tone. The knee - length dress has a loose shift silhouette (almost trapeze - like) with long sleeves, and a rather curious collar. The peter pan collar has a short working zipper that leads to a modest keyhole opening just below the collar. Lined in sage green silk. Bonus: has pockets!
Geoffrey Beene began his career in the 1950s, designing under numerous New York houses including Teal Traina, finally opening his own label in 1963. Beene was incredibly conscious of the human body, and was particularly regardful of the figure in motion - as Beene once said“clothing is nothing until it hits the body." His designs were created to work with the client’s body, encasing it lightly and giving it a more artful structure. Beene's reinterpretations of dress formality, use of synthetics, and unusual combination of materials (accessories in acrylic and diamonds, for example), set him aside from his contemporaries who focused on the business of fashion, rather than the artistry of fashion.
Clients include: Jacqueline Kennedy, Lynda Bird Johnson, Nancy Reagan, Paloma Picasso, and Gloria Steinem.
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$535.00
Gorgeous custom made dress and jacket ensemble with detailed beaded florals. The dress is knee length, with a wide rounded collar, and no sleeves. The dress skirt sits at the natural waist, and has two pleats for added volume. The jacket has a rounded neckline, wide sleeves that end above the wrist, and is waist - length. The ensemble features elegant silver - white seed bead detailing in a trailing floral pattern. Shimmers beautifully!
Jacket:
Bust 42"
Sleeve Length - 18"
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$350.00
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$650.00
$550.00
$575.00
Wonderful deep maroon red skirt and shrug set by Janus of Norway. This two piece ensemble is made out of plush, warm virgin wool featuring a mostly red color scheme with dashes of black and orange in the form of a traditional Norwegian knitting pattern near the hem. The long maxi length skirt sits at the natural waist, and skims the curves of the body. The shawl is thick and wide, and can be worn a number of ways, including around the head and neck as a scarf, or around the shoulders as a sort of slinky shawl top. Wonderful!
Janus of Norway has been creating fine wool garments and accessories since 1895.
Top Measurements: Bust: 43" Length:9.5"
$445.00
$2,800.00
So fun! We love this unusual maxi length intarsia knit sweater by Giorgio di Sant’Angelo! The sweater dress has long sleeves and a jewel collar, and features an amazing aeronautic intarsia knit design of various aircrafts whirling about in the sky, including a biplane with “37007HR” on its wing. The planes are knit in a bright orange color, echoing the wide orange collar and sleeve cuffs. Stripes of green are present on the lower and upper arms, as well as on the bottom of the skirt, giving the piece a vibrant “racing stripe” edge.
A dress identical to this one has been exhibited at the Phoenix Art Museum as part of their Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo retrospective that took place in fall 2011 / winter 2012.
The sweater was was also mentioned in a 1973 Time Magazine article titled “Fashion is an Honest Sweater.”
"There are many reasons for the new sweater enthusiasm. Selections in both color and style are wider than ever… Many sweaters now sport knitted-in portraits of people or animals. Betsey Johnson's "ecology" line features trees and fish; Giorgio di Sant'Angelo portrays a plane taking off. Stan Herman's trompe l'oeil sweater dresses have fake belts and scarves knitted into the material. Others contrast jazzy colors, stripes and polka dots in dazzling juxtaposition. "Sweaters are completely different now," says Sant'Angelo. "We have these fabulous synthetic yarns and colors." Says Herman: "Sweaters are the only way to dress.""
$700.00
Channel your inner Marilyn or dance like studio 54 could only have imagined in this fun and flirty knit white dress by Jill Richards. The dress ensemble is composed of a white maxi dress and coordinating white knit shawl. The dress has a sweetheart - like neckline with thin spaghetti straps and grecian - like wrapped pleating around the bust, giving way to an elegant waterfall pleat down the front of the dress. The dress features a slip layer that peeks out from under the hem, adding volume and interest to the bottom of the skirt. The shawl is amazing, with bold white feather trim accented with silver tinsel!
The white - on white disco fabulousness of this fit makes us think of Bianca Jagger's iconic white studio 54 suit!
$850.00
Amazing tromple l'oeil poly knit dress by Roberta di Camerino! The dress has a loose silhouette, with long sleeves, and a long pointed wing collar. The piece features an amazing graphic print that tricks one's eyes into thinking that the dress is actually a three piece ensemble! The print includes a black and red plaid faux skirt with pleats, a white blouse accented by gold tone Roberta buttons, and a red jacket with bright blue trim. This playful, elegant dress is deceivingly simple and wonderfully stylish! Made in Italy. Fabric is synthetic. Dress is in fair condition and missing cuff links for the french cuffs.
Giuliana Camerino (née Coen) was born to a Jewish family in Venice. In 1943, as World War II raged on, the Camerinos fled to Switzerland where Giuliana began designing handbags for local leather goods stores. Camerino founded the house “Roberta di Camerino” in 1945. The business was named after the 1935 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film “Roberta”; The song “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” was the last tune Camerino listened to before escaping to Switzerland.
Roberta di Camerino handbags quickly became known for their innovative use of patterned and colored fabric, two materials that had never been used in handbags. Camerino continued to develop new and interesting designs that would go on to inspire others, including using an “R”-trellis pattern in 1946 that predated Gucci’s iconic “G” pattern handbags and accessories, a the woven leather handbag in 1957 that anticipated the Bottega Veneta woven look, and a hinged handbag that Prada later went on to imitate. Camerino helped develop the post-WW2 venetian economy, employing venetian craftsmen to create many materials, including the brass hardware she used in her striking, cut-velvet bags, and to weave fabric using local antique looms. Camerino branched out into apparel; much of her clothing had distinctive optical illusion tromp l’oeil prints, pleats, buckles, and ruffles.
$875.00
Amazing tromple l'oeil poly knit maxi dress by Roberta di Camerino! The dress has a loose silhouette, with long sleeves, and a long pointed wing collar. The piece features an amazing graphic print that tricks one's eyes into thinking that the dress is actually a three piece ensemble! The print includes a red faux skirt with billowing pleats, a wide purple - blue belt that makes one think of Spanish matadors, a white blouse, and a red jacket with lapel and passementerie designs. This playful, elegant dress is deceivingly simple and wonderfully stylish! Gold tone Roberta buttons ornament the front, and match the cufflinks on the sleeve. Made in Italy.
Giuliana Camerino (née Coen) was born to a Jewish family in Venice. In 1943, as World War II raged on, the Camerinos fled to Switzerland where Giuliana began designing handbags for local leather goods stores. Camerino founded the house “Roberta di Camerino” in 1945. The business was named after the 1935 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film “Roberta”; The song “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” was the last tune Camerino listened to before escaping to Switzerland.
Roberta di Camerino handbags quickly became known for their innovative use of patterned and colored fabric, two materials that had never been used in handbags. Camerino continued to develop new and interesting designs that would go on to inspire others, including using an “R”-trellis pattern in 1946 that predated Gucci’s iconic “G” pattern handbags and accessories, a the woven leather handbag in 1957 that anticipated the Bottega Veneta woven look, and a hinged handbag that Prada later went on to imitate. Camerino helped develop the post-WW2 venetian economy, employing venetian craftsmen to create many materials, including the brass hardware she used in her striking, cut-velvet bags, and to weave fabric using local antique looms. Camerino branched out into apparel; much of her clothing had distinctive optical illusion tromp l’oeil prints, pleats, buckles, and ruffles.
$650.00
Striking! This slinky poly knit Roberta di Camerino dress falls below the knee, has short sleeves, and a round jewel neckline. The top of the dress is brilliant and deep Roberta red, with a navy blue trompe l'oeil illusion "fold" line that dips into the v - shape accent "belt" around the waist, giving the dress the appearance of billowing movement. The skirt of the dress features a geometric diamond, zig-sag, and rectangle pattern. A design exemplary of Roberta di Camerino's playful, elegant style! Made in Italy.
Giuliana Camerino (née Coen) was born to a Jewish family in Venice. In 1943, as World War II raged on, the Camerinos fled to Switzerland where Giuliana began designing handbags for local leather goods stores. Camerino founded the house “Roberta di Camerino” in 1945. The business was named after the 1935 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film “Roberta”; The song “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” was the last tune Camerino listened to before escaping to Switzerland.
Roberta di Camerino handbags quickly became known for their innovative use of patterned and colored fabric, two materials that had never been used in handbags. Camerino continued to develop new and interesting designs that would go on to inspire others, including using an “R”-trellis pattern in 1946 that predated Gucci’s iconic “G” pattern handbags and accessories, a the woven leather handbag in 1957 that anticipated the Bottega Veneta woven look, and a hinged handbag that Prada later went on to imitate. Camerino helped develop the post-WW2 venetian economy, employing venetian craftsmen to create many materials, including the brass hardware she used in her striking, cut-velvet bags, and to weave fabric using local antique looms. Camerino branched out into apparel; much of her clothing had distinctive optical illusion tromp l’oeil prints, pleats, buckles, and ruffles.
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Amazing bright green Oscar de la Renta maxi dress and coordinating jacket! The long dress has a faux turtleneck and sleeveless bodice in a stretch knit fabric with thin ribbing. The cinched waist is accented by a wide belt, and the A-line skirt in bold, large green, blue, red, and white plaid, elongates the silhouette. The dress is complemented with a long sleeve, hip length jacket with a long horizontal collar that is simply the cherry on top of this striking 70s ensemble!
Jacket Measurements
Bust: 34"
Waist: 33"
Length: 23"
$255.00
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$4,000.00
This same ensemble is found in a number of museum collections including the FIDM archive (of which a photograph is included). Striking 1960s Rudy Gernreich for Harmon Knitwear dress and sweater set. The playful ensemble consists of a solid black long sleeve pullover sweater with princess seams, accent belt, solid white round flat collar, and short red bow. The dress underneath the sweater is short sleeved, with a jewel collar, and a bell - like silhouette with a skirt flaring from the bust. The bold colors play off of each other, and in unison create an eye-popping ensemble that works as a perfect example of the avante garde, innovate, adventurous designs Rudi Gernreich was known for!
Born in Vienna, Austria, Rudolf “Rudi” Gernreich developed his love for high fashion from his aunt, Hedwig Müller, who owned a dress shop. At the age of eight, after his father -a stocking manufacturer who had served in World War I- committed suicide, Gernreich began spending more time at his aunt’s shop, learning about fabrics, the dress trade, and sketching her designs for the Viennese elite. After having seen his sketches, Austrian designer Ladislaus Zcettel offered a 12-year-old Gernreich a fashion apprenticeship in London, but his mother, Elisabeth, refused as Gernreich was still very young.
In 1938 Gernreich and his mother immigrated to Los Angeles as Jewish refugees fleeing the German Anschluss. Life was difficult, and for a time the family subsisted on pastries Elizabeth baked and Rudi sold door to door. Gernreich’s first job was preparing cadavers for autopsy; although the job was grim, Gernreich claimed it gave him an opportunity to study anatomy, “I do smile sometimes when people tell me my clothes are so body-conscious I must have studied anatomy. You bet I studied anatomy.”
Inspired by modern dancer Martha Graham, Gernreich joined the Leslie Horton Modern Dance Troupe from 1942 to 1948. Dance provided Gernreich with an understanding of motion and how clothing moved with the body. Gernreich became a costume designer, eventually becoming a freelance designer. Gernreich worked for dress manufacturers in California and New York, where he was expected to base his designs off of the already-popular “New Look.” Gernreich subverted expectations of a feminine nipped-waist look when he presented his avant grade, mod designs. Gernreich established his own company in 1960, and also began designing dramatic ready-to-wear sportswear and casual knitwear pieces for Harmon Knitwear
Although high-end, Gernreich created works that were youthful and fun, showcasing his strong understanding of shape, color, form, and the human body. His designs sought to liberate the female form from structured fashion, and to challenge reigning beauty and gender norms. Gernreich spearheaded the mod minidress movement, and among his most scandalous designs are bathing suits with cutouts, topless nightgowns and dresses, thong bikinis, body decals, dresses with vinyl cutouts, and androgynous pantsuits. Gernreich also designed the iconic “monokini” and the “no-bra” bra that was the antithesis of the structured bras that dominated the 1960s, lead the “Total Look” movement that involved a fully-matching outfit, including shoes, coat, hat, and undergarments, all in optical art inspired prints, and produced a conceptual collection in 1970, featuring reveling yet utilitarian unisex clothing that was meant to represent Gernreich’s vision of the future of fashion. Gernreich even produced the clothing in the very first fashion video, “Basic Black: William Claxton w/ Peggy Moffitt.”
In 1967, Time magazine declared Gernreich to be “the most way-out, far-ahead designer in the U.S,” and with his innovative, experimental, adventurous designs, it would be difficult to deny that Rudi Gernreich was a designer ahead of his time.
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Fabulous deep purple velvet dress by Mollie Parnis! The dress features a knee length skirt, long sleeves, and an exaggerated spread arrow collar with V - neck. The dress has a series of buttons on the front for closure. The dress has an A - Line silhouette with a pinched waist accented by a wide, satin ribbon (tied in a bow!) in indigo. The dark floral print on the dress presents foliage, flowers, and birds, and makes us think of Barbara Hulanicki's Biba and William Morris' verdant prints.
Paired with some really high under, at or over the knee boots and your ready for a day or night to remember!
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$455.00