About Black Cat Vintage
Black Cat Vintage was begun in 2005 to preserve the disappearing art of dressing beautifully. Representing over a century of fashion history, our collection includes the work of legendary artists and nameless designers alike, with each piece chosen as an exceptional reflection of its time and carefully restored to its glorious original condition. After over 25 years of collecting, our archive has been featured in museum exhibits, worn at the Emmys, costumed television performances and populated designer archives. We sincerely look forward to sharing it with you as well.
Established in 20051stDibs seller since 2017
Featured Pieces
Custom Convertible Length Brown-Black Horizontal Ranch Mink Coat – S, 1971
Located in Tucson, AZ
Custom made for its owner in 1971 and professionally stored since, this one-of-a-kind ranch mink coat is remarkable both for its beauty and its practicality. Its horizontal 5” pelts ...
Category
1970s American Fur Puffer Coats
Revillon Paris Brown Mink Fur Princess Stroller Coat w Art Deco Lining -S, 1950s
By Revillon
Located in Tucson, AZ
Impossibly beautiful, this ultra-rare Revillon fur manages to be even more striking on its interior than its exterior. Though the cut and features are solidly mid-century, the extrao...
Category
1950s French Fur Puffer Coats
Helen Rose Strapless Satin Blue Brown Ball Gown w Rear Bow Bouquet - XS-S, 1962
By Helen Rose
Located in Tucson, AZ
Created by the same designer who made Grace Kelly's wedding gown, this ball gown is instantly recognizable as a vintage masterpiece in the style of Charles James. The ballooning rear...
Category
1960s American Ball Gowns
Oscar de la Renta Navy Silk Demi-Couture Elizabethan Revival Gown - S, 1971
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Tucson, AZ
Celebrating the 70s' headlong revival of boho romanticism, this exceptional piece conjures the breathless femininity of Romeo's Juliet with de la Renta's demi-couture architectural p...
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1970s American Evening Gowns
Lillie Rubin Black Full Length Beaded Column Gown w Illusion Sleeves – L, 21st C
By Lillie Rubin
Located in Tucson, AZ
Exquisitely simple, this statuesque floor length gown pairs a minimalistic column silhouette with dazzling black aurora borealis bugle beads so the wearer—and not her dress—does the ...
Category
Early 2000s American Evening Gowns
Oleg Cassini Nude Rose Gold Bead and Sequin Illusion Evening Gown - US 6, 1990s
By Oleg Cassini
Located in Tucson, AZ
Achingly similar to Sharon Stone’s nude Bob Mackie gown in “Casino,” this illusion gown covers all the naughty bits with a solid crust of rose gold sequins, silver beads and rhinesto...
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1990s American Evening Gowns
Sapphire Silk Mother Ginger Halter Ball Gown w Pannier Hoop Skirt - XXS, 1950s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Worn by a well-to-do young Parisian at her debutante ball, which included a pre-party on a Seine-docked yacht. The convertible halter neck adds real-world practicality, but the jaw-dropping changeante color and Elizabethan-style skirt elevate this gown to the realm of myth.
Vintage halter neck...
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1950s French Ball Gowns
Ceil Chapman Navy Chiffon Portrait Collar Dress with Shoulder Bow - Med, 1950s
By Ceil Chapman
Located in Tucson, AZ
One look at this dress’s multidirectional bodice draping and it’s easy to see why seven of Chapman’s designs are featured in the Met’s permanent collection; the 35 feet of skirt just...
Category
1950s American Evening Dresses
New Bottega Veneta Black Silk Velvet Branch Coral Illusion Runway Dress – It. 38
By Bottega Veneta
Located in Tucson, AZ
New, unworn and right off Bottega Veneta’s 2012 runway comes this incomparable illusion dress whose nude shoulders make the dress appear to float unattached on the body. Painstakingly crafted, each piece of the laser-cut silk velvet pattern is sewn individually and perfectly matched to create perfect vertical symmetry on the left and right sides of the dress. Halfway between a Rorschach pattern and branch coral, the dress is a marvel and a walking piece of art.
Sleeveless illusion dress with nude net...
Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
New Tarquin Ebker Black White Asymmetrical Delphos Dress w Provenance – S, 1978
By Tarquin Ebker
Located in Tucson, AZ
One of the most cryptic designers of the 20th century, Tarquin Ebker was a disciple of Charles James and designed for Hattie Carnegie in the mid-century. Few of his early pieces exis...
Category
1970s American Delphos Gowns
Black Akris Illusion Ribbed Fit and Flare Day Dress, Original Tags – S, 2012
By Akris Punto
Located in Tucson, AZ
A dress that gives Alaïa a run for his money, this Akris model features the same famous fit and flare silhouette while hitting the knee instead of above it. Short sleeves and a mock ...
Category
2010s Swiss Day Dresses
Black D&G Dolce & Gabbana Bodycon Girdle Slip Dress w Satin Bra – 40, 2001
By D&G by DOLCE & GABBANA
Located in Tucson, AZ
Sleeveless compression dress with satin bullet bra bodice, adjustable bra straps and pencil skirt. 5” wide lace overlay panel from sternum to hem in front; princess seams in rear. 7”...
Category
Early 2000s Tunisian Cocktail Dresses
More About Black Cat Vintage
Our 2002 Galliano corset-laced mermaid gown as worn by Alek Wek. (Photo credit: Mikael Jansson.)
A solid version of our 1995 Versace Medusa suit as worn by Madonna. (Photo credit: Steven Meisel)
A screen capture of "Mad Men" S5/ep.13 entitled "The Phantom," featuring our vintage Joseph Magnin jumpsuit and tunic.
Our 1970 Pierre Cardin hostess ensemble as seen in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Our a/w Chanel 1994 skirt suit as worn on the runway by Helena Christiansen.