Berkshires - Fashion

Unique, ivory woven summer bag hand painted with multicolored tulips across the wide body front and back, as well as on the double wooden loop handles, which are painted in gold, exc...

Hermes Roseraie silk scarf designed 1990 by Christiane Vauzelles. Green border and trellis with vivid roses in shades of red and pink spilling from cen...

Stunning jacket by Pauline Trigère, c.1970s, in black smooth wool featuring a deep black fox border at the hem. Single breasted with self buttons and bound buttonholes, a shallow man...

In Comme des Garcons founder Rei Kawakubo's iconic Spring/Summer 1997 collection titled Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body, which was nicknamed "lumps and bumps", this navy two-piece set of transparent pullover long-sleeve net tulle blouse and convertible translucent bias-cut draping long skirt or tube dress debuted on the runway in "Look 11" among the Vogue coverage (partly concealed under a navy open robe). Significantly, our pair repeats the fashion show's "Look 1" theme--which was interpreted by TheMet museum curators as "clothing-absence/body-presence"--with a see-through symmetrical top revealing breasts and a bias-cut draped asymmetrical skirt that clings to body curves. Variations of this silhouette were modeled in navy, or red like our primary photo. Many had net-encased organ-shaped down pillows freely inserted into net underlays by the designer to shockingly distort the silhouettes with impossible feminine curves, such as with two kidney-shapes on the back or a tube across the front of the hips. This set will likewise accommodate such padding that is apparent in the Vogue photos...

For her Fall/Winter 2002 runway finale with the model embodying a "jeans bride", Stella McCartney debuted this unique ethereal lingerie-like black transparent silk georgette blouse ...

The late Italian Gianni Versace near the end of his life--cut short by his murder in July 1997--designed this couture heavily-embroidered semi-transparent silk chiffon sleeveless hou...

Classic 1960s handbag by Rosenfeld in black leather stamped to resemble alligator, its outstanding feature the curved clasp of brushed goldtone metal with leather center that lifts u...

Unusual Norma Kamali vintage long with halter straps extending up from a double triangular insert that tapers to a low curve in back. Fashioned of black crepe, the skirt fits snugly ...

Hard-to-find 1930s cocktail dress in excellent condition with a scoop-neck, sleeveless bodice of black silk charmeuse and a tiered skirt of black lace. The bodice is studded with rhi...

In 1999, Rei Kawakubo (b. 1942) focused on unprecedented sculptural texture and irregular color blocking to design her Comme des Garcons Spring/Summer 2000 collection, which was domi...

Small shoulder bag in fur, probably raccoon, with black leather frame and long gold chain. Black interior. Unmarked. Chain length: 37".

1960s evening dress by Malcolm Starr in pale pink satin with beaded emellishment throughout. This consists of primarily silver beads in various shapes and sizes, the body covered wit...

Rosenfeld c.1960s evening bag with chain of gold metal metal molded in a quilted and wave design. A gold metal triangular clasp, echoed on the rever...

This Alaia Paris black set of a very soft 100% leather high-waisted derriere-enhancing pencil mini skirt and rare logo scoop-neck T-shirt were made around the early 1990s by the foun...

Among the early standout sexy shoes designed by Stella McCarney for her eponymous British brand, these four-inch steel stilettos with maroon-ombre resin hee...

Sheer black lace dress from the 1930s with a fitted bodice through the hips and bias-cut skirt with scalloped seam going from low to high, where...

Lovely style and fabric in this summer dress of lavender voile embroidered allover with a repeat linear pattern in white and edged with a narrow white scallop. The shirt-style dress ...

Featuring a dramatic never-worn zipper skirt from the iconic Spring/Summer 1986 Alaia Paris collection--which dominated the Vanity Fair published preview of Foundation Azzedine Alaia...

Double-faced fuchsia wool swing coat with deep shawl collar, single breasted with low patch pocket and turn-back cuffs. Welted seams. Unlabeled. Size M.

Petite gold mesh bag by Whiting & Davis with wrist strap and curved gold metal frame itch engraved initials "WMF".

A profusion of multicolored beads and sequins adorns the surface of this eye-catching evening jacket. The mostly pastel beads cover the entire black silk surface in a riotous patter...

Classic Missoni men's pullover featuring a complicated intarsia design in subtle colors of mostly beiges and grays highlighted by teal. Fabric is a soft bl...

This vintage amusing enameled silver pendant adjustable-chain unsigned necklace, belt or novel interior decoration features heart-shaped two-inch...

Acquired from the French flagship Christian Dior Boutique in Paris when John Galliano was its artistic director of both haute couture and ready-to-wear, he designed this hip-accentua...

This unusual mid-century lingerie-style black mini dress with a semi-transparent skirt that conjures a historic pinup-girl like Bettie Page is suitable as a mini dress as part of an evening ensemble. It was probably meant by its New York designer to be paired with slim cropped pants, which became popular in The States after worn by Hollywood-movie actresses Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. The A-line short dress was most likely made by the former ready-to-wear fashion company following the revolutionary debut by French Christian Dior of his couture cinched-waist-voluminous-skirt "New Look" collection, whereafter German Sonja de Lennart introduced "Capris" in 1949, and American Hugh Hefner launched Playboy magazine in 1953. The complex hourglass-shaped garment features a double v-neck four-seamed ruched lined bodice in a crepe silky woven fabric. Its defined gathered bust extends from the chest seams at two angles to form short dolman sleeves only in the front, while there are arm seams in back. The gathered see-through black faux-lace organza flared skirt reveals a black velvet-textured scalloped floral pattern with a net underlayer. With beige lining, the self-trim band at the waist enables the folded scalloped-lace pattern to continue to stand out on the opaque black torso. The edges of the peplum and sleeves are further cut in a scallop shape to resemble more delicate eyelash-lace trim. The brand label of the obsolete line is the only interior tag that remains. Camouflaging the midsection, the flattering dress will best suit a U.S.-size 6. It can also be worn by larger sizes with a relatively slim waist and small or large bust as there is no restriction at the hips or wide armholes. At the waistline, a hook and looped cord fasten over the bypass zipper to better conceal it. Notably, the steel-tab-and-teeth zipper is an original U.S-made Murlen model, which was used in new clothes from the 1940s to 1960s and helps to date the mid-century dress.

Cropped jacket in navy blue wool studded throughout with pearls and featuring a short shawl collar and curved front. Set-in narrow sleeves. Navy crepe lining. Approximate size 6.

Large envelope clutch of maroon lizard with interested latch closure. Lined in camel suede. Compartmentalized interior. Most likely made in Argentina.

In his classic long flared silhouette, Japanese Yohji Yamamoto skillfully designed with bias-cut draping both this navy ribbon-trimmed notched-lapel single-breasted lined jacket and ...

Quintessential Sonia Rykiel ensemble consisting of a pullover sweater and slim skirt in ivory wool knit, c.1980s. On top, the sweater is distnguished by a button opening in front and...

This antique Surrealist sculpture set of two one-of-a-kind female figurines was handmade in hammered steel wire with patina estimated as early as the 1920s. Each ribald three-dimensional self-standing torso study of a woman features either three spiral springs (suggesting pregnant belly with large breasts...

Vintage taupe bathing cap in "pixie" fringe style with one rhinestone at top. Size Small.

1960s silk evening coat in bright pink silk features an A-line profile with three-quarter sleeves and mandarin collar. Double-breasted, bound buttonh...

1950s-'60s cropped ivory sweater covered in ABA sequins and studded throughout in a turquoise bead and pearl motif; turquoise beaded edging is further ad...

Appearing in several versions on the Stella McCartney Spring/Summer 2003 collection runway with silk oversized long bell sleeves (see our photos of the gold and white versions beginn...

Wonderful red plaid coat featuring a wide belt, mandarin collar, and turn-back cuffs, accented with a fringed scarf. Fitted bodice, slight A-line skirt....

Black faux astrakhan coat that features a detachable cape. The fitted, princess-style body is single breasted and fastens with 8 black stone and silver...

Velvet is in! This black velvet 1950s princess-style coat is in great condition and features a small collar and seven black buttons down the front. The nipped waist and flare skirt s...

Cole Haan vintage red leather jacket with cropped styling and straight cut. The jacket features banded mock collar, hem, front placket and...

Krizia black silk tunic printed with large white outline of a big cat, accented with green eyes and a red mouth. Straight, loose cut with dolman, short sleeves...

Made in France in 1960 by the futurist fashion designer Pierre Cardin (1922-2020), this "Creation Paris" (all capitals including brand) couture pair of supple kidskin leather black g...

In the sexy sleek skin-tight style that Texan Tom Ford introduced as the former artistic director at Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche while the French esteemed eponymous designer was r...

Vintage black faille princess-style coat with peter pan collar and self buttons from neck to hem. Set-in sleeves with deep armholes. Vertical seaming shapes the fitted waist and flar...

When Belgian former fashion designer Martin Margiela debuted gold-Lurex knits while French luxury-goods Hermes Womenswear Artistic Director, simultaneously in Fall 1999, he introduced at his eponymous Paris-based Maison Martin Margiela a collection featuring 1970s-inspired Lurex-accented sweaters, along with oversized loose clothes intended for either women or men. Including a distinct black-printed white-folded tag stitched into a seam by Italian experimental knitter Miss Deanna, who created many memorable knits under Margiela's artistic direction, this Margiela sparkly finely-knit viscose-and-Lurex-blend long-sleeve pullover is a minimalist unisex design with narrow ribbed trim at the crewneck, wrists and hem. Its "Made In Italy" size 44 with a 15.5-inch shoulderline is without darts and drapes like a one-size-fits-most stretch T-shirt. The lightweight sweater was knit from pale-gold, grey and blue yarns into an ombre pattern like a dip-dye technique associated with fabric. Yet the additional glittery orange-tone metallic thread (difficult to photograph due to reflections) interspersed throughout was clearly not dyed or printed. Conversely, Margiela's Fall 1999 Artisanale Line 0 collection that was produced instead by his Parisian team explored the textural effects of hand-painting fabrics, such as the unisex T-shirts that were striped or obscured with thick silver paint. Earlier in the 1990s, Margiela had reproduced some vintage...

Over 20 years ago, the late Roberto Cavalli who recently died in 2024 designed this silk-and-cotton top-and-jeans set showcasing his signature mix of animal prints with luxurious emb...

c.1990s Gianni Versace coat in soft 15% cashmere/wool blend, featuring a true double-breasted style that buttons up to a small round collar. The body of the coat has seams towards th...

Like a turtleneck ensemble acquired by TheMet Costume Institute, Ann Demeulemeester designed this bold-silhouette contrasting-texture wool set of chocolate ribbed high-neck cropped tight knit sweater and black bias-cut crepe mini skirt for her Fall/Winter 1996-1997 collection, when the latter low-waisted garment without a waistband was worn on the Paris runway over trousers. The soft thick darted pullover jumper characteristically has the designer's hallmark of oversized exaggerated cuffs, which can be left unfolded for a more feminine look. The Belgian designer meticulously tailored the brushed-wool skirt so that its three seams are in the back, where there are also darts to flatter the bias drape, two belt loops, and invisible zip closure at the center. Aside from featuring knitted turtlenecks in almost every ensemble that debuted on the runway that season, this collection was significant because Demeulemeester--who was known for her black-and-white palette of monochromatic pieces until she retired from her independent label in 2013--added colors and textures including this sweater. However, red was the only color featured on the runway. For an alternative pairing idea, we included a photo of a similar brown ribbed darted high-neck sweater, which was worn in Demeulemeester's runway show for Fall/Winter 2000, but with a shiny billowy slit maxi skirt...

Vivienne Westwood's son Joe Corre opened the first lingerie boutique for his sexy London-based brand Agent Provocateur in Soho in the mid-1990s, when the sole owner of this black lac...

Quintessential Geoffrey Beene in cut and detail, this stunning and sophisticated gown is composed of olive green satin with black wool crepe panels strategically integrated into the ...

Morris Moskowitz clutch in silver leather that has been quilted in a star design. The foldover clutch has a divided interior, one side with zippered compartment. A thin silver chain ...

Mr. John was one of the preeminent American milliners during the mid twentieth century, closing up his elaborate New York salon sometime in the 1970s, although he continued to design...

Donna Karan vintage ensemble, c.1990s, incorporating her signature designs - the bodysuit and the simple black shape. Here the bodysuit is a romantic white blouse featuring a large p...

With an black exotic fishskin exterior, this Made In France brimmed denim-lined fedora hat that was handcrafted by the acclaimed late French milliner Jacques Le Corre...

In 1994, Martin Margiela did something unprecedented with his luxury fashion brand Maison Martin Margiela, which was to debut a collection with no new designs but rather a new-for-it...

Unique and rich color teal distinguishes this mid-century box bag, a form which was popular during that period. Rectangular, with two sturdy handles and V-detailing and tab on front...

The Italian duo Dolce & Gabbana for their Fall/Winter 1995 runway show featured black lace ensembles that included this trio of merino-wool knit turtleneck with asymmetrical vertical...

c.1960 fascinator consisting of a structured pink velvet ring under a coordinating deep net that extends from top of head down front and sides. One si...

Around 1970 when Bill Blass introduced his eponymous brand after becoming a leading couture fashion designer among New York City society, he created this sleek tuxedo-like ecru-satin...

1950s-'60s black microbeaded clutch with fishscale motif of contrasting smooth and faceted beads throughout. The gold metal frame is beaded as well, here with a chain design on top of solid beads, which, both here and in the body lend three-dimensionality to the clutch. Interior is black satin with open side compartments. Unlabeled, but most of these mid-century beaded bags...

Clutch in the deepest gray soft leather featuring a central patchwork panel of leaves in varied complementary colors. Carved bakelite frame and hinged clasp.

Unlike anything else from the 1990s, Comme des Garcons founder Rei Kawakubo (b. 1942) designed in 1999 for her Spring/Summer 2000 collection this pink-overdyed pullover soft stretch-...