Berkshires - Clothing

Luxurious fabrics and beautiful construction define this 1960s evening skirt and blouse ensemble by Adele Simpson. The top is fashioned like a shirt, but in a rich gold satin, and ha...

Black knit 1960s sheath with allover beading in iridescent sequins and beads. Sleeveless, with a straight neckline, slim skirt and fitted through the body. Metal zipper in back. Line...

Typical Rykiel styling in this sweater coat of royal blue knit wool with tie neckline, dropped shoulders, and patch pockets. Bodice is plain knit, below is narrow ribbing.

Pauline Trigére 1980s dress in polished cotton printed with navy/white reverse polka dots and featuring the designer's signature attention to detail. The body of the dress, in navy ...

1980s black sequin blouson dress featuring a V neck, a narrow skirt with side slit, and deep cuffs terminating the long, loose sleeves. Elastic hip. Pulls...

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.

In an atypical Japanese-dye color for Rei Kawakubo, in 1999 she designed this translucent salmon-pink bias-cut satin sleeveless maxi dress evening gown for her brand Comme des Garcons, which debuted on a model at Paris Fall Fashion Week as "Look 12" among the Vogue photo-coverage of her Spring/Summer 2000 collection (see our last photo of the ensemble). The unusual V-neck shape creates a deep central drape in the front of the unlined dress that prevents the synthetic semi-transparent fabric from clinging to the torso. To continue to flatter the curvy shape of the lower body like the bias-cut enables, such as while walking, Kawakubo added an additional piece of fabric with a circling angular seam that rises from the wider hem. With the exception of the brand tag, all others were cut off by the sole owner to eliminate bulk and visibility through the dress. If the buyer would prefer, the fabric can be made shinier and completely smooth with professional pressing. If the buyer would like to create a layered ensemble with this gown as seen on the runway, we have other textural colorful tops to choose from with over-dyed unique appliques from this same Spring/Summer 2000 collection. However, we think our backless-mannequin photos show that this minimal dress...

Evoking late-1980s couture with complex construction showcasing a wide variety of sewing techniques and French lace, this like-new "Christian Lacroix Paris Made In France" fuchsia-la...

Morgane Le Fay long silk coat and dress in a subtle shade of lilac-tinged gray with intriguing detailing. The coat features interior ties, two on e...

Uniquely designed as couture by French Jean Charles de Castelbajac in the 1980s in Paris, this oversized soft cashmere-viscose-wool bias-cut Italian-knit black sweater has made-in-Fr...

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

For the Spring/Summer 1991 made-in-Italy collection of her eponymous London-based brand, Katharine Hamnett debuted this fitted elongated jacket skirt-suit as "Look 1" in her fashion show (see our photo of the video coverage). Her working-woman styled model was unexpectedly accompanied by a male model adorned in a cowboy hat, which suggests her power over a strong man. In a different color without metallic accents, this sleek three-button single-breasted lined jacket is paired with a matching seafoam-green tucked skirt with back slit. Immediately apparent based on the seven piped princess seams around the torso, the jacket is expertly tailored like Savile-Row menswear. It also has a speckled-grey felted collar, piped front pockets, and triple-buttonhole split sleeves. The skirt closes in back with a center zip with hook-and-eye fastening. The durable cotton-blend fabric, which is in excellent condition, is notable for its slight iridescence with a soft luster that links it to the reflective elements that dominated that colorful collection by Hamnett. We included photos of the suit lit by sunlight with yellow tones and in lighting with...

c.1970 Victor Costa for Romantica long dress combining a black sequin bodice juxtaposed with a large-scale taffeta plaid for the full ankle-length skirt and short puffed sleeves, a n...

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

Emma Domb was a California designer known for her cocktail, evening, and wedding attire created first under the Party Lines label and then under the label Emma Domb. This long dress ...

Pink wool crepe shift dress, the round neckline and short sleeves embellished with intricate beading consisting mostly of varied crystals and gold thread. The slightly A-line silhoue...

Giorgio Sant'Angelo baseball-style jacket in allover black sequins on a chiffon ground. Raglan sleeves, hook-and-eye front closures.

Brenner Couture 1970s unusual knit ensemble consisting of a plaid maxi dress under a forest green jacket. The sleeveless dress features a mandarin coll...

Ronald Amey was a masterful designer, from concept to execution, and, although a bit under the radar, his clothes are much sought after by connoisseurs. He used exquisite and interes...

Fisher is considered one of the most luxurious furs. This full coat features a small spread collar that can be buttoned up at the neck, a straight cut, and strong shoulders. In addit...

Contemporary, custom-made jacket in medium brown sable features elbow-length sleeves and a set-in waistband in complementary suede above a peplum. Simple, boat neckline. A unique, lu...

Genny silk top, c.1980s, in a vivid print featuring large flowers in varying shades of pink dominating the front and back. This contrasts nicely with the side panels, each composed o...

Burberry blazer-style jacket in pink nubby silk featuring a notched collar and two flap pockets. Gray pearl buttons at front and at the cuffs of the straight sleeves offer a nice con...

Missoni short sleeve shift dress composed of an extremely lightweight silk print, the geometric pattern consisting of vertical stripes alternating between bands of dominating rust m...

Unusual fabric treatment in tis 1970s dress crafted of woven black and white satin ribbons, creating a checkerboard pattern. Trimmed at neckline, raised waist, and hem in black velve...

Three-piece evening suit by Adolfo, the slim skirt and collarless jacket in diamond-patterned black and iridescent sequins. The sleeveless shell is made of a krinkle metallic gold fa...

1960s summer weight dress and coat ensemble in linen-blend fabric, the short-sleeve, open coat in white with black polka dots throughout; its black lining provides the collar and fac...

From one of the masters of American fashion, Featured is a two-piece dress or suit in a sophisticated palette paisley wool challis, from one of the masters of American fashion. The V...

Brioni silky knit dress is lightweight, packable and easy to wear. The dress features a double cowl collar neck in front and single in back and is a basic shift, with shaping darts f...

Valerie Porr produced an eponymous line of quintessentially 1970s clothing, many of the styles based on the wrap silhouette, from her Soho loft that was retailed through her neighbor...

Steel blue moiré dress by Ungaro featuring a low square neckline with large bow attached to a wide overlaid band that circles the dress across the bust and...

Valerie Porr produced an eponymous line of quintessentially 1970s clothing, many of the styles based on the wrap silhouette, from her Soho loft that was retailed through her neighbor...

Samuel Robert produced some of the best leather designs during the 1960s-'80s. This unique example of his work emphasizes the contrast of white leather, the exterior of the jacket, a...

A great LBD from Victor Costa with a sweetheart necklace and stand-away shoulders. Fashioned of a black satin blend of silk and rayon, the dress features shirred details on the brace...

As light as a feather, this Missoni raspberry silk knit with abstract print is perfect for traveling or wearing around town. The shape is a simple body skimming shift that looks grea...

Great LBD by Gianni Versace. Simplicity itself at first glance, until you notice the net inserts at the hipline, revealing a glimpse of skin - a little sneak of sexiness in this basi...

Geoffrey Beene dress in sienna knit wool features a dropped waist with inset hip band and a faux placket on top with "B" signature bronze metal buttons that also decorate the hip ban...

Unique cocktail dress by J. Mendel intricately constructed of charcoal wool and black faille and featuring a silver fox border which peeks out of...