Massachusetts - Fashion

Ungaro sleeveless blouse in lightweight waffle-patterned silk, c.late 1980s-early 1990s. The shirt features gold monogrammed buttons on a placket that runs from the pointed collar to...

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...

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...

This antique Native American quilled brown chamois suede leather sleeveless chemise dress, which was handmade during the "reservation era" between 1870-1930, is made from two soft su...

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...

1960s shift in orange woven wool reversible to beige. Trimmed in orange leather with one pocket. Buttons all the way down the back. Welted seams.

This timeless quintessential corseted, shirred, ruched and topstitched "little black dress" produced by Victor Costa in the 1980s was made for the high standards of New York's trendsetting Bergdorf Goodman. It was the first U.S. luxury department store to order exclusive special-occasion dresses from this Texas designer and subsequently to give him a namesake in-store boutique. He soon became associated with the feminine glamorous gowns worn by "PYT" (Costa-speak for pretty young things) on the Dallas-based television-series "Dynasty", which idealized status-conscious Texan women mostly via fashion. With a strapless curvaceous sweetheart neckline, narrow sinuous folds of crepe silk-blend jersey cross diagonally below the decollete, while contrasting vertical ruching defines the seven bones of the invisible corset structure that is fully lined on the interior. Under the bust in front below the empire-like peaked high waist, the fitted tucked underlay of the cocktail dress wraps around the back to end as an overlay in front, where the opening on the left side extends to the bodice like a discreet slit. The freely hanging bias-cut overlay in front is gathered underneath each breast for a forgiving central drape that adds additional curves to make the wearer's torso underneath appear in sleek condition despite a potentially less than ideal figure. The dress closes with a concealed zipper in the center of the back, with exterior hook-and-eye fastening to narrow the waist. There is a second concealed hook-and-eye fastener at the top of the zipper. Although the only remaining tag is the Costa/Bergdorf label, it is a contemporary U.S.-size 8, which will also suit a large-busted size 6 or a svelte size 10. Now 88 years old, Victor Costa (b.1935) became widely known by the 1980s in The States for perfecting affordable luxurious gowns that could be mistaken for one-of-a-kind flamboyant designs by foreign couturiers Christian Lacroix, Arnold Scaasi, Oscar de la Renta or Valentino Garavani. Early on, the avid female sketcher...

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 ...

Mr. John, one of America's great milliners, was known for his classic, unembellished shapes, working under his own label from the late 1940s until 1970. Here, a picture hat...

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

Black wool/cashmere blend easy jacket featuring a large and plush brown fox shawl collar. Raglan, above-the-wrist sleeves, no buttons, , hidden pockets in si...

Patricia Underwood olive hat utilizing a bit of trompe l'oeil, as it appears to be a straw hat on first view, but is actually constructed of narrow strips of leather stitched in the ...

Count Romi specialized in all-weather coats, as well as those suitable for travel. This example, from the early 1970s, is crafted of bright red wool knit and features double-breasted...

1997 arguably marked the pinnacle of Japanese Comme des Garcons founder and fashion designer Rei Kawakubo's collection debuts when she introduced deconstructed asymmetrical "lumps and bumps" padding and transparent tops that both deformed and revealed female bodies. For her Fall/Winter 1997 "Adult Punk" collection, she debuted this transparent ecru organza pullover dinner jacket or evening oversized blouse, whose bodice and lower long sleeves are color-blocked with white textured silk-blend appliques and lined in white tulle that is hand-sheered above the outer hem. A recent Parisian exhibition at Musee de la Mode, "1997 Fashion...

100% camelhair double-breasted coat featuring an oversized fit, notched collar, raglan sleeves with turned back cuffs, and diagonal pockets. Topstitchi...

Beautifully crafted Bill Blass two-layer dress, the main body a strapless sheath of repeating ribbon stripes in aqua, mint, beige and gray. Skimming over this is a sheer net sleevele...

Lilli Ann white polyester coat with wide spread collar and cuffs faced in black and white stripes. Slanted, integral pockets, back belt, and black and white buttons complete the look...

1970s dress and coat ensemble in navy wool knit by Sonia Rykiel. The slim coat features a top-stitched yolk detail, a round neckline, and single-breasted clo...

Brown wool coat from the 1960s, its distinguishing feature the mottled brown/gray Persian lamb border that forms its stand-up collar, front edge, and curved knee-length hemline in fr...

1960s navy suede suit in the style of a classic Chanel, it features a red and gold zigzag braid around the edges of the jacket and the top of the bodice poc...

While at Paris-based Balenciaga in late 2007, Nicolas Ghesquiere designed this 100%-silk bias-cut paneled dress that explodes with a grey and pale-yellow flower print and features un...

Classy 1960s handbag made in France for Lord & Taylor, the bag has a single handle and an envelope flap with oval enhancement. Slim and chic, but roomy enough to hold your essentials...

Japanese Rei Kawakubo designed this wool-blend half-dress topcoat with embossed pinstripes for her Comme des Garcons Fall/Winter 2000 collection, which she titled "Hard And Forceful"...

This Azzedine Alaia (1935-2017) black Spring ensemble features a new triple-zipper fine-denim bodycon skirt from the iconic 1986 Alaia Paris brass-zipper collection. For a set includ...

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...

Premonville and Dewavrin slim and lightweight, long black coat featuring a mandarin collar and slit-panel skirt starting mid thigh. Bound slit detailing a...

Norman Norell is well known for his sequined creations. Here is an unusual version that, though unlabeled, is unmistakably Norell.

A casual style predominates, from th...

Box-shaped handbags were extremely popular during the 1950s and '60s and their unique styling is evident n this example from Coblentz. In black suede, the bag has an oval shape that ...

Unusual rectangular box bag in orange cut velvet with metal handle in gold accented in silver.The rectangular clasp pulls down to open the bag. Black faille...

Rich burgundy velvet 1960s dress by Kiki Hart featuring an empire bustline trimmed with a band of black soutache and jet beads. A rolled turtleneck, na...

Brown tweed wrap coat by Bill Blass features wide lapels, menswear style patch pockets and a matching tweed belt with buckle. Deep back vent. Brown taffeta lining. Approximate size 6.

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...

Fabulous long sheath of black crepe with allover beading in a squiggle design of black bugle beads. Narrow body hugging design with straight neckline front and back and cut-in armhol...

High quality raccoon with dark markings and featuring elasticized hem and wrists. Zip front that closes up all the way to the neck for extra warmth. Size S-M.

1960s chic and roomy double-handled handbag with gold metal frame and Bakelite clasp. Interior is ivory leather with side compartments and change purse....

Gene Shelly 1960s evening dress in mocha bouclé accented with metallic wine-colored seed beads and faux pearls! The seed beads form a jeweled collar and ...

1960s lightweight coat by Jacques Heim in navy nubby wool featuring a fitted bodice and A-line skirt with a welted seam below the waist, three-quarter sleeves, and a free panel over ...

1960s medium-weight silk shift dress in a beautiful shade of pink. The construction features a yoke at top that extends over the shoulders to form cap sleeves. The simple straight sh...

Floral voile 1930s day dress in pastel colors. Sleeveless bodice has capelet effect with ruffle border and ties that fit through tab. Paneled skirt flares at sides. Slips over the he...

Black broadtail hat in cap style featuring a deep border of sable in light reddish brown - two luxury furs in one by noted furrier Birger Christensen of Denmark. Size S.

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....

1980s brown glen plaid coat by Valentino featuring a collarless, open front, shoulder pads, soft shoulder pleats in front, and an inverted pleat in back.

Black wool 1980s coat by Christian Dior is double breasted and features a faux Persian collar and cuffs. Square shoulders with pads. Longer length. Marked size 6, but oversized cut.

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

Odette Barsa was primarily renowned for her exquisite lingerie, produced from the 1930s-1970s, and this vibrant red print ensemble may have been originall...

A unique vintage find, this ensemble consists of a long black maxi skirt and sleeveless top, its floral design repeated in cut-out appliqués down the left side of the skirt. the A-li...

Yves Saint Laurent rive gauche charcoal gray velvet jacket, c. late 1970s-early 1980s, trimmed on all edges in black braid. The collarless jacket is cropped and features narrow sleev...

Missoni 1970s beige openwork knit skirt falls softly to mid calf and has a matching knit belt with wooden buckle. The knit runs horizontally across the h...

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...

Norma Kamali vintage evening jacket in black crepe embellished with gold tone sequins throughout in an intricate vertical pattern. The jacket features short sleeves with shoulder pad...

An unusual example of the beaded shells produced in Hong Kong during the 1950s and '60s, this sleeveless top features a repeating cut-out diamond pattern exposing the white lining un...

Kathryn Dianos long red dress in a rayon and nylon blend fabric featuring a set-in midriff with two ties, a deepv neckline and raglan cap sleeves. The b...

1930s beige lace dress featuring a square neckline, short sleeves, and a dropped waistline with slight shirring at the sides, where there are slits at the hem; the front and back pan...

Brown velvet coat with nice yoke detailing running from V in back around shoulders and containing gentle shirring for full sleeves and back. Mandarin...

Turquoise suede pumps feature a bow held in middle by lucite element at the low vamp and a sculpted plastic heel. Approximate size 7.

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...

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

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

Sheer print dress by English designer Jean Varon, late 1970s-early 1980s, in a terra cotta rayon blend with an easy fit and nice details, including a wide s...

Easy wearing, long shift with handkerchief hem, 3/4 sleeves, and shirred scoop neck finished with a large bow. Fabricated of a lightweight synthetic in aqua and gold. No label, but a...