1950's Helga Draped and Pleated Crepe Cocktail Dress

"Helga" label, Helga Oppenheimer. Gorgeous dress !! Ink black rayon or silk blend crepe with loads of gorgeous pleating and draping from bodice to hem. Fitted, hourglass shaped. Pleated cummerbund style waist band. Lined in black silk with inner grosgrain waist-cincher belt, back metal zipper. Waist band fastens over back zipper with a row of hooks and eyes. Excellent lightly worn condition, freshly cleaned. Size small. Measures 15 1/2" shoulder to shoulder edge, 36" bust, 26" (snug 27" ) waist, up to 36" hips, 16" shoulder to waist, 26" waist to hem. For a larger view click here. For a side view click here. For a back view click here.

Item #WHELG

Size: Small 36" 26" 36" 

Price: $160.00/shipping

1949-1950 Sophie Gimbel Original Matte Taffeta Dress with Floral Insets

"Sophie Original" label. Sophie Gimbel was in-house designer and head of the custom couture department at Saks Fifth Avenue's Salon Moderne during the 40's and 50's. Her own designs became so popular that she started putting her own name, the "Sophie Original" label on her creations. She is considered one of the great American couturier designers. This dress is probably from the late 1940's but could be a 1950 design. It is done in matte black taffeta with a heavier, satin texture but slightly stiff like taffeta. The dress is styled with a sweetheart neckline ( classic 40's style) and slight pleating to the arm seam, creating a slightly puffy shoulder (also classic 40's), and decorative and functional pleating right under bust, creating a "shelf" effect. The waist is fitted, the skirt is very full. The insets are not really insets, but actually tulip shaped cut-outs, backed in nude mesh, with black embroidery for floral detail. The dress is actually lined fully in this nude mesh fabric, and the skirt has it's own cream silk crepe attached slip-which is not super full. The dress fastens with a side metal zipper, and is in very good  to excellent condition, there is one pea size hole in one of the mesh insets of the flowers, two nickel size holes above the hem on the mesh lining of the skirt, one of the flowers has a slight water stain, and the crepe skirt slip has yellowed from age. Size medium. Measures 16" shoulder to shoulder seam, 37" bust, 27 1/2" waist, free hips, 16" shoulder to waist, 31" waist to hem. For a side view click here. For a larger view click here. For a back view click here. It's a gorgeous dress, and a rare find from a classic American designer.

Item #WSOPH

Size: Small -medium  37" 27 1/2" free hips

1950's Herbert Sondheim Tailored Silk Print Dress

"Herbert Sondheim, New York" label. This silk print dress has gorgeous lines made by good cut, and excellent use of strategic seaming and light pleats. A silk twill with black background and beige, cream, dusty peach, and bronze-brown colors. The dress has scoop neckline, bracelet length sleeves (underarms are gusseted of course), and fitted waist. There are half-circle princess style seams on bodice that give shape/fullness to bust. The skirt is hourglass shaped except if flares out just right at the hem. Skirt has seams down either side of front, light pleating along front waist seam, inset hidden pockets along side skirt seams, and black satin "belts" above waist, and above hem. The back of the bodice and skirt are gored, no back kick pleat. Dress is lined in black silk organza, fastens with back metal zipper. In very good condition. Hem was taken up, then let back down. Side seams above waist were taken in, then let back out. There are two tiny spots on the bodice. Size small to medium. Probably should fit loosely. Measures 16" shoulder to shoulder edge, 38" bust (max), up to 28" waist, up to 38" hips, 16 1/4" shoulder to waist, 28" waist to hem. For a larger view click here. For a side view click here. For a back view click here. For a view of the label click here.

Item #WLNZ

Size: Small - medium 38" 28" 38"

1950's Tailored Wool Angora Day Dress

No labels found. Very nicely made. Jet black wool and what feels like angora blend, the fabric is soft and has a slightly fuzzy texture. Dress is fitted with princess seaming and darts, skirt has small pleats at either side of waist, and below back waist are tucks that create light pleating across the derriere, an interesting detail (be sure and see the back view). Styled with squared neckline and short sleeves, back metal zipper. Skirt has back kick pleat. Dress fastens with back metal zipper. In absolutely excellent condition, not lined. Would look great with a big leather belt and boots. Size medium. Measures 16" shoulder to shoulder edge, 38" bust, 28" waist, 38" hips, 15 1/2" shoulder to waist, 25 1/2" waist to hem. For a larger view click here  and here. For a side view click here. for a back view click here. For a view of the bodice click here. Belt not included.

Item #WOLL

Size: Medium 38" 28" 38"

Price: $60.00/shipping