vanity's pains: Pauline Trigere and more throwbacks

Circa 1950's cherry red silk sculptural sheath with dipped skirt overlay by Pauline Trigere.

Rare early 20th century Fortuny velvet coat fashioned of rich shades of gold panne silk velvet heavily stencilled in silver Islamic scrolls in a kimono inspired style.

Madame Gres's high coveted and rare knife pleated gowns were done by her own hand and then stitched to follow the flow of the folds as they gracefully followed and blended into each other.

Fashioned of a copper viscose cotton and polymide with rubber elasticized panels allowing for side stretch. Front zipper closure and corset lace up back. Bust cups have defined padded topstitching, the infamous Gaultier signature "cone" look, along with underwire for support.

Circa 1980's Chanel sculptural strapless sheath gown. A sophisticated design with complicated construction reminiscent of the 1950's structural gowns of Christian Dior, Charles James etc. Fashioned of black silk taffetta with fitted corseted boned bodice and lined in black silk chiffon. Overlapping folds of taffeta at bustline mimicking wings. Construction of bodice is styled with diagonal overlapping pleated panels. Back of bodice dips into an inverted "V" with bow adornment on upper back. Zipper closure with 8 goldtone authentic Coco Chanel portrait buttons. Sheath skirt with bias cut back kickpleat overlayed with dramatic asymmetric skirt at waist encircling around waistline and falling into a dramatic dipped back.