Just in: The Little Black Dress by Norman Norell

Thoughts on The little black dress by Norman Norell...

The little black dress by Norman Norell is the fashion world equivalent to the art world’s minimalism by Ellsworth Kelly.

The little black dress by Norman Norell is taking fashion and reducing it to its purest form with clairity of shape, beauty in design and luxury in materials.  

The little black dress by Norman Norell is for the woman who wants to wear the dress and not the other way around.  

If the little black dress by Norman Norell could be anyone it would be Gloria Guinness.

The little black dress by Norman Norell does not shout, it murmurs closely and softly in your ear.

The little black dress by Norman Norell, can stand alone but will tolerate the perfect accessory.

The little black dress by Norman Norell is aloof and distant but warm and welcoming to those who understand it.

The little black dress by Norman Norell is as good today as it was fifty years ago.  And it knows it.

Here is the little black dress by Norman Norell 1960s and available for purchase at RARE vintage...

Just in:

1960s Norman Norell little black dress available for purchase at RARE vintage.
212-581-7273 or email info @rarevintage.com

love, kisses, and vintage, Juliana

Courreges and the Little Black Dress

One of my favorite new finds for RARE vintage...

I am sure you are an avid follower of fashion and know about Andre Leon Talley's exhibit about the little black dress at SCAD in Savannah, Georgia.  He delightfully describes the little black dress as the 'frigate' of a woman's wardrobe.

Sailing into the harbor of RARE vintage is the frigate, LBD*, by André Courreges.  It is the little black dress gone chic, sleek and modern.  Masterfully tailored, brilliantly simple.  The dress is slightly A-lined which is characteristic of Courreges.  Two tiny buttons adorn the neckline.

*LBD stands for Little Black Dress.  We have a rack at RARE vintage devoted just to the LBD with a neon sign 'LBD'.  I am always a little surprised how many people don't know what it stands for.  So just in case, you didn't know... 

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A Stunning Galanos Little Black Dress

This Galanos dress would be hanging in my closet this very moment but merde! alas it does not fit me.  I even tried it after skipping lunch... but no luck.  It was purchased at Martha's in New York back in the day.  Martha's was owned and run by Martha Phillips and her daughter Lynn Manulis.  Miss Martha and Miss Lynn as they were called,  were also called "the doyennes of haute couture in America".  Martha's had its own workroom for alterations and fittings.  

Martha opened her first store in the 1930s and her first clients included Marjorie Merriweather Post (who brought in her jewels to be certain the clothes complimented them properly), Doris Duke, Brooke Astor and Gloria Vanderbilt.  She eventually moved the store to 58th Street and Park Avenue.  Clients would sip tea and nibble on cookies while models showed the clothing.  It is a world, as Rhett Butler said to Scarlett O'Hara, that is gone with the wind.  (Except for here at RARE vintage of course!  Though you are more likely to get champagne and chocolates then tea and cookies.)

The dress is a classic sheath in the most beautiful lace and softly textured fabric - this is certainly couture material that Galanos would have purchased in France.  The lace has an illusion of nudity but, ahem, Galanos dressed ladies and this is an only illusion as there is a nude silk lining.  It is extremely elegant and extremely sexy at the same time.

Galanos little black dress with lace bodice.  Size 4.

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Our Little Amnesiac: Une Petite Robe Noire

Sometimes a dress comes to us with a case of amnesia.  It gives us little clues to who it might be and sometimes the mystery can be solved and sometimes we may never know who the dress is by.  This dress is certainly French.  It is certainly haute couture.  It is certainly from the 1950s and it is certainly small.  A true size 2.  I know, I feel your pain.  It won't fit me either.  Merde.  

It is from 'the Golden Age of Couture' when the post war exuberance manifested itself in fashion with  extremely feminine clothing.  Cinched waists, full skirts, it was a very glamorous and elegant time.  This dress is full of coquetry.  It dips seductively low in the back but there is sweetness with the trailing ribbons.  The dress in tulle has flounces full of shredded tulle.  The interior is as beautiful as the exterior with the seams all pinked.  We have so many clients who come into RARE and ooh and ahh because of the beauty of a piece and its incredible construction and inevitably they say, they just don't make dresses like this anymore. 

 French haute couture tulle cocktail dress.  Size 0/2

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The Revenge of the LBD!

Maybe you are just not feeling lemon and fuschia tonight. Maybe you are feeling a little more elegant, a little more sexy and a little bit naughty all at the same time. Maybe when everyone else is wearing color your eye is captivated by a mysterious bit of black. The Little Black Dress as collected by RARE vintage is anything but boring, anything but basic. Here are three dresses with their own distinct look:

A little Herve Leger goes a long way. If you have ever wanted mile long legs this is the dress that will surely give you them. A very simple LBD from the 1990s in a heavy crepe with body sculpting top. Instead of Leger's signature elastane bandage the construction is more relaxed but at the same time still emphasizing all of a girl's good bits! Size 42. Fits a 6/8.








A cool, glamorous and sexy 1980s Yves Saint Laurent dress with large peony. Although this dress is Rive Gauche the fabric and details are really more the workmanship of the couture. Size 36. Fits a 4. SOLD











Our last LBD on this post is a two piece Chanel Boutique dress from 1994. All of the elements of the Chanel look are in this dress: four leaf clover buttons, a fine lace jabot and black on black sequins. The skirt that goes under the dress causing it to bell out is lined in horsehair and reveals lace underneath the sequined dress. Extremely flattering! Size 42. Fits a 6/8.


For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273

XOXO from RARE and Adolfo

We love a Little Black Dress. In fact, we love a LBD so much we had a special neon sign made from vintage glass just to highlight our LBD's! Our lastest Little Black Dress is anything but boring. A classic Adolfo knit, but unexpectedly sexy and leggy. A sophiscated baby doll - aren't we all? With a rhinestone detailed XOXO on the top. Hug and kisses to everyone from RARE vintage!
Size 4/6

For more information about this item please email info@rarevintageinc.com or call (212) 581 7273