Vintage Victor Costa black silk velvet bronze Lamé  leopard high leg split Hollywood star long dress big shoulder pad cinch cummerbund waist
 
Wow this is a sensational fabulous dress by Victor Costa, in a black velvet burnout with bronze thread Lamé and leopard. I mean it is TOTAL luxury being made 21% silk velvet with rayon and the lame lurex, as you walk or dance you can show as much of your leg as you want, and you will glide along shimmering like a Hollywood movie star in Lamé
I mean, it REALLY shines & shimmers, from a dark base. I assume it is from the 1980s with the shoulder pads, but maybe late 1970s or early 1990s. 

I know I had a dress with big shoulders and similar high neck around 1980 was very new wave but also a very glamorous dress with high leg split and cummerbund waist. Wish I still had that one, and if this wasn't just a little big for me I would so keep it. In fact I may, so take advantage before I change my mind. If the right event comes up, I am keeping. 
Made in USA of course, by Texas' Victor Costa.
 
So it is a size UK 12  with a 30 inch waist. Though is probably going to be more comfortable for a size UK 10 to 12. My problem is, that the cummerbund is loose on me, so bear that in mind as my waist is 27-28 inches. So I can't bring it in tight without getting it altered. I am also 5ft 5 inches, so ideally I'd have to get it taken up an inch or two wear very high heels reluctant to do my age. 
So if you are 5ft 6 inches or taller, and a size UK 10 to 12, this will be perfect for you as the cummerbund won't be loose and will actually cinch your waist better, especially if your hips are on the bigger size as the dress will def accommodate bigger hips and bust. 
It is marked as a USA size 12 but of course vintage sizing was very different, so, as I say, you will need a waist no bigger than 30 inches. It is a UK size 12 max. 
 
So I always loved gorgeous dresses in the 1980s as they could take you anywhere. It was the 80s: you COULD NOT BE OVER-DRESSED!  So what I liked is a dress like this could take you to a very swanky restaurant or club, but also wouldn't have looked out of place at an alternative music night, with clubs like the Blitz club oozing glamour too & everyone dressed up like movie stars from & New Romantics and Futurists. So we always moved from one club to another anyway back in those days, and it really didn't matter if you ended up in a divey rock bar like St Moritz in Soho come to that dressed to the nines it was normal. I mean, this is NOT a flouncy ball gown of the time, and was definitely a killer femme fatale dress. It could take you to a ball, a flittering piano bar, a swish club like Stringfellows, and then take you to an alternative club too. And where you went, you'd have dominated the room in this. And still will, exit now shrinking violet it is not for you. Red carpet event nowadays for sure, though I'd still wear to a smart restaurant you know, I like to get the best table I am not wealthy just a working class girl, so when I can afford to go somewhere nice I want to make it count and feel as special as the place. I am so not paying for an overpriced fake burger in some hipster pub with wooden benches not my idea of a night out thx.  But yeah I will sure feel fine in a rock bar too with it but maybe that is just me. 
So wasn't just me back then, we ALL dressed up. And a dress like this would have made people drop jaws and would today too, and yet, it is fairly modest. What you do with the split is up to you: you can always add a little  velcro double sided tape closure if it's a little high on the leg. In fact this had one: and easily removed as I have no such inhibitions lol. 
 
So, I can just imagine sauntering shimmering across an empty dance floor early evening in some very smart club, and the DJ drops his jaw and is putty in your hands. Well, those clubs didn't always play the edgiest of music, so you know, you could make things happen with the right dress and commitment to dance. And, there was ALWAYS one song you could absolutely count on so you wouldn't be the only one on the floor, as not only every subculture of the day loved it (Mods punks goths New Romantic etc all loved Department S) but even more mainstream crowd liked 'Is Vic There?'. 
 
So of course, that is my 'Spirit of the Age and Garment' song.  because, if you were going somewhere and you needed that killer dress, Victor Costa was ALWAYS there.
"The night is young
The mood is mellow
And there's music in my ears
Say, is Vic there?"
 
Called the copycat king, and his book even called 'Copycat' Victor Costa from even his time at Suzy Perette in the 1960s and 70s, copied French runway designs like Dior. Often, people could not only not tell difference but if pushed would choose the Costa one. They are THAT lovely and glamorous. Except, Victor Costa whole not cheap, were nowhere near couture price tags even if they looked like couture dresses. So yes, you most certainly did open your wardrobe or go in high end dept store and say 'Is Vic there?' is a special night on horizon. They are men slaying dresses so especially if you had a date. These were the days of course men often dressed like James Bond in a tux too. And more the shame they don't now, apart from off special events. If I was going to the Ritz or a Curzon casino I'd absolutely expect my date to dress in one and I would....will if I keep....wear this dress. But equally the stylish alternative guys always like such gowns too. As I say, think The Blitz Club as well as The Ritz club.