Valentino wedding ivory strapless fitted bodice bow back silk train gown dress S
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2314221025002
Valentino
The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani (b. 1932) is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. Valentino dresses, skirts and other apparel captured the hearts of many of Italy’s wealthiest ladies in the couturier’s early days and led to commissions from Babe Paley, Gloria Guinness, Jayne Wrightsman and others on the international best-dressed list (when it still meant something). They sought out Valentino for gorgeous gowns, jackets, elegant daytime wear and even when they needed wedding dresses.
An early fascination with fashion developed when Valentino attended the theater as a child and was dazzled by the evening gowns on stage. While a teenager in Voghera, Lombardy, he studied under Italian designer Ernestina Salvadeo and soon moved to Paris, where he trained at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Valentino spent time apprenticing under haute couturiers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, learning how to design and construct high fashion while also thinking about how to strike out on his own.
In 1959, Valentino returned to Italy, and a year later, he opened his own salon, soon joining with longtime professional and personal partner Giancarlo Giammetti. It was located on Rome’s trendy Via Condotti and modeled after the French maisons. One of his earliest clients was Elizabeth Taylor, who discovered Valentino while she was in Rome filming Cleopatra and ordered the white dress that she wore to the premiere of Spartacus.
When the designer launched his first couture line in 1962 with its fiery red colors, it was internationally celebrated, with Valentino soon attiring fashion trendsetters including Princess Margaret and Audrey Hepburn. He formed an especially close friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for whom he designed numerous dresses. Luxurious drapery with fine needlework, bold uses of color and dramatic flourishes would define Valentino fashion across the decades.
As a fashion house, Valentino is best known for its signature Valentino Red color, though one of its iconic lines is the monochromatic “no colour” collection for which the designer won the Neiman Marcus Award in 1967. (The collection also debuted his trademark “V.”) The white dresses and beige dresses led to a demand for Valentino wedding gowns, with clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez and Anne Hathaway.
Valentino retired from his fashion empire in 2007, with Alessandra Facchinetti and then the duo Maria Grazia Chiuri (who departed in 2016) and Pierpaolo Piccioli succeeding him as creative directors. But Valentino still steps out of retirement for special occasions, such as designing a wedding gown for Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013.
Today, the brand offers a range of collections that include the Valentino Garavani line and REDValentino, a diffusion line that is aimed at a younger audience. The house has expanded far beyond women’s haute couture and prêt-à-porter to encompass various lines of accessories, including shoes, sunglasses, scarves and perfume.
Find vintage Valentino evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Paris, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Brunello Cucinelli strapless cream silk chiffon layered wedding gown dress MBy Brunello CucinelliLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage A very special gown by Brunello Cucinelli in cream, sadly the dress is large for the model in the photos and so they do not do this dress the full justice it deser...Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2004 sheer pink lace silk crystal strap dress gownBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Paris, FRAn Incredibly rare floor length gown from Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2004 collection Pink silk and lace cut out sheer dress with double crystal straps Concealed back zip Size: IT 42. Th...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Herve Leger Paris vintage body con green cross over strappy halter mini dress SBy Herve LégerLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Herve Leger Paris vintage body con dress Beautiful shade of pale green Criss Cross neckline straps with key hole detail Halter nec...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses
- Missoni sleeveless pink beige blue white grey knit knitted flare maxi gown dressBy MissoniLocated in Paris, FRLook 8 from Missoni Fall 2011 Missoni sleeveless floor length dress with a fitted upper and flared skirt Missoni knit in varying shades of dusky pink, beige, blue, white and grey Raw...Category
2010s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Escada vintage white red heart print button up denim jean sleeveless dressBy EscadaLocated in Paris, FREscada vintage white denim jean dress with red heart print Buttons up the front with gold logo engraved buttons Cross over straps at the back Two flap pockets either side on the bre...Category
1990s German Informal Dresses
- Etro paisley print red blue black white halter neck backless draped maxi dressBy EtroLocated in Paris, FREtro paisley print floor length dress from the S/S 2014 runway collection Halter neck cut with a draped neckline Body con stretch fit Backless Colours consist of red, blue, green, b...Category
2010s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Pierre Cardin Space Age Pink Satin Mini Dress w/Circle Motif ca.1969By Pierre CardinLocated in Studio City, CAThis luxurious 1969 pink satin shift mini-dress is a masterful example of Pierre Cardin’s “Space Age” creations. With its recti-linear shape that stands away from the body, Cardin fr...Category
1960s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Azzedine Alaia S/S 1992 Vintage Cold-Shoulder Striped Bodycon Mini DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaia S/S 1992 Vintage Cold-Shoulder Striped Bodycon Mini Dress Size S Alaïa cold-shoulder bodycon dress with striped print throughout, squared neckline...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Beige silk cocktail dress with embroideries Versace Jeans Couture NEW WITH TAGBy Versace Jeans CoutureLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBeige silk cocktail dress with embroideries ( beads, sequins, pearls) NEW WITH TAG The top part is in shiny silk, the bottom in silk chiffon's ribbons. Li...Category
2010s Indian Cocktail Dresses
- Champagne rayon evening dress covered of studs Just CavalliBy Just CavalliLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRChampagne rayon evening dress covered of silver and gold studs. Fabric composition: 92% rayon, 8% elastane ( stretch) Lining: 100% polyester (BEIGE) Authenticity hologram. Split in t...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- Rare Dolce e Gabbana Floreal Set S/S 1997By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Venezia, ITRare Dolce e Gabbana Floreal Set Dress + top S/S 1997 - NO RETURNSCategory
1990s Italian Summer Dresses
- Backless silk printed evening dress Circa 1970'sLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBackless silk printed evening dress. Dress: 100 silk. Lining: 100% acetate Zip and hook&eye on the left side. Hook&eye behind the neck. SIZE M ( Bust an...Category
1970s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns