CAROLINA HERRERA Black Metallic Lace Gown Draped Chiffon Size 8 10
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 56.25 in (142.88 cm)Marked Size: 12 (US)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 32 in (81.28 cm)Hip: 41 in (104.14 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU482138173
Carolina Herrera
Born into a family of wealth and sophistication in Caracas, Venezuela, but without a trace of design education, Carolina Herrera launched her eponymous fashion empire in 1981. Modeling her aesthetic on the principles of refined, simple elegance, she has gone on to defy all expectations.
Style, that elusive je ne sais quoi, is often hard-won, acquired over years of experimentation and missteps. Precious few are born with it. Carolina Herrera may well be one of them. And if she wasn’t born with it, she was most assuredly born into it, raised by wealthy and refined women in the most rarefied of circumstances back in Venezuela. Her mother and her grandmother were both perfectly put together, had their own dressmakers — even a live-in seamstress. Everything within Herrera’s reach at home was of the utmost quality. Hers was a privileged life, and no one appreciates that fact more than she.
Herrera brought that aesthetic to her first collection of clothing and accessories in 1981, encouraged by éminence grise Diana Vreeland, then the editor in chief of Vogue. Herrera was initially interested in designing textiles (she worked in a publicity role for Emilio Pucci — the iconic clothing and housewares maker — during the 1960s). It was Vreeland who planted the fashion seed. When it took root, Herrera returned to Caracas, and with the help of Guy Mellier, her personal couturier, she came up with a collection she felt was New York–ready. She never studied fashion and didn’t know how to cut or sew. “What I understood was proportion, and I had a good eye.” She knew not only what looked good on her but also on other women, too.
Herrera unveiled her first collection at the Metropolitan Club on Fifth Avenue. The fashion press was hard on her; “they didn’t have faith,” is how she explains it today. But how about the women in the audience, did they like what they saw? Herrera leans in and says with a smile, “A lot!” The buyers liked the collection, too — enough to place orders. (And they’re still placing orders.)
She quickly became synonymous with sophistication for her glamorous evening dresses, which eventually earned accolades in magazines, prime real estate in Manhattan boutique windows and a heavyweight client roster that included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
As her business has evolved — in 2010 it reached $1 billion in sales — so has Herrera herself. In the 1970s and before she became a designer, she used to dance until the wee hours at Studio 54, pal around with Calvin Klein, Bianca Jagger, Halston and Andy Warhol. Through all the madness — every bit of which she enjoyed — she remained unscathed. No scandals, no gossip, no whispers. She’s been famously photographed by Robert Mapplethorpe, Arthur Elgort, Norman Parkinson, David Seidner, Mario Testino, Bruce Weber and, yes, Ron Galella. (“I’ve never said no to the paparazzi,” she explains. “I smile, let them take the picture and move on.”)
Find a collection of vintage Carolina Herrera shoes, shirts, day dresses, handbags and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- MONIQUE LHUILLER Black Silk Bias Cut Dress Size 12Located in Los Angeles, CAThis Monique Lhuiller dress is composed of a black silk with a silk chiffon accent. There is a zipper closure. In excellent condition. **Plea...Category
20th Century French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- DONNA KARAN Black Lace Beaded Wool Gown Size 4 6By Donna KaranLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Donna Karan gown is composed of a black jersey with lace bodice. Features an interior unitard with side zipper closure. In excellent vintage condition. **Please cross-referen...Category
20th Century American Evening Gowns
- ROBERT DAVID-MORTON Black Silk Cocktail Dress Nude Rhinestone Waist Size 6 8Located in Los Angeles, CAThis Robert David-Morton design is composed of a textured silk with a nude embellished lace waist. Features a halter neck with zipper closure. In excellent vintage condition. **Pl...Category
20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
- Nolan Miller Lovely Black Cocktail Dress with Lace and Bow SleevesBy Nolan MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a lovely Nolan Miller cocktail dress. This dress is composed of a fantastic black supple lace with a subtle metallic attribute. It features a wonderful V-Bust line and draped...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1930s Royal Blue & Gold Art Deco Multi-color Decadent Bias-cut gown size 4Located in Los Angeles, CAThis is an incredible bias-cut metallic silk deco fabric gown with flounce drape at back and matching belt. Plunging V- back is 16.5 inches from the mid-shoulder blade to the center...Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Evening Gowns
- Ceil Chapman (Attributed) Vintage Black Matte Jersey Cocktail Dress, 1940By Ceil ChapmanLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a vintage black cocktail dress Attributed to: Ceil Chapman. Circa 1940's. Label missing. The piece is skilfully ruched, with a scoop neckline front and back. It has zipper ...Category
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2003 Corset Bustier Bra Bodycon Hook and Eye Black DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Naples, FLDolce & Gabbana Corset Bustier Bra Bodycon Hook and Eye Black Dress IT 38Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Vintage Special Edition Bodycon Corset Black Mini DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Naples, FLDolce & Gabbana Vintage Special Edition Bodycon Corset Black Mini Dress IT 42 Dolce & Gabbana bodycon corset structured mini dress featuring lac...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mini Dress
- Gianfranco Ferre Favorite Avant Garde Beaded Blue Evening Dress NEWBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Los Angeles, CAGianfranco Ferre's highly architectural avant garde creation, designed with an art deco influence, is truly unique and imaginative in an amazing innovative and structurally breathtak...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses
- Deadstock Bill Blass Fall 2008 Platinum Jacquard Evening Bustier Dress w TagBy Peter Som, Bill BlassLocated in Portland, ORThis is a Bill Blass beautiful deadstock platinum multi wood bustier evening dress from Peter Som's Fall/Winter 2008 debut collection for Bill Blass. The overall effect of the fabric...Category
Early 2000s American Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Knit Hook Closure Runway Black Knit Dress SetBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a slinky hook and eye closure accented sweater dress set designed by Tom Ford for Gucci's Spring/Summer 2002 collection. This set debuted as look number 23 on Erin Wasson on the Spring/Summer 2002 runway and was seen on Debra Messing at the 2002 Screen Actor's Guild Awards and in the March 2002 issue of L'Uomo Vogue...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Mid-Late 1990s Gianni Versace Couture Black Dropped Hem Bias-Cut Wiggle Gown LBDBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a vintage midi Gianni Versace dress, designed by Gianni Versace. This is the little black dress your wardrobe is missing. Simple and classy, th...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses