Valentino Silk Top
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 24.4 in (61.98 cm)Marked Size: 10 (UK)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Geneva, CH
- Reference Number:
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: Geneva, Switzerland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Blouse, Circa 1993By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Geneva, CHBased on the 1993 YSL Spring-Summer haute couture collection, this bright floral printed blouse is a genuine ode to the Spring. Cut in organdy silk, this piece features a removable j...Category
1990s French Blouses and Tops
- Marni Runway Printed Silk Shirt Blouse, Spring-Summer 2009By Consuelo Castiglioni, MarniLocated in Geneva, CHDefined by its “quirky elegance”, the Italian label Marni loves playing with colors, patterns and unusual shapes. A perfect example of the reason why Marni is loved by the fashion wo...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Chanel By Karl Lagerfeld Runway Padded Quilted Cotton Tank Top, SS2000By Karl Lagerfeld, ChanelLocated in Geneva, CHModeled by Devon Aoki at the Spring-Summer 2000 Chanel runway show in yellow color (see video + pictures 4 & 5), this tank top is designed with quilts for a soft, lightly padded feel. Made from light beige cotton, it has a cropped silhouette, lightly close fit. A branded "Chanel Paris" silver metal flat washer is sewn on the front, bottom left. Tagged a French size 38 (US 6 / UK 10 / IT 42), the top is unlined and runs a little bit small to size. Style it with relaxed pants or an elegant stylish skirt like on the Chanel runway show. Pictures 18, 19 & 20 show top model Bella Hadid wearing a similar, tough slightly different tank top at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix...Category
Early 2000s French Crop Tops
- Rare Yves Saint Laurent Butterfly Print Blouse, Fall-Winter 1971-1972By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Geneva, CHVery rare 70’s burnt orange YSL refined natural silk stand-up collar blouse. Unusual colorful butterfly print. Labelled a French size 38 (US 4-6), the blouse runs a bit small to size...Category
1970s French Balloon Sleeve Blouses
- Yves Saint Laurent Runway Floral-Print Silk-Chiffon Shirt Blouse, SS1974By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Geneva, CHWorn on the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Spring 1974 runway show in various style and color combinations (see pictures 2, 3, 4 & 5), this rare and collectible shirt is cut from lig...Category
1970s French Blouses and Tops
- Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Lame BlouseBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Geneva, CHThis true haute couture treasure from the late 80’s - early 90's is cut in vibrant purple silk-blend lamé with red, blue and silver leaf and floral pattern. Unlined (except in the sh...Category
1980s French Blouses and Tops
- new ROSIE ASSOULIN pastel green striped rusched draped back one shoulder top XSLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew ROSIE ASSOULIN pastel green striped rusched draped back one shoulder top XS Brand: Rosie Assoulin Designer: Rosie Assoulin Model Name / Style: One shoulder top Material: Nylon, c...Category
2010s American Blouses and Tops
- White sleeveless cotton tee-shirt with branded lace bottom edge ChanelBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRWhite sleeveless cotton tee-shirt with branded lace bottom edge. Inset ( branded lace) composition: 87% cotton, 13% polyester SIZE 42 (Fr) 12 (Us)Category
2010s French T-Shirts
- new PRADA 2021 orange zip khaki green technical strap bra top IT40 SBy PradaLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew PRADA 2021 orange zip khaki green technical strap bra top IT40 S Reference: TGAS/D00482 Brand: Prada Designer: Miuccia Prada Collection: 2021 Material: Cotton, Elastane Color: Gr...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Crop Tops
- new PRADA 2021 orange zip khaki green technical strap bra top IT38 XSBy PradaLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew PRADA 2021 orange zip khaki green technical strap bra top IT38 XS Reference: TGAS/D00484 Brand: Prada Designer: Miuccia Prada Collection: 2021 Material: Cotton, Elastane Color: G...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Crop Tops
- SACAI 2016 cream cotton plisse pleat back zip shoulder tshirt JP2 MBy Chitose Abe, SacaiLocated in Hong Kong, NTSACAI 2016 cream cotton plisse pleat back zip shoulder tshirt JP2 M Reference: LNKO/A02231 Brand: Sacai Designer: Chitose Abe Collection: 2016 Material: Cotton Color: Cream Pattern: ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese T-Shirts
- FENDI SKIMS cream logo jacquard scoop neck bralette crop top IT36 XXSBy FendiLocated in Hong Kong, NTFENDI SKIMS cream logo jacquard scoop neck bralette crop top IT36 XXS Reference: LNKO/A02227 Brand: Fendi Collection: Skims Material: Viscose, Blend Color: Cream Pattern: Monogram Cl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Blouses and Tops