1980s Valentino Red Polka Dot Dress
View Similar Items
1980s Valentino Red Polka Dot Dress
About the Item
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.
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 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 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.
- 1940s Novelty Ship Print Pastel Coloured Rayon DressLocated in London, GBThis charming 1940s pastel toned shirt dress is in beautiful vintage condition and has a feminine, contemporary aesthetic. The light rayon fabric has an impressionist style novelty print depicting riverside scenes with sailing boats and pasture land in soft grey, pale lilac, jade and turquoise. The calf-length dress is long sleeved with a low plunging wrap over bodice, a wide set lapel collar and forwards facing yolk on the shoulders under which the fabric is gently gathered. It is a loose fitting shift cut with a seam to mark the waistband, and could be worn loose or drawn in with a belt if desired. There is no lining and a zip fastening at the centre reverse. This lovely dress is superbly adaptable and could transform as evening wear with the correct accessories. Would fit up to a US size 8, UK size 12...Category
1940s American Formal Wear
- 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Pink Cotton Braque Dove DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in London, GBInspired by artist Georges Braque's dove lithographs and often sketched by Yves himself, the dove of peace has long been a signature motif of the Saint Laurent fashion house. Flying ...Category
1980s Casual Dresses
- 1950s Jonelle Orange Rose Print Cotton Maxi DressLocated in London, GBFounded in 1937, “Jonelle” was the trade name of textiles created by Cavendish Textiles and was a quality affair with fabric supplied to the top department stores and fashion houses ...Category
1950s Maxi Dresses
- 1970s André Courrèges Haute Couture Polka Dot Cotton DressBy André CourrègesLocated in London, GBIn 1961, after ten years honing his craft under Cristóbal Balenciaga, Andre Courrèges launched his own fashion house. Today his namesake brand is being revived under the creative dir...Category
1970s Casual Dresses
- 1950s Blue Floral Cotton Rose Print Maxi DressLocated in London, GBGreat example of a full length late 1950s to early 1960s day dress, this pretty piece is in pristine vintage condition. Tailored from breezy cotton patterned with a vibrant aqua flor...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- 1940s White Satin Wedding Dress with TrainLocated in London, GBThis enchanting 1940s satin wedding gown was retailed by “Bourne & Hollingsworth” and refers to the luxury department store that used to sit on Oxford Street in central London. The o...Category
1940s British Vintage Bridal Gowns
- Vintage EMANUEL UNGARO Boutique 1980s DAISY Black Parallele PARIS Dress XS/SBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Asheville, NCUngaro Boutique, Vintage 1980's, Sheer Cotton, Fully Lined, Belted, Straps Tie at Top, Five Round Buttons at Front, 2 Large Front Pockets, Daisy Floral Details on Top, Front and Bott...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
$584 Sale Price20% Off - Iconic Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968.By Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968. Olive green cotton tunic features laces at the front with long cords that are run through metal grommets, to be worn op...Category
1960s French Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- c. 1967 Pierre Cardin Documented Dress MuseumBy Pierre CardinLocated in New York, NYc. 1967 Pierre Cardin Futuristic Dress Mini dress of navy wool jersey knit. The tubular mini dress has a rounded neckline and short sleeves. Red, sh...Category
1960s French Shift Dresses
- S/S 1990 Thierry Mugler Black and Green Sculptural DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in New York, NYS/S 1990 Thierry Mugler Black Cotton Dress with Layered, Tiered Skirt Panels Backed with Acid Green Cotton; Fitted Bodice with Adjustable Straps; Self Belt w...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Dress 1990's Vintage Tribal Aztec Wrap DressBy Jean Paul Gaultier ClassiqueLocated in London, GBJean Paul Gaultier Classique Dress 1990's Vintage Tribal Aztec Tattoo Print Wrap Dress Lightweight Stretchy Silky Mesh Material 100% Authentic SIZE: M ACTUAL MEASUREMENTS: S...Category
1990s Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Gianni Versace Vintage Shift Midi DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBGianni Versace Vintage Shift Midi Dress A-Line Cut CONDITION: This item is a vintage/pre-worn piece so some signs of natural wear and age are to be expected. However good general ...Category
1990s Casual Dresses