1980s Valentino Size 8 Black Open Front Long Sleeve Vintage 80s Gown Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (NA)Hip: 40 in (101.6 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 54 in (137.16 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU66212985572
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: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- NWT 1990s Thomas Steinbruck Size 12 Black Gray Ombre Silk Vintage 90s Gown DressLocated in San Diego, CAStunning brand new with original Bergdorf Goodman store tags still attached 1990s THOMAS STEINBRUCK black and grey silk evening gown! This rare find ...Category
1990s American Evening Gowns
- 1980s Pauline Trigere Black Wool Silk Taffeta Avant Garde Vintage 80s DressBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in San Diego, CAAvant Garde 1980s PAULINE TRIGERE black wool and silk taffeta dress ! Features a tailored wool bodice with taffeta panel down the center. Full taffeta puff sleeves add just the right...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Mamselle by Betty Carol Black and White Houndstooth Wool 60s A Line DressBy Betty CarolLocated in San Diego, CAChic MAMSELLE by BETTY CAROL black and white wool mini houndstooth print A-Line wool dress ! Features a pretty scooped v-neck with black embroidery. Empire style waist with embroider...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- NWT 1990s Donna Karan Size 8 Black Metallic Rayon Off - Shoulder Vintage DressBy Donna KaranLocated in San Diego, CAChic brand new with original store tags late 90s DONNA KARAN black metallic rayon off-shoulder dress ! Features a soft luxurious textured metallic rayo...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Egon Von Furstenberg Black + Grey Abstract Print Vintage 80s Sweater DressLocated in San Diego, CARare and so chic 1980s EGON VON FURSTENBERG black and gray / white abstract print double breasted long sleeve sweater dress ! Egon Von Furstenberg was a French prince whom married Di...Category
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Hand Painted Reversible Red + Gold + Green Vintage 80s Avant Garde DressLocated in San Diego, CAAvant Garde 1980s hand painted gold, red, and hunter forest green long sleeve reversible dress ! This dress was brilliantly designed to wear either the zipper in the front or the bac...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHAlaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top SetBy Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Vintage Japanese Golden Eagle Koi Fish Kendall Jenner Wave Yellow Mesh Sheer Transparent Wrap T-shirt Skirt Top Dress Golden Japanese Eagle...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Textured Leather Bubble DressBy Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueenLocated in Berlin, BEIncredible Alexander McQueen textured leather dress with the most amazing dramatic silhouette. This high-quality dress has the most incredible round silhouette - It is made from a textured leather and features a round neckline with beautiful seam-line details, large round puff...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE 2014 Black Leather Mini DressBy Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BEThe most incredible leather mini-dress by Saint Laurent from 2014, designed by Hedi Slimane. This exceptional sleeveless mini dress is made from a soft lamb leather and features gor...Category
2010s French Mini Dress
- Vintage Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress with crystal trim details S/S1995By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBVintage Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress with crystal details S/S1995. The dress is in good condition just light signs of use around the crystals. ▪ Black rayon chiffon with lining ▪...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Chanel black wool dress pre fall 2011 Paris Byzance FR 46By ChanelLocated in Rubiera, RECHANEL Pre-fall 2011 PARIS BYZANCE Métiers d'Art Look 11/67 Black wool jersey dress embellished with 6 jewel ornaments. Size FR 46 Made in France 100% wool ...Category
2010s French Cocktail Dresses