ARMANI COLLEZIONI Size 8 Black & White Polka Dot Sheath Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (US)
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:
Armani Collezioni
Fashion may be a fluid industry that evolves with the times, but few designers were gutsy enough to break with the norms and endeavor to revolutionize it the way Piacenza, Italy, native Giorgio Armani did.
When he established his brand with his personal and professional partner, architect Sergio Galeotti, in 1975, Armani created jackets, evening dresses and other clothing that sharply departed from the form-fitting designs that his competitors were producing. Working with a subdued color palette and light fabrics, Armani instead pioneered power dressing. By the early 1980s, the designer was lauded for his sleek but relaxed-fit shirts in washed greens and beige tones for men and elegant, broad-shouldered suits for career-minded women. His collections were intended to fit naturally but confer a sense of confidence on the wearer, and the designs were just as luxurious as the garments that were gliding down Milanese catwalks at the time.
Armani, a shipping manager’s son, spent his childhood wanting to become a doctor, and he even studied medicine briefly at the University of Milan before dropping out and joining the army. In the late 1950s, he was hired as a window dresser at the Milan department store La Rinascente before moving into the role of menswear buyer. When he realized that his calling was in fashion design, not buying, he left La Rinascente to train at Nino Cerruti’s atelier and eventually began to take on what became a wealth of freelance design work.
At Galeotti’s urging, Armani opened his own design office in 1973, and two years later, he established his eponymous label of ready-to-wear for both men and women that challenged fashion’s traditional silhouettes and the conventions of tailoring.
“I was the first to soften the image of men and harden the image of women,” Armani has said of his early years. The designer dressed men in soft textures such as silk and linen that were traditionally relegated to feminine garments and designed power suits for women — an audacious and undeniably androgynous take on high fashion that was well received by critics. He won the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1979 and launched a diffusion line called Armani Collezioni that year. While his collections for men and women gained legions of admirers in Europe, it wasn’t until the premiere of the film American Gigolo — featuring heartthrob Richard Gere exclusively outfitted in a crisp, sleek and sexy Armani wardrobe — that the brand took off in the United States.
Today, Armani is still designing ready-to-wear collections, and the luxury house has expanded over the years into home decor, hospitality and more. In February 2020, at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, Armani was the first fashion house to close its runway shows to the public in order to limit exposure. In early 2022, the brand was among the first to cancel men’s and haute couture shows scheduled in January.
Find vintage Armani Collezioni clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Francisco, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- BOTTEGA VENETA Size XS Cream Cotton Blend Textured One Shoulder DressBy Bottega VenetaLocated in San Francisco, CABOTTEGA VENETA dress comes in a cream cotton terry cloth knit material featuring an one shoulder style. Made in Italy.Excellent Pre- Owned Conditions. Marked: XS Measurements:...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- MARNI Size 2 Burgundy Black Viscose Rhombus Sleeveless DressBy MarniLocated in San Francisco, CAMARNI sheath dress comes in a black and burgundy viscose rhombus woven material featuring pleated detail at front, sleeveless, and a back zip up closure.Excellent Pre-Owned Condition...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- VIKTOR & ROLF Size M Black Polyester Mesh Shift DressBy Viktor & RolfLocated in San Francisco, CAVIKTOR & ROLF shift knee high dress comes in black polyester tulle woven material and see through style. Made in Netherlands.New with Tags. Marked: 3 Measurements: Shoulder: ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- RALPH LAUREN Size 8 Black Leather Lamb Skin Sleeveless DressBy Ralph LaurenLocated in San Francisco, CARALPH LAUREN COLLECTION 2011 dress comes in black lamb skin leather with a criss-cross, pencil silhouette, and zip up closure at back. Made in USA.Excell...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- DRIES VAN NOTEN Size 2 Black Viscose Sequined Mini DressBy Dries van NotenLocated in San Francisco, CADRIES VAN NOTEN long sleeve dress comes in a black viscose woven material featuring a black sequins throughout, drop shoulder, ruffled detail at the waistband, elastic waistband and ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mini Dress
- DOLCE & GABBANA Size M Brown Beige Wool Marbled Long Sleeve DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in San Francisco, CADOLCE & GABBANA dress comes in a brown & beige marble wool woven material featuring long sleeves, side pockets, a-line style, elastic waist and elastic cuffs. Made in Italy. Very Goo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Nipon Boutique Black Velvet Halter Dress with Satin Ribbon Size US 6By Albert NiponLocated in New York, NYNipon Boutique black velvet cocktail dress with satin ribbon trim and bows tied at neck and back. Flirty six paneled dress body with flared bottom. Fu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses
- Adolfo Tropical Silk Jersey Strapless Dress with Half CapeletBy AdolfoLocated in New York, NYAdolfo strapless dress with bold green, indigo and white tropical floral print. Wonderfully tailored, with fitted bodice and draped open tulip front slit above the knee for movement...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Leonard of Paris Pastel Silk Chiffon Day / Evening DressBy Leonard of ParisLocated in New York, NYPretty pastel silk chiffon Leonard of Paris special occasion day / evening dress. Bodice has a ruffled capelet that flows from the center of the dress...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- Jean Muir Emerald Green Viscose Jersey Cocktail DressBy Jean MuirLocated in New York, NYJean Muir emerald green jersey cocktail dress with long wrap sash. Sash may also be worn as long scarf around neck, and tied at lower back. Front of dress has asymmetrical pleating. ...Category
Late 20th Century British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Leonard of Paris Fuschia Multi Color Silk Chiffon Strapless GownBy Leonard of ParisLocated in New York, NYVintage Leonard of Paris bright and flirty ruffled silk chiffon cocktail dress / evening gown, unmarked size, approximately US 6. Featuring four layer...Category
Late 20th Century French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Valentino Boutique Black Beaded Silk Chiffon Evening Gown Size US 6By ValentinoLocated in New York, NYLuxurious Valentino Boutique black silk evening gown with tiered ruffles, sweeping hemline and hand beaded and embroidered bodice. Two ruffles at bodice are hand beaded with tiny jet...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns