Valentino Lace Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Thousand Oaks, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU126636670691
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Thousand Oaks, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Walter Collection Embellished Mesh Skater DressLocated in Thousand Oaks, CATutu mini dress by Walter Collection with sheer nude mesh bodice featuring strategically placed beaded and sequined embellishments and a white satin ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alexander McQueen NWT Dusty Rose Cap Sleeve Cocktail DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAAlexander McQueen Dusty Rose Cap Sleeve Cocktail Dress . Never Worn - Tags Attached. Figure Hugging. Sweetheart neckline, with cap sleeves. Light Pink with metallic threading which...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Christopher Kane x Disney Rosettes DressBy Christopher KaneLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAChristopher Kane x Disney Rosettes Dress Tulle cocktail dress in pale lilac with snap-on rosette appliqué by Christopher Kane for Disney. This sleeveles...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- JW Anderson Black Fringe Shift DressLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAJ.W.Anderson Black Fringe Shift Dress Sheer detailing with a panel of loose hanging fringe in the middle of the front. Hard to capture this stunning dress in photos. Tags still on,...Category
2010s Cocktail Dresses
- Gucci Teal, Silk Halter, Cocktail DressBy GucciLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAGucci Teal Halter Cocktail Dress - with many different options to style it! Inner black gold inlay on the neck and detailed tassels with attached scarf. S...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Alexander Wang Black Draped Cold Shoulder Pleated DressBy Alexander WangLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAAlexander Wang Black Draped Cold Shoulder Dress. Draped black dress by Alexander Wang with open shoulders and tie neck. Elasticized waist to show o...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace S/S 2001 Vintage Geometric Print Belted Open Back DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Naples, FLGianni Versace S/S 2001 Vintage Geometric Print Belted Open Back Dress IT 44Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1980 Adolfo Gold Lace & Sequin Pouf Shoulder Cocktail Mini Dress Size 4By AdolfoLocated in Gresham, OREarly 1980s Adolfo sequined and beaded gold lace 3/4 sleeve mini dress with pouf shoulder. Gold bead banding at hem, collar and cuff. Back zipper. Unlined.Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Michael Kors Collection Size 6 / 8 Navy Blue and White Gingham Puff Sleeve DressBy Michael KorsLocated in San Diego, CAChic MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION navy blue and white gingham checkered puff sleeve nautical dress ! 98% Cotton 2% Spandex. Features allover navy blue and white gingham throughout the e...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Bob Mackie For Neiman Marcus Important Cotton Plaid 50s Style Vintage DressBy Bob MackieLocated in San Diego, CAImportant Bob Mackie late 70s/early 80s dress! From the era of Mackie's 'hype,' this dress mirrors his femininity, and attention to detail. Cotton la...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Elaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920sLocated in New York, NYElaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920s Indigo knee-length gauze Flapper dress with intricate beading of art deco style motifs in shades of indigo, blue and silver. Featurin...Category
1920s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Judy Hornby for Neiman Marcus Vintage Hand Painted Silk Dress + Wrap EnsembleBy Neiman Marcus, Judy HornbyLocated in Sparks, NVBeautiful hand painted silk dress and matching wrap ensemble by Judy Hornby for Neiman Marcus in watercolor shades of pink, brown, teal and pur...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses