Valentino Vintage Hand Embroidered Lilac Runway Evening Gown Dress New!
View Similar Items
Valentino Vintage Hand Embroidered Lilac Runway Evening Gown Dress New!
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU19619005222
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.
- Antonio Berardi Runway Silk Jacquard Floral Cheonsang Stunning Sexy DressBy Antonio BerardiLocated in Los Angeles, CAAntonio Berardi sexy silk jacquard floral print dress was one of the standout dresses of the Spring 2015 collection. Designed in the style of a Chinese chenosang slashed thru at ...Category
2010s Toga Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Grunge Dress Early 1993-1994 F/W Museum, CollectorsBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CARare 1993-94 F/W "Grunge look" by Dolce & Gabbana. Fashioned of draped layers of black and creme silk chiffon. Fitted bodice. Dress can be found in permanent museum collections. Se...Category
20th Century Evening Dresses
- Christopher Kane Lame Silk Concertina-Pleated Evening Dress New!By Christopher KaneLocated in Los Angeles, CAChristopher Kane raspberry pink silk lame gown. Features dropped arm holes, slight racer back, concertina-pleated skirt, dipped hem. Partially lined. Concealed back zipper. Impressiv...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
- Lela Rose Summer Elegance Rosette Neckline Open Back Dress GownBy Lela RoseLocated in Los Angeles, CALela Rose ethereal and feminine signature style has defined her as the go-to designer for very special and romantic evening wear creations. Many celebrities are seen wearing her fashions. See photo of the gown on the runway. From Bergdorf Goodman, halter style gown...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Gucci by Tom Ford High Style One Arm Bandit Python Print Dress New Cond!By GucciLocated in Los Angeles, CATom Ford for Gucci showcased his Spring 2000 collection inspired by Farrah Fawcett, Blondie and Gwyneth Paltrow. It was all about jersey and python prints in the sexist of styles tha...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Evening Dresses
- Emilio Pucci "Stop Traffic" Very Sexy White Jeweled Evening Dress New!By Emilio PucciLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Pucci dress designed to "stop traffic". Fashioned of white jersey knit viscose and silk. Beaded leaf applique at side bodice, built-in-shoulder pads, deep "V" open back with tonal ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
- Sass & Bide Silk Crepe 3 Way Maxi Harness Bustier Dress AU 8 US 2Located in PUTNEY, NSWDress Crepe Embellished Contrasting trims SilkCategory
Early 2000s Australian Cocktail Dresses
$214 Sale Price24% Off - 2000s Diane Freis Monochrome Abstract Print Strapless Evening DressBy Diane FreisLocated in Hong Kong, HKThe Diane Freis Monochrome Abstract Print Dress in Black Silk is a chic and sophisticated piece that showcases a captivating abstract print. Crafte...Category
Early 2000s Chinese Evening Dresses
- Jacques Lelong 1980s White Leather Studded DressLocated in Scottsdale, AZStep into the glamour of the 1980s with our Jacques Lelong White Leather Studded Dress—a striking and captivating piece that effortlessly combines bold s...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Crane Day Hand Weaver 1990s Ombre Cocktail PonchoLocated in Scottsdale, AZA rare and jaw-dropping piece from the early 1990s! Designed by Crane Day Hand Weaver from Santa Fe, this poncho has a loose and breathable silhouette and fe...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- John Galliano grey checked Blanche Dubois bustled coat dress, ss 1988By John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano London; grey Prince of Wales check coat dress. Bustled skirt falling in polonaise drapes, gathering into a band at the hem, can be button...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Yohji Yamamoto white cotton maxi dress with nylon t-shirt, c. 1990sBy Yohji YamamotoLocated in London, GB- 2 side pockets - Maxi length - Stretch nylon T-shirt at front c. 1990sCategory
1990s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns