Valentino plunging runway dress, Spring 2004
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Size: UK 8 (UK)
- Style:2004 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2701219298302
Valentino Garavani
The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. Beautiful 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 Garavani evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Dior silk ruffle gown, FW 2005By Christian DiorLocated in London, GBBeautiful silk black ruffle gown with button up detail on the left side and in the centre of the bust from the Galliano for Dior FW 2005 collection. Size: UK ...Category
Early 2000s European Evening Gowns
- Dolce and Gabbana butterfly dress, SS 1998By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBInbuilt corseted dress from Dolce and Gabbanas iconic 'Stromboli collection' with a butterfly applique. Size: Italian 40. Fits like a XS to S Material: Acetate, Nylon, lycra and co...Category
1990s European Cocktail Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli burgandy brocade dress, FW 2004By CavalliLocated in London, GBRoberto Cavalli burgundy slip dress with a decorative floral flocking print featuring thin straps, a slip dress style bodice, and a flared hem. Material: Silk and satin Size: Smal...Category
Early 2000s European Cocktail Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli runway gown, FW 2002By Roberto Cavalli, CavalliLocated in London, GBRoberto Cavalli silk gown as seen on the runway and in the ad campaign for the Fall Winter 2002 collection. Featuring a glittering gold and silver pa...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Versace colour block dress, SS 2003By Donatella VersaceLocated in London, GBVersace SS 2003 colour block dress Size: Italian 42 Material: 100% silk Condition: Very GoodCategory
Early 2000s European Evening Dresses
- Versace SS 1995 butterfly runway dressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBIconic and super rare dress in one of Versaces most iconic prints ever - the butterfly print. This dress in the white butterfly print was worn on the runway...Category
1990s European Cocktail Dresses
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Lilac Silver Antique Silk Lamé Gown With 1930S CrystalsBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Lilac Silver Antique Silk Lamé Gown With 1930S Crystals MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials sourced from arou...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Runway Yves Saint Laurent S/S 1989 Lipstick Red Rayon Jersey Strapless 80s DressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in San Diego, CASensational vintage YSL Rive Gauche spring / summer 1989 runway lipstick red rayon jersey strapless 1980s dress ! The same dress was featured on the runway in black. Sash at side wai...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Roland Klein black strapless dress with black and white striped trainBy Roland KleinLocated in Austin, TX1980s Roland Klein black strapless dress with black and white train. Acetate fabric. 34" bust, 26" waist, 40" hips, 48" front length - 54 1/2" ba...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Black see-though lace on a tulle base Christian DiorBy Christian DiorLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack see-though lace on a tulle base. Zip in the middle back. SIZE 36 (Fr) 4 (US)Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Matthew Williamson Navy Blue Smocked Waist Detail Embellished Neck Sleeveless DrBy Matthew WilliamsonLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2When you feel like looking fantastic, pick this dress from Matthew Williamson. This sleeveless outfit exudes modernity and elegance with its beautifully embellished neck and interest...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- Vivienne Westwood Nude Satin, Black Lace and Velvet Corset and Skirt, FW 1996By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Brand: Vivienne Westwood Gold Label ▪ Creative Director: Vivienne Westwood ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 1996 ▪ Fabric: Black Lace, Nude Satin ▪ Details: One-shoulder corset top adorn...Category
1990s English Evening Dresses and Gowns