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1938 Gown

A Long dress in black and salmon silk crepe - Germany Circa 1938-1942
A Long dress in black and salmon silk crepe - Germany Circa 1938-1942

A Long dress in black and salmon silk crepe - Germany Circa 1938-1942

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1938 - 1942. Germany Elegant long dress in black and salmon artificial silk crepe, collected in Berlin, dating from the late 1930s. Straight cut, long sleeves with geometric tr...

Category

1930s German Aesthetic Evening Dresses

Saturday Evening Post Cover, Evening Gown  May 21st, 1938
Saturday Evening Post Cover, Evening Gown  May 21st, 1938

Saturday Evening Post Cover, Evening Gown May 21st, 1938

By Neysa McMein

Located in Miami, FL

Pastel on board - Saturday Evening Post Cover, Evening Gown May 21st, 1938 - Reproduced version looks better because the Saturday Evening Post Art Director retouched the plates befor...

Category

1930s American Impressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Recent Sales

1938 French long sequined black lace dress
1938 French long sequined black lace dress

1938 French long sequined black lace dress

Located in Newark, DE

This beautiful long black lace dress is adorned with a wide peacock blue sequined band at the V neck front and back and along the ample skirt, long sleeves with pleated shoulders. ...

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1940s French Evening Dresses

Lanvin haute couture black dress, Spring/Summer 1938
Lanvin haute couture black dress, Spring/Summer 1938

Lanvin haute couture black dress, Spring/Summer 1938

By Lanvin Paris

Located in London, GB

An incredible piece of Lanvin haute couture, this black silk dress is an elegant option for the red carpet or special occasion. The long sleeves are striped with powder blue silk aro...

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1930s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

1930’s Silver Lamé Pleated Gown with Rose Trim
1930’s Silver Lamé Pleated Gown with Rose Trim

1930’s Silver Lamé Pleated Gown with Rose Trim

By Original by Rudolf

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Fantastic silver silk lamé gown circa (1938-1942) has a structured shoulder silhouette with light padding and delicate pleating.

Category

1930s Art Deco Evening Gowns

Evening Gown by Madame Grès (attributed to) in green jersey silk - Paris C. 1938
Evening Gown by Madame Grès (attributed to) in green jersey silk - Paris C. 1938

Evening Gown by Madame Grès (attributed to) in green jersey silk - Paris C. 1938

By Madam Gres

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1935–1940. France Long haute couture evening gown in celadon green silk jersey by Madame Grès (attributed to) dating from the 1930s. Sleeveless peplum-style dress with a deep V...

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1930s French Evening Dresses

Floral Frinted Chiffon Silk summer Dress inspired by Raoul Dufy Circa 1938-1940
Floral Frinted Chiffon Silk summer Dress inspired by Raoul Dufy Circa 1938-1940

Floral Frinted Chiffon Silk summer Dress inspired by Raoul Dufy Circa 1938-1940

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1938-1940 France Beautiful summer long dress in silk crepe muslin printed with large polychrome flowers (poppies?) and inspired by Raoul Dufy's creations. Sleeveless sheath dr...

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1940s French Summer Dresses

A Long dress in black and salmon silk crepe - Germany Circa 1938-1942
A Long dress in black and salmon silk crepe - Germany Circa 1938-1942

A Long dress in black and salmon silk crepe - Germany Circa 1938-1942

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1938 - 1942 Germany Elegant long dress in black and salmon artificial silk crepe, collected in Berlin, dating from the late 1930s. Straight cut, long sleeves with geometric t...

Category

1930s German Aesthetic Evening Dresses

A Romantic Dress in white cotton Net applied with printed Chiffon Circa 1938
A Romantic Dress in white cotton Net applied with printed Chiffon Circa 1938

A Romantic Dress in white cotton Net applied with printed Chiffon Circa 1938

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1935-1940 France Summer long dress, made of white cotton net tulle applied with floral printed silk chiffon, with an assumed romanticism and dating from the late 1930s. Sleev...

Category

1930s French Evening Dresses

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Large Art Deco Period Portrait Painting of an Elegant Young Woman, 1937
Large Art Deco Period Portrait Painting of an Elegant Young Woman, 1937

Large Art Deco Period Portrait Painting of an Elegant Young Woman, 1937

Located in San Francisco, CA

A very large Art Deco style full length portrait of an elegantly dressed beautiful young woman. The woman in this painting is Millie Stokes. Oil on canvas in original silver gilt woo...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Evening gown in tulle and organza in the style of Madeleine Vionnet, circa 1940
Evening gown in tulle and organza in the style of Madeleine Vionnet, circa 1940

Evening gown in tulle and organza in the style of Madeleine Vionnet, circa 1940

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1940. France A nice haute couture evening gown in black silk tulle and organza, in the style of Madeleine Vionnet or Paquin, dating from the 1940s. A sleeveless gown with an ov...

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1930s French Court Gowns

1940's Fashion Illustration - Posed Lady In Vibrant Pink Dress
1940's Fashion Illustration - Posed Lady In Vibrant Pink Dress

1940's Fashion Illustration - Posed Lady In Vibrant Pink Dress

By Geneviève Thomas

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Very stylish, unique and original 1940's fashion design by French illustrator Geneviève Thomas. The painting, executed in gouache and pencil. The sketch is original, vintage and me...

Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Gouache

Love Mirror Oil on Canvas, Signed Magazine Cover, Circa 1937, 17x13
Love Mirror Oil on Canvas, Signed Magazine Cover, Circa 1937, 17x13

Love Mirror Oil on Canvas, Signed Magazine Cover, Circa 1937, 17x13

Located in Miami, FL

Love Mirror, True Experiences magazine cover, February 1937 by Female Illustrator and Pupl Artist Georgia Warren Oil on canvas 17 x 13 inches (43.2 x 33.0 cm) Signed lower left: War...

Category

1930s American Realist Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Rare 1940s Taffetas Silk Dress
Rare 1940s Taffetas Silk Dress

Rare 1940s Taffetas Silk Dress

Located in Paris, FR

Gorgeous 1940s peach pink silk dress featuring maxi length, fixed flounces on front bust & goes on back sleeves, bias cut with many tailoring details, maxi length. In good vinta...

Category

1940s French Evening Dresses

1930's Moss Crepe and Gold Thread Evening Dress
1930's Moss Crepe and Gold Thread Evening Dress

1930's Moss Crepe and Gold Thread Evening Dress

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Timeless 1930's miss crepe and gold embroidered evening dress with slightly gathered shoulder and hand rouched wide waistline. Elegant V neck and short sleeves are trimmed in hand s...

Category

1930s Unknown Evening Gowns

A Couture Evening dress by Maison Paquin/Antonio Del Castillo - France C. 1949
A Couture Evening dress by Maison Paquin/Antonio Del Castillo - France C. 1949

A Couture Evening dress by Maison Paquin/Antonio Del Castillo - France C. 1949

By Jeanne Paquin

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1949. France Haute Couture evening dress in chocolate brown stretch silk jersey by the famous Maison Jeanne Paquin, 3 Rue de la Paix, Paris, directed by Antonio Del Castillo a...

Category

1940s French Evening Dresses

A French Evening Dress in Artificial silk fibrane - Early 1940s
A French Evening Dress in Artificial silk fibrane - Early 1940s

A French Evening Dress in Artificial silk fibrane - Early 1940s

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1940. France Evening dress in pink purple and yellow gold artificial silk fibrane from the 1940s. Heavy and very fine fabric with an excellent "drop", slightly stretchy and ele...

Category

1940s French Evening Dresses

A Stylish, Vintage 1940s Woman's Fashion Study, Design for a Formal Evening Gown
A Stylish, Vintage 1940s Woman's Fashion Study, Design for a Formal Evening Gown

A Stylish, Vintage 1940s Woman's Fashion Study, Design for a Formal Evening Gown

Located in Chicago, IL

A stylish, vintage, 1940s fashion study featuring an elegant design for a woman's evening gown. Artwork size: 11 x 8 1/2 inches. Colored pencil and pencil on paper. Archivally ma...

Category

1940s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Pencil, Color Pencil

1940s Couture Old Hollywood Silky Black Jersey Shoulder drape Evening Gown
1940s Couture Old Hollywood Silky Black Jersey Shoulder drape Evening Gown

1940s Couture Old Hollywood Silky Black Jersey Shoulder drape Evening Gown

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Early 1940s Custom made, old Hollywood silky black Jersey gown with shoulder drape. Couture quality, this gown is sleek & modern the fabric is a weighty matte jersey that drapes bea...

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1940s American Evening Dresses

Portrait of a Lady in Green Dress - Scottish 1930's Art Deco oil painting
Portrait of a Lady in Green Dress - Scottish 1930's Art Deco oil painting

Portrait of a Lady in Green Dress - Scottish 1930's Art Deco oil painting

By David Cowan Dobson

Located in Hagley, England

This superb Art Deco British portrait oil painting is by noted Scottish artist David Cowan Dobson, better known as Cowan Dobson. Painted in 1931, it is a portrait of a striking darkh...

Category

1930s Art Deco Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Documented Luis Estévez Black Knotted Shoulder Plunge-Front Dress - M-L, 1957
Documented Luis Estévez Black Knotted Shoulder Plunge-Front Dress - M-L, 1957

Documented Luis Estévez Black Knotted Shoulder Plunge-Front Dress - M-L, 1957

By Luis Estévez

Located in Tucson, AZ

Known as "the neckline king," Luis Estévez skyrocketed to stardom in 1955 with designs that celebrated--and flaunted--the female figure. Immaculately tailored, this bombshell cocktai...

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1950s American Evening Dresses

Hayes Lyon “Portrait of Bessy Lyon" 1945 American Modern Oil Painting
Hayes Lyon “Portrait of Bessy Lyon" 1945 American Modern Oil Painting

Hayes Lyon “Portrait of Bessy Lyon" 1945 American Modern Oil Painting

By Hayes Lyon

Located in Denver, CO

An intimate and beautifully observed 1945 American Modern portrait by Colorado painter Hayes Lyon (1901–1987), depicting the artist’s wife, Bessy Lyon. Executed in oil on canvas, the...

Category

1940s American Modern Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

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SADIE NEMSER c.1920’s Art Deco Silk Beaded Cubist Flapper Couture Dress
SADIE NEMSER c.1920’s Art Deco Silk Beaded Cubist Flapper Couture Dress

SADIE NEMSER c.1920’s Art Deco Silk Beaded Cubist Flapper Couture Dress

By SADIE NEMSER

Located in Thiensville, WI

SADIE NEMSER c.1920’s Art Deco Silk Beaded Embroidered Cubist Flapper Couture Dress Circa: 1920’s Label(s): Nemser Original Model Style: Drop waist dress Color(s): Shades of navy ...

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1920s Shift Cocktail Dresses

Silk Guipure Lace Exquisite 1930s Jacket Top
Silk Guipure Lace Exquisite 1930s Jacket Top

Silk Guipure Lace Exquisite 1930s Jacket Top

Located in Water Mill, NY

An intricate, stunning, vintage beige silk lace jacket, bolero, shrug, vest in varying stitches and patterns of flowers and petals- very elaborate. The shoulders are extended forming...

Category

1930s Unknown Jackets

Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style
Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style

Striking Art Nouveau Ceramic and Bronze-Mounted Vase in Victor Horta Style

By Victor Horta

Located in Lisse, NL

Top condition and pure elegance Art Nouveau vase. For the collectors of museum quality and condition Art Nouveau ceramics. This stunning Art Nouveau vase is decorated with the mos...

Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Vases

Materials

Bronze

1990s Giorgio Armani Size 6 / 8 Vintage Crimson Red Merlot 90s Silk Velvet Gown
1990s Giorgio Armani Size 6 / 8 Vintage Crimson Red Merlot 90s Silk Velvet Gown

1990s Giorgio Armani Size 6 / 8 Vintage Crimson Red Merlot 90s Silk Velvet Gown

By Giorgio Armani

Located in San Diego, CA

Insanely beautiful 1990s GIORGIO ARMANI COLLEZIONI crimson red silk velvet full length evening dress! Couture quality, with an amazing fit! Hidden interior weight on inner bust creat...

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1990s Italian Evening Gowns

Country Crystal Vase with Easter Rabbit Decor in Blue Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Country Crystal Vase with Easter Rabbit Decor in Blue Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

Country Crystal Vase with Easter Rabbit Decor in Blue Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel

Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol

Handblown crystal vase in blue with a country style easter design. Hand-carved by Bavarian glass artists . A rich garland of trees and flowers with rabitts all around. One rabbit sit...

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2010s German Country Vases

Materials

Crystal

1920s Silver Cobweb Lame Flapper Culottes Dress
1920s Silver Cobweb Lame Flapper Culottes Dress

1920s Silver Cobweb Lame Flapper Culottes Dress

Located in London, GB

Tailored to a classic 1920s drop-waist silhouette, this is a rare surviving culottes dress from the earlier part of the flapper era and our oldest ever jumpsuit design! This antique ...

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1920s British Jumpsuits

Antique Oushak Carpet, Turkish Handmade Oriental Rugs, Coral, Orange, Light Blue
Antique Oushak Carpet, Turkish Handmade Oriental Rugs, Coral, Orange, Light Blue

Antique Oushak Carpet, Turkish Handmade Oriental Rugs, Coral, Orange, Light Blue

Located in Port Washington, NY

West Anatolia is one of the largest weaving regions in Turkey. Since the 15th century, Turkish rugs have always been on top of the list for having fine Oriental rugs. size 17x23. ...

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Antique 19th Century Turkish Oushak Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Custom 23' Cream Regency Ribbon Silk and Lace Wedding Gown – XS, 1930s
Custom 23' Cream Regency Ribbon Silk and Lace Wedding Gown – XS, 1930s

Custom 23' Cream Regency Ribbon Silk and Lace Wedding Gown – XS, 1930s

Located in Tucson, AZ

This enchanting wedding gown features a fairytale skirt measuring over 23 feet around but requires no suffocating undergarments to remain full and feminine. Custom made and sparing n...

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1930s Unknown Wedding Dresses

Eve Stillman vintage silk pink ivory lace slit night gown slip wedding dress
Eve Stillman vintage silk pink ivory lace slit night gown slip wedding dress

Eve Stillman vintage silk pink ivory lace slit night gown slip wedding dress

Located in Milano, Lombardia

Eve Stillman Couture vintage lace night gown in silk. I would guess this to be from the 1970's. It would work just beautifully for a wedding or summers evening The ivory version phot...

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1970s Evening Dresses

Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Coffee and Tea Set, American Colonial
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Coffee and Tea Set, American Colonial

Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Coffee and Tea Set, American Colonial

$6,240Sale Price|20% Off

H 13.5 in W 6 in D 4.5 in

Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Coffee and Tea Set, American Colonial

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Sheffield, MA

Tiffany & company four-piece sterling silver coffee and tea set, circa 1940. Comprised of coffee pot, tea pot, sugar and creamer, all with faceted corners and monogrammed 'PPB', ...

Category

Early 20th Century American American Colonial Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

1930s Gold Floral Lame Dress with Organza Capelet
1930s Gold Floral Lame Dress with Organza Capelet

1930s Gold Floral Lame Dress with Organza Capelet

Located in London, GB

1930s gold and floral lame dress with contemporary custom-made capelet. Of an ankle skimming length, this piece is crafted from the most incredible fabric; a glittering golden lamé ...

Category

1930s American Evening Dresses

Hervé Van Der Straeten, Contemporary Bronze Planter, France, 2006
Hervé Van Der Straeten, Contemporary Bronze Planter, France, 2006

Hervé Van Der Straeten, Contemporary Bronze Planter, France, 2006

By Herve Van Der Straeten

Located in New York, NY

Contemporary patinated bronze planter by Hervé van der Straeten. Monogrammed: HV.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Bronze

French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk
French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk

French Jacques Adnet Brass Mounted Black Lacquered Writing Desk

By Jacques Adnet

Located in Queens, NY

French 1940s brass mounted black lacquered bureau plat /writing desk with tan leather inset top above a range of frieze drawers (attributed to Jacques Adnet).  

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Edwardian Cream Silk Antique Lace Empire Waist Dress
Edwardian Cream Silk Antique Lace Empire Waist Dress

Edwardian Cream Silk Antique Lace Empire Waist Dress

Located in New York, NY

Super soft tissue weight silk in great condition. There are a few small spots and holes but they are very minor. The dress is wearable and beautifully hand detailed. Edwardian Cream...

Category

Early 1800s Casual Dresses

Art Nouveau Armchairs, Birch & Mahogany, Sweden, 1935
Art Nouveau Armchairs, Birch & Mahogany, Sweden, 1935

Art Nouveau Armchairs, Birch & Mahogany, Sweden, 1935

$3,500 / set

H 35.5 in W 23.25 in D 23 in

Art Nouveau Armchairs, Birch & Mahogany, Sweden, 1935

Located in New York, NY

A sleek pair of solid birch and palisander chairs with a stylized inlaid crest of burled birch and mahogany, which adorns the backrest. Gracefully sweeping arms transform into slim s...

Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

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Finding the Right Evening-dresses for You

With entire museum exhibitions dedicated to examining fashion designers and their creations, we’re finally recognizing that costuming is art. Evening dresses over time have conveyed specific statements about social class, position and beliefs. Fashion is a powerful means of self-expression, and sophisticated vintage evening dresses and gowns by our favorite couturier play no small role in making us feel wonderful but, perhaps more importantly, making us feel like ourselves.

In the 16th century, dresses and gowns were so important that England's Queen Elizabeth I defined rules about what dresses women could wear — guidance included long skirts and fitted bodices. Forward-thinking designers have responded to this history.

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel reimagined traditionally masculine garments for feminine shapes, and her elegant evening dresses and gowns promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by layers of fabric. Christian Dior's gowns celebrated luxury and femininity in the late 1940s — and gave to women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of the war. French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent introduced innovative and highly coveted dress designs in the 1960s while at the same time challenging sexist stereotypes about which members of society could wear tuxedos.

Works by unconventional British designer John Galliano — featured in houses like Givenchy and Dior — redefined limits that dressmakers faced in terms of material, construction and vision during the late 20th century. From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless Dior newspaper dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably collectible and newsworthy

Today’s designers target an increasingly broad audience with their boundary-crossing work, and their tendency to play off of each other’s ideas means that every walk down the runway is also a walk through an entire history of fashion design and dress craftsmanship.

Whether you gravitate toward backless maxi dresses or silk charmeuse gowns by Alexander McQueen or embellished, ruffled floral-print designs by Chloe or Versace, there is an extraordinary collection of vintage and designer evening dresses and gowns waiting for you on 1stDibs.

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The V&A Takes a Fresh Look at the New Look’s Pioneering Progenitor, Christian Dior

Ballrooms, Bar Suits and British royals — in a sweeping exhibition, the London museum looks back on 70 years of the French fashion house, as well as its illustrious founder and his fondness for the United Kingdom.