Bernard Perris Vintage Avant Garde Dress- 1980s
By Bernard Perris
Located in Sparks, NV
Absolutely incredible vintage Bernard Perris dress with sculptural origami pleating and avant garde shape. One shoulder cut with gray pleated organza and black velvet. Fully lined wi...
Thierry Mugler Vintage Avant Garde Circular Striped Long Sleeve Dress, 1980s
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Sparks, NV
Avant garde circular striped dress by Thierry Mugler. Long sleeves and zip up front. Details: Partially Lined Front Metal Zip Closure Marked Size: 40 Estimated Size: Small-Medium ...
Marimekko Vintage 1980s 80s Textile Print Color Block Avant Garde Batwing Dress
By Marimekko
Located in Sparks, NV
Colorful geometric screen printed avant garde dress by Finnish textile designer Marimekko. Drop waist and batwing sleeves. Details: Unlined No closure Circa: 80s Label: Mar...
Pierre Cardin Avant Garde Black Cut Out Cage Cold Shoulder Tunic Dress, 1980s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Sparks, NV
Unique vintage black avant garde dress by Pierre Cardin from the 1980s.
Lilli Rubin White Jersey Dress Gown 1980s Avant Garde
Located in Wallkill, NY
Take a look at the shoulders on this one, Tons of prong set Rhinestones make up petals on the shoulders. Ruched Waist. WHITE jersey on the fabric. The Pleat opens to the knee in fron...
ROMEO GIGLI c.1980's Black Wool Knit Avant Garde Stalagmite Sheath Dress
By Romeo Gigli
Located in Thiensville, WI
Vintage Romeo Gigli c.1980's black wool knit sheath dress. Extra long sleeves. Drop shoulder. Built up neckline with low cut jagged "sawtooth" detail. Slip-on style. Unlined. Marked ...
1980s Vintage Victor Costa Size 12 Tropical Hawaiian Avant Garde 80s Maxi Dress
By Victor Costa
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous vintage late 80s VICTOR COSTA taffeta flower gown / maxi dress! Features a tropical flower print in vibrant colors of pink, fuchsia, blue, green and black. Avant Garde accor...
Vintage Victor Costa Black + Yellow Avant Garde 1980s Strapless Cotton Dress
By Victor Costa
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic late 80s VICTOR COSTA black and yellow Avant Garde strapless cotton cocktail dress! Features a fitted boned bodice that is lined in canary yellow. Forgiving skirt features a lar...
$1,156Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Pauline Trigere Black Wool Silk Taffeta Avant Garde Vintage 80s Dress
By Pauline Trigère
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde 1980s PAULINE TRIGERE black wool and silk taffeta dress !
1980s Angelo Tarlazzi Shocking Hot Pink Avant Garde Silk Shantung Vintage Dress
By Angelo Tarlazzi
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde 80s vintage ANGELO TARLAZZI shocking hot pink silk shantung strapless dress! Features the perfect vibrant hot pink color on the finest silk shantung. Interior boning on b...
Avant Garde 1980s Amen Wardy Abstract Flower Print Vintage 80s Strapless Dress
By Amen Wardy
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde 1980s ARMEN WARDY yellow, black, marigold and white strapless silk mini dress!
1980s Hand Painted Reversible Red + Gold + Green Vintage 80s Avant Garde Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde 1980s hand painted gold, red, and hunter forest green long sleeve reversible dress !
Fabulous 1980s Avant Garde Gold + Black Polka Dot Puff Sleeve Vintage 80s Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Fabulous Avant Garde 1980s gold and black polka dot fit n' flare corset cocktail dress!
Vintage Jill Richards 1980s For Saks Fifth Avenue Red Avant Garde Silk Dress
By Saks Fifth Avenue, Jill Richards
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing 80s JILL RICHARDS, for SAKs Fifth Avenue, red silk + taffeta dress!!! Avant Garde feel, with tiered skirt, and bow in the back. Tulle layers over the silk bodice. Pouf skirt,...
Beautiful Vintage Galanos Lipstick Red Avant Garde 1980s Wool Size 6 / 8 Dress
By James Galanos, Galanos
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage 80s JAMES GALANOS for I MAGNIN lipstick red virgin wool long sleeve dress! In true Galanos fashion, this beauty is extremely well made, with an immense amount of at...
1980s Guy Laroche Size 44 / 12 Novelty Fruit Print Avant Garde Vintage 80s Dress
By Guy Laroche
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1980s GUY LAROCHE novelty fruit print Avant Garde cotton belted dress!
1980s Frank Usher Sz 12/14 Black Avant Garde Taffeta + Velvet Vintage 80s Dress
By Frank Usher
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde FRANK USHER black taffeta and velvet Size 14 cocktail dress! Features a criss-cross bodice with black taffeta on one side, and black velvet on the other side. Chic puff s...
1980s Geoffrey Beene Size 8 10 Avant Garde Black Purple Sequin Lace Silk Dress
By Geoffrey Beene
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde vintage late 80s GEOFFREY BEENE black silk, lace and purple sequin cocktail dress! Features statement worthy strong shoulder with shoulder pads that could easily be remov...
I Magnin Royal Blue One Shoulder Avant Garde Vintage Gown, 1980s
By I. Magnin
Located in San Diego, CA
Fabulous early 1980s I. MAGNIN royal blue Avant Garde full length taffeta maxi evening dress!
Vintage Nina Ricci Haute Couture 1980s Avant Garde Linen + Silk Strapless Gown
By Nina Ricci
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous Avant Garde NINA RICCI Haute Couture 80s black and marigold polka dot strapless evening gown! Features a unique, yet brilliant fabric blend of Irish linen, rayon and silk ta...
Vintage Nina Ricci Couture 1980s Avant Garde Polka Dot Silk Taffeta Evening Gown
By Nina Ricci
Located in San Diego, CA
Sensational vintage 1980s NINA RICCI Couture for NEIMAN MARCUS polka dot Avant Garde silk taffeta sleeveless evening gown!
1980s Tadashi Shoji Size 4 White Avant Garde Rhinestone Pearl Vintage 80s Gown
By Tadashi Shoji
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1980s vintage TADASHI SHOJI avant garde white cut-out full length crepe evening dress!
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Ted Lapidus Size 8 Turquoise Blue Avant Garde Sequined Vintage 80s Gown
By Ted Lapidus, Ted Lapidus Paris
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde TED LAPIDUS turquoise blue fully sequined evening gown dress ! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequins throughout the entire dress. Hundreds of seed beads align the colla...
Ronaldus Shamask Avant Garde 1980's Vintage Cream Wool Dress Size 6/8
By Ronaldus Shamask
Located in Portland, OR
This vintage cream dress was designed by Ronaldus Shamask in the 1980's. The dress has front pockets, a back button at the neck, made of a fine wool and is lined. This dress is in ex...
Vintage William Pearson 1980s 80s Black Wool Taffeta Avant Garde Ruffle Dress
Located in Sparks, NV
Avant garde wool sheath dress with dramatic ruffles around the neck and shoulders. Fully lined with rear zip and hook closure. By William Pearson. MEASUREMENTS Bust: 38" Waist: ...
1980S Black Silk Jersey Minimalist Avant-Garde Asymmetrical Draped Cocktail Dre
Located in New York, NY
1980S Black Silk Jersey Minimalist Avant-Garde Asymmetrical Draped Cocktail Dress Made In France
Avant Garde Ruben Parnis 1980s Sz 8 Vintage One Shoulder Prurple Silk Gown
By Ruben Panis for Elizabeth Arden, Ruben Panis
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1980s RUBEN PANIS Couture for Eilzabeth Arden Avant Garde one shoulder metallic silk striped purple gown, with detachable bow belt!
Vintage 1980's Comme des Garcons Avant Garde Funnel Dress
By Comme des Garçons
Located in Toronto, ON
Vintage 1980's Comme des Garcons avant garde black dress.
Avant Garde Hand Painted Black Silk Color Block Dress c 1980s
Located in University City, MO
Avant-garde Hand painted black silk color block dress c 1980s The unique sheath style dress is designed with a vibrant hand painted pastel bow detail that runs across the bodice ...
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Size: Small - Small Medium
Avant Garde 1980s Pink Rhinestones + Ruffles Sleeveless 80s Cocktail Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible vintage 1980s AVANT GARDE ruffles and rhinestones sleeveless mini cocktail dress!
Avant Garde Vintage 1980s 80s Silk Cocoon Batwing Dress in Bright Green & Blue
Located in Sparks, NV
This dress is a work of art! In creamy green, royal blue and black silk this Eduard Mira avant garde cocoon dress features giant batwing sleeves and multiple layers of vibrant silk f...
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Size: Small / Small Medium
1980s Eugene Alexander Avant Garde Green + Black Vintage 80s Mini Dress
By Eugene Alexander
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde EUGENE ALEXANDER 1980s green silk brocade and black silk velvet off the shoulder mini dress!
1980s Jacques Molko Vintage Black Patent Leather + Wool Avant Garde Dress
By Jacques Molko
Located in Sparks, NV
Black wool and shiny patent avant garde dress by Jacques Molko. Fully lined with front zip closure. Front pockets. Structured shoulders pads are sewn in underneath the lining. 100% w...
Norma Kamali Omo Vintage 1980s Avant Garde Black Velvet Batwing Dress
By Norma Kamali
Located in Sparks, NV
Avant garde black velvet batwing dress by Norma Kamali Omo. Giant draped sleeves and snap detail. Details: Fully Lined Side Snap and Back Hook Closure Marked Size: Not Marked...
Victor Costa Vintage 1980s 80s Avant Garde Striped Peplum Long Formal Dress
By Victor Costa
Located in Sparks, NV
Unique avant garde gown by Victor Costa featuring a colorful striped peplum and architectural shape. Details: Fully Lined Back Zip and Hook Closure Marked Size: 6 Estimated...
Emanuel Ungaro Paris Avant-garde Edgy Brown Leather Dress Made in Italy c 1980s
By Emanuel Ungaro
Located in University City, MO
Emanuel Ungaro Paris Avant-garde brown leather dress Made in Italy c 1980s The edgy dress is constructed with supple smooth chocolate brown leather A series of small black resin but...
Amazing 1980s Gold Lame Avant Garde 80s Vintage Cocktail Asymmetrical Bow Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing 1980s gold lame strapless Avant Garde cocktail dress!
Fabulous 1980s Gold + Black Avant Garde Velvet Lame Long Sleeve 80s Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Fabulous 1980s gold and black Avant Garde long sleeve vintage dress!
Sold
Size: Medium - Large
1980s 80s Red + Black Avant Garde ' She - Devil ' Vintage Bow Rhinestone Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage 80s red and black Avant Garde dress! Features convertible straps, that can easily be tucked in for a strapless look. Attached bow at waist, encrusted with rhinestones. L...
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Size: Small - Small Medium
Vintage Givenchy Haute Couture Numbered Black Silk Avant Garde 1980s 80s Dress
By Givenchy
Located in San Diego, CA
Brilliant vintage GIVENCHY HAUTE COUTURE avant garde wiggle dress! Every single bit of this dress was completely hand-sewn! Features fabulous over-the-top puff sleeves. Silk taffeta ...
Vintage Thierry Mugler Denim Blue Jean 1980s Avant Garde Bodycon 80s Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible 1980s THIERRY MUGLER denim blue jean long sleeve dress! Features signature slimming stitching that is beyond flattering! Snaps shut up the front with silver star covers, a...
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Size: Small - Medium
1980s Hot Pink + Black Avant Garde Strong Shoulder Vintage 80s Cocktail Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Bring back the 80s in this amazing little number! Flattering black jersey bodice stretches to fit, with strong shoulders (shoulder pads are built in, but can easily be snipped out). ...
Chris Van Wyk Vintage 1980s Lavender + Pink Silk Taffeta Avant Garde 80s Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing 1980s dress from hard to find designer CHRIS VAN WYK!
Gucci 1980s Avant Garde Black Size 42 Wool Vintage 80s Turtleneck Sweater Dress
By Gucci
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde GUCCI 1980s black wool turtleneck dolman sleeve wool sweater dress !
Victor Costa for Saks 5th Ave Vintage 1980s Strapless Avant Garde Cocktail Dress
By Saks Fifth Avenue, Victor Costa
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage VICTOR COSTA for SAKS FIFTH AVENUE strapless Avant Garde dress! Features allover roses in pink, hot pink, and fuchsia on soft black silk. Appliques with rhinestones at one si...
Amazing 1980s Avant Garde Black Colorful Silk Polka Dot Flutter Skirt 80s Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage Avant Garde black silk colorful polka dot flutter skirt dress! Features awesome dolman sleeves with tapered arms. Slight drop waist with flutter skirt that looks amaz...
Avant Garde 1980s Denim Size 8 Blue Jeans Long Sleeve Vintage 80s Moto Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage mid 1980s Avant Garde blue jean denim moto dress! Features a full gold metal zipper up the front, with an asymmetrical zipper on the right breast pocket, and on the b...
Sexy Vintage 1980s North Beach Leather 80s Body Con Avant Garde Open Back Dress
By Michael Hoban, North Beach Leather
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy vintage North Beach Leather long sleeve black leather Body Con dress! The red version was worn by Pam, on, "True Blood!" Flattering fit, with slimming ruching detail at waist. A...
Amazing 1980s Vintage Metallic Gold Lamé + Black Velvet Avant Garde Jumpsuit
Located in Sparks, NV
Amazing 1980s vintage jumpsuit with metallic gold lamé ruffled shoulders and belt. Unlined with rear zip closure. 100% rayon. The bust measures 42", waist 26", hips 38"...
1980s Tilmann Grawe Avant Garde Crepe Gown with Exuberant Fountain of Feathers
Located in Gresham, OR
An astounding 1980s Tilmann Grawe avant garde black crepe gown with high hem in front and long train in back. Front waist to décolletage, around entire gown is a fountain of pink, b...
Avant Garde Ruben Parnis 1980s Sz 8 Vintage One Shoulder Prurple Silk Gown
By Ruben Panis, Ruben Panis for Elizabeth Arden
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1980s RUBEN PANIS Couture for Eilzabeth Arden Avant Garde one shoulder metallic silk striped purple gown, with detachable bow belt!
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.
Costumer to the stars Ray Aghayan brought the famed painting to life with his spectacular design.
From handbags and heels to jackets and jewels, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz has a deep admiration for (and collection of) all things Chanel.
Jeriana San Juan explains how she undertook the intimidating project of designing costumes for the new Netflix series about the New York fashion legend. (Hint: She found vintage Halston on 1stDibs!)
Once considered a controversial item of clothing, fashion designer Sonja de Lennart's creation is now a bona fide classic.
The classic tweed garment has been a wardrobe staple of chic women around the world since the 1950s.
Amanda Benchley and Bridget Moynahan teamed up to explore the relationship between powerful women and their most significant footwear.
This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.
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.