Bob Mackie Red Sequin Grapevine Dress, SS 1989
By Bob Mackie
Located in Marlborough, GB
Bob Mackie red sequin grapevine dress, Spring Summer 1989 An iconic, showstopper of a dress from
Bob Mackie Red Sequin Grapevine Dress, SS 1989
By Bob Mackie
Located in Marlborough, GB
Bob Mackie red sequin grapevine dress, Spring Summer 1989 An iconic, showstopper of a dress from
1960S BOB MACKIE Pink, Yellow, & Green Sequin Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in New York, NY
1960S BOB MACKIE Pink, Yellow, & Green Sequin Dress
Bob Mackie 1980's Emerald Green Sequin Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Step into the disco era with this stunning Bob Mackie emerald green sequin gown from the 1980s
1990s Bob Mackie Red Beaded and Sequin Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in London, GB
This fabulous 1990s Bob Mackie attributed dress was very likely designed by the heralded designer
1990s Bob Mackie Blue Beaded and Sequinned Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in London, GB
Fabulous Bob Mackie long sheath dress and fully embellished in iridescent midnight blue sequins and
Iconic Bob Mackie "Boutique" Mini sequins cocktail dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in New York, NY
This iconic Bob Mackie mini Black cocktail dress is of silk chiffon and is fully lined in black
Bob Mackie 1980s One Shoulder Beaded Gown With Sequin Lining
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This stunning black silk evening gown by renowned designer Bob Mackie is a one-of-a-kind piece
Bob Mackie Vintage Pearl & Sequin Embellished White & Yellow Mini Evening Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in Montgomery, TX
An exquisite vintage Bob Mackie mini dress, showcasing the designer’s signature glamour and
Bob Mackie Midnight Blue Iridescent Bugle Bead and Sequin Gown, 1980s
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
people counted on for sparkle and shine - Bob Mackie. 1980s sexy sheath fully covered in iridescent
Bob Mackie Vintage Couture Custom Made Black Silk Sequin Beaded Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Exceptional vintage BOB MACKIE Couture CUSTOM MADE evening dress! This beauty is one-of-a-kind, and
Late 1970s Bob Mackie Rare Sequin + Ribbons Vintage 70s Strapless Silk Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic rare late 1970s BOB MACKIE black silk strapless cocktail dress! Features hundreds of hand
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 10 / 12 Black Illusion Sequin Beaded Little Black Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage BOB MACKIE 1980s / 80s nude illusion little black dress! Incredible body huggin fit
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 4 / 6 Navy Blue Beaded Sequin Strapless Evening Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage BOB MACKIE navy blue strapless beaded and sequinened Grecian inspired evening
Cher Bob Mackie Met Gala 1985 Silk Beaded Sequin Sheer Vintage 80s Gown Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy 1980s BOB MACKIE 1985 silk chiffon beaded and sequin evening gown ! Very similar to the one
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 8 / 10 Nude Gold Champagne Sequined 1990s Gown and Shawl
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 90s BOB MACKIE gold and champagne sequined evening dress and matching shawl! Features
1980s Bob Mackie Sequined Dress with Beaded Fringe
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage cocktail dress from Bob Mackie dates to the 1980's and is made of black fabric that is
1980s Bob Mackie Sequined Nude Mesh and White Long Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Bob Mackie gown. This fantastic 1980s floor length evening gown is turquoise blue, white
Bob Mackie Blue Sequin Feather Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Topanga, CA
Stunning Bob Mackie blue bead and blue iridescent sequin mini dress with blue ostrich and black
Unavailable
1980's Bob Mackie Beaded & Sequined Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage evening gown from Bob Mackie dates to the 1980's and is made of nude stretch netting that
Bob Mackie Attribution Sequin Lace Cocktail Dress, 1980s
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fabulous 1980's cocktail dress, attributed to iconic American designer Bob Mackie, is covered
Unavailable
Size: See Description
Bob Mackie 1980s Vintage Black Lace & Sequins Illusion Dress w Paper Bag Waist
By Bob Mackie
Located in Portland, OR
This is a stunning Bob Mackie vintage black evening dress from the 1980's. The illusion lace bodice
Unavailable
Size: See Description
Vintage Bob Mackie Red Silk Dress With A V Shaped Waistline & Beads and Sequins
By Bob Mackie
Located in Portland, OR
This incredible vintage 1980's Bob Mackie Boutique vintage evening dress is such a good example of
Unavailable
H 23.5 in W 19 in D 1.5 in
Elton John - Dodger's Stadium, 1975 Hand-Signed Edition. Custom Framed
By Terry O'Neill
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
English singer and songwriter Elton John poses in Bob Mackie’s now famous sequined white Dodgers
Black and White, Silver Gelatin
BOB MAKIE
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bob Mackie sequin embellished halter cockatil dress with open back. Rhinestone encrusted collar and
Bob Mackie White Long Sleeve Gown, Beaded & Sequins
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a lovely evening gown from Bob Mackie. It is white with white, green, teal and purple
Bob Mackie Black Velvet Bomber Jacket, Sequin & Beaded, 1980s
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a funky bomber style jacket from Bob Mackie. It is made of black velvet, with ruched satin
Bob Mackie Slinky 70s Sequin Fuchsia and Black Strapless Column
By Bob Mackie
Located in Gresham, OR
A fantastically sexy, slinky strapless 70s Bob Mackie column dress with "Butterfly" neckline and
Silver sequins and beads embroidered dress with franges Bob Mackie
By Bob Mackie
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Silver sequins and beads embroidered dress with franges
BOB MACKIE Asymmetrical Glass Bead and Sequined Gown with Beaded Fringe
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
BOB MACKIE Asymmetrical One Shoulder Glass beaded and Sequined Gown with Fringe. This gown is in
Bob Mackie Vintage 1980s Celestial Moon Stars Sequin Embellished Pink Black Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Jersey City, NJ
, Bob Mackie. Known for his iconic 'barely there' beaded creations adored by luminaries like Cher
Bob Mackie Black Sequin Gown with Arrow design High Low Feather trim Hem
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a funky evening gown from Bob Mackie. It is fully sequined and beaded on a sheer black
Bob Mackie White Long Sleeve Gown, with waves of Purple and Blue Beads & Sequins
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bob Mackie White Long Sleeve Gown, with waves of Purple and Blue Beads & Sequins. This is a lovely
Bob Mackie Black & Gold Lamé Dress, 1970’s
By Bob Mackie
Located in Atlanta, GA
Famous for dressing fabulous divas in sequins, Bob Mackie proves with this 1970's Art Deco revival
BOB MACKIE Turquoise Beaded & Sequin Gown with Fringe Sleeves Size 10 12
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Bob Mackie gown is composed of a turquoise beaded and sequin silk fabric. Features a low-cut
Bob Mackie "Boutique" strapless sequins cocktail dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in New York, NY
The iconic costume designer to Cher Bob Mackie designed this strapless dress for both cocktail
Bob Mackie Cream Sequin Beaded Gown with Slit
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bob Mackie gown Nude silk beaded and sequined Front slit Back zipper and zippers at the sleeve
1990s Bob Mackie red & black sequin mermaid gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bob Mackie sexy black silk strapless gown,covered in red sequins and beads in a modern desing
1990s Bob Mackie Red Beaded and Sequin Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in London, GB
This fabulous Bob Mackie dress was designed by the heralded designer and costumier. Known for his
Bob Mackie Vintage Beaded + Sequin Fringe Silk Flapper Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in Sparks, NV
Stunning cobalt blue glass beaded cocktail dress by Bob Mackie. This heavily beaded and sequin
Bob Mackie Vintage Beaded + Sequin Fringe Silk Flapper Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in Sparks, NV
Stunning cobalt blue glass beaded cocktail dress by Bob Mackie. This heavily beaded and sequin
Bob Mackie Vintage Metallic Gold + White Sequin + Beaded Trophy Jacket
By Bob Mackie
Located in Sparks, NV
Incredible hand done beadwork by Bob Mackie! Vintage metallic gold and white sequin and beaded
Vintage Bob Mackie Black Sequin Nude Illusion Silver Sequin ' Star ' Dress 4 - 6
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy vintage BOB MACKIE 1990s / 90s black Avant Garde bodycon dress as seen on MILEY CYRUS
1970s Bob Mackie Oil Slick Sequined and Beaded Gown on Net
By Bob Mackie
Located in Gresham, OR
A sexy, slinky Bob Mackie 1970s oil-slick iridescent beaded and sequined gown on stretch netting
Beautiful Vintage Bob Mackie ' Fit and Flare ' Butterfly Sequin Cocktail Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage Bob Mackie 'Fit and Flare' black and gold beaded/sequin butterfly dress
1990s Bob Mackie Beaded and Sequin Lattice Pattern Evening Cropped Bolero Jacket
By Bob Mackie
Located in Gresham, OR
1990s Bob Mackie Beaded and Sequin Lattice Pattern Evening Cropped Bolero Jacket: Exquisitely hand
Bob Mackie Black Sequin Embroidered Lace Bow Shoulder Nude Lined Evening dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bob Mackie black sequin embroidered lace evening gown with black silk shoulder ribbon bows, nude
Bob Mackie Size 4 Vintage Black and Silver Sequin Bodycon Strapless Mini Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy, yet sophisticated vintage BOB MACKIE black bodcon strapless dress, with silver sequins hand
Bob Mackie Vintage Turquoise Teal Blue Sequin Sz 4 Strapless Gown Evening Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous vintage BOB MACKIE turquoise/ teal blue strapless gown! Striking vibrant color! Strapless
Bob Mackie Ivory Sequin, Pearls & Nude Stretch Net Thigh High Slit Dress, 1980s
By Bob Mackie
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Bob Mackie is commonly regarded as one of the world’s most prolific costume designers with his
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 8 Grey Beaded 1990s Sequin Sleeveless 90s Evening Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage BOB MACKIE mid 1990s gray beaded / sequined silk and mesh sleeveless gown! I
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 4 / 6 Black Nude Lace Sequin Sexy Plunging Mini Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy vintage BOB MACKIE black, nude and silver strapless silk, lace, and sequins mini dress
Vintage Size 8 Bob Mackie Black Lace Sequin 1990s 90s Evening Off Shoulder Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous vintage 1990s BOB MACKIE black and nude lace and sequined evening dress! Features a
1990s Bob Mackie Size 8 / 10 Black + Silver Sequin Mermaid Hem Vintage 90s Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage 90s BOB MACKIE black and silver sequined mermaid hem full length evening dress
Bob Mackie Attributed Black Beaded Sequins Dress, 1980s
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Mackie design. Done in a rich black silk, the dress is covered in glimmering black sequins that create a
80's Bob Mackie Sequin Embellished Beaded Cropped Jacket
By Bob Mackie
Located in Montgomery, TX
Bob Mackie Sequin Embellished Beaded Cropped Jacket No Size label, please see the measurements
1980's Bob Mackie Sequined Velvet Bomber
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Totally unique black velvet bomber jacket from Bob Mackie features the names of famous Los Angeles
Bob Mackie Sequin Metallic Feather Strapless Evening Dress with Low V
By Bob Mackie
Located in Portland, OR
This is such a signature Bob Mackie dress with its sparkling sequins, silver metallic thread and
Vintage 1976 Sonny & Cher Documented Custom-Made Bob Mackie Sequin Gown Suit Set
By Bob Mackie
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
fantastic shimmer. Bob Mackie designed this incredibly seductive silk hourglass gown with Cher's signature
1970s Sequin Bird Bob Mackie Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Rockwood, ON
This is a very rare and early Bob Mackie piece that precedes his own label and was produced in
Bob Mackie Beaded and Sequined White Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous gown from Bob Mackie is made of white silk chiffon that is covered in beads and sequins in
Bob Mackie Sheer Sequin Black Cocktail Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in Cloverdale, CA
Bob Mackie Sexy Disco Era Sheer Sequin Little Black Dress from Saks Fifth Avenue Circa 1978 This
Bob Mackie Flesh Tone Sequin & Beaded Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
* This stunning dress has white sequins with pearls & silver beads over flesh tone silk.
Bob Mackie Green Sequined Dress with Yellow Underskirt
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisite cocktail dress from Bob Mackie is entirely covered with kelly green sequins and bugle
Bob Mackie Black Gown with Red Sequined Flowers
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black matte jersey gown with red sequined flowers on the bodice, arms and right back. Low plunging
Worn by Cher/Pale Pink Sequin Bob Mackie Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Topanga, CA
Bob Mackie Robert Gordon Mackie was born on March 24, 1940 in California. He is best known
BOB MACKIE Vintage 80's Old Hollywood Themed Sequin Jacket
By Bob Mackie
Located in Georgetown, ME
Rare Vintage 80's BOB MACKIE Old Hollywood Hot Spot Themed Sequin Velvet Jacket! This bomber
Bob Mackie Vintage Silver Sequins Strapless Cocktail Dress Sz 6
By Bob Mackie
Located in Cloverdale, CA
Sexy Vintage Silver Sequins Strapless Cocktail Dress from Bob Mackie This sexy dress
Vintage 1978 Bob Mackie for Mitzi Gaynor Documented Sequin Feather Dance Costume
By Bob Mackie
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Breathtaking Bob Mackie designed sequin illusion dance costume made for Mitzi Gaynor's 1978
Bob Mackie Evening Sapphire Blue Beaded Sequined 1980s Gown Remodeled Size 12
By Bob Mackie
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bob Mackie Evening! The "Sultan of Sequins!" Think Diva! Broadway, Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross
Vintage 1982 Bob Mackie Couture Lightning Bolt Black & Red Beaded Fringe Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fierce fully-beaded sequin Bob Mackie designer dress dating back to the early 1980's. Mackie began
1977 Bob Mackie Couture Beaded Sequin Red-Poppies Black Silk Jersey Plunge Gown
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Seductive Bob Mackie beaded black silk-jersey gown dating back to his early days of designing. Bob
Extremely Rare 1970's Bob Mackie Sequined Zebra Bolero
By Bob Mackie
Located in Houston, TX
1970's Bob Mackie sequined zebra bolero is definitely a "one-of-a-kind" Showstopper! This long
Beautiful Vintage White Sheer Pearl + Beads + Sequins Encrusted Shawl Scarf
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage white sheer oversized piano shawl / scarf! Feature thousands of hand-sewn pearl, beads, rhinestones and sequins. Pearl tassels feature pink iridescent pailliettes o...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Pink Silk Flower Dress
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful blush pink silk dress with green and bright pink flowers by John Galliano for Christian Dior. It has ruched straps forming a front V, the skirt falls in gentle folds to ...
1950s Neiman Marcus Couture Black Silk Chiffon Strapless Vintage 50s Wiggle Gown
By Neiman Marcus
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous bombshell 1950s NEIMAN MARCUS couture strapless silk chiffon evening dress! Impeccable construction, with so much detail and workmanship. Built in interior bustier keeps eve...
Early 1980s Bob Mackie Backless Halter Tie Black Satin Evening Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This early 1980s Bob Mackie black satin evening gown features a backless halter tie design, a keyhole neckline, and draped waist detailing. Approximate measurements: Size - removed ...
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 12
Beautiful 1990s Badgley Mischka Size 12 Fully Beaded Grey Vintage 90s Deco Gown
By Badgley Mischka, BADGLEY MISHCKA
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage 1990s BADGLEY MISCHKA size 12 gray fully beaded + rhinestone deco style evening gown! Features elegant 3/4 sleeves with a fitted bodice and forgiving skirt. Hand cr...
Issac Mizrahi New Crochet Cardigan with Appliques and Bead Trim 1990s
By Isaac Mizrahi
Located in Water Mill, NY
A very pretty black crochet cardigan from Issac Mizrahi. It has long sleeves, applique matching crochet flowers around the neck, front, hem and on the sleeves. There are black glass ...
Yves Saint Laurent Attributed Printed Silk Chiffon & Feathers Scarf Stole
Located in Geneva, CH
Most probably by Yves Saint Laurent (similar designs are to be found in different YSL collections, like the iconic SS1977 "Les Espagnoles et les Romantiques" / see picture 2), this r...
Christian Dior John Galliano Runway Gown Spring/Summer 2000 Size 38FR
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Christian Dior John Galliano Runway Gown Spring/Summer 2000 Size 38FR
Revillon Sable Fur Coat for Saks Fifth Avenue
By Revillon Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an absolutely sumptuous natural brown Sable fur coat, by Revillon for Saks Fifth Avenue. This coat has a large notched collar, two front slit pockets, an open front and is ...
$875
Size: Recommended Size; U.K. 8
1990’s Vivienne Westwood Pin Striped Cropped Fitted linen striped Jacket
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Sheffield, GB
A beautiful mid 1990's Vivienne Westwood Jacket, crafted from a pin striped Linen in shades of blue, white & mauve, with a simple cotton lining. The jacket features a figure-hug...
Dolce & Gabbana Iconic Leopard Cheetah print Silk Corset fitted Bodycon Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Sheffield, GB
Seductive, Vintage Dolce & Gabbana fitted corset cocktail dress crafted from a stretchy pure silk cheetah print material, with an inbuilt lingerie bra, fully adjustable shoulder ...
Laura Ashley Batsheva 80s Sz 6 Purple Pink Avant Garde Vintage Floral Midi Dress
By Laura Ashley
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and iconic early 1980s LAURA ASHLEY Batsheva Avant Garde purple, pink and green cotton midi dress! Features the signature Ashley floral print. Great double layer of ruffled slee...
$1,675
Size: Extra Small
Beautiful 1960s Extra Small XS Couture Black Silk Chiffon Vintage 60s Gown Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1960s demi couture black silk chiffon sequin evening gown! Features thousands of hand-sewn black sequins throughout the sleeves and skirt. Thin spaghetti strap underlay wit...
Azzedine Alaia F/W 1986 Jacket Skirt and Pants Suit
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Water Mill, NY
An amazing iconic fine black wool 3 piece skirt, pant and jacket suit from Azzedine Alaia as displayed in SCAD Fashion Museum in Atlanta. The spectacular front wrapping jacket is a...
$1,595
H 4.75 in W 3.25 in
Vintage Chanel 2000s Black Patent Leather CC Logo Quilted Wristlet Micro Clutch
By Chanel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Chanel black patent leather mini wristlet purse from 2003/2004. Bag has square quilting throughout with CC logos, large CC logo at top. Dangling large gunmetal silver metal C...
EAVIS & BROWN 90's Vintage Black Silk Hand Embroidered Oversized Shawl Veil Wrap
By Eavis & Brown
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Eavis & Brown Vintage 1990's Jet Black Entirely hand-made in England 100% silk Hand embroidered perfection This is going to make the entire look of your gown ensemble NWT's, no flaws...
Vintage Bob Mackie dresses are a fashion favorite, and with good reason. The legendary Monterey, California–born fashion designer has accrued an enviable list of awards that speak to his unparalleled influence on costumes for screen and theatrical performances: Mackie has nine Emmy awards to his name, a Tony award, a CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, three Academy Award nominations and more.
As a child, Bob Mackie was enamored of Portuguese-born Brazilian dancer and actress Carmen Miranda. The love of film shared by his sister and mother proved contagious for Mackie, and he marveled at the richness and beauty he found in ballet. He wasn’t interested in fashion so much as he was in entertainment and went on to, fortunately, find work in television during the 1960s, specifically in programming that seemed to encompass all of what he’d grown to love about the arts.
As a fashion sketch artist, Mackie collaborated with Hollywood’s greatest costume designers, working with the legendary Edith Head at Paramount Studios as soon as he’d finished school. From there, he secured work with French-born, Hollywood costume designer Jean Louis, sketching the iconic Louis dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to John F. Kennedy in 1962.
Mackie would spend most of his career as a costume designer, creating iconic pieces like the Gone With the Wind parody costume (currently in the Smithsonian) for The Carol Burnett Show — where he worked for more than a decade — and campy, opulent dresses for The Cher Show on Broadway, for which he won the Tony award (he also designed bedazzled stage costumes for Sonny and Cher's 1976–77 run at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe). But he had a considerable influence on mainstream fashion as well.
The figure-hugging, feathered and fringed gowns and cocktail dresses Mackie created were worn by stars like Cher and Diana Ross on the red carpet and concert tours. Similar designs of his — dazzling evening dresses of black or vibrant red silk, some beaded with rhinestones or embellished with ostrich feathers or navy blue sequins — made their way into his mainstream fashion collection. His ready-to-wear line debuted in 1982.
Bob Mackie has always said that his clothing was “for the woman who is not afraid to be noticed,” and any woman in one of his signature dresses would definitely turn heads. There is sparkle and an element of grandeur in his garments, whether they were crafted for singer Elton John, a universally renowned fashion icon in his own right, or the woman next door, donning one of Mackie’s spectacular creations and feeling like a movie star herself.
Shop vintage Bob Mackie day dresses, suits and more on 1stDibs.
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.