CAROLINA HERRERA White Mesh Navy Blue Embellished Paillettes Sleeveless Dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in Thiensville, WI
Carolina Herrera white sleeveless embellished dress. Lightly scalloped scoop neckline. Dress is two
CAROLINA HERRERA White Mesh Navy Blue Embellished Paillettes Sleeveless Dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in Thiensville, WI
Carolina Herrera white sleeveless embellished dress. Lightly scalloped scoop neckline. Dress is two
$374Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 12
CAROLINA HERRERA Size 12 White Indigo Cotton Blend Abstract Floral Dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in San Francisco, CA
CAROLINA HERRERA dress in a white and indigo cotton blend featuring an abstract floral pattern with
$268Sale Price|70% Off
Size: 4
Carolina Herrera Red and White Print Silk Ottoman Strapless Cocktail Dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in New Hope, PA
dress from Carolina Herrera. The bodice is decorated with black silk ribbon and jet beadwork. The dress
Carolina Herrera White Silk Strapless Evening Gown with Sequins
By Carolina Herrera
Located in San Francisco, CA
A subtle explosion of red, white and blue palettes, give this dress it's fun edge. A soft white
Carolina Herrera 1980's Black and White Sequined Dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in Birmingham, AL
Short, cocktail dress. Short sleeves, jewel neck, fitted with intricate black and white “zebra
Carolina Herrera Black and Navy Taffeta Gown w/ White Embroidery - 10
By Carolina Herrera
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Carolina Herrera Black and Navy Taffeta Gown w/ White Embroidery - 10 This whimsical gown is made
Vintage Caroline Herrera Black and White Gown
By Carolina Herrera
Located in London, GB
A chic vintage gown by Caroline Herrera. The dress has detachable cap sleaves in a woven silk. It
Carolina Herrera Black White & Silver Metallic Silk Leopard Print Caftan Small
By Carolina Herrera
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Carolina Herrera black, white & silver metallic silk blend leopard print caftan marked small. A
CAROLINA HERRERA Size M Black White Viscose Blend Polka Dot A-Line Dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in San Francisco, CA
CAROLINA HERRERA dress in a black and white viscose knit featuring an A-line style, polka dot
CAROLINA HERRERA Size M Black White Viscose Blend Polka Dot A-Line Dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in San Francisco, CA
CAROLINA HERRERA dress in a black and white viscose knit featuring an A-line style, polka dot
Carolina Herrera Cream and Black Tiered Silk Cocktail Dress 8US
By Carolina Herrera
Located in Port Hope, ON
Looks like it could be a two, but it is not! The top has a tiered stitching with short sleeves and a row of covered buttons. The skirt has five panels one on top of another over a sl...
Carolina Herrera Boutique White & Black Floral Gown 12 UK
By Carolina Herrera
Located in London, GB
Carolina Herrera Boutique White & Black Floral Gown - gown black and white dress - floral pattern
Vintage Carolina Herrera Black & White Silk Floral Gown with Braided belt
By Carolina Herrera
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous Vintage Carolina Herrera Silk Floral Gown with Braided belt that actually hooks up the
Carolina Herrera Black and White Silk Evening Gown with Wrap - Size 10
By Carolina Herrera
Located in Westhampton Beach, NY
Heavenly Carolina Herrera evening gown in black and white silk with matching wrap. Both the top of
Carolina Herrera White Sparkly Strapless Dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in San Francisco, CA
Carolina Herrera, who came from the Studio 54 scene and grew to be a favorite of fashion editors
Carolina Herrera Blue and White Dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in San Francisco, CA
This abstract print is like a beautiful drawing that will catch people's attention every time you wear it. Dark, navy strokes start at the shoulders and become lighter and more spar...
Vintage CAROLINA HERRERA Black silk white jacquard dot dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Vintage CAROLINA HERRERA Black silk with white jacquard dot dress. Curved shape neckline with
CAROLINA HERRERA cocktail Fantasy black dress w white flowers & black feather
By Carolina Herrera
Located in New York, NY
Incredible dress by CAROLINA HERRERA. Absolute fantasy piece from the top to the bottom. So many
Vintage Carolina Herrera Navy White Silk Sequin Peplum One Shoulder Dress SZ 4
By Carolina Herrera
Located in Chicago, IL
This stunning, one shoulder dress features a sequin and beaded embellishment on bodice. Peplum detail around skirt. Hidden back zip closure with hook-and-eye closure. Lined.
$600
Size: none; compare to size small-med
Pink-Lavender New Look Strapless Tiered Lace Ballerina Party Dress – S-M, 1950s
Located in Tucson, AZ
A candy colored confection smack dab between pink and lavender, this little trifle is similar to a Christian Dior Haute Couture gown that debuted at the 2011 Resort/Cruise show in Sh...
$475Sale Price|20% Off
Size: Small
Rene Ruiz Couture Black and Nude Strapless Silk Net Overlay Bustier Corset Top
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous and sexy new RENE RUIZ black and nude strapless silk ruched bustier / corset! Features a nude silk backdrop, with a black net ruched overlay. Hidden zipper up the side with ...
Yves Saint Laurent Tom Ford Black White Plunging Cleavage Cut Out Gown Dress
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy and highly collectible museum quality vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL by TOM FORD black and white plunging runway cut-out gown ! Features a soft crepe blend fabric that hugs the ...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN F/W 2005 Gray Brown Mink Fur Removable Hood Belted Jacket Coat
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN F/W 2005 Gray Brown Mink Fur Removable Hood Belted Jacket Coat Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: F/W 2005 “The Man Who Knew Too Much” Designer:...
$716Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 10 / 12
1990s Linda Segal Size 10 12 Red White Colorblock Pique Cotton Vintage 90s Dress
By Linda Segal
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and flattering early 90s LINDA SEGAL lipstick red and white colorblocked pique cotton sleeveless nautical sheath dress ! Linda Segal pieces were often worn by Fran Fine, play...
1960s Tina Leser Mod One Piece Vintage Playsuit Romper 60s Swimsuit Flowers
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare early 60s TINA LESER one piece cotton play suit, roper swimsuit! One of the many great aspects about this piece is that it can be worn for so many different occasions. Yellow ba...
$1,500
Size: fits like a USA 8 or 6
BADGLEY MISCHKA Vintage Floral Khaki Unique Evening Gown Backless Crystal
By Badgley Mischka
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Badgley Mischka Vintage Khaki color Unique backless design Lined in nude silk so some parts look see-through, but it is actually the lining There are crystals throughout, I showed s...
Ossie Clark for Radley black crepe open back halter dress
By Ossie Clark for Radley, Ossie Clark
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
An exquisite Ossie Clark for Radley black moss rayon crepe dress from the 1970s, a true collector’s dream and a timeless statement of elegance. Featuring sheer, billowing sleeves wit...
HAUTE COUTURE 1950s Black Sequin Ball Gown Evening Theater Opera Party Dress
Located in Thiensville, WI
Amazing vintage ball gown custom made for 1950s opera singer Alberta Hopkins. Net overdress is heavily embellished with glossy and textured black sequins. Strapless bodice is boned a...
Gianni Versace Backless Silk Dress with Leather Trim
By Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni Versace
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous full length black silk gown from Gianni Versace Couture. It has a front scoop neck, a deep cut out back and fabulous tan leather shoulders. It is semi fitted though the ...
Prada Fairy Runway Black Printed Silk Dress Runway Spring 2008
By Prada
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Italian luxury brand Prada has made a mark with their refined styles and classic reinventions. However, the namesake designer Miuccia Prada is no stranger to considering creative twi...
Sophie Sitbon Cage Dress
By Sophie Sitbon Paris, Sophie Sitbon
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black dress from French designer Sophie Sitbon. It is a simple sleeveless crew neck dress with horizontal cut outs across the midriff, upper chest and sides. The back is...
1960s Black Fringe Tassel Cocktail Dress
Located in University City, MO
1960s Black fringe tassel cocktail dress The chic retro cocktail dress is designed with contiguous stationary fringe that covers the bodice and back side The midsection is dis...
$195Sale Price|38% Off
1940s Flora Originals Dress
Located in Port Hope, ON
Black crepe top and bronze and gold metallic rayon or acetate make up this lovely dress. The metallic pattern is also replicated on the short sleeve cuffs with bows and the two butto...
$521Sale Price|25% Off
1980s Vicky Tiel "Sara" Couture Metallic Gold Lame Dress with Bolero (38) As New
By Vicky Tiel
Located in Port Hope, ON
Outstanding piece in excellent condition. The dress is boned to the waist and has a an inset bra. The permanent pleats of the skirt complement the gathers to be found at the bust and...
2011 Vivienne Westwood blue taffeta off shoulder gown
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Austin, TX
Vivienne Westwood blue taffeta gown gold label off the shoulder, fishtail train fitted waist Condition: fair, water damage at hem, see video. Bust 34" , Waist 25" , Hips 39", Lengt...
Born into a family of wealth and sophistication in Caracas, Venezuela, but without a trace of design education, Carolina Herrera launched her eponymous fashion empire in 1981. Modeling her aesthetic on the principles of refined, simple elegance, she has gone on to defy all expectations.
Style, that elusive je ne sais quoi, is often hard-won, acquired over years of experimentation and missteps. Precious few are born with it. Carolina Herrera may well be one of them. And if she wasn’t born with it, she was most assuredly born into it, raised by wealthy and refined women in the most rarefied of circumstances back in Venezuela. Her mother and her grandmother were both perfectly put together, had their own dressmakers — even a live-in seamstress. Everything within Herrera’s reach at home was of the utmost quality. Hers was a privileged life, and no one appreciates that fact more than she.
Herrera brought that aesthetic to her first collection of clothing and accessories in 1981, encouraged by éminence grise Diana Vreeland, then the editor in chief of Vogue. Herrera was initially interested in designing textiles (she worked in a publicity role for Emilio Pucci — the iconic clothing and housewares maker — during the 1960s). It was Vreeland who planted the fashion seed. When it took root, Herrera returned to Caracas, and with the help of Guy Mellier, her personal couturier, she came up with a collection she felt was New York–ready. She never studied fashion and didn’t know how to cut or sew. “What I understood was proportion, and I had a good eye.” She knew not only what looked good on her but also on other women, too.
Herrera unveiled her first collection at the Metropolitan Club on Fifth Avenue. The fashion press was hard on her; “they didn’t have faith,” is how she explains it today. But how about the women in the audience, did they like what they saw? Herrera leans in and says with a smile, “A lot!” The buyers liked the collection, too — enough to place orders. (And they’re still placing orders.)
She quickly became synonymous with sophistication for her glamorous evening dresses, which eventually earned accolades in magazines, prime real estate in Manhattan boutique windows and a heavyweight client roster that included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
As her business has evolved — in 2010 it reached $1 billion in sales — so has Herrera herself. In the 1970s and before she became a designer, she used to dance until the wee hours at Studio 54, pal around with Calvin Klein, Bianca Jagger, Halston and Andy Warhol. Through all the madness — every bit of which she enjoyed — she remained unscathed. No scandals, no gossip, no whispers. She’s been famously photographed by Robert Mapplethorpe, Arthur Elgort, Norman Parkinson, David Seidner, Mario Testino, Bruce Weber and, yes, Ron Galella. (“I’ve never said no to the paparazzi,” she explains. “I smile, let them take the picture and move on.”)
Find a collection of vintage Carolina Herrera shoes, shirts, day dresses, handbags 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.