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 layers of white silk with a mesh over-layer fully embellished with sequins, paille...
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 silk background with different size sequins and crystals cover this gown. More sequins...
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” pattern with an encrusted effect, circa mid-1980’s. SUPER SPARKLY
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 of silk.
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 has a white silk bodice , with a v neckline, and the body of the dress is black . Th...
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 indigo color dyed floral print, pleated skirt, and back zipper closure. Made in 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 beautiful pull on caftan for parties or evenings at home. V neck caftan with drop shou...
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 pattern, and invisible back zipper closure.Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Mark under arm...
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 pattern, and invisible back zipper closure.Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Mark under arm...
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 Red and White Print Silk Ottoman Strapless Cocktail Dress
By Carolina Herrera
Located in New Hope, PA
A bright red floral pattern on a cream ribbed silk ottoman is used for this chic strapless evening dress from Carolina Herrera. The bodice is decorated with black silk ribbon and jet...
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 - open back - boat neckline - hidden zip fastening to the side - asymmetric lengt...
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 panel back skirt part. Pristine Condition Proceeds of this item will go to the Cha...
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.
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, celebrities, and first ladies, is known for designs that flatter all women and are f...
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 boned bodice. Center back zipper entry
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 details that i simply can not describe them all. Top of the dress is completely embel...
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.
1960s Jack Bryan Yellow Silk Rhinestone Beaded 60s A-Line Dress + Jacket Suit
By Jack Bryan, Jack Bryan by Dupuis
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage 1960s JACK BRYAN yellow silk shantung A-Line dress and jacket ensemble! Dress features a tailored bodice with a forgiving A-Line shape skirt. Full metal zipper up the ba...
$395Sale Price|33% Off
Size: Medium - Large
Chic 1960s Black and White Gingham Long Sleeve A - Line Vintage 60s Wool Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic late 1960s black and white large houndstooth long sleeve A-line dress! Features a fitted bodice with a full skirt. Oversized collar, and bell sleeves that cuff at the hem. Featu...
1980s Escada Vintage Black + White Polka Dot Striped Print Strapless Dress
By Amen Wardy, Escada Margaretha Ley
Located in Sparks, NV
Vintage 1980s black and white strapless tube dress by Margaretha Ley for Escada with a polka dot and stripe print. Fully lined with rear zip closure. The marked size is 34, and the d...
Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2006 Superkid Mohair Military Coat Size S
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Berlin, DE
A striking and highly collectible piece from Alexander McQueen’s Fall/Winter 2006 collection, this sculptural military-style coat exemplifies the designer’s fascination with historic...
1950s Worth Haute Couture Pink and White Tulle Dress With Organza Bud Appliqués
By Charles Worth
Located in London, GB
This enchanting 1950s couture dress in pink and white net tulle is by the extolled French fashion house Worth and retailed at their London boutique on Grosvenor Street. The quality a...
Thierry Mugler Couture Dramatic Silk Corset Top Bodice Bustier
By Thierry Mugler Couture
Located in Berlin, BE
Breathtaking Thierry Mugler Couture 02/03 Silk Corset. A vision of bold sensuality and architectural elegance. This is piece is unworn and comes with the original tag from FW 2002/20...
$1,495
Size: Small / Small Medium
Gorgeous 1960s Demi Couture Pale Pink Silk Shantung Dress and Jacket Ensemble
Located in San Diego, CA
Channel you inner Jackie O in this wonderfully chic demi couture light candy pink raw silk shantung sleeveless dress and pillbox jacket set! Nearly completely sewn by hand, with so m...
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...
Important Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Coat, 1970 Fall/Winter
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Extraordinary Museum Quality Yves Saint Laurent Early Haute Couture coat from fall/winter 1970 in a Russian style which predates his Opera Ballets Russes collection by half a decade...
Verheyen London Leather Trench Coat in Taupe Brown
By Verheyen London
Located in London, GB
Verheyen London Leather Trench Coat in Taupe Brown Handmade in London, made with 100% Italian Lambs Leather this luxury item is an investment piece to wear for a lifetime. This pi...
1920s Peachy Pink and Silver Lame Coat with White Cuffs
Located in London, GB
This show stopping flapper coat was couture made in the mid 1920s. Truly a rare piece to find, especially in such flawless condition and it's one of the best we've handled for nearly...
Azzedine Alaia Patterned Wool Jacket
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in New Hope, PA
A cheerful combination of red, yellow, blue and beige is used for the circles and squares in the pattern of this woven wool jacket. It closes with hooks and eyes and the interior sea...
Tom Ford Magnificent Black Lace Cathedral Met Dress Gown New
By Tom Ford
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraodinary gown by Tom Ford as seen at the Met Ball. Fashioned of exquisitely detailed dimensional embroidery. Dramatic full cathedral train of same fabric. Includes long n...
$15,300Sale Price|25% Off
rare CHRISTIAN DIOR John Galliano 1999 Mao Communist green skirt suit FR36/38
By Christian Dior
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare CHRISTIAN DIOR John Galliano 1999 Mao Communist green skirt suit FR36/38 Reference: TGAS/E00024 Brand: Dior Designer: John Galliano Collection: SS 1999 Communist Material: Cotto...
Alexander McQueen 1997 S/S La Poupee Plunging V Neck Bias low Cut Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZH
Alexander McQueen 1997 S/S La Poupee Plunging V Neck Bias low Cut Dress The Alexander McQueen S/S 1997 "La Poupee" Plunging V Neck Bias Cut Cocktail Dress, part of the iconic Sprin...
$17,520
Size: FR36 - UK8 - US4
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld black evening dress with crystal jewellery set, ss 1998
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
▪ Archival Chanel evening dress and jewellery set ▪ Creative Director: Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Spring-Summer 1998 ▪ Made from lightweight black wool tweed ▪ Features silver-tone metal cha...
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.