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.
Shimmering Alexander McQueen Gold Jeweled Evening Dress Gown
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Alexander McQueen entrance maker gold metallic gown. Fashioned of a neutral shimmering gold metallic animal print showered with sparkling crystal embellishments. Mock neck and conc...
Anna Molinari cream chiffon coral embellished gown
By Anna Molinari
Located in New York, NY
Anna Molinari cream colored double-layer chiffon spagetti strap gown is cut on the bias for a form-fitting fit. The embellishment is of micro-coral seed beading and also micro pink s...
UNWORN Versace Ruched Rose Floral Print Silk Dress 2004 seen on Teri 38
By Versace
Located in Switzerland, CH
Stunning VERSACE signature dress Beautiful rose printed silk Neckholder with open back Ruched details Slight tail - longer on back Silver-tone hardware details on neckholder and bac...
1930s Sexy Gold Floral Brocade Lamé Bias-Cut Gown with Extreme Plunging Back
Located in Gresham, OR
1930s Siren gown in gold floral lamé brocade: Racer back with extremely low plunge! Full cowl neck front. The sexiest dress in the room!
Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Chiffon Medieval Embroidery Corset Dress Gown 42
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Montgomery, TX
Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Chiffon Embellished Dress Gown Jessica Chastain was wearing an Alexander McQueen dress to the opening gala of the 70th Festival de Cannes on May 17, 20...
Gianni Versace Silk Jersey Dress with Leather Waist A/W 2001
By Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni Versace
Located in Water Mill, NY
A stunning silk jersey dress from Gianni Versace Couture in a gorgeous caramel tan color. It has a plunging neckline and a wide matching leather inset waist. The skirt is straight, t...
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...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN white RIBBED & OPEN KNIT PEPLUM Dress S
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Zürich, CH
Alexander McQueen ribbed and open knit peplum dress in cream polyamide (43%), cotton (37%), viscose (11%), nylon (5%) and polyester (4%). Has short sleeves and a solid knit skirt. Ha...
Roberto Cavalli Runway Sequin Sun Evening Gown and Cape F/W 2004 Size 40IT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli - Sequin runway evening gown with Swarovski crystal embellished sun cape. Neckline presents a sharp daring plunge to the navel. The back of the dress is held by jewe...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2003 Brown Leather Crocodile Embossed Buckle Box Handbag
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2003 Brown Leather Crocodile Embossed Buckle Box Handbag Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Circa: 2003 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Handbag Color(s):...
$4,125
Cavalli silk dress
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CAVALLI - Mini silk dress printed with pink and blue flowers, and with a cheetah-print edging. The waistband is ornamented with golden pearls and black sequins. Bat-cut sleeves. Size...
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
NWT Alexander McQueen S/S 2014 Silk Feather Print Bustier Dress Gown It 46 US 10
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Montgomery, TX
NWT Alexander McQueen Silk Feather Print Maxi Dress Gown S/S 2014 Collection Italian size 46 - US 10 (please check measurements). This feather print beautifully exemplifies the triba...
Gucci Long Square G Lamé Dress size M
By Gucci
Located in Brossard, QC
Brown polo collar Front button placket Long sleeves Drawstring waist Pleat detailing Sllover Square G pattern Made in Italy Composition: Viscose 80%, Metallic Fibre 20% Fits true to ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage S/S 2003 Maxi Butterfly Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
Jean Paul Gaultier Spring Summer 2003 sleeveless ‘butterfly’ dress. Features lace up detail, low cut neckline, frayed edges and maxi length. In excellent vintage condition. Brand: J...
$5,540
Size: No size tag, fits like a S
WORLDS END BY VIVIENNE WESTWOOD SS 84 iconic and rare fluorescent dress
By Worlds End
Located in Milano, MILANO
Spring Summer 1984 iconic and rare World's End sleeveless fluorescent dress by Vivienne Westwood From Hypnos Collection Stretch upper part No composition tag, nylon and linen
1950 Galanos Olive & Mustard Color Fine Wool Boucle Dress & Cape Ensemble
By James Galanos, James Galanos for Amelia Gray
Located in Gresham, OR
An exquisite 1950s James Galanos olive green and mustard plaid fine wool boucle woven dress and cape ensemble: Dress is long-sleeved and cut on the bias with a gathered boatneck nec...
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.