Stunning Mingolini Guggenheim Brown and Black Beaded Couture Dress Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a fabulous Mingolini Guggenheim Couture suit. The set features two pieces, a beautifully beaded sleeveless dress with zipper closure, and a wonderfully fitted 3/4 sleeve jack...
1950's MINGOLINI GUGGENHEIM Purple & Black Floral Print Silk Dress Set size 2-4
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a vintage silk purple and black floral print dress with matching coat by Mingolini Gugenheim. It is a strapless bustier dress with a 17" side-seam zipper, a bow detail which ...
50s Mingolini Guggenheim Amazing Black Pleated Strapless Gown
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A work of art. 1950s Mingolini Guggenheim gown in black silk artistically pleated in an undulating manner.
1950s Mingolini Guggenheim Rich Brown Hand-Beaded Evening Gown
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an incredibly stunning evening gown and matching jacket from Mingolini Guggeheim. A strapless a-line evening gown is done in rich mocha brown lace, heavily hand-beaded and se...
Strapless Beaded Dress & Matching Coat
Located in New Hope, PA
Designed by the Italian firm Mingolini-Guggenheim in Rome, she wore this to the Opera House LaScala in Milan.
Vintage 1950's Mingolini Guggenheim Couture Pink Pleated Silk Strapless Gown
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A gorgeous mid-century formal gown by the nearly impossible to find Italian couturier Mingolini Guggenheim. As you can see, this designer was heavily influenced by Christian Dior and...
1950s Magenta Jacquard Print Floral Evening Dress
Located in London, GB
A superb and magnificent magenta coloured floral print satin evening dress from the mid-1950s. Formal wear from this era is becoming increasingly difficult to source and this is a b...
$500Sale Price|37% Off
L 46.5 in
Amethyst Abstract Floral V Neck Dress with Matching Full Sleeve Cropped Jacket
By Barbara Tfank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dreamy, magical floral for amethyst lovers! Whimsically abstract on a textured rose gold ground - a unique combination . A V neck high waisted slim dress with matching full sleeve cr...
Biki Milano Late 1940s Purple and Black Silk Halter Dress with Full Skirt
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage late 1940s (c. 1949) Biki Milano purple and black abstract patterned silk dress in the fitted bodice and full/circle skirted style that became so popular during the 1950s. ...
Thierry Mugler Brown Suit
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Alford, MA
Thierry Mugler 1980s suit in brown wool gabardine features a belted jacket with silver metal stars dangling from the patch pockets and interesting inverted V detail near armhole. Dro...
1960s Vintage Floral Print Formal Silk Cocktail Sheath Dress
By Fanya
Located in Sparks, NV
Gorgeous silk fabric! Vintage 1960s cocktail dress with a vibrant floral print and front ruffle detail. Details: Fully Lined Back Zip and Hook Closure Estimated Size: Small Color: ...
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...
1990s Pamela Dennis Couture Size 8 Vintage Chocolate Brown Sequin Taffeta Gown
By Pamela Dennis / Bergdorf Goodman, Pamela Dennis
Located in San Diego, CA
Exquisite vintage 90s PAMELA DENNIS couture, for BERGDORF GOODMAN, chocolate cocoa brown sequined and silk taffeta evening dress! Features all-over hand-sewn small brown sequins thro...
Brown lurex and black velvet bustier evening dress
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Brown lurex and black velvet bustier evening dress . Boned. Zip closure on the middle back. SIZE 36/S
1930s Floral Print Silk Lamé Women's Cocktail Dress Size 4/6
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Elegant 1930s Silk lamé floral print in brown, mauve, blue, yellow and green. Dress has cap sleeves with V shape exposure. Dress has snap on button on the side. Perfect for downto...
1995 CHANEL Vintage Runway ARCHIVAL Chocolate Brown Tweed Boucle Suit Collection
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel Boutique
Located in London, GB
An outstanding vintage timeless RARE archive CHANEL runway chocolate brown 2 pieces skirt and jacket tweed boucle suit from Autumn/Winter 1995. This vintage archival suit was showcas...
$495
Size: Labelled 12, best fits S/M
1960s Emilio Pucci Black, Purple and Grey Silk Pucci Print Short Sleeve Dress
By Emilio Pucci
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage Pucci 1960s lightweight silk dress with black skirt and Pucci print bodice with short sleeves and v-neck. Grey, cream, purple and fuchsia print signed "Emilio" throughout. Si...
Valentino Miss V Chocolate Brown Leopard Jacquard Double Breasted Skirt Suit
By Valentino Miss V, Valentino
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Valentino Miss V, leopard print jacquard skirt suit, a classic tailored blazer and matching pencil skirt. The jacket features prominent notched lapels, structured double breasted clo...
1940s Multicolor Floral Print Rayon Dress
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1940s Multi color floral print in pink, orange, white and green) silk crepe dress. Perfect summer dress. Fit size: Small / 2 or 4 B: 34” / W: 26”/ H: 34” / Dress Length: 42"
$845
Size: Medium / Large
1980s Diane Freis Purple Regal Flowers and Jewels Printed Long Sleeve 80s Dress
By Diane Freis
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1980s DIANE FREIS purple flower and jewel printed long sleeve midi dress ! Features a beautiful purple background color with flowers ( maybe hibiscus ) in pink, with jewel print...
Brown wool chiné skirt suit with velvet details PIERRE BALMAIN Ivoire
By Balmain Ivoire
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Brown wool chiné skirt suit with velvet details ; main fabric composition: 90% wool, 10% nylon. Silk lining. Shoulder pad. Leather button and buttonhole closure on the middle front,...
$1,295
Size: Small - Medium
Incredible Vintage Brown Sequin Flamenco Style Mermaid Evening Dress / Gown
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible vintage brown sequined knit flamenco style evening gown! Features thousands of hand-sewn brown sequins throughout. Soft stretch knit jersey stretches to fit. One shoulder ...
1950s Vintage Brown + Beige Wool Blazer Jacket Size XS
Located in Sparks, NV
Darling vintage early-1950s blazer jacket in a beige and brown woven wool. Fully lined with front button closure. Light shoulder pads are sewn in underneath the lining. This has a ju...
Dolce & Gabbana S/S 1998 Runway Floral Appliqué Sheer Mesh Coat Evening Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Dolce & Gabbana S/S 1998 Runway Floral Appliqué Standing Collar Sheer Mesh Coat Evening Dress Size: IT 44, can fit from approximately IT 40 to IT 46 due to the high stretch material...
$23,065
Size: FR40 - UK12 - US6
John Galliano Ivory Metallic Jacquard Slip Dress with Rhinestone Straps, SS 2003
By John Galliano
Located in London, GB
Bias-cut slip dress in ivory and gold-tone viscose blend jacquard, designed by John Galliano for Spring-Summer 2003. The fabric features a woven floral damask motif with metallic thr...
Peach Silk Chiffon Art Deco Pleated Edge Trimmed Gown
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Peach Silk Chiffon Art Deco Pleated Edge Trimmed Gown from the 1930's. Pleated trim is used to edge the cape collar, sleeves and create neckline flowers. Hook and eye closure...
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...
S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Plunging Cowl Bodycon Column Slip Gown 40IT
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a stunning black Gucci slip gown, designed by Tom Ford for the Spring/Summer 1997 collection. This sultry floor-length gown features spaghetti straps and is elegantly drap...
Madame Grès Haute Couture 1956 Pleated Chartreuse Yellow Jersey Hellenic Gown
By Madame Gres
Located in Jersey City, NJ
A true relic of 20th-century fashion history, this original Madame Grès Haute Couture gown from 1956 embodies the sculptural elegance and technical mastery that define her legacy. Cr...
Vivienne Westwood Hand Cut Moire Corset Style Velvet Red Cocktail Dress 1998
By Vivienne Westwood Gold Label, Vivienne Westwood
Located in Chicago, IL
Vivienne Westwood (1941-2022) designed this corset-style hourglass-shaped red velvet evening cocktail dress with its outsized double bow and sheer moire faux-underlay for her Dressed...
Spectacular Thierry Mugler FW 1996 Runway Black Bombshell Vinyl Coat
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Iconic black Thierry Mugler’s Fall/Winter 1996 Collection Bombshell vinyl trench coat. This stunning jacket exudes a hypnotic blend of dominance and sophistication. Its sculptural s...
$18,995
Size: FR42 - UK14 - US10
Christian Dior by John Galliano Embroidered Silk Coat with Fur Trim, FW 2002
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
This Christian Dior by John Galliano coat from the Fall-Winter 2002 collection is crafted from cream silk jacquard featuring an elaborate woven pattern of floral and ornamental motif...
Iconic Spectacular Thierry Mugler SS 1997 Gown 'Kiss of the Spiderwoman'
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Behold the breathtaking embodiment of high drama and couture mastery: The stunning extremely rare Thierry Mugler "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" evening gown from the legendary Spring/Summ...
1949 S/S JACQUES FATH Black & White Gingham Fan Back Peplum Afternoon Dress
By Jacques Fath
Located in Thiensville, WI
Incredibly rare Jacques Fath black and white cotton gingham dress from his Spring-Summer 1949 American collection for Joseph Halpert. Impeccably tailored fan-tail bustle back with pe...
$22,794
Size: FR38 - UK10 - US6
John Galliano Burgundy Bias Cut Damask Dress & Shawl with Fringe, SS 1999
By John Galliano
Located in London, GB
This John Galliano evening ensemble from the Spring-Summer 1999 collection comprises a bias-cut floor-length dress with matching shawl, executed in deep burgundy damask with tonal fl...
$16,281
Size: FR38 - UK10 - US6
Christian Dior by John Galliano Black Halter Evening Dress with Draping, FW 1999
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
Christian Dior by John Galliano evening dress, Fall-Winter 1999. This halter-style gown is constructed from a semi-sheer black viscose fabric with a woven metallic scalloped motif th...
Beautiful Rare Thierry Mugler Devoré Silk Velvet Dress Black
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Manfred Thierry Mugler distilled the drama of midnight velvet and the intrigue of bare skin into this impossibly rare devoré cocktail dress: a piece that feels less like clothing and...
Thierry Mugler Black Dress FW 1992 Lace Cutouts Cocktail
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Beautiful black cocktail dress, Thierry Mugler FW 1992. Thierry Mugler’s vision takes fierce, feminine flight in this exquisitely tailored perfect little black dress. The silhouette ...
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.