The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani (b. 1932) is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. Valentino dresses, skirts and other apparel captured the hearts of many of Italy’s wealthiest ladies in the couturier’s early days and led to commissions from Babe Paley, Gloria Guinness, Jayne Wrightsman and others on the international best-dressed list (when it still meant something). They sought out Valentino for gorgeous gowns, jackets, elegant daytime wear and even when they needed wedding dresses.
An early fascination with fashion developed when Valentino attended the theater as a child and was dazzled by the evening gowns on stage. While a teenager in Voghera, Lombardy, he studied under Italian designer Ernestina Salvadeo and soon moved to Paris, where he trained at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Valentino spent time apprenticing under haute couturiers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, learning how to design and construct high fashion while also thinking about how to strike out on his own.
In 1959, Valentino returned to Italy, and a year later, he opened his own salon, soon joining with longtime professional and personal partner Giancarlo Giammetti. It was located on Rome’s trendy Via Condotti and modeled after the French maisons. One of his earliest clients was Elizabeth Taylor, who discovered Valentino while she was in Rome filming Cleopatra and ordered the white dress that she wore to the premiere of Spartacus.
When the designer launched his first couture line in 1962 with its fiery red colors, it was internationally celebrated, with Valentino soon attiring fashion trendsetters including Princess Margaret and Audrey Hepburn. He formed an especially close friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for whom he designed numerous dresses. Luxurious drapery with fine needlework, bold uses of color and dramatic flourishes would define Valentino fashion across the decades.
As a fashion house, Valentino is best known for its signature Valentino Red color, though one of its iconic lines is the monochromatic “no colour” collection for which the designer won the Neiman Marcus Award in 1967. (The collection also debuted his trademark “V.”) The white dresses and beige dresses led to a demand for Valentino wedding gowns, with clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez and Anne Hathaway.
Valentino retired from his fashion empire in 2007, with Alessandra Facchinetti and then the duo Maria Grazia Chiuri (who departed in 2016) and Pierpaolo Piccioli succeeding him as creative directors. But Valentino still steps out of retirement for special occasions, such as designing a wedding gown for Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013.
Today, the brand offers a range of collections that include the Valentino Garavani line and REDValentino, a diffusion line that is aimed at a younger audience. The house has expanded far beyond women’s haute couture and prêt-à-porter to encompass various lines of accessories, including shoes, sunglasses, scarves and perfume.
Find vintage Valentino evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
VALENTINO 2007 Vintage Runway Burgundy One Shoulder Ball Gown Maxi Dress
By Valentino
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Valentino Vintage c. 2007 will search runways later a/s/o Rebecca Gayheart at the 2007 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Burgundy Velvet Ruched / knot effect Side zip Size USA 10 but fits muc...
nwt's IT46 VALENTINO Vintage Black Evening Gown Long Maxi Dress
By Valentino
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Valentino Roma NWT's Vintage Jet black Simple, easy, sophisticated, timeless, elegant Size IT46 Pristine Measurements in inches laying flat: pit to pit 18 to 19, smallest of waist 17...
Valentino S/S 1990 Ruched Frilly Tiered Black Silk Chiffon Dress
By Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Valentino Spring 1990 collection was all about tiers upon tiers of fabulously frilly ruffles. Delicate and feminine, the micro-pleated silk chiffon ruffles and ruching decorate a...
Valentino Vintage Silk Wedding Dress & Cathedral Lace Veil
By Valentino
Located in Mentone, CA
This exceptional silk wedding dress represents the pinnacle of bridal elegance and timeless sophistication. Crafted from luxurious buttery off-white silk with a subtle luminosity, th...
VALENTINO 2000 Vintage Black Silk w. Silver Embellishments Evening Gown Maxi
By Valentino
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Valentino '00 Vintage 100% silk Jet black silk with black sheer net mesh bodice covered in silver sequins and thread to create shiny floral clusters Deep v-neck open back Zips at bac...
Black beaded cocktail dress VALENTINO
By Valentino
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black beaded cocktail dress. Main fabric composition: nylon. Tulle lining composition: nylon. Silk lining. Invisible zip and hook&eye closure on the middle back. SIZE 40 (It) 36...
Valentino Zandra Rhodes Rnwy Romantic Off-the-Shoulder Silk Dress Gown New!
By Dame Zandra Rhodes, Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Valentino Off-the-shoulder ruffled print silk-chiffon gown in salmon pink. An easy carefree style for the warmer months ahead. Features peasant style bodice with lace-up billowing ...
Valentino New Cut out Silk Gown SS 2001
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
An incredible off white silk gown from Valentino. It is sleeveless with cut outs at the waist front, sides and back which including the chest décolletage are covered in fine black c...
Valentino Spring 2017 Cherry Red Pink Silk Chiffon Evening Dress NEW
By Givenchy, Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One of the runway hits from Valentino’s Spring 2017 collection. Completely sold out. Magical evening dress with flowing skirt fashioned of cherry red and baby pink diaphanous silk...
Valentino Silk Dress with Cut out Waist S/S 2005
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous flower print silk dress from Valentino in pink, orange, off white, gold and brown. It is sleeveless with a plunging neckline front and back, cut outs at the waist and a f...
Valentino Marigold Silk Dress with Cut outs SS 2007
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous marigold yellow fine silk dress from Valentino. It has ruched shoulder straps forming a V neckline and 3 bands of horizontal ruching around the circumference of the bodic...
Valentino early 2000s bridal ivory fully beaded midi skirt
By Valentino
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Valentino fully beaded ivory knee-length skirt from the early 2000s. A spectacular example of Valentino Garavani’s couture-level textile artistry, even for Ready to Wear pieces ...
Valentino Black Halter Gown with Jeweled Floral Details New!
By Valentino, Oscar De La Renta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning entrance-making Valentino black silk halter gown. Bias cut style effortlessly and elegantly drapes the body. Open back with back button neckline closure. Back zipper c...
Valentino New Silk Cape Gown
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous pink silk cape dress from Valentino. It is a sleeveless body skimming dress with a panel draping over the shoulders forming a cape in the back. ...
Valentino Runway Bare Shoulder Full Train Dress Gown new!
By Oscar De La Renta, Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Valentino cornflower blue elasticized bare shoulders evening dress. One of the "must have" styles from Valentino's Spring collection. Sold out. Features eye catching silhouette ...
NWT Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci Micro Pleated Red Dress with Sexy Cut Outs
By Valentino, Givenchy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Givenchy’s Fall collection, 2017 was an all-red retrospective of the rich code established during the Riccardo Tisci years. High style halter evening dress offers knife pleated ski...
Valentino New Off White Silk Jumpsuit with Open Back
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous off white silk jumpsuit by Valentino. It has a crew neckline, blouson bodice, dolman sleeves with zipper wrists, full legs and an open slit from the neck to the waist in ...
Valentino 1990s Size 4 Lipstick Red Linen + Rayon Halter Criss Cross 90s Dress
By Valentino Miss V, Valentino
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic mid 90s VALENTINO ‘ Miss V ‘ signature lipstick red halter cross-cross Rayon ( 90% ) and Linen ( 10%) dress ! Features a halter neckline for support...
Valentino Leather and Silk Strapless Dress
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous leather and silk dress from Valentino. It is strapless with alternating curved overlapping strips of leather and silk organza peeking out starting at the top of the bust ...
VALENTINO black wool silk bateau darted shoulder cape sleeves mini dress IT38 XS
By Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO black wool silk bateau darted shoulder cape sleeves mini dress IT38 XS Reference: MELK/A00489 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Material: Wool, Silk Color: Bla...
Valentino Silk Dress with Lace Insets
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
An incredible black silk dress by Valentino. It is sleeveless, semi fitted with a solid silk skirt and diamond shaped panels over the bustline. There are angular bead enhansed black...
Valentino New Lace Strapless Dress
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous strapless black lace dress from Valentino. The body of the dress is comprised of rich elaborate black floral lace with a black leather band above and below the bust around...
Valentino New Oversized Cotton Dress with Bustle Back
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in Water Mill, NY
A stunning white cotton oversized shirt dress from Valentino. It has a shirt collar, a short button up vest under the bodice, elaborate draped sleeves and back draping from the shoul...
Valentino Demi-Couture SS 2001 exquisite silk sequin embellished floral gown
By Valentino
Located in PARIS, FR
Extremely rare and breathtaking Valentino Demi-Couture silk floral-motif sequin embellished maxi gown from the Spring Summer 2001 collection. As seen on the runway. Designer : Valen...
Valentino Garavani Silk Satin Runway Evening Gown with Crystal Cap Sleeves 2007
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A floor-length evening gown from Valentino Garavani's 2007 runway collection. Cut in silk satin in a chartreuse green, with a deep V-neckline, centre-front ruching, and a full-length...
Yellow guipure lace evening dress Valentino ( without brand tag)
By Valentino
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Yellow guipure lace evening dress. Zip on the left side. Silk chiffon lining. SIZE L
Valentino Spring 2014 Women's Embellished Lace Maxi Dress IT42/UK10
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Absolutely beautiful Valentino embellished lace maxi dress from the Spring 2014 collection. Bought for £5750 and worn once. Made from heavy golden beige cotton mix guipure lace with ...
Valentino Pierpaolo Piccioli Fall 2011 Look 39 Maxi feathers dress crepe silk
By Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli
Located in CANNES, FR
Valentino X Maria Grazia Chiuri & Pierpaolo Piccioli Autumn/Winter 2011-2012 Ready-to-Wear Collection – Look 39 Maxi dress in silk crepe printed with a feather motif, featuring a fe...
White Valentino Silk Cape Back Dress Dress Size US 4
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
White silk sleeveless dress by Valentino. Square neckline. Open back feature cropped cape detail. Zip closure at back. 33" bust, 28" waist, 40.75" length, 12.25" shoulder width.
Valentino 2000s Size 6 Black Silk Lace Cut-Out Sequin Evening Gown Dress
By Valentino
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy, yet classic early 2000s VALENTINO black silk and lace cut-out evening gown ! Features a tailored bodice with black lace sequin cut-out detail with rhinestone encrusted buckle a...
Valentino early 2000s black silk ruffle mini dress
By Valentino
Located in PARIS, FR
Valentino early 2000s black ruffle mini dress, from circa Spring Summer 2004-2005. This ruffle design is a classic for the house of Valentino. Designer : Valentino Garavani Details...
White guipure dress on silk and tulle lining. Valentino
By Valentino
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
White guipure dress on silk and tulle lining. THE NECKLESS ON THE PRIMARY IMAGE IS NOT A PART OF THE DRESS ( AND NOT INCLUDE) SIZE 8
Valentino New Silk Dress with Cape
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous deep red silk dress with an attached cape from Valentino. It has an elaborately vertically ruched front bodice with a back cape emanating from the shoulders and a full ski...
Valentino Women's Gold Nude Tiered Tulle Lace Gown, Size IT44
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Absolute fairytale Valentino tiered tulle and lace gown - bought for £6500 and unworn. Made from gold speckled nude polyamide mix tulle and gold lace. It has a super feminine tiere...
Valentino dress by Pier Paolo Piccioli Summer 2018
By Valentino
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
VALENTINO - 2018 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Pier Paolo Piccioli. Pink silk and wool balloon dress. Size 40IT indicated, and it fits a 36...
Valentino Colorful Feather Print Dress Gown
By Christian Dior, Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Colorful Valentino ethereal Grecian-inspired gown fashioned of feather print silk chiffon in shades of violet, sand, green, and blue. Designed to effortlessly drape the body accente...
Isabel Sanchis "Valentine Pick" Jeweled Heart Runway Gown
By Valentino, Isabel Marant
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique and exciting gown by Isabel Sanchis, known for her imaginative evening wear. Fashioned peek-a-boo black net bodice adorned with embroidered be...
Valentino Spring 2014 Embellished Loose Fit Maxi Dress Gown
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Absolutely beautiful Valentino embellished maxi dress from the Spring 2014 collection. Bought for £4750 and worn once. Made from fluid black silk crepe with stunning Egyptian inspire...
Valentino New Silk Halter Gown with Waist and Back Cut outs S/S 2007
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous pink silk halter gown from Valentino S/S 2007 collection. It has a halter neckline, fitted ruched woven panels across the bodice with 2 c...
VALENTINO Crepe Couture silver Rockstud scalloped waist Bambolina dress IT42 M
By Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO ivory Crepe Couture silver Rockstud scalloped waist Bambolina dress IT42 M Reference: LACG/A00496 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Collection: Crepe Couture M...
Valentino Runway Inspired Art Deco Beaded Handkerchief Hem Evening Dress Gown
By Christian Dior, Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fantasy Valentino evening dress fashioned of midnight blue shower of sequins adorned with beaded red and white accent trim at center bodice dropping down to hemline. Designed to e...
Oscar de la Renta Hi Fashion Red Carpet Ballgown
By Valentino, Oscar De La Renta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oscar de la Renta grand strapless ball gown with emphasis on high drama. Bodice boasts a criss-cross pleated design which extends into a huge skirt fanning out with wide swan tail ba...
Vintage Boho Valentino Dress
By Valentino
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage boho Valentino dress is a stunning fusion of romantic elegance and free-spirited charm. Likely from the 1970s or early 1980s, it reflects Valentino’s masterful ability t...
Valentino Spring Summer 2008 blush pink fully sequined midi dress
By Valentino
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Valentino all-over sequinned blush pink midi dress from the Spring Summer 2008 collection. A stunning demonstration of Valentino's red-carpet glamour and luminous embellishment....
Valentino Floral Embellished Evening Gown Resort 2011 Size 8
By Valentino
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Valentino Floral Embellished Evening Gown Resort 2011 Size 8
Valentino set by Alessandro Michele Resort 2025
By Valentino, Alessandro Michele
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
VALENTINO - Resort 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection, under the artistic direction of Alessandro Michele. Set consisting of a dress and cape entirely embroidered with sequins in shades ...
1985 Valentino Boutique Documented Ad Red Silk Crepe Halter Evening Gown
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Documented 1985 Valentino Boutique evening gown in a vivid coral-red silk crepe, with the same design featured in a period Valentino advertising campaign. The gown has a softly gath...
Valentino Boutique 1990 black white ruffle organza maxi dress
By Valentino
Located in CANNES, FR
Valentino Boutique circa 1990 Black and white organza long dress with ruffles. UK size 10. Very good condition.
Valentino Black Lace & Silk Draped Evening Gown Sz.6
By Valentino
Located in Krakow, PL
Very good pre-owned condition. Light signs of wear consistent with careful use. Please refer to photos for details. Size Size 6 Material Outer: 65% Polyamide, 35% Viscose Lining: 100...
$3,299Sale Price|40% Off
UNWORN Valentino Draped Cady Silk Evening Cape t Ruffle Dress Gown Bridal 40
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in Switzerland, CH
This Valentino Garavani gown is cut from fluid silk-crepe, artfully draped to enhance the statuesque shape. Understated elegance defines Valentino's vision. Cut from silk-crepe, this...
Valentino F/W 2009 Teal-to-Black Ombré Ruched Silk Sleeveless Gown
By Valentino
Located in Paris, FR
From the F/W 2009 collection of Valentino, this floor-length sleeveless gown is executed in a luminous silk that graduates from deep teal at the bodice to near-black at the hem. The ...
Valentino S/S 2004 Floral Sequin Mini Dress, Vintage Cocktail Style
By Valentino
Located in Atlanta, GA
Look #55 of Spring/Summer 2004 runway. One of the dreamiest pieces from this collection, this embellished mini dress captures the romantic glamour of the era. Crafted in soft lilac t...
$5,241Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino Silk Gown with Embroidery Mesh Detail Dress Sz.6
By Valentino
Located in Krakow, PL
Valentino Embroidered Silk Evening Gown with Metallic Mesh Detail Size 6 Description An exceptional Valentino evening gown crafted in Italy from 100% silk with a full silk lining. Th...
Valentino Fall/Winter 1996 Runway Finale Dress
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Norwich, GB
This gown from Valentino’s Fall 1996 ready-to-wear collection is crafted in the house’s signature red, a hallmark shade closely associated with the brand’s identity. Made from lightw...
Valentino F/W 2004 beaded sheer crop top and black maxi ruffle silk skirt dress
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE TOP Valentino F/W 2004 cropped silk top with a cut out tulle/mesh bust embellished with beads and sequins and taffeta appliqué. Concealed side zip 100% Silk US 6 ...
Valentino F/W 2006 Red Silk Jersey Asymmetric Gown
By Valentino
Located in Paris, FR
Silk jersey evening gown Valentino crafted in vibrant red silk with an asymmetric neckline design. The dress features a fitted bodice with strategic side ruching that creates flatter...
2006 Valentino Haute Couture Runway Floral Pleated Beaded Dress
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
This exceptional documented haute couture dress was seen on the Fall 2006 runway, Look 24, and was entirely hand sewn in the Valentino atelier in Rome. Designed by Valentino Garavani...
2006 Valentino Haute Couture Ruffle White and Silver Gown
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
One of the most exceptional, one of a kind, evening dresses we have ever had at Circa Vintage. Couture crafted in the Valentino atelier in Rome and designed by Valentino Garavani him...
Valentino F/W 2003 black sheer beaded plunging backless silk train dress gown
By Valentino
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE Valentino Fall 2003 - Look 70 Black floor length dress in silk and tulle, embellished with black beads and sequins Sequin straps edged in beads that criss cross ov...
Valentino Pre-Fall 2014 Apricot Lace Shift Dress
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
The most beautiful archival Valentino lace dress from the Pre-Fall 2014 collection. Bought for £3045 and unworn with tags. Made from apricot orange silk voile with delicate French la...