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.
Black taffeta and tulle bustier evening dress VALENTINO Boutique
By Valentino
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black taffeta and tulle bustier evening dress with ruffles. Taffeta is made of acetate and rayon. Polyester tulle. Lightly padded bra. Zip closure on the right side. Boned. SIZE 8 (U...
Valentino Spring 2007 Look 58 Maxi lilas satin dress with embroidered tulle
By Valentino
Located in CANNES, FR
Valentino Spring/Summer 2007 Collection - Look 58 Long lilac satin gown featuring matching-colored tulle inserts, embellished with coordinating chiffon embroidery. Very good conditi...
Valentino Boutique Spring 2000 Look 85 Maxi red roses lace dress
By Valentino
Located in CANNES, FR
Valentino Boutique Spring/Summer 2000 Collection – Look 85 Exceptional ecru crêpe dress featuring red rose embroidery and shoulder straps. Size 36. Very good condition (minor marks ...
NWT Valentino Finale Ravishing Runway Gown
By Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Fall Valentino fuschia finale runway gown was designed with a showstopping presence. Structured with an architectural flavor showcasing couture level tailoring. Features a dram...
Valentino Spring 2005 Look 73 Maxi red ruffled dress
By Valentino
Located in CANNES, FR
Valentino Spring/Summer 2005 Collection - Look 73 Red maxi dress featuring a pleated satin bodice, a button-front skirt with organza ruffles, and a faux white pearl belt. Very good ...
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 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...
Valentino by Pierpaolo Piccioli FW24 Crystal Bow Crepe Couture Mini Dress
By Valentino
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Valentino short dress in black Crepe Couture from the Fall/Winter 2024 collection, Pierpaolo Piccioli's final ready-to-wear season for the house. A widely documented style, the dress...
Valentino Vintage Silk Dress with Cut-Out Waist, Floral Print, Size 10 SS 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 side waist an...
Valentino New Off White Silk Jumpsuit with Slit Open Back, Size 4
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 ...
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 New Vintage Off White Silk Gown with Lace Cut Outs S/S 2001, Size 44
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 Women's Pink Silk Cape Gown, Italian Size 44
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 wedding dress by Valentino Garavani circa 2000-2005
By Valentino
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
VALENTINO - Collection circa 2000-2005, under the artistic direction of Valentino Garavani. Wedding dress with a long train in ecru silk blend and white lace. Size indicated: 42FR....
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...
2011 Valentino White Dress with Ruffle Detail and Embellished Strap
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
We believe this gown was made as part of Valentino’s Resort 2011 collection or a bridal collection from the same year. We have attached an image of Look 29/32 which has the same ruf...
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
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino Runway Bare Shoulder Full Train Dress Gown new!
By Valentino, Oscar De La Renta
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 ...
Valentino Black Halter Gown with Jeweled Floral Details New!
By Oscar De La Renta, Valentino
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...
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
NWT Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci Micro Pleated Red Dress with Sexy Cut Outs
By Givenchy, Valentino
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 Vintage Silk Halter Gown with Waist Cut outs & Train 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 Runway Stunning Matisse, Gaugin Wearable Art Dress Gown NWT
By Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning Valentino demi-couture long dress, offering a mosaic of colorful print patterns inspired by artists Matisse and Gauguin. The dress construction combines some pattern piece...
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 ...
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
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...
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 Vintage Boned Leather 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 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...
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 2021 Runway floral butterflies print feather cuff maxi dress IT40 S
By Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO 2021 Runway black floral butterflies print feather cuff maxi dress IT40 S Reference: AAWC/A01694 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pierpaolo Piccioli Collection: 2021 - Runway Mat...
1999 Valentino Runway Dusky Pink Slip Dress with Embellished Straps
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
This archival Valentino dress walked the runway on supermodel Esther Cañadas for the House's Fall 1999 collection. Tailored from pink silk-satin which shines a warm grey or dusky pin...
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...
Valentino Vintage Silk Dress 2007 Marigold Yellow Cut-Outs Size 10
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 S/S 95 red beige floral wrap sari scarf one shoulder mini dress M-L
By Valentino
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE A very rare piece from Valentino S/S 1995, the most gorgeous sari inspired scarf dress in vibrant red with beige floral print. The dress features a one shoulder cu...
Valentino Beige Silk Embellished Dress with Sequins, UK 6 XS
By Valentino
Located in Krakow, PL
Valentino Beige Silk Embellished Dress Sequins Embroidery UK 6 XS Description: Elegant Valentino beige silk dress adorned with intricate embroidery and sparkling sequin embellishment...
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 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 White Cotton Oversized Shirt Dress, New
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 Garavani Off-The-Shoulder Feather-Trimmed Crepe Couture Evening Dress
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
We Adore - Valentino Garavani Off-The-Shoulder Feather-Trimmed Crepe Couture Evening Dress From the brand's premium Black Tie collection is this black evening dress crafted from Val...
VALENTINO 2023 wool silk crepe VGOLD logo metal plate split neck dress IT38 XS
By Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO 2023 ivory wool silk crepe VGOLD logo metal plate split neck dress IT38 XS Reference: AAWC/A01697 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pierpaolo Piccioli Collection: 2023 Material: V...
Valentino Women's New Black Lace Strapless Corset Dress, Size 10
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 1990s Vintage Silk Beaded Dress Black White Ombre Size 8
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous off white silk dress completely covered in black and white glass beads from Valentino Boutique. It is sleeveless with a scoop neckline...
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 2008/2009 Red Silk & Lace Gown
By Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 2008/2009 -A gorgeous Valentino evening gown in vivid red, combining fluid silk with delicate lace for a look that feels both romantic and glamorous. The fitted silhouette fall...
Silk chiffon sleeveless cocktail dress with animal print VALENTINO Boutique
By Valentino
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Silk chiffon sleeveless cocktail dress with animal print. Draped on the waist. Zip closure and snap on the left side. SIZE : 8 /M
VALENTINO 2022 Crepe Couture wool silk ruffle bib neck tie mini dress IT38 XS
By Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO 2022 Crepe Couture black white wool silk ruffle bib neck tie mini dress IT38 XS Reference: AAWC/A01443 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Collection: 2022 Mater...
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 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...
1985 Valentino Boutique Documented Ad Red Silk Crepe Halter Evening Gown
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
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...
Black cocktail dress with leather collar and cuffs VALENTINO
By Valentino
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black cocktail dress with leather collar and cuffs with laser cut and embroideries. . Main fabric composition: 77% wool, 23% silk. Silk lining. Invisible zip closure on the middle ba...
Black silk bustier evening dress with beadwork VALENTINO
By Valentino
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black silk bustier evening dress with beadwork . Stretch tulle Boned bustier inside with underwired bra and zip closure on the left side. 2nd zip closure on the dress on the same si...
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 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 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 Garavani Fall Winter 2003 Black Lace Beaded Evening Gown, Size Small
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
A floor-length evening gown from Valentino Garavani’s Fall/Winter 2003 collection. Black lace bodice featuring intricate mesh detailing, square neckline, sleeveless, concealed zip cl...
$1,097Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino Boutique Dress
By Valentino
Located in Basaluzzo, IT
Valentino Boutique 80s Velvet Dress It features the bodice part with draped silk workmanship while the skirt part is made of elegant black velvet. Inside is the bodice to have better...
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 Blush Pink Embellished Tulle Gown IT 40 Sleeveless Dress
By Valentino
Located in Krakow, PL
Elegant Valentino floor-length gown in blush pink, featuring a sleeveless embellished bodice, intricate diamond-pattern beadwork and a voluminous layered tulle skirt. Finished with a...
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 ...
Valentino Boutique Disc Sleeve Navy Silk Dress 1980s
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous navy silk dress with tiny white dots dress from Valentino. The cap sleeves are incredible, the ends of them encircled with several 100 finished circles adding dimension a...
1980's VALENTINO black pleated strapless dress
By Valentino
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Jet-black, pleated , silk mini dress from Valentino Boutique dating to the early 1980's. Fits a size 6 or possibly an 8. Approximate measurements are: bust 36", waist 28", hips 36", ...