1930s Monochrome Chevron Pattern Tulle Dress
Located in London, GB
An unusual and original 1930s tulle black and white dress which reminds me of the work of Gabriel Chanel and the great American designer Elizabeth Hawes. We have referenced Chanel's...
$7,552
Size: Equivalent size 35/36 France
A Pierre Balmain Ottoman Silk Faille Couture Ball-Gown N° 83213 Paris Circa 1958
By Pierre Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1958 France A yellow banana ottoman silk faille ball-gown or ceremonial long dress. Boned bodice with large plunge neckline and cream oblique pleated shape faille on the ches...
Sybil Connolly Couture Green Pleated Linen Maxi Dress, 1960s
By Sybil Connolly
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Known as the Dior of Dublin, couturier Sybil Connolly is revered for her high caliber designs and artisanal technique. A raving success since her first fashion show in 1953 which lan...
Vintage turquoise beaded silk sheer floral layered wedding slip dress gown M L
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE A breathtaking vintage gown. I would estimate this to be from around the late 90's. It has a pale blue lining which is overlayed with a sheer turquoise layer that ...
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...
Eve Stillman vintage silk pink ivory lace slit night gown slip wedding dress
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Eve Stillman Couture vintage lace night gown in silk. I would guess this to be from the 1970's. It would work just beautifully for a wedding or summers evening The ivory version phot...
1960s Vintage Victoria Royal Pink Silk Beaded Cocktail Dress US 4 UK 8
By Victoria Royal
Located in Nashville, TN
Rendered in the softest shade of pale pink shantung silk and embellished with bright gold beads, pearlescent beads and pink claw set rhinestones, in a swirling paisley pattern, this ...
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...
Jean Patou Haute Couture Dress Spring-Summer, 1955
By Jean Patou
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jean Patou Haute Couture dress in guipure, satin and tulle. No label of composition or size, it fits a size 36FR. Haute Couture Collection Spring-Summer 1955. To note, presences of ...
$26,922
Size: FR38 - UK10 - US6
Christian Dior by John Galliano Floral Silk Embellished Evening Dress, FW 2001
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Christian Dior ▪ Creative Director: John Galliano ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 2001 ▪ Fabric: Silk, Tulle ▪ Size: FR38 - UK10 - US6 ▪ Made in: France ▪ Condition: Very Good ▪ ...
1950s Philip Hulitar Ivory and Black Velvet Pearl Encrusted Beaded Gown
By Philip Hulitar
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage Phillip Hulitar 1950s, ivory silk chiffon and black velvet cocktail dress is the perfect party dress or great for wedding. Gown has intricate black velvet, ivory silk ch...
$5,228
Size: Equivalent size 35-36 France
A chiffon ball gown by Jean Dessès Haute Couture Paris France Circa 1956
By Jean Dessès
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1956 France Long evening dress draped in pink and pale blue chiffon. Pleated bust with large halter neckline, ending in a sheath on the hips with crossed panels spread to the s...
Vintage 1920's blush silk chiffon beaded flapper dress silver and pink UK 8-10
Located in Nashville, TN
Full of opulent original details, rendered in the most luxurious fashion, this rare 1920's piece is a beauty to behold . The rounded neckline is framed by wide shoulder straps and a...
1930s Pink Satin and Lace Tie Back Slip Dress
Located in London, GB
Late 1930s or early 1940s pink satin slip dress with gathered puff shoulders and the armholes trimmed with an elaborate machine embroidered lace in an antique cream. The front of the...
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...
$5,345
Size: Equivalent to size 35-36 France
A Couture Evening dress by Maison Paquin/Antonio Del Castillo - France C. 1949
By Jeanne Paquin
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1949. France Haute Couture evening dress in chocolate brown stretch silk jersey by the famous Maison Jeanne Paquin, 3 Rue de la Paix, Paris, directed by Antonio Del Castillo a...
1940's 'Jewel' Colored Floral Silk Dress
Located in Sharon, CT
'Jewel Colored' print, silk crepe long -nearly floor length evening dress. V yoke in front. Dress appears to be custom hand sewn and pieced in 'couture' manner. Very slim bodice t...
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.