Dior empire waist dress by John Galliano Autumn-Winter 2011
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
DIOR - Fall/Winter 2011 Ready-to-Wear Collection under the artistic direction of John Galliano. Short empire-waist dress in velvet and silk chiffon. Balloon sleeves. Silk lining with...
1990s Thierry Mugler Orange and White Empire Waist Cocktail Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Thierry Mugler colour block silk cocktail dress from the 1990s. Orange bust with large bow. Empire waist with white diagonal cut hanky hem skirt with orange trim. Skirt is draped bea...
Ceremonial kaftan or Entari in golden yellow silk taffeta - Ottoman Empire 19th
Located in Toulon, FR
Second half of the 19th century. Ottoman Empire Precious ceremonial coat, long kaftan or Ottoman Entari in yellow silk taffeta with long panels forming a train. Coat in crisp, very ...
$143Sale Price|20% Off
MICHAEL KORS Size 4 Black Woven Polyester Blend Empire Waist Dress
By Michael Kors
Located in San Francisco, CA
MICHAEL KORS dress comes in a black woven polyester blend with metallic thread details featuring a empire waist and a back zip up closure. Good Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: 4 Me...
PAMELLA ROLAND Hot Pink and White Strapless Empire Waist Party Dress, SIZE 2
By Pamella Roland
Located in Richardson, TX
This refreshing Spring and Summer party dress is from Pamella Roland's contemporary diffusion line, Pamella. It features a vibrant pink and white floral print embellished at the empi...
ROMEO GIGLI JOYCE Vintage ruched empire lace gold draped cocktail dress IT36 XXS
By Romeo Gigli
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ROMEO GIGLI JOYCE Vintage ruched empire lace gold square neck draped cocktail dress IT36 XXS Reference: MELK/A00462 Brand: Romeo Gigli Material: Polyamide, Blend Color: Gold Pattern:...
Carolyne Roehm 1990s Fuchsia Hot Pink Wool Vintage 90s Mini Empire Dress
By Carolyne Roehm
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage 90s CAROLYNE ROEHM for NEIMAN MARCUS fuchsia / hot pink long sleeve virgin wool mini empire dress! Sits slightly off the shoulder that exposes just the right amount of a...
1960s Victoria Royale Ltd. Beaded Sequined Empire Mod Cocktail Dress in Black
By Victoria Royal
Located in Gresham, OR
1960s Victoria Royale Ltd. Beaded Sequined Mod Cocktail Dress in Black: Empire waistline. Bodice is heavily beaded with a banded neckline. Double layer silk chiffon full skirt. Cent...
Lanvin S/S 2007 Alber Elbaz Sz 38 Purple Rhinestone Encrusted Empire Waist Dress
By Lanvin Paris, Alber Elbaz
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful LANVIN Spring / Summer 2007 Ete by ALBER ELBAZ purple / aubergine / eggplant rhinestone encrusted empire waist dress ! Tailored bodice with a free flowing body. Large rhine...
1990S CHANEL Lemmon Yellow Silk Crepe Chiffon Strapless Empire Waist Dress With
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
As Seen on Linda Evangelista in the Spring 1991 Chanel ad campaign. Straps are added but easily removable. 1990S CHANEL Lemmon Yellow Silk Crepe Chiffon Strapless Empire Waist Dress ...
Romeo Gigli 1990s Empire Trapeze Waist Vintage 90s Chic Little Black Dress
By Romeo Gigli
Located in San Diego, CA
Talk about the perfect little black dress! This 1990s ROMEO GIGLI is the ultimate of LTBs! Features a fitted bodice, with Avant Garde silk velvet trim around the neck, sleeves and wa...
1990S HERVE LEGER Hot Pink Rayon & Silk Chiffon Baby Doll Empire Waist Cocktail
By Herve Léger
Located in New York, NY
This dress is silk chiffon with rayon jersey bodice 1990S HERVE LEGER Hot Pink Rayon & Silk Chiffon Baby Doll Empire Waist Cocktail Dress
1990S GIANNI VERSACE Acid Green & Red Wool Silk Jersey Strapless Empire Waist D
By Gianni Versace
Located in New York, NY
Never worn, Fully lined in silk with boned bodice. European tagged size 42 1990S GIANNI VERSACE Acid Green & Red Wool Silk Jersey Strapless Empire Waist Dress With Aqua Blue Details
$1,106Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Adele Simpson 1980s Red Black White Fit n' Flare Empire Bow Lace Dress
By Adele Simpson
Located in San Diego, CA
Insanely chic vintage 1980s / 80s ADELE SIMPSON red, black and white fit n' flare cocktail dress! Features a fitted red cotton pique bodice with a sweetheart neckline. Empire waist w...
1970s Purple Butterfly Fortuny Style Empire Line Dress
Located in London, GB
This pretty 1970s purple empire line dress with butterfly motif has a bohemian, summery feel. The full length dress is comprised of a fine rayon fabric for the skirt in a lilac shade...
KHAITE Sueanne white ruched sleeve sweetheart empire corseted mini dress US2 S
By Khaite
Located in Hong Kong, NT
KHAITE Sueanne white ruched sleeve sweetheart empire corseted mini dress US2 S Reference: LNKO/A02266 Brand: Khaite Model: Sueanne Material: Cotton Color: White Pattern: Solid Closur...
1960's Pauline Trigère Black Empire Waist Dress with Sheer Bodice and Sparkles
By Pauline Trigère
Located in San Fransisco, CA
This is a softly structured 1960's Pauline Trigère cocktail dress in black, with a subtle, glamorous shimmer. The silhouette is loose and slightly A-line, falling from a gently gathe...
Vintage garden party chique beaded bodice flower design empire waist long dress
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
The bodice of this exquisite vintage empire waist dress features an intricate beaded design inspired by blooming flowers, while the skirt boasts a breathtaking display of the same fl...
Loris Azzaro 1970s Silk Jersey Vintage Pink Empire Dress Gown
By Loris Azzaro
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage 1970s Loris Azzaro pink silk jersey gown! Beautiful bodice, with a draped, Grecian/Empire feel to the body. Zipper works great, just could not fit the dress form. In...
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.