Thimister Silvery Lame Dress
By Josephus Thimister, Thimister
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
This vintage Thimister gown has a seductively revealing, draped back. It offers a heavy metal zipper with dangling ribbon pull and two more delicate ribbons to tie across the back, s...
1997 Balenciaga Sz 0 XS Black Dress Vintage Thimister Final Runway Collection
By Balenciaga, Josephus Thimister
Located in San Diego, CA
The model in video is 5’8 feet tall, and US Size 6 An exceptionally rare Balenciaga black evening dress from the Spring-Summer 1997 collection, designed under the creative direction...
Balenciaga Le Dix by Josephus Thimister Silk Gazar Dress
By Balenciaga
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1990’s Balenciaga Le Dix by Josephus Thimister sculptural silk gazar dress, directly inspired by a design from the A/W 1958 collection.
Balenciaga Josephus Thimister Runway Silk Polka Dot Evening Dress, 1997
By Balenciaga
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Having worked for a several prominent couture houses such as Chanel and Patou, Josephus Thimister brought his modernist design style to the house of Balenciaga.
BALENCIAGA Hot Pink Strapless Polka dot Cocktail Dress by Josephus Thimister
By Balenciaga, Josephus Thimister
Located in Sheffield, GB
Beautiful BALENCIAGA Hot pink Polka dot cocktail dress by Josephus Thimister. This strapless cocktail runway dress is crafted from a Moire silk fabric with a boned upper body, conce...
1997 Josephus Thimister for BALENCIAGA navy runway dress with asymmetrical swag
By Balenciaga, Josephus Thimister
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Rich navy blue silk dress with asymmetrical swag designed by Josephus Thimister for Balenciaga le dix as seen on the runway in spring of 1997.
2010 Thimister Couture Moujik Trousers
By Thimister
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
2010 Couture Josephus Thimister Moujik Trousers featuring a drop crotch waist with red paint stains.
Thimister Acid-Washed Backless Dress
By Thimister, Josephus Thimister
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Gorgeous dark brown, acid-washed, sleeveless dress from vintage Thimister is 100% silk. The eye-catching deep draping in back is delicately secured by two sets of ribbons tied across...
1980s Balenciaga Mustard Yellow/Acid Green Silk Scarf 30.5x29.5
By Balenciaga, Josephus Thimister
Located in Port Hope, ON
Lovely geometrical pattern silk scarf from Josephus Melchior Thimister for Balanciaga in excellent vintage condition.
1990s Balenciaga Beige Silk Chiffon Column Dress
By Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquière
Located in London, GB
We are certain that this dress is from around the time he took over as creative director of the fashion house, after the departure of Josephus Thimister in 1997. An almost identical...
$600Sale Price|33% Off
Size: 6
Vintage Arnold Scaasi Black Velvet Evening Gown w/Red Sequin Floral Pattern
By Arnold Scaasi
Located in Studio City, CA
1980's Arnold Scaasi black velvet strapless evening gown with allover red sequin floral print. In excellent condition with minor sequin loss at back zipper. Size 6. MEASUREMENTS: B...
HERMES Havane brown Clemence leather BOLIDE 45 Travel Bag
By Hermès
Located in Zürich, CH
Hermes "Bolide" travel bag in Havane (chestnut brown) Taurillon Clemence leather. Open with a zipper on top. Lined in leather and beige cotton. Has been carried with two small black ...
Rochas Vintage Inspired Harlow Bias Cut Silk Gown NWT
By Rochas, Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
As seen on the runway Jean Harlow 1930's inspired gown designed by Rochas. Fashioned of eggshell white silk charmeuse with plunging neckline; spaghetti straps; chemise style bodice...
Giorgio Armani Vintage Dress Hand Beaded Fleurette on Tulle Formal Gown 40
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a rare and vintage Giorgio Armani gown so divinely exquisite that it can take you from the Red Carpet to the White House. Breathtaking and the epitome of the Giorgi...
$6,920
H 3.1 in W 3.9 in L 0.8 in
Chanel Waist Classic Flap Rare Vintage 90s Limited Edition Micro Mini Bronze Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Rare Vintage 90's Limited Edition Micro Mini Classic Flap Bag 1991 {VINTAGE 33 Years} Gold Hardware Bronze quilted lambskin leather CC Turnlock Leather lined interior 3.9" W ...
$1,528Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 38IT
McCartney Runway Silk Satin Print Zip Jacket or OffShoulder Bubble Dress SS 2003
By Stella McCartney
Located in Chicago, IL
Arguable the most significant design in the Stella McCartney Spring/Summer 2003 collection--since our versatile garment debuted in different colors on the runway and was worn by the ...
UNWORN Emilio Pucci by Peter Dundas 2011 Navy Crochet Knit Maxi Dress Gown 42
By Peter Dundas, Emilio Pucci
Located in Switzerland, CH
ABSOLUTELY INSANE EMILIO PUCCI MIDNIGHT BLUE CROCHET KNIT CUTOUT GOWN DESIGNED BY PETER DUNDAS SOLD OUT IMMEDIATELY WORN BY TOPMODELS AS CLAUDIA SCHIFFER, MIRANDA KERR AND MANY OT...
Thierry Mugler Couture Pink Flame Beaded Silk Gown
By Thierry Mugler Couture, Thierry Mugler
Located in Concord, NC
This early 2000’s vintage Thierry Mugler gown features a halter neckline with a plunging V-front. The dress transitions from vibrant fuchsia to deep red, with flame-like cutouts ador...
$19,920
H 9.5 in W 12.25 in L 4.25 in
Chanel 2005 Vintage Classic Flap Limited Edition PNY Jumbo Expandable Bag
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Chanel Paris New York PNY Jumbo Expandable Maxi Calfskin Flap Bag 2005 {VINTAGE 19 Years} Ruthenium hardware Diamond stitch calfskin aged leather Flap with CC turn lock Interior z...
Jean Paul Gaultier Transformable Peplum Jacket
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier Transformable Black Faille Moire Peplum Jacket from the 1990's. Gaultier's Haute Couture training is evident in this fitted "Bar" style peplum jacket with pointed ...
$228Sale Price|20% Off
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Variation Vintage Fuchsia Tunic Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gorgeous unworn fuchsia tunic dress. Short sleeves. Large buttons. 2 front pockets. Unlined. Label reads Yves Saint Laurent Variation Made in France. Si...
John Galliano Rare Dolores Intarsia Carnation Bias Evening Dress
By John Galliano
Located in New York, NY
A rare John Galliano bias cut Carnation dress from the Dolores collection, Autumn-Winter 1995-96. Of Bianchini Férier ivory and black satin backed rayon acetate crêpe inset with int...
1950S Black Nylon/Lace Bullet Bra
Located in New York, NY
1950S Black Nylon/Lace Bullet Bra
Alexander McQueen A/W 2005 "The Man Who Knew Too Much" Leopard Fur Jacket Skirt
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
Alexander McQueen A/W 2005 "The Man Who Knew Too Much" Leopard Print Silk Jacket Pencil Skirt Set Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Autumn / Winter 2005 “The Man W...
Rare Chanel Vintage S/S 1989 Grecian Goddess Ivory Gold Pleated Gown
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
An ethereal and rare Chanel creation from the Spring/Summer 1989 collection, designed under Karl Lagerfeld’s direction. This gown embodies timeless elegance, drawing inspiration from...
GUCCI brown Ostrich leather LARGE Shoulder Bag
By Gucci
Located in Zürich, CH
Gucci large tote bag in pale brown ostrich leather. Lined in ochre monogram canvas with one zip pocket against the back. Has been carried with some soft color transfer, bag is slight...
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.