$426Sale Price|40% Off
Linea Barberini haute couture Velvet Silk Black Dress
Located in Capri, IT
Linea Barberini haute couture Black Dress unique dress totally made in italy embellished with beads composition: Silk and cupro size 44
Vintage Liancarlo Couture Size 10 Black Off Shoulder Silk Velvet Burn Out Gown
By Liancarlo, Liancarlo Couture
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous 1990s LIANCARLO COUTURE black silk chiffon and lightweight silk velvet burnout evening dress! Features a structured perfect fitting bodice, with built-in interior support to...
1990s Oscar de la Rent Hi Lo Vintage Black Velvet Burnout Chiffon Evening Dress
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in San Diego, CA
Marked Size: 4 Bust: 32 inches Waist: 26 inches Hips: 38 inches This early 1990s Oscar de la Renta Studio black evening dress combines sheer floral velvet burnout with flowing blac...
$1,196Sale Price|25% Off
Size: 8
Travilla Vintage Black Sequin Avant Garde Cutout Silk Satin Evening Gown
By Travilla
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous vintage TRAVILLA black gown! Features an all-over sequined bodice, with avant Garde cut-outs, trimmed in black satin at the bust. Looks like a strapless dress with gloves. M...
Vintage Linda Cierach Black Silk Dress
Located in London, GB
A chic vintage cocktail dress by designer Linda Cierach. In a wonderful textured black silk , the dress has a square neckline, self fabric belt and original shoulder pads - could be...
Givenchy Black Velvet Gown with Horsehair Rhinestone Trim Sheer Sections
By Givenchy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a gorgeous black velvet long sleeve gown with rhinestones and horsehair detail by Givenchy. The gown has a black satin belt, zippers at the cuffs, and a zipper up the back. ...
1990S DONNA KARAN Black Bias Cut Rayon & Silk Velvet 1930S Backless Style Gown
By Donna Karan
Located in New York, NY
1990S DONNA KARAN Black Bias Cut Rayon & Silk Velvet 1930S Backless Style Gown
$1,373
Size: Equivalent to French size 36/38
1920s Haute Couture Little Black Dress in Black Satin with Embroidery
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1920. France Amazing little black dress, probably Haute Couture, with a minimalist graphic representing a drop of water and dating from the 1920s. Straight bag dress, V-neck, l...
Lanvin Style Embroidered Deco Silk Crepe Black Dress
Located in Sharon, CT
An unlabeled deco period black silk crepe dress, geometrically embroidered with silver threads, green plastic squares and faux diamonds, in the style of Lanvin. A museum piece (we...
Pauline Sheh Black Silk Beaded Gown Size 10
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a striking Pauline Sheh design. The gown is composed of a black silk featuring a heavily beaded fringe design. There is a center back zipper closure for ease of access. Made ...
1930s Black Bias-Cut Silk Velvet Gown w Pleated Ruffled Neckline & Low Back
Located in Gresham, OR
1930s Black Bias-Cut Silk Velvet Gown w Pleated Ruffled Neckline & Low Back: A super hard-to-find authentic 1930s gown that is right out of a Jean Harlow movie! Super-low, plunging ...
FRANK TIGNINO Velvet and Silk Lame Black & Silver Gown Size 6
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Frank Tignino gown is composed of a velvet bodice with a draped silk lame skirt. There is a center back zipper closure. In excellent vintage condition. Beautiful design. **Pl...
TRAVILLA Black Silk Gown with Bead Lace Size 8
By Travilla
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Travilla gown is composed of black silk and features beaded lace accenting with a nude underlay. There is a center back zipper closure. In excellent vintage condition. **P...
$325Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 44
Valentino Vintage Black Dress Size 44 Circa 1990s Women's Evening Gown
By Valentino
Located in Capri, IT
Valentino vintage black dress NWOT size 44
$664
Size: Equivalent French Size 36
Vintage Black Stretch Silk Jersey Evening Dress Circa 1990 France
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1990. France Long evening dress in black strech silk jersey from the 90s. Skin-tight cut at the level of the bustier flaring from the waist leaving a fluid and loose skirt. Gat...
Mayela Haute Couture Italian Black & Crème Modern Evening Dress Size 6-8
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is the dress to wear to an evening event if you want to look modern and be positive no one will be wearing the same dress. One of a kind Mayela Haute Couture black silk chemise ...
1920S Black Silk Velvet & Lace Ruffled Hem Dress
Located in New York, NY
1920S Black Silk Velvet & Lace Ruffled Hem Dress
Unavailable|$14,995
Size: IT42
2005 Versace by Donatella Rhinestone Medusa Backless Lavender Chiffon Gown IT42
By Versace, Donatella Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This new-with-tags lavender gown from Versace’s 2005 collection features a structured sheer bodice adorned with tonal piping and allover rhinestone embellishments. The contoured pane...
$9,550
Size: Small - Medium
Halle Berry's Iconic Elie Saab 2002 Oscar Gown Taupe Silk Embroidered Taffeta
By Elie Saab
Located in San Diego, CA
One of the most recognizable dresses of all time! Halle Berry's ELIE SAAB Couture Academy Awards from 2002! This is the year she won the Academy Award, a year that marked history--sh...
Vintage Oscar de la Renta Sheer Size 10 / 12 Black Silk Chantilly Lace Gown
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in San Diego, CA
Exquisite 1990s vintage OSCAR DE LA RENTA for SAKS 5th AVE Couture black silk chiffon and chattily lace sheer evening gown ! This beautiful dress has so much attention to details. Mu...
Thierry Mugler S/S 1994 White Pleated Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in New York, NY
Thierry Mugler S/S 1994 White Fan Pleated Dress; with pleated gathering to central metal ring at midriff, satin-covered lightly-boned corset to interior. Fits US size 4, EU 34; Miss...
1980s Bob Mackie Couture Emerald Green Chiffon Leather Leaf 80s Grecian Gown 6
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Quite possibly my favorite BOB MACKIE Couture dress EVER! I cannot even begin to describe this beauty! Beautiful emerald green silk with black silk chiffon overlay. Features a conver...
1960s Emma Domb Turquoise Blue Ombre Sequined Silk Chiffon Vintage 60s Gown
By Emma Domb
Located in San Diego, CA
Model in video is US Size 6, and 5’8 feet tall. Could fit up to a Size 8 Stunning 1960s EMMA DOMB turquoise blue silk chiffon ombre sequined evening gown! Bodice features thousands o...
Vintage 1950's 50s Black Ruched Jersey Bodice Party Dress with a Drop Waist
Located in Sparks, NV
Simple but chic little black party dress from the 1950's. This dress features a jersey knit ruched bodice, drop waist, sweetheart bustline, 3/4 length sleeves and full flared skirt. ...
Versace Vintage 1990s Women's Black Leather Polyester Dress Size 42
By Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Versace Jeans Couture Black Dress totally made in italy in leather and polyester size 42
$22,509
Size: FR40 - UK12 - US8
Christian Dior by John Galliano Claret Evening Dress and Tunic Ensemble, fw 1999
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Archival Christian Dior Evening Ensemble ▪ Creative Director: John Galliano ▪ Fall-Winter 1999 ▪ Bias-cut satin-backed crepe evening dress ▪ Elegant full-length silhouette ▪ Side ...
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...
S/S 1999 Atelier Versace Documented Runway Black Beaded Gown worn by Carmen Kaas
By Atelier Versace
Located in Montgomery, TX
Versace ATELIER Runway Black Beaded Gown S/S 1999 Collection Italian Size 38 - US 4 Actual Runway sample worn by Carmen Kaas Color: Black Retail back in 1999 was $57,600 Meas...
Gianni Versace Couture 1990s Bell Sleeve Dress
By Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace Couture
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk jersey dress from Gianni Versace. It has a square neckline with a notched center and long subtly belled sleeves. The dress is semi fitted with inner boning for ...
Judy Hornby White-on-White Bias Gown
By Judy Hornby
Located in Alford, MA
Judy Hornby Couture voided silk bias-cut evening dress with deep cowl neck neck and layered hem, both layers trimmed with pearls. Long sleeves with gathered shoulders and pointed wri...
Loris Azzaro for Azzaro Boutique Paris 1980s Vintage Black Evening Gown
By Loris Azzaro, Loris Azzaro Paris
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Enjoy this item as part of our Holiday Sale, for one week! Vintage 1980s Azzaro Boutique Paris by Loris Azzaro Black Jersey & Sheer Crepe Evening Gown with Braided Trim The extr...
MIGNON Black Burnout Velvet Cocktail Dress, 1980's
By Mignon
Located in Atlanta, GA
A classic black cocktail dress with a little something extra by Anne Marie Gabalis for Mignon. This stunning dress combines a 1980's silhouette, including strong shoulders and an as...
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.