Ruben Panis Red Chiffon Ruffle Gown Property of Magda Gabor, sister of Zsa Zsa
By Ruben Panis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is the Personal Property of Magda Gabor, sister of Zsa Zsa and Ava Gabor. It is a fantastic iconic design by Ruben Panis.
Giorgio Armani 1990s 90s Vintage Khaki / Light Green Herringbone Blazer Jacket
By Giorgio Armani
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully tailored vintage Giorgio Armani blazer! This fitted blazer is a khaki/ on the verge of light green, with herringbone print throughout. Two pockets at each side of the wai...
$5,783
Size: FR 36 - UK 8 - US 4
Vivienne Westwood blue denim jacquard peplum jacket skirt suit, fw 1996
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood blue denim jacquard skirt suit ▪ 100% Cotton ▪ Asymmetric peplum jacket with accentuated waist ▪ Gold Orb etched buttons ▪ Matching mini skirt ▪ FR 36 - UK 8 - ...
Vivienne Westwood Military Tweed Suit
By RED LABEL by VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
Located in New York, NY
Vivienne Westwood English tweed suit with oversized shoulders, epaulets, collar, revers and peplum. Great dip front hem jacket wearable as separate. Oversized flaps cover pockets at ...
Iconic Thierry Mugler 1995 Sculptural Jacket with Sheer Boned Corset Waist
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Museum worthy piece of Fashion History The fabulous iconic archival Thierry Mugler jacket with sheer boned corset waist. Collection 1995, featured on the Runway show'Best of Thierr...
$2,196Sale Price|20% Off
2000s Thierry Mugler Couture Structured Panel Navy Bustier Corset Top
By Thierry Mugler Couture, Thierry Mugler
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From the early 2000s, this fabulous navy Thierry Mugler strapless corset top, designed by Manfred Mugler, is constructed entirely of horizontal navy panels with white stitching. This...
$1,704
Size: 40 (jacket) and 38 (skirt)
Yellow and brown skirt suit and double-jacket trompe l'oeil Thierry Mugler ACTIV
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Yellow and brown skirt suit and double-jacket trompe l'oeil. Main fabric composition: 75% wool, 25% rayon. Acetate lining. Double snap closure on the middle front of the jacket ( 2 o...
$11,704
Size: FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld cream mohair wool coat and dress ensemble, fw 1998
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in London, GB
▪ Chanel cream mohair wool coat and dress ensemble ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Oversized open-front coat with matching belt ▪ Large notched lapels ▪ Built-in shoulder pads ▪ ...
CHANEL black patent 15A SALZBURG CHAIN LOAFER Pumps Shoes 41.5 fit 40.5
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
This is a 100% authentic pair of Chanel Black CC Chain Loafer Pumps, combining classic elegance with a modern edge. Crafted from glossy black patent leather, these pumps feature icon...
Vivienne Westwood blue tweed skirt suit, fw 1994
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood blue tweed skirt suit ▪ 100% Wool ▪ Double breasted blazer jacket ▪ Velvet collar and pocket flaps ▪ Two front pockets ▪ Pleated wrap skirt ▪ Baroque square gold...
Blue Purple Lavender Vintage Abstract Sequin Bustier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage bustier is composed of an abstract sequin pattern, in blue, purple, and black with a beaded trim. Features a side zipper. In excellent vintage condition. Jacket picture...
F/W 2001 Azzedine Alaïa Black Knit Backless Strap Bodycon Halter Mini Dress L
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From Alaïa's Fall/Winter 2001 collection, this sexy, form-fitting halterneck dress wraps around the neck to create a V-neckline. The same style worn by Stephanie Seymour and Naomi Ca...
Vintage Roberto Cavalli FW 2004 Black Silk Crocodile Pattern Embellished Gown 40
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Montgomery, TX
Vintage Roberto Cavalli Black Embellished Dress Gown Italian size - 40 ( please check measurements) Songstress Carole Samaha looks effortlessly chic in a crocodile-shaped, encrusted ...
NWT Versace $12575 Silk Blue Fully Embellished Corset Dress Gown It. 44 US 10
By Versace
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Versace Silk Blue Fully Embellished Dress Gown Italian size 44 - US 10 ( please check measurements ) Blue Silk Gown Embellished with Clear Beads and Two Tone Sequins, Back High S...
Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2005 Python Leather Bustier Bra Bodycon Silk Mini Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2005 Python Leather Bustier Bra Bodycon Silk Mini Dress IT 38
$19,277
Size: IT42 - FR38 - UK10 - US6
Gianni Versace Gold Metal Mesh Evening Dress with Crystal Barbed Straps, FW 1998
By Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace
Located in London, GB
This rare Gianni Versace dress from the Fall-Winter 1998 collection is constructed from gold-tone metal mesh, showcasing a structured, fitted silhouette with a straight-cut design. T...
Jean Paul Gaultier Multicolour Virgin Wool Coat with Mongolian Fur Trim, FW 2004
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in London, GB
This Jean Paul Gaultier coat from the Fall-Winter 2004 collection is crafted from a patchwork of virgin wool panels in an array of earthy tones, including brown, green, blue, and mus...
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.