1980s James Galanos Strapless Fishtail Black Wool Crepe Gown w/ Sinuous Crystals
By James Galanos
Located in Gresham, OR
1980s James Galanos Strapless Fishtail Black Wool Crepe Gown w/ Sinuous Crystals: Boned and structured bodice with inner zipper and side closure. Red crystal florals and rhinestones ...
2011 Vivienne Westwood blue taffeta off shoulder gown
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Austin, TX
Vivienne Westwood blue taffeta gown gold label off the shoulder, fishtail train fitted waist Condition: fair, water damage at hem, see video. Bust 34" , Waist 25" , Hips 39", Lengt...
Spectacular Alexander McQueen Runway Gown Black Silk Lace Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Berlin, BE
As if conjured from midnight sea-spray, this Spring/Summer 2012 Alexander McQueen gown unfurls like a dark bloom caught in motion. The bodice - sculpted close to the torso -disappear...
$1,295
Size: 42 / US 6 - 8
1990s Dolce & Gabbana Black Corset Dress Size 42 US 6 - 8 Vintage 90s Iconic LBD
By D&G by DOLCE & GABBANA, Dolce & Gabbana
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy and iconic late 90s DOLCE & GABBAN black bodycon corset dress ! A classic little black dress that is a timeless addition to any wardrobe. Corset style bodice with adjustable str...
Versace Iconic Sequins and Beads Multicolour Long Dress
By Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Versace Iconic Sequins and Beads Multicolour Long Dress Unique and rare long multicolour dress totally made in italy in italian size range 40 Beads and sequins all over
Y2K Thierry Mugler Couture Aqua Lamé Halter Top and Skirt
By Thierry Mugler Couture
Located in London, GB
This spectacular Y2K lamé top and skirt ensemble were couture crafted by Manfred Thierry Mugler circa 1998 to 2001. Designed by the master of empowering, hyper-feminine tailoring, th...
1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Semi-Sheer Black Extra Long Gown Dress
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Baar, CH
Rare 1997 Tom Ford for Gucci dress with original gold-tone "Illusion" hook belt, crafted from thick, body-molding jersey. - From the 1997 Cruise collection. - Comes with original ...
1990s Karl Lagerfeld Vintage Teal Blue Soft Angora Wool + Alpaca Trench Coat
By Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Sparks, NV
Amazing teal blue vintage coat by Karl Lagerfeld in a heavy wool, alpaca and angora blend. Oversized fit with notched lapels, thick sleeve cuffs and triangular patch pockets. Comes w...
Gucci New Silk Halter Jumpsuit
By Gucci
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous deep red silk jumpsuit from Gucci. It has a halter neckline crossing at the front then wrapping around the neck. There is a band at the waist and the pants portion are s...
Iconic Archival Alexander McQueen SS 2012 Laser Cut Silk Lace Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Berlin, BE
Absolutely iconic Alexander McQueen SS 2012 Laser Cut Spine Lace Dress. Exuding an enigmatic allure that's both cutting-edge and timeless, the Laser Cut Black Leather Lace Dress fro...
rare VERSACE 2022 Runway metal mesh chainmail Medusa safety pin top skirt IT38
By Donatella Versace, Versace
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare VERSACE 2022 Runway green purple metal mesh chainmail Medusa safety pin top skirt IT38 XS Reference: TGAS/D01069 Brand: Versace Designer: Donatella Versace Collection: 2022 - Ru...
$21,800
Size: 40 measurements in description
ROBERTO CAVALLI Black Beaded Plunging Draped Back Maxi Gown Tagged. 2007 NWT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
This is an exquisite floor-length evening gown (Tagged prod. 2007 Spring) that exudes timeless sophistication and allure. The dress features a plunging neckline with delicate spaghet...
1970's Color Block Silk Jacquard Gown with Scarf
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's color blocked silk jacquard gown with a matching red scarf. The camisole style neckline is cream and has thin straps. The waist is accented with a black band and a black over ...
Torso Creations Black Stretch Matte Satin Strapless Fishtail Gown w Back Tie
By Torso Creations
Located in Gresham, OR
Torso Creations Black Stretch Matte Satin Strapless Fishtail Gown w Back Tie: A fabulous 1950s-inspired silhouette, body-conscious with a dramatic fishtail train hemline and a larg...
1985 Jacqueline De Ribes black velvet RUNWAY couture gown sheer lace panels
By Jacqueline de Ribes
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Extremely rare Jacqueline de Ribes evening gown dating to 1985. Entirely hand-finished, the construction reflects the level of craftsmanship one would expect from haute couture. Desi...
Pierre Cardin Mod Leather Gloves, 1960s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Creation Pierre Cardin Paris Made by Aris Soft supple leather with the most MOD white patent leather applique cuff border. Truly a staple for any 60s mod collector of Cardin. Very...
Vintage VERSACE F/W 2005 Embellished Black Emerald Mini Cocktail Dress 42 US 6
By Versace
Located in Montgomery, TX
Vintage VERSACE Embellished Black Emerald Mini Cocktail Dress F/W 2005 Collection Designer Size 42 - US 6 Emerald green and black sequins over the tulle, inner corset, fully lined, s...
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.