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
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
Louis Feraud Vintage 1974 Black Wool Blend Cut Out Maxi Dress
By Louis Feraud Paris, Louis Feraud
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Louis Feraud Vintage 1974 Black Wool Blend Cut Out Maxi Dress Decorative cutout neckline designer dress by Louis Féraud Made in Germany 1974 Black Full-length Long sleeves with f...
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...
Fall 2005 Alexander McQueen 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' Full Lace Back Dr Runway
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
BLACK SILK JERSEY DRESS FROM ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2005 WITH A LOW LACE BACK This is a stunning evening dress made of black stretch jersey with sheer lace on the back. This gorgeous, ic...
Stunning Thierry Mugler Archival FW 1986 Evening Gown Crystal Black Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Gorgeous extremely rare Iconic Thierry Mugler Evening Dress, FW 1986 Collection "Les Voleuses" Museum worthy Collectors Piece The most dramatic evening gown with amazing crystal rhi...
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
MUGLER Crystal Teardrop Corset Top Rhinestone Corsage
By Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Spectacular Mugler Teardrop Corset Top. The beautiful piece showcases Thierry Mugler's signature blend of bold structure and feminine elegance. Crafted in a delicate powder blue, the...
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 ...
Gorgeous Iconic Thierry Mugler Gown SS1999 Evening Dress Silver Lucite Details
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Museum worthy collectors piece. This 1999 LES SALADES creation by Thierry Mugler is truly beautiful. The silhouette is gorgeous: a long column that skims the figure with surgical pre...
Jenny Packham Black Silk Embellished Waist Halter Maxi Dress
By Jenny Packham
Located in Boca Raton, FL
coming soon
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...
Vintage NWT Valentino FW Runway 2006 Sheer Side Silk Embellished Dress Gown US 6
By Valentino Garavani
Located in Montgomery, TX
NWT Vintage Valentino Sheer Side Silk Embellished Dress Gown US size - 6 F/W Runway 2006 This is a stunning Valentino and it is almost shocking when you realize how deep that side pa...
BADGLEY MICSHKA Vintage Beaded Evening Gown Maxi Dress
By Badgley Mischka
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Badgley Mischka Vintage USA size 12 Excellent Condition, no flaws gorgeous all over beadwork Measurements in inches laying flat: length 60+, pit to pit 17 to 18, smallest of waist 1...
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...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2006 lilac black lace one shoulder bias gown dress IT40 S
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2006 lilac black lace one shoulder bias gown dress IT40 S Reference: TGAS/D01019 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Lee Alexander McQueen Collection: 2006 Material:...
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...
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1997 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Black Sequin Embroidered Bird Dress
By Givenchy, Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1997 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Black Sequin Embroidered Bird Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Givenchy Couture Collection: A/W 1997- Runway look #20 Designer: Alexander McQu...
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.