1970s Yuki Gnyuki Torimaru Black Silk Batwing Top and Maxi Skirt Suit
By Yuki, Gnyuki Torimaru
Located in London, GB
This dramatic draped three-piece silk ensemble by Yuki is a striking example of designer Gnyuki
1970s Yuki Gnyuki Torimaru Black Silk Batwing Top and Maxi Skirt Suit
By Yuki, Gnyuki Torimaru
Located in London, GB
This dramatic draped three-piece silk ensemble by Yuki is a striking example of designer Gnyuki
Yuki Torimaru pleated columnar evening gown, Circa 1987
By Yuki
Located in London, GB
Yuki is a Japanese fashion designer based in London. Like many fashion designers of his generation
1970s Yuki For Rembrandt Draped Black Jersey Dress With Gathered Waistline
By Gnyuki Torimaru, Yuki
Located in London, GB
This dramatic 1970s black draped jersey dress by Yuki for Rembrandt is a striking example of
1970s Yuki London White Gown
By Yuki
Located in London, GB
A lovely gown by Gryuki Torimaru under his Yuki London label. The gown is in a white jersey
Dramatic Draped Waterfall Liquid Jersey Dress by Yuki. 1970's.
By Gnyuki Torimaru
Located in University City, MO
Rare waterfall Grecian style draped dress of magenta/deep pink liquid jersey by Yuki. Incredible
Yuki draped jersey dress. circa 1970s
By Yuki
Located in London, GB
Yuki Torimaru may not be as familiar as other Japanese designers such as Yohji Yamamoto and Issey
1980s Yves Saint Laurent Ivory + Gold Vintage 80s One Piece Swimsuit
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and classic early 1980s YVES SAINT LAURENT ivory / off-white and gold seashell print one piece halter swimsuit / bodysuit! Features a flattering ruched waist that hides any...
Valentino Celadon 1970's Ensemble
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Charming Valentino Celadon Ensemble from the 1970's comprising a silk crepe printed shirt and scarf with cotton twill full skirt. Soft silk crepe de chine pink floral print on celado...
Rare Bill Gibb Devore Silk Velvet Evening Ensemble
By Bill Gibb
Located in Geneva, CH
Incredible early 70s "dévoré" silk velvet and gold lame set composed of a short kimono-caftan and a long buttoned maxi skirt. The top is cut wide with sleeves opening down the waist....
$2,495
Size: 44 / US 10 - 12
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Sz 44 Black Corset / Bustier Dress YSL
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Drop dead gorgeous vintage Yves Saint Laurent 'Rive Gauche' YSL black dress! Quite possibly the most flattering dress I have ever seen! This rare beauty does wonders for the body! Co...
Rochas Vintage Inspired Harlow Bias Cut Silk Gown NWT
By Christian Dior, Rochas
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...
John Galliano Pink Silk Gown
By John Galliano
Located in Water Mill, NY
A spectacular John Galliano silk gown in ombre shades of pink. The bodice has spaghetti straps and gathers onto 2 angled bands crossing at the waist. It has a 2 tier skirt, the sho...
1990s Valentino Black Chiffon and Velvet Dress Shirt Dress
By Valentino
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Amazing 1990s Valentino little black shirt dress from Holt Renfrew Canada. Top is black chiffon with a pussy bow tie, sheer bishop sleeves and delicate ruching at shoulders. Jet blac...
Valentino New Off White Silk Jumpsuit with Open Back
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous off white silk jumpsuit by Valentino. It has a crew neckline, blouson bodice, dolman sleeves with zipper wrists, full legs and an open slit from the neck to the waist in ...
EPIC John Galliano Evening Gown Black Silk Dress FW 08/09
By John Galliano
Located in Berlin, BE
This black silk evening gown by John Galliano, from his Fall/Winter 08/09 Collection is one of those moments: a love letter to the art of couture at its most theatrical and refined. ...
F/W 1999 Chloé by Stella McCartney Runway Maroon Bodycon Backless Cowl Dress
By Stella McCartney, Chloé
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Fall/Winter 1999 Chloé by Stella McCartney maroon bodycon dress features a draped cowl neckline that mirrors the dramatic open back, connected by a delicate strap. Debuting on...
Michael Casey Couture Vintage Sculptural 3-Piece Skirt Suit Ensemble
By Michael Casey
Located in Sparks, NV
Phenomenal 3-piece skirt suit by Michael Casey. This ensemble features a cropped bolero jacket, a sculptural peplum bodice with decorative buttons up the front, and a pencil skirt th...
Alexander McQueen Slip Dress with Applique Skirt 1990s
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Water Mill, NY
An adorable black silk slip dress from an early collection of Alexander McQueen's. It has spaghetti straps, a sweetheart neckline and a low cut back. It is semi fitted through a the ...
Runway Yves Saint Laurent S/S 1989 Lipstick Red Rayon Jersey Strapless 80s Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Sensational vintage YSL Rive Gauche spring / summer 1989 runway lipstick red rayon jersey strapless 1980s dress ! The same dress was featured on the runway in black. Sash at side wai...
$1,550
Size: 36 ( 2 / 4 )
1990s Christian Lacroix Avant Garde Size 36 2 /4 Vintage Black 90s Skater Dress
By Christian Lacroix Paris, Christian Lacroix
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic early 90s CHRISTIAN LACROIX Avant Garde black rayon skater dress! Features a tailored boned bodice with curved edges at each armpit. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-eye ...
$864Sale Price|20% Off
DIOR 2017 Runway red crushed velvet cream lace trim pleated dress FR34 XS
By Christian Dior
Located in Hong Kong, NT
DIOR 2017 Runway red crushed velvet cream lace trim pleated dress FR34 XS Reference: GEGG/A00086 Brand: Dior Designer: Maria Grazia Chiuri Collection: Pre Fall 2017 - Runway As seen ...
1970's YVES SAINT LAURENT long plum jersey gown with matching sash
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Exceptional, deep-plum jersey gown with deep V neckline, billowy sleeves and wrap belt from Yves Saint Laurent dating to the late 1970's. Labeled a French size 36". Approximate measu...
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.