Vintage Valentino 1990s Does 1940s Size 4 navy Blue White Polka Dot 90s Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 4 (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 50 in (127 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 37 in (93.98 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU66212062132
Valentino
The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani (b. 1932) is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. Valentino dresses, skirts and other apparel captured the hearts of many of Italy’s wealthiest ladies in the couturier’s early days and led to commissions from Babe Paley, Gloria Guinness, Jayne Wrightsman and others on the international best-dressed list (when it still meant something). They sought out Valentino for gorgeous gowns, jackets, elegant daytime wear and even when they needed wedding dresses.
An early fascination with fashion developed when Valentino attended the theater as a child and was dazzled by the evening gowns on stage. While a teenager in Voghera, Lombardy, he studied under Italian designer Ernestina Salvadeo and soon moved to Paris, where he trained at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Valentino spent time apprenticing under haute couturiers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, learning how to design and construct high fashion while also thinking about how to strike out on his own.
In 1959, Valentino returned to Italy, and a year later, he opened his own salon, soon joining with longtime professional and personal partner Giancarlo Giammetti. It was located on Rome’s trendy Via Condotti and modeled after the French maisons. One of his earliest clients was Elizabeth Taylor, who discovered Valentino while she was in Rome filming Cleopatra and ordered the white dress that she wore to the premiere of Spartacus.
When the designer launched his first couture line in 1962 with its fiery red colors, it was internationally celebrated, with Valentino soon attiring fashion trendsetters including Princess Margaret and Audrey Hepburn. He formed an especially close friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for whom he designed numerous dresses. Luxurious drapery with fine needlework, bold uses of color and dramatic flourishes would define Valentino fashion across the decades.
As a fashion house, Valentino is best known for its signature Valentino Red color, though one of its iconic lines is the monochromatic “no colour” collection for which the designer won the Neiman Marcus Award in 1967. (The collection also debuted his trademark “V.”) The white dresses and beige dresses led to a demand for Valentino wedding gowns, with clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez and Anne Hathaway.
Valentino retired from his fashion empire in 2007, with Alessandra Facchinetti and then the duo Maria Grazia Chiuri (who departed in 2016) and Pierpaolo Piccioli succeeding him as creative directors. But Valentino still steps out of retirement for special occasions, such as designing a wedding gown for Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013.
Today, the brand offers a range of collections that include the Valentino Garavani line and REDValentino, a diffusion line that is aimed at a younger audience. The house has expanded far beyond women’s haute couture and prêt-à-porter to encompass various lines of accessories, including shoes, sunglasses, scarves and perfume.
Find vintage Valentino evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1980s Vintage Victor Costa Size 12 Tropical Hawaiian Avant Garde 80s Maxi DressBy Victor CostaLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous vintage late 80s VICTOR COSTA taffeta flower gown / maxi dress! Features a tropical flower print in vibrant colors of pink, fuchsia, blu...Category
1980s American Maxi Dresses
- Incredible Vintage Angelo Tarlazzi Paris Royal Blue Polka Dot Avant Garde DressBy Angelo TarlazziLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing vintage Angelo Tarlazzi blue silk taffeta strapless dress! Drop-waist, with ruched detail at waist to make for a very slimming effect. ...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Baron Peters Navy Blue + White Checkered Rayon Crepe Vintage 60s DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic mid 60s BARON PETERS for Dorothy Stead of Georgetown long sleeve navy blue and white rayon crepe dress! Dorothy Stead was a high end boutique in Geor...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1940s Demi Couture Navy Blue + Pale Pink Short Sleeve 40s Vintage Gown / DressLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful vintage 1940s demi couture navy blue and light pink short sleeve crepe gown! Features a gathered sweetheart neckline with pale pink lace above the bust. Pale pink ruffle al...Category
1940s Evening Gowns
- Chic Pamella Roland Light Purple Lilac Beaded Bib Collar Bubble Grecian DressBy Pamella RolandLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous Pamella / Pamela Roland dress! Prettiest light purple lilac silk fabric, that drapes in all the right areas. Oversized rhinestone attached...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Dresses
- Runway Marc Jacobs Sz 2 / 4 Periwinkle Blue Ruched A-Line Babydoll Cotton DressBy Marc JacobsLocated in San Diego, CAStraight from the Marc Jacobs Runway! This beautiful Marc Jacobs number features an incredible amount of workmanship that is oh so flattering to the fi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Pink Ascot Dress & Jacket S/S 2008 Sz 4By Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRalph Lauren Purple Label - Flirty pink and black dress with matching jacket. This dress was featured on the Spring/Summer 2008 40th Anniversary ...Category
Early 2000s American Informal Dresses
- Diane Von Furstenberg Silk Mid-Length Dress in MulticolourBy Diane von FurstenbergLocated in Carnate, ITDiane Von Furstenberg Silk Mid-Length Dress in Multicolour Diane Von Furstenberg silk dress in shades of blue and pink. Three-quarter length slightly batwing sleeves, beaded necklin...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Vintage Cotton Maxi DressLocated in Carnate, ITVintage Cotton Maxi Dress Vintage dress no logo. Size and composition label missing. Purple / blue color. Fits an Italian 42. Measures 2...Category
Mid-20th Century Maxi Dresses
- 1970S ROLAND's OF ROME Pink & Black Silk Jersey Pucci Leonard Style Long SleevLocated in New York, NY1970S ROLAND's OF ROME Pink & Black Silk Jersey Pucci Leonard Style Long Sleeve DressCategory
1970s Italian Day Dresses
- 1970S Royal Purple & Gold Japanese Silk KimonoLocated in New York, NY1970S Royal Purple & Gold Japanese Silk KimonoCategory
1970s Japanese Day Dresses
- 1950S Black & Sapphire Blue Rayon Lace Cocktail DressBy Francise of NassauLocated in New York, NY1950S Black & Sapphire Blue Rayon Lace Cocktail DressCategory
1950s American Day Dresses