Biki Milano Late 1940s Purple and Black Silk Halter Dress with Full Skirt
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage late 1940s (c. 1949) Biki Milano purple and black abstract patterned silk dress in the fitted bodice and full/circle skirted style that became so popular during the 1950s. ...
$280Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Beaded Tulle Mesh Scarf Wrap with Statement Fringe Tassels
Located in Honolulu, HI
Crafted on a delicate cream-toned tulle mesh, this piece features intricate tonal embroidery accented with subtle glass seed beadwork throughout the lace motifs. The hem is dramatic ...
2010s Chanel Black Cocktail Dress With Keyhole Neckline and Pleated Skirt Detail
By Chanel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Chanel 2010s black sleeveless cocktail dress with keyhole accents woven around a silk strap at neck. Seven inch pleat accents around hem give it a bit of an "I'd rather be playing te...
Printed chiffon sleeveless cocktail dress ROBERTO CAVALLI
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Printed chiffon sleeveless cocktail dress . Button and buttonhole closure on the top middle back. SIZE 38(Fr) M
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER F/W 1995 Runway "Mad Max" "Cyber" Collection Embroidered Top
Located in Berlin, BE
Jean Paul Gaultier Fall Winter 1995 Runway Circuit Board Top Brand: Jean Paul Gaultier Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier Collection / Year: Fall Winter 1995 Colour: Burgundy-pink Size: I...
Exotic Carved Resin Asian Theme Jeweled Versatile Evening Bag c 1990s
Located in University City, MO
Exotic carved resin Asian theme jeweled versatile evening bag designed by Maya c 1990s The unique frosted resin evening bag is designed with a Geisha style woman on the front exter...
Ceil Chapman 1950's Black Silk Chiffon Ruched Fit and Flare Cocktail Dress
By Ceil Chapman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A timeless 1950's Ceil Chapman black silk chiffon cocktail dress, beautifully designed with Chapman's signature attention to feminine draping and soft structure. It's clear to see wh...
Florida License Plate Custom Made Handbag With Crystals
Located in New York, NY
Florida recycled license plate tag custom made vintage handbag.Snap closure Metal embellished with different colors crystals Lined in felt.Please see pictures for condition reference...
Vintage 1930's Ice Blue Rayon & Pink Lace Nightdress Gown US 8-10 UK 4-6
Located in Nashville, TN
This elegant 1930's gown, rendered in the palest shade of ice blue silk rayon, decorated with pink lace accents and finished with a baby blue bow detail, is just the piece to welcom...
Richilene Vintage Black Lace Hand-Painted Silk Dress with Tags, 1970s
By Richilene
Located in Sparks, NV
Gorgeous vintage 1970s Richilene with the original $495 price tags still attached! Nude illusion black lace and hand-painted flowers. Silk ribbon sash. 100% Silk. Partially lined wit...
F/W 1998 Yves Saint Laurent velvet and sheer gown with batwing sleeves
Located in Austin, TX
F/W 1998 Yves Saint Laurent velvet and sheer gown with batwing sleeves Condition: Excellent. Size Small
Orange guipure dress GALLIANO
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Orange guipure dress . Lace composition: modal. Sheer jersey lining until the knees. Invisible zip and hook&eye closure on the middle back. Split on both side on the front. Adjustabl...
Sable Suede Shearling Short Jacket with hood Small
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Luxurious vintage suede leather sable shearling jacket with attached hood We offer more exclusive items, view our frontstore. Details: Suede leather shearling trimmed with sable ,...
VERA WANG c. 2012 Liquid Silk Ruched Black Backless Evening Gown Maxi Dress
By Vera Wang
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Vera Wang c. 2012 style seen on Vera Wang herself Jet black 100% silk Ruched and so sexy / flattering the way it falls in the front Extremely low back Invisible back zip Size IT44 Ex...
Mam’selle by Betty Carol 1959 Black Petal Puff Long Sleeve Dress, Documented
By Betty Carol
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Utterly fabulous Betty Carol for Mam'selle 1959/1960 taffeta and wool dress. Sculptural and seamlessly of-it's-time, yet bewilderingly light years ahead. Mam’selle was one ...
Christian Dior by Marc Bohan Fall 1985 Red Silk Taffeta Ruffle Dress, Runway
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Utterly fabulous red silk taffeta voluminous ruffle dress from Marc Bohan's Fall 1985 collection for Christian Dior. At the time, WWD described the collection as "young at heart, nau...
VERA WANG 2000 Vintage Silk Floral Ruffle Halter Evening Gown Maxi Dress
By Vera Wang
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Vera Wang Vintage 2000 Vibrant unique floral print Ruffle shredded effect Halter neck hook-and-eyes and snaps for easy on and off Pullover Has a loop for pick-up Size USA 8 but fits...
Loris Azzaro 1970's Pink Silver Beaded High Halter Neck Fit and Flare Gown
By Loris Azzaro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A dress fit for a princess by the fabulous Tunisian born French-Italian designer, Loris Azzaro. The professor-turned-designer began designing in 1962, and by 1967 he had launched the...
PHILOSOPHY DI ALBERTA FERRETTI Vintage Silk Jewel Encrusted Backless Dress
By Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Vintage 100% silk Fuchsia Purple Cowl neck, flutter sleeve, ruched front, it's so so good and romantic Stunning rock jewels Pullover Size IT44 Excellen...
Vivienne Westwood Fall 1992 Ivory Wool Gabardine Double Breasted Pant Suit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A holy grail for the fashion obsessed—Vivienne Westwood Fall 1992 pant suit. The Dame herself wore this design! This is the type of archival vintage that we can confidently endorse a...
GUCCI by TOM FORD 2002 Vintage Slinky Body Hugging Extra Long Gown Maxi Dress
By Gucci
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Tom Ford for Gucci Vintage 2002 Jet black Semi-sheer stretch Extra long sleeves and length Sexy back slit Pullover Size IT40 Excellent condition, minor feeling of wear Measurements ...
GUCCI metallic purple 2004 JEWELED DRAGON PYTHON Shoulder Bag
By Gucci
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Gucci by Tom Ford shoulder bag in striking metallic purple python. This rare statement piece is defined by the iconic jeweled double dragon buckle, a signature of Tom ...
Brown wool Trench-coat CHRISTIAN DIOR by JOHN GALLIANO
By Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Brown wool Trench-coat . Main fabric composition: 92% wool, 8% metal. Branded Lining composition: 100% silk Hidden oversize snap closure on the front, on the pocket and on the should...
Vintage 1950s Emerald Green Satin Evening Bag Rhinestone Details After five
Located in Nashville, TN
This beautiful 1950's emerald green satin evening bag, accented by gold toned metal hardware which is in turn embellished with set in rhinestones in shades of silver and emerald gree...
F/W 2004 Emporio Armani Black Beaded Bias Cut Sequin Embellished Evening Dress
Located in Sheffield, GB
Fall / Winter 2004 Emporio Armani bias cut evening dress. Crafted in 100% Pure Silk with intricate hand sewn sequin work, featuring a draped silhouette with fitted waistline and ruff...
Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Spring 2004 Black Leather Belted Military Jacket
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A coveted archival piece seen on the runway for Tom Ford's legendary Spring 2004 collection for Yves Saint Laurent. The sophisticated and sexy silhouette is of a supple, jet-black la...
Canevas and leather monogramme mule CHRISTIAN DIOR
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Canevas and leather monogramme mule. Shoe size : 40 Heel's height : 12cm Plateforme's height : 2cm
PRADA black CROCODILE MINIMALISTIC Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Prada Crocodile Square Shoulder Bag is a striking example of timeless luxury and craftsmanship. Crafted from black crocodile leather, it features a structured squ...
$344Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 1980s Wayne M. Kleski Black Beaded Art Deco Revival Flapper Mini Pouch B
Located in Honolulu, HI
An exquisite 1980s Art Deco revival mini pouch necklace bag by renowned designer Wayne M. Kleski. Crafted with intricate black seed beads, bugle beads, and delicate embroidery, this...
Purple Plateforme sandals with rhinestone embellishment EMANUEL UNGARO
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Purple Plateforme sandals with rhinestone embellishment tied around the ankle. SHOE SIZE = 40 Heel's height : 13cm Plateforme's height : 2cm
Jeweled Shell Corded Belt
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Jeweled Shell Corded Belt from the 1980's. Resin molded mussel shell set with large crystals attached to a super long double brown cord to wrap as desired, either as belt or ...
Donald Brooks 1960s Vintage Plaid Wool Jacket with Leather Bobble Buttons
Located in Sparks, NV
Gorgeous tailored plaid jacket by Donald Brooks in a vibrant plaid. Black leather bobble buttons and couture hand stitched detailing. Medium weight wool. Details: Fully Lined Side ...
Jersey printed evening dress ROBERTO CAVALLI
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Jersey printed evening dress. Jersey composition: 88% nylon, 12% elastane Gather on the middle front and middle back SIZE 44 (It) 40 (Fr) M
Brown leather pump MANOLO BLAHNIK
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Brown leather pump. Heel's height : 9,5cm Shoe size: 38 1/2
Travilla Vintage Metallic Hand Painted Flowers Nude Illusion Dress
By Travilla
Located in Sparks, NV
Phenomenal vintage dress by William Travilla with a hand painted floral design. Sheer black mesh bell sleeves and nude illusion upper. *Please note: There is a very tiny break in ...
Exquisite Lynx Coat Light weight Mid lenght
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Beautiful high quality very stylish vintage lynx/bobcat coat Rare to find We offer more exclusive items, view our front store Details: Very soft, supple and light weight With 2 si...
Hermes Kelly Messenger PM Evercolour New Blue Jean PHW
By Hermès
Located in Toronto, ON
Hermes Kelly Messenger PM Evercolour New Blue Jean PHW. Kelly crossbody messenger bag in evercolour leather, palladium plated hardware. Date st...
CHANEL black leather 25K PEARL HEEL STRETCH Ankle Boots Shoes 38.5
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel boots in black stretch lambskin leather, featuring a contrasting patent leather toe cap for a polished two-texture finish. These luxury Chanel boots are cut to ...
1950s Demi Couture Red Tulle 50s Cocktail Dress with Detachable Bertha Collar
Located in San Diego, CA
Size: US Small Bust: 34 inches Waist: 26 inches Hips: Free Length: 38 inches from top back shoulder seam to hem Exceptional 1950s demi-couture lipstick red tulle cocktail dress featuring a dramatic detachable Bertha collar and classic full-skirted New Look silhouette. Beautifully constructed and wonderfully versatile, this vintage 1950s cocktail dress...
GALLIANO Vintage Black Silk Blend Textured Jacquard Halter Neck Evening Gown
Located in Leonardo, NJ
John Galliano Vintage Jet black textured dotted jacquard pattern Silk blend, very soft Halter neck with open back Adjustable tie front Invisible side zip Size IT42 NWT's, no flaws I...
1990’s Classic Beige BURBERRY Vintage Trench Coat - Long Jacket
By Burberry
Located in Sheffield, GB
An Iconic 1990’s Vintage Burberry trench coat. Crafted in the classic beige gabardine fabric with double breasted buttons down the front, original waist belt, wrist cuffs and collar ...
ALBERTA FERRETTI 2011 Vintage Silk Peach Ruffle Slip Gown Maxi Dress
By Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Vintage Runway FW11 100% silk outer Peach color The dress is really one peachy color, but because of the sheerness and then thicker silk, it appears to...
JUDITH LEIBER Semi-precious Dangling Cabochon Brown Krung Leather Belt c 1980s
Located in University City, MO
JUDITH LEIBER Semi precious dangling cabochon brown krung embossed leather belt c 1980s The unique narrow belt is adorned with malachite & jasper brown glass cabochons with gold ...
Hermes Green Tri-Color Ostrich Kelly Retourne 32 Handbag PHW
By Hermès
Located in Toronto, ON
Hermes Green Tri-Color Ostrich Kelly Retourne 32 Handbag PHW Limited edition Bamboo swift, etoupe clemence, and vert veronese ostrich leathers palladium plated brass hardware White ...
BADGLEY MISCHKA Vintage Corset Black Mesh Net Beaded Floral Motif Evening Gown
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Badgley Mischka Vintage Black with black embellishments Hard boning all around upper waist Extremely sexy and flattering Has straps can be worn with or tucked in Back zip Size USA 6 ...
SUE WONG 00's Vintage Silk Black Beaded Evening Gown w. Train Maxi Dress
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Sue Wong Vintage 2000's Jet black 100% silk outer Beaded Adjustable tie open back Pullover Size USA 6 but fits XS to Small NWT's, excellent condition, no flaws This dress is sooo hot...
$716Sale Price|20% Off
New Balenciaga Perforated Patent Leather Heels Sz 40
By Balenciaga
Located in Conroe, TX
Balenciaga Heels Brand New * Stunning in Black Patent Leather * Ties at the Front * Perforated Leather Front * Slight Platform * .75" Front Platform * 4.25" Back Heel * With Box, Dus...
Resort 2008 CHANEL by Karl Lagerfeld Black Cut Out Sequin Mini Dress
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Sheffield, GB
2008 Resort CHANEL by Karl Largerfeld mini dress, crafted in a Zig Zag textured stretchy black jersey, with a cut out mesh panel detail around the bust, embellished with black crucif...
ROBERTO CAVALLI 2001 Vintage Psychedelic Print Chain Accent Maxi Dress
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Roberto Cavalli Vintage Runway print SS01 Opaque and stretchy Yellow gold chain Pullover Size Small Excellent condition, straps seem to be stretched out, so I have them clipped on th...
Pale pink satin pump with rhinestone embellishment MANOLO BLAHNIK
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pale pink satin pump with rhinestone embellishment. Heel's height : 10cm Shoe size : 38 (It)
KIESELSTEIN-CORD light blue PYTHON FROG FRAME Shoulder Bag
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Kieselstein-Cord shoulder bag in light blue and grey python. Features a structured frame construction with a long flat shoulder strap and gold Art Bronze hardware, hig...
Koji Tatsuno Rare 1990's Grey Blazer with Exaggerated Collar
Located in Berlin, BE
Koji Tatsuno Vintage Grey with Blue Pinstripes 1990’s Blazer Brand: Koji Tatsuno Designer: Koji Tatsuno Color: Grey with blue pinstripes Fabric: Wool Made in Italy Koji Tatsuno i...
Black silk jersey evening dress with ruffles JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER Maille
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black silk jersey evening dress with ruffles. Jersey composition: 85% silk, 15% elastane. The sleeve are made of rayon SIZE M
Yellow printed cotton dress THIERRY MUGLER
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Yellow printed cotton dress . Rayon lining inside the waist. Shoulder pad. Snap closure on the middle front. Fabric belt tied on the front. SIZE 38 (Fr) M
Vintage 1930s navy blue knitted skirt suit longline cardigan US 10 UK 14
Located in Nashville, TN
A rare set to behold, this original vintage 1930's navy blue knitted set, comprised of a longline cardigan and skirt, rendered in the most classic shade of navy blue, is just the per...
Louis Vuitton by Virgil Abloh Beige Teddy Bear Sweater 2021
By Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous oatmeal beige heavy weight cotton knit sweater by Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton. The sweater is long sleeved with a crew neckline and a 9" stuffed bear with a LV scarf an...
Brand New Casadei Gold Leopard Mules Heels Size 6
By Casadei
Located in Conroe, TX
Casadei Brand New With Box Size 6 Please Note: We feel these run a half size small. Gold Leather Fabric Leopard Print Footbed Wood Detailed Heel Leather Sole 4" Heel With Box &am...
Celine 1994 Vintage Macadam Women's Tote Bag Italy 15.35x11.02 Inches
By Celine
Located in Port Hope, ON
Celine Vipiana was the principal designer and guiding creative force behind this 1994 Celine Macadam Tote, having founded the luxury house of Celin...
Chanel Ivory Black AW 1991 Vintage Rib Wool Knit Cardigan and Leggings Set - 40
By Chanel
Located in Toronto, ON
Chanel Ivory Black AW 1991 Vintage Rib Wool Knit Cardigan and Leggings Set Black grosgrain ribbon trim goldtone CC logo buttons ribbed knit elastic pull on pants marked size FR 40 ...
Hermes Brides de Gala en Fleurs Silk Scarf 90 Black Ivory Multicolor NWST
By Hermès
Located in Ottawa, CA
Brides de Gala en Fleurs - Noir / Ivoire / Multicolore - NWST - 2609291923 Brand: Hermès Type/Model: Carré 90 Silk Twill Design Name: Brides de Gala en Fleurs, Gala Bridles in Bloom...
Fashion is littered with stories we can’t help but consume with voracity. Behind the world’s revered luxury houses and designers, there are often accounts of modest beginnings that gave way to the resonant work we’ve cherished all of our lives.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel learned to sew under the tutelage of nuns in an orphanage. Later, as an impoverished teenager at a boarding school in central France, clad in the drab clothes of the underclass compared to those of her classmates, she furthered her needlework skills. By the early 1900s, she was helming a hat shop with help from her sister and her aunt.
Chanel made spare, unadorned hats at first, and the now-momentous “little black dress,” published in the form of a sketch in Vogue in 1926, symbolized her intention to design for all social classes. Working with simple lines and ordinary fabrics, Chanel created garments that she hoped would encourage women to leave extravagant clothes behind. The young milliner would soon become pivotal to the evolution of both covetable casual wear and handmade high-fashion apparel, building a brand that has influenced countless designers all over the world.
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only,” Chanel said. “Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
Around the same time, a young former hotel bellboy named Guccio Gucci began to sell imported leather luggage from a small retail space in his native Florence, and it wouldn’t be long before he was overseeing a number of artisans who were making leather goods and other accessories. With the help of his sons, he opened a second shop in Rome and later launched his handbags, wallets and more.
There are people like Chanel and Gucci, sometimes of meager means, working in near obscurity to create lasting and innovative garments and accessories that today fill the interiors of our favorite boutiques and, ultimately, the closets of our home.
There are family-owned luxury-goods companies, such as Hermès in Paris, which began as a saddle manufacturer in the 1800s, serving the era’s carriage trade before it would expand to include venerable handbags as well as its numerous silk scarves, each emblazoned with a richly decorative design.
For many of us, the narratives behind the ornate monograms that adorn these iconic works are just as important as the items themselves.
Haute couture from the House of Chanel — practical, form-fitting evening dresses and menswear made of fine tweeds — has a long lineage, but now it’s earned a legitimate place in museums as often as it has in the homes of modern marquee influencers. Vintage Yves Saint Laurent leather clutches and handbags couldn’t have aged better over time, either. The French luxury fashion label’s long history of vibrant, gender-blurring designs, including the revolutionary Mondrian minidress in 1965, owe to the creative inclinations of a young Yves, who made paper dolls as a child and designed dresses for the women in his family by the time he was a teenager.
The appeal of vintage and designer clothing — whether it’s nostalgia for ’80s fashion treasures like oversize blazers or the bright and elaborate patterns that characterize sundresses of the 1960s — endures, and our appetite for irreplaceable garments as well as their riveting origin stories won’t recede anytime soon. An authentic handbag or purse from Hermès isn’t merely durable and alluring. The Birkin, for example, is hand-sewn according to Hermès’s centuries-old saddle-stitching technique, comes in a variety of exotic leathers and is also a savvy investment.
“The Birkin’s value has consistently risen and never fluctuated downward,” says Reece Morgan, head of handbags and accessories for Xupes, citing the fact that “production has been highly limited to maintain its unattainable aura.” In fact, he adds, Hermès has been “scaling back production each year.”
Today, we’re captivated by the work of prodigious Illinois-born talent Virgil Abloh, who not only triumphed in the fashion world with his Milan-based streetwear label Off-White, but was also a visual artist, a furniture designer and more. In 2018, Abloh, who learned about fashion from his seamstress mother, became one of the first Black designers to head a French luxury fashion house, having secured an artistic director role at Louis Vuitton.
“His clothing turns wearers into accomplices of his grand artistic scheme,” Michael Darling, the chief curator at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art, wrote of Abloh’s work.
On 1stDibs, you can revel in the stories behind the fashion we love and browse everything from classic, one-of-a-kind gowns crafted by Parisian couturiers to stylish, modern streetwear designed by forward-looking brands. Shop 19th-century Louis Vuitton trunks or kaleidoscopic and colorful 1960s skirts by Emilio Pucci or edgy ensembles by visionary designers like Azzedine Alaïa. Your fashion journey begins right here.