Valentino Black and Cream Wool Day Dress, Circa 1980's
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 36 in (91.44 cm)Marked Size: 8 (US)Bust: 35 in (88.9 cm)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Velvet trim and satin
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU10011148307
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.
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 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 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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Gianfranco Ferre Black and White Contrast Dress with Suspender detail Size 40By Gianfranco FerréLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Gianfranco Ferre dress features a side zipper. The black and white back is complimented by a embossed leather suspender detail. Made in Ita...Category
20th Century Italian Day Dresses
- Stella McCartney Bubble Style Metal Chain Halter Dress Size 40By Stella McCartneyLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Stella McCartney dress is made from a Light weight silk with elastic bottom. The bust and halter are structured with silver chain. There is a center back zipper closure for ease...Category
20th Century Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Pierre Balmain 'Couture' Black Linen Dress with Bow AccentBy Pierre BalmainLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a gorgeous COUTURE Pierre Balmain dress. The dress is composed of a wonderful black heavy weight linen. This three quarter dress features a front draped bow design and side b...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- Lovely 1950's Galanos Black Boat Neck DressBy GalanosLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a lovely Galanos dress. The dress features a boat neck accented with buttons and a wonderfully gathered waist line. An amazing design with perfect si...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- Geoffrey Beene Purple Wool Knit Cowl Neck Drape Dress & Wide Patent BeltBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a fantastic 3 piece dress from Geoffrey Beene. It is made of a purple knit fabric and consist of the dress, a cowl neck drape that is not attached and a black shiny wide belt...Category
1980s American Casual Dresses
- Brunello Cucinello Stretch Shirt Dress Size LBy Brunello CucinelliLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a wonderful Brunello Cucinello Dress. It features a wonderful silver center front detailing and back zipper. The dress is composed of a comfortable stretch cotton blend. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Casual Dresses
- Antonio Berardi FW-2004 Silk Sleeveless Print DressBy Antonio BerardiLocated in Brussels, BEDespite being born in the UK, Antonio Berardi’s roots are Sicilian ones, explaining his love of drama and femininity. This gorgeous silk dress, which mixes a variety of prints and mo...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Vintage EMANUEL UNGARO Boutique 1980s DAISY Black Parallele PARIS Dress XS/SBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Asheville, NCUngaro Boutique, Vintage 1980's, Sheer Cotton, Fully Lined, Belted, Straps Tie at Top, Five Round Buttons at Front, 2 Large Front Pockets, Daisy Floral Details on Top, Front and Bott...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Iconic Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968.By Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968. Olive green cotton tunic features laces at the front with long cords that are run through metal grommets, to be worn op...Category
1960s French Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Moschino Rare Teddy Valley of the Dolls - Runway DressBy Moschino CoutureLocated in Iba, PHMoschino RTW Spring 2017, Valley of the Dolls. One of Jeremy Scott's collection of life-size paper doll clothes. The trend has taken hold in a major way ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- S/S 1994 Gianni Versace Safety Pin Medusa Embellished Black Mini DressBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Concord, NCStunning Gianni Versace vintage black safety pin mini dress from the iconic Spring Summer 1994 punk inspired collection. The bodice of the dress is adorned with gold and silver Medus...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 1990's Moschino Cheap & Chic "Not Just A Pretty Dress" Velvet Studded DressBy Moschino Cheap and ChicLocated in Concord, NCMoschino Cheap and Chic 1990's black velvet form fitting dress with a whimsical quote studded on the front stating "Not Just A Pretty Dre...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses