Valentino Red Day Dress Circa 1980's
View Similar Items
Valentino Red Day Dress Circa 1980's
About the Item
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.
- 1960's Galanos Black Silk Chiffon GownBy GalanosLocated in Toronto, OntarioStunning and elegant late 1960's Galanos couture black silk chiffon gown. Fitted halter style bodice with vertical gathering at bust and horizontal ...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- 1980s Chloe Black Dress with Colourful BeadingBy ChloéLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Chloe dress with beaded cuffs and pockets. Designed by Karl Lagerfeld, this Chloe dress features his immaculate use of intricate beading on simple bl...Category
1980s French Casual Dresses
- Chanel RTW Autumn 2007 Red and White Wool ShirtdressBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioChanel shirtdress from the Autumn 2007 runway collection. This dress was look 5/67 on the runway under the glass dome of the Grand Palais, and worn by Behati Prinsloo. Vibrant red wo...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- 1960's Pucci Blue & Green Printed DressBy Emilio PucciLocated in Toronto, OntarioClassic silk jersey dress from the 60's, a combination of blue, green and black Pucci print. Looks great for all seasons. Zipper up the back of the neck. In excellent vintage condition.Category
1960s Italian Sheath Dresses
$625 Sale Price24% Off - 1950s Helen Rose Black DressBy Helen RoseLocated in Toronto, OntarioBeautifully constructed, this simple silk Helen Rose from the 1950's is the most classic LBD. The U neckline is balanced by the elbow length sleeves and seams down the sides of the b...Category
1950s American Day Dresses
- 1960's Geoffrey Beene Black Silk GownBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Toronto, OntarioSimple and stunning beautiful Geoffrey Beene 1960s gown. Sleeveless with curved seams at the waist that create a full skirt that with beautiful draping. Invisible zipper up the back ...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- F/W 1994 Chanel Black & White Faux Fur Mini Dress by Karl LagerfeldBy Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in Concord, NCChanel by Karl Lagerfeld black and white faux fur mini dress from the Fall Winter 1994 collection and as seen on the runway on Naomi Campbell. Ultra rare faux fur dress from the F/W...Category
1990s European Day Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Red Satin Silk Embellished Draped Strapless Dress MBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBA beautiful red silk midi sleeveless dress from Dolce & Gabbana presenting a boned corset top for extra support and an embellished waistband. This dress has been made in Italy and is...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$434 Sale Price30% Off - Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top SetBy Jean Paul Gaultier, Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Vintage Japanese Golden Eagle Koi Fish Kendall Jenner Wave Yellow Mesh Sheer Transparent Wrap T-shirt Skirt Top Dress Golden Japanese Eagle...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
$1,999 Sale Price30% OffFree Shipping - Chanel champagne sequins dress F/W 2001 FR 40By ChanelLocated in Rubiera, RECHANEL dress F/W 2001 collection A-line dress in beige melange tweed and champagne sequins; on the front martingale belt with logo buttons; short sleeve; zip on the back. Size Fr 40...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gucci Iridescent Emerald Green Pleated Silk Blend Mini Dress 38 ITBy GucciLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBrand: Gucci Product: Pleated Silk Blend Mini Dress Size: 38 It Colour: Emerald Green Material Silk 65% & Polyester 35% Condition: Pristine; New Or Never Worn Details -...Category
2010s Day Dresses
- Saint Laurent Black Evening Gown With Crystal Details 38 FRBy Saint LaurentLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWThis exquisitely crafted Saint Laurent black evening gown features shimmering crystals and is sure to catch all eyes at your next special event. The delicate crystal details will lea...Category
2010s Day Dresses