1970s Valentino Black Velvet Evening Dress
View Similar Items
1970s Valentino Black Velvet Evening Dress
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.
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.
- Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top SetBy Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, Jean Paul GaultierLocated 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 - Christian Dior By John Galliano Fw 2004 Black Bias Cut Silk Slip DressBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in São Paulo, SPV-neckline Zig-zag detail at hemline Crossed straps on back Knee-length Invisible zipper side closure Pre-owned vintage condition; no major/noticeable flaws. Size FR38; slight stret...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli I Love You Logo Runway Evening Gown Dress F/W 2003 Size 40ITBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRoberto Cavalli - I Love You Logo Runway Evening Gown Dress. This dress is constructed with a sturdy zip up bodysuit/corset. The dress is made of ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
$9,940 Sale Price30% Off - Oscar de la Renta Elegant Strapless Black Feather Ball Gown S/S 2019 Size 2By Oscar De La RentaLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLOscar de la Renta - Elegant, black ostrich feather ball gown. This voluminous gown is made of tulle and ostrich feathers. The bodice has a deep cut sweetheart neckline. The fit is snug at the waist and flairs out like a sweeping princess gown...Category
2010s Ball Gowns
$12,600 Sale Price30% Off - Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld Black Blazer Dress with EmbellishmentsBy Karl Lagerfeld for FendiLocated in New York, NYFendi by Karl Lagerfeld Black Blazer Dress with Embellishments. Lagerfeld's time at Fendi is forever revered; his innovation left an indelible mark. This classic & sophisticated blaz...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dior silk ruffle gown, FW 2005By Christian DiorLocated in London, GBBeautiful silk black ruffle gown with button up detail on the left side and in the centre of the bust from the Galliano for Dior FW 2005 collection. Size: UK ...Category
Early 2000s European Evening Gowns
$1,530 Sale Price20% Off