Dolce & Gabbana purple silk evening maxi dress, c. 1990s
View Similar Items
Dolce & Gabbana purple silk evening maxi dress, c. 1990s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 38 - IT 42 - UK 10 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14027528352
Dolce & Gabbana
Shapely lingerie models, animal and floral prints and the Mediterranean heritage of Sicily have come to define the romantic and sensual style of Dolce & Gabbana, a leading international brand that from its earliest days of corsetry, copious lace and provocative silhouettes has challenged fashion with an audacious vision for femininity.
After meeting in Milan in 1980 while they were both working for Italian designer Giorgio Correggiari, Domenico Dolce (b. 1958) and Stefano Gabbana (b. 1962) would go on to establish their eponymous fashion empire in 1982. Three years later, a breakthrough for the duo materialized in the form of an up-and-coming talent showcase at Milan Fashion Week, where they unveiled an approach to fashion design that broke sharply from that of the era’s reigning Italian houses. By then romantic partners as well as a business, Dolce & Gabbana were outsiders. Soon, their distinctive garments — sexy, feathery skirts and stretchy jersey evening dresses that favored full figures — demanded the fashion world’s undivided attention.
Though Dolce & Gabbana forged a path in womenswear that would take shape with a 1986 collection called “Real Women,” the brand’s offerings broadened quickly to encompass knitwear, swimwear, lingerie, ready-to-wear, menswear and perfume. In the early 1990s, Madonna helped catapult the luxury house to international stardom: The renowned singer and actress famously tapped the brand to create the looks for her 1993 tour “The Girlie Show.” It saw Madonna working closely with the designers and even starring in their ad campaigns. Dolce & Gabbana has continued to develop a high-profile clientele that includes pop sensations such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. The latter donned Dolce & Gabbana’s armor corset dress in the music video for her hit single “Paparazzi.”
Rather than following the rapidly changing trends of fashion, Dolce & Gabbana have instead held to their close-fitting tailoring and decadent designs. The house continues to work with recurring themes such as the culture of Italy and Catholicism, which is manifest, specifically, in their widespread use of black lace, a fabric that references the dresses worn by Sicilian widows. The duo is also inspired by Italian cinema and its icons such as Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren; in 2015 they introduced the Sophia No. 1 lipstick in her honor.
Although Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana separated as a couple in 2005, they continued their business as a creative partnership. In 2012, they closed their less expensive D&G ready-to-wear line to focus on exclusive extravagance, such as their Alta Moda custom pieces. Today, Dolce & Gabbana maintains a popularity with a wealthy clientele, and the house’s 2020s collections have featured technological experiments that update traditional styles, such as a bouclé jacket with a pixel-like pattern, as well as throwbacks to the 1990s fashion that made the brand a household name.
Find vintage Dolce & Gabbana handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- Vivienne Westwood indigo cotton jersey dress printed dress, ss 1991By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood dress ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Constructed from indigo cotton jersey ▪ Neoclassical print inspired by Andre-Charles Boull...Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace studded evening dress, c. 1990sBy Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBA Gianni Versace studded silk jersey evening dress from the 1990s. It 42 - Fr 38Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière checked silk structured mini dress, ss 2008By BalenciagaLocated in London, GB▪ Important Balenciaga purple and white checked silk mini dress ▪ Designed by Nicolas Ghesquière ▪ Structured form made out of silk backed with foam ▪ Edges expose the layers of fab...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Christian Dior by John Galliano fuchsia silk bias cut evening dress, fw 1999By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior fuchsia silk one shoulder evening dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Cowl neckline ▪ Spaghetti strap and short sleeve ▪ Fabric covered buttons at side seam ▪ Antique brass bead embellishment and gold thread embroidery...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Christian Dior by John Galliano fuchsia crepe satin evening dress, fw 1999By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior evening dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Fuchsia crepe satin ▪ Bias cut ▪ Multiple fabric covered buttons at the side opening ▪ Wide collar extending over the ...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace purple viscose and mohair rayon knitted mini dress, ss 1998By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBGianni Versace purple rayon knitted mini dress with yellow mohair string straps and appliqués. Spring-Summer 1998Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace colour block runway gown, FW 1997By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBMy Runway Archive presents this very rare runway gown from the Versace FW 1997 collection in the signature Versace colour block. Material: Viscose, nylon, silk...Category
1990s European Evening Dresses
$1,329 Sale Price20% Off - Mariano Fortuny Amethyst Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated amythest colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. Named after a Greek cla...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon Request - 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
- Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Silk Nautical Evening Gown S/S 2016 Size 2By Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRalph Lauren Purple Label - Full length nautical evening gown with voluminous sheer fabric panels. This vibrant gown has a strapless pleated bodice and built in corset with a zipper...Category
2010s American Evening Dresses
- 19c. Indian Tribal Violet Silk DressLocated in Sharon, CTHand woven violet silk dress with gold braid appliqué decoration on hem and sleeve cuffs. Fully lined in cotton and fine linen. Length of sleeve 20.5", shoulder to shoulder lenghth ...Category
19th Century Indian Wedding Dresses
- Chrisitan Dior by John Galliano Spring 2000 dressBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Brooklyn, NYChristian Dior by John Galliano distressed knit blue and silver dress from Spring Summer 2000 collection as seen on the runway. The dress has a lining that can be removed for a more ...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.
Vivienne Westwood’s Punk Spirit Lives On in This ’90s Tartan Ensemble
The shorts suit in a mash-up of patterns with an asymmetrical cut speaks to the designer’s rebellious spirit.