F/W 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Beaded Beige Silk Museum Documented Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 33 in (83.82 cm)Bust: 35 in (88.9 cm)Waist: 35 in (88.9 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light discoloration throughout, pen mark at interior lining, brand tag and size tag removed (signature present on materials tag), and minor loss of beading. Minor seam splitting from age and use. Shoulder pads removed.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388214183692
Tom Ford for Gucci
No one understands sex appeal quite like Tom Ford, who joined Gucci as a womens-wear designer in 1990.
At the time, the internationally renowned Italian label was better known for leather goods than luxury fashion. It was also nearly bankrupt. After creative director Dawn Mello left in 1994, following a Bahrain-based investment group becoming Gucci’s majority shareholder, Ford was named creative director. The American designer soon infused the brand with a fresh sensuality and bold style.
Ford's potent vision of sexed-up femininity spanned everything from shirts to shoes to handbags and other accessories at Gucci — he reimagined the house's iconic double-ring-and-bar Horsebit hardware, a reference to the brand’s equestrian history, as a seductive low-slung belt, worn by Madonna when accepting an MTV video music award in 1995. For his fall show during that year, in which Kate Moss walked down the runway in an unbuttoned satin shirt, velvet hip-huggers and tousled hair, heralded an exciting, glammed-up era for the once fusty brand. Vogue critic Sarah Mower called it “one of those hitting-in-the-solar-plexus moments.”
As Ford shot to fame, he continued to explore plunging necklines, such as in the black and white looks of the Fall 1996 collection, and sumptuous fabrics like leather and tweed, with the Fall 2000 ready-to-wear collection ranging from sultry silk evening dresses to plush belted coats.
Ford also cranked up the seduction in the provocative ads for Gucci, particularly with regard to campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, which the fashion house acquired in 1999 (Ford was also named creative director for YSL and designed the brand’s ready-to-wear collection). Gucci's Fall/Winter 1997 campaign featured Carolyn Murphy grasping Angela Lindvall in what looked like a video still; in another shot, a face pressed against a foot in a lipstick-red heel. Each promoted a vision of modern fashion where women were sexually confident, the materials were luxurious and the styles were fearless.
In 2004, Ford and Gucci president Domenico De Sole left the company after failing to agree on the renewal of their contracts. In 2006, with De Sole as chairman, Ford launched his wildly successful eponymous menswear label. Today Ford is also an author, film director and chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Find vintage Tom Ford Gucci day dresses, jackets and shoulder bags on 1stDibs.
Gucci
Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- S/S 1995 Gianni Versace Floral Print Semi-Sheer Runway Slip Wiggle DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a runway-ready floral-print semi-sheer stretchy Gianni Versace slip dress. This piece debuted on Brandi Quinones on look 11 of the S/S 19...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- S/S 1997 Atelier Versace by Gianni Beaded Floral Dress Corset Removable StrapBy Atelier Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an intricate Atelier Versace Haute Couture dress, designed by Gianni Versace for his final spring collection before his death. This dress was created for the Spring/Summer...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- NWT F/W 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford White Beige Cotton Sleeveless DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning creme color sleeveless Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford. This new with tags dress is from the Fall/Winter 2004 collection and features a peekaboo opening at th...Category
Early 2000s Italian Casual Dresses
- F/W 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Beige Silk Satin Ribbon DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous taupe satin silk Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2002 collection, this beautiful mid-length dress features a v...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2003 Roberto Cavalli Tattoo Print Backless Chiffon GownBy Roberto CavalliLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous tattoo print Roberto Cavalli chiffon gown. From the Spring/Summer 2003 collection, this tan/creme gown features a number ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Early 2000s Gianni Versace by Donatella Purple Beige Abstract Collared DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful collared button down Gianni Versace Couture tiger print dress, designed by Donatella Versace. Constructed entirely of pink a...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Burberry Cotton Dress in BeigeBy BurberryLocated in Carnate, ITBurberry Cotton Dress in Beige Burberry dress. Missing composition label. We think it's cotton. Classic color of the English brand. Double-breasted closure, ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Missoni sleeveless pink beige blue white grey knit knitted flare maxi gown dressBy MissoniLocated in Paris, FRLook 8 from Missoni Fall 2011 Missoni sleeveless floor length dress with a fitted upper and flared skirt Missoni knit in varying shades of dusky pink, beige, blue, white and grey Raw...Category
2010s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Christian Dior by John Galliano equestrian printed silk scarf dress, ss 2000By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Important Christian Dior evening dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Equestrian printed silk twill in pink and yellow with an ivory base ▪ Tan leather strap at the neck ▪ Open bac...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- D&G Vintage Leopard Mini DressBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Milano, ITSexy vintage dress designed by Dolce & Gabbana in the 1990s, made in Italy. ORIGINAL LABEL. The dress is a mini dress, reaching above the knee. It h...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
- Prada Sport Cargo Military Tactical Vintage 90s 80s Khaki Brown Skirt Top DressBy PradaLocated in PARIS, FRTactical set by Prada! Skirt + sweater! Prada signatures on the sweater and the skirt as well. Red label. The sweater has a belt with metal buckles. The skirt has 2 zippers, you can...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion Neon Striped Kim Kardashian Mesh Maxi DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRIconic Optical Illusion mesh dress by Jean Paul Gaultier!!!! 1997 Spring Summer collection! One of the most iconic Jean-Paul Gaultier Prints, initially showed at Spring-Summer 1997 collection, which is now a part of MET Costume Institute’s Archive and celebrities’ most prominent statement looks - from Janelle Monae...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses