Georgio Armani Multi-Layered Black Polka Dot Silk Chiffon & Train Cocktail Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 38/Italy (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2473663723
Giorgio Armani
Fashion may be a fluid industry that evolves with the times, but few designers were gutsy enough to break with the norms and endeavor to revolutionize it the way Piacenza, Italy, native Giorgio Armani did.
When he established his brand with his personal and professional partner, architect Sergio Galeotti, in 1975, Armani created jackets, evening dresses and other clothing that sharply departed from the form-fitting designs that his competitors were producing. Working with a subdued color palette and light fabrics, Armani instead pioneered power dressing. By the early 1980s, the designer was lauded for his sleek but relaxed-fit shirts in washed greens and beige tones for men and elegant, broad-shouldered suits for career-minded women. His collections were intended to fit naturally but confer a sense of confidence on the wearer, and the designs were just as luxurious as the garments that were gliding down Milanese catwalks at the time.
Armani, a shipping manager’s son, spent his childhood wanting to become a doctor, and he even studied medicine briefly at the University of Milan before dropping out and joining the army. In the late 1950s, he was hired as a window dresser at the Milan department store La Rinascente before moving into the role of menswear buyer. When he realized that his calling was in fashion design, not buying, he left La Rinascente to train at Nino Cerruti’s atelier and eventually began to take on what became a wealth of freelance design work.
At Galeotti’s urging, Armani opened his own design office in 1973, and two years later, he established his eponymous label of ready-to-wear for both men and women that challenged fashion’s traditional silhouettes and the conventions of tailoring.
“I was the first to soften the image of men and harden the image of women,” Armani has said of his early years. The designer dressed men in soft textures such as silk and linen that were traditionally relegated to feminine garments and designed power suits for women — an audacious and undeniably androgynous take on high fashion that was well received by critics. He won the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1979 and launched a diffusion line called Armani Collezioni that year. While his collections for men and women gained legions of admirers in Europe, it wasn’t until the premiere of the film American Gigolo — featuring heartthrob Richard Gere exclusively outfitted in a crisp, sleek and sexy Armani wardrobe — that the brand took off in the United States.
Today, Armani is still designing ready-to-wear collections, and the luxury house has expanded over the years into home decor, hospitality and more. In February 2020, at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, Armani was the first fashion house to close its runway shows to the public in order to limit exposure. In early 2022, the brand was among the first to cancel men’s and haute couture shows scheduled in January.
Find vintage Giorgio Armani clothing on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Two-piece black fitted cocktail ensembleLocated in New York, NYThis two-piece black button-down front ensemble is quite possibly an Early Norell, or an early Valentino. Within the group of items that was brought with this ensemble, there were qu...Category
1970s Unknown Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Moschino Black "ribbon" dressBy MoschinoLocated in New York, NYThis Moschino Black "Ribbon" dress is of knitted viscose jersey. The ribbons hangs straight and is stitched at the waist for a uniform appearance. The front measures 33 1/2", back is...Category
1980s Italian Mini Dress
- Rare Jean Paul Gaultier 'Gibo' black high-neck, detailed with boning mini dressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in New York, NYThis wonderful rare Iconic Jean Paul Gaultier 'Gibo' black mini dress is detailed with boning on the bodice, and has a high zippered neckline and boned bodice on both front and ba...Category
1980s Italian Mini Dress
- Jean Paul Gaultier multi-pinstriped coatBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in New York, NYJean Paul Gaultier multi-pinstripe double-breasted coat has boned bodice on both front and back. The shoulders are padded. There are two pockets in front and also a breast pocket. Th...Category
1980s Italian Coats and Outerwear
- Yves Saint Laurent rive gauche silk leopard print dressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent silk crepe de chine leopard print dress. On the front, there is a 'off-centered front fold-over slit (17 1/2 inches;) 3 3/4 inches; wide over flap. Back center zip...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Moschino Dark Navy Multi-Panel Crepe DressBy MoschinoLocated in New York, NYMoschino dark navy multi-panel crepe sleeveless dress is detailed with a center-back invisible zipper which measures 14 1/2". The circumference of the hem measures 114". Th...Category
1990s Italian Ballerina Day Dresses
- Nipon Boutique Black Velvet Halter Dress with Satin Ribbon Size US 6By Albert NiponLocated in New York, NYNipon Boutique black velvet cocktail dress with satin ribbon trim and bows tied at neck and back. Flirty six paneled dress body with flared bottom. Fu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses
- Adolfo Tropical Silk Jersey Strapless Dress with Half CapeletBy AdolfoLocated in New York, NYAdolfo strapless dress with bold green, indigo and white tropical floral print. Wonderfully tailored, with fitted bodice and draped open tulip front slit above the knee for movement...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Valentino Boutique Black Beaded Silk Chiffon Evening Gown Size US 6By ValentinoLocated in New York, NYLuxurious Valentino Boutique black silk evening gown with tiered ruffles, sweeping hemline and hand beaded and embroidered bodice. Two ruffles at bodice are hand beaded with tiny jet...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Badgley Mischka Beaded Black Silk Lace Evening Gown Size US 10By Badgley MischkaLocated in New York, NYBadgley Mischka glamorous black silk lace evening gown, size US 10. Gown features hand beaded and embroidered lace with glass jet beading, and neckline with glass jet beads along cu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Silk Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with matte frosted colored glass beads threaded through the cordin...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
- Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns