Givenchy by John Galliano black strapless evening dress and lace bolero, ss 1997
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR36 - UK8 - US4 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140219162382
John Galliano
Known for introducing rich theatricality and memorable fashion spectacles to the runway, John Galliano has enjoyed a singular career. The audacious British designer has garnered universal acclaim for genre-breaking collections not only at his eponymous label but also for Givenchy and Christian Dior.
From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless newspaper-print dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably newsworthy, drawing on history as often as it embodies a fresh and forward-looking sensibility, and over the years the designer has helped shape an ever-broadening new legion of enthusiasts for Parisian couture.
Born in Gibraltar but raised in South London by strict Roman Catholic working-class parents, Galliano attended the all-boys Church of England grammar school, where his flamboyance and interest in art attracted the attention of bullies. Eventually, Galliano ended up at the prestigious design and art school Central Saint Martins College (then called Saint Martin’s School of Art), where fellow British designers Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen also trained.
Galliano flourished at Central Saint Martins. While a student, he worked in the costume department at the National Theatre in London. His graduate collection in 1984, dubbed “Les Incroyables” and named for post–French Revolution fashion lovers, was modeled by close friends of his and earned a standing ovation. The line ended up in the storefront windows of London luxury boutique Brown’s on South Molton Street, and Galliano’s first official collection — after he graduated — debuted at Paris Fashion Week in 1989.
In the early 1990s, Galliano’s relationship with his financial backer, Plein Sud’s Faycal Amor, ended, and by 1994, he was broke and sleeping on the floor of a friend’s apartment. Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour and then-Vanity Fair editor André Leon Talley stepped in and introduced the budding designer to Portuguese socialite and fashion patron São Schlumberger and others. At Schlumberger’s Hôtel Particulier, Galliano’s shows became the stuff of fashion legend. His collection, a blend of Japanese modernist style as well as nostalgia for Art Deco and 1940s’ tailoring, earned raves in glossy magazines and garnered the attention of Princess Diana, Madonna and other fashion luminaries.
Once the Galliano name was well known among the world’s most stylish set, the chairperson of LVMH, Bernard Arnault, appointed Galliano head designer of French fashion house Givenchy. One year later, in 1996, LVMH moved him to the design team at Dior, where he produced scores of celebrated looks for Dior Haute Couture. Today, Galliano is the creative director of Maison Margiela.
Shop vintage John Galliano evening dresses and gowns, handbags, jackets and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Givenchy
Venerated French designer Hubert de Givenchy (1927–2018) made a splash with his first collection of mix-and-match separates in 1952, which launched his namesake fashion house, the clean lines and refined silhouettes of the pieces offering a contrast to the more structured shapes then dominating postwar women’s fashion. His roster of clients would eventually include Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, all of whom were drawn to the designer’s architecturally and materially simple pieces that combined sensual femininity with elegance.
At the age of 17, Givenchy left his hometown of Beauvais, France, for Paris. There he studied drawing at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and apprenticed for the houses of Jacques Fath, Robert Piguet, Lucien Lelong and Elsa Schiaparelli. Givenchy earned his first high praise for the 1952 Bettina blouse, an embroidered, ruffle-sleeve linen shirt named for his publicist and model Bettina Graziani. The Givenchy label soon developed a following of fashion icons around the world, most notably Audrey Hepburn, who would serve as Givenchy’s muse for decades after they met in 1953. The couturier created pieces for many of her films, such as the iconic little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), as well as her personal life, including her wedding dress for her 1969 marriage to Andrea Dotti.
Givenchy formed a close friendship with his idol and mentor, Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, with whom he’d popularize such pieces as the sack dress, choosing looser forms over tailored ones. Throughout the decades, Givenchy expanded his empire to include fragrances, menswear, accessories and beauty lines.
In 1988, his house was acquired by luxury conglomerate LVMH. After Givenchy retired from fashion in 1995, he became an antiques expert, working with Christie’s and the Louvre, among other institutions. The brand then saw an impressive succession of head designers and artistic directors: John Galliano was the first to arrive, followed by Alexander McQueen, Julien Macdonald, Riccardo Tisci, Clare Waight Keller and Matthew M. Williams. Today, the brand, with its timeless fashions, continues to be a favorite of A-listers, including Cate Blanchett, Erykah Badu, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.
On 1stDibs, browse a collection of vintage Givenchy evening dresses, handbags, necklaces and other clothing and accessories today.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Tom Ford embellished pop art inspired black evening dress, fw 2013By Tom FordLocated in London, GBPresenting an exquisite and highly sought-after TOM FORD evening dress from the autumn-winter 2013 collection, a true gem that captured the fashion world's attention. This dress is a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Paul Daunay Couture green floral silk cocktail dress, circa 1952-57By Paul DaunayLocated in London, GBPresenting an exquisite and exceptionally rare Paul Daunay cocktail dress, a true treasure dating back to circa 1952-57. Crafted with finesse, this dress boasts a fine silk fabric ad...Category
1950s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Comme des Garcons deconstructed wool and chiffon dress, fw 1997By Comme des GarçonsLocated in London, GBIntroducing an avant-garde Comme des Garcons deconstructed wool and chiffon dress, an exceptional piece from the autumn-winter 1997 collection. This dress exemplifies the brand's inn...Category
1990s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Azzedine Alaia black beaded mini dress, ss 2010By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBIntroducing a striking Azzedine Alaia black evening mini dress, a true masterpiece crafted from a luxurious silk-viscose fabric that hugs the figure flawlessly. This alluring dress s...Category
2010s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Celine black viscose a-line dress with metal halter-neck, ss 2008By CelineLocated in London, GB▪ Celine black a-line dress ▪ 100% Viscose ▪ Silver metal halter-neck ▪ Pleated bust ▪ Built-in corset ▪ FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Spring-Summer 2008Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- John Galliano black bias-cut trained slip dress, ss 1994By John GallianoLocated in London, GB▪ John Galliano black bias-cut trained slip dress ▪ Spaghetti straps ▪ Skin baring ladder-stitch seams ▪ FR 42 - UK 14 - US 10 ▪ Spring-Summer 1994Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- VERSACE F/W 1993 Vintage Lace Detail Black Dress by Gianni VersaceBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Berlin, BEVersace Fall Winter 1993 Vintage Lace Detail Dress Brand: Versace Designer: Gianni Versace Collection / Year: Fall / Winter 1993 Fabric: Wool / Lace Color: Black Size: IT42 Versace's fall winter collection featured beautiful gowns with lace details. This lace detail dress is a commercial design inspired by the elaborate runway evening looks. Made from wool it features two cut-out lace details at the shoulders, and another deep V lace cut out at the back. You can wear the dress backwards and have the deep-V at the front. With a high turtle-neck neckline and a sleek silhouette this is the perfect black dress - one you will wear again and again. Size Information: Marked size IT42 Measured flat and across Bust 45cm Waist 37cm Hips 47cm Total length 95cm (measured from centre back) This vintage Fall Winter 1993 Versace wool dress...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown XSBy Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueenLocated in Berlin, BEALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Collection / Year: 2018 Fabric: Viscose / Silk Color: Red Size: ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- AZZEDINE ALAÏA S/S 1988 Runway Knit Maxi Dress MBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Berlin, BEThe perfect black dress from Alaïa’s Spring Summer 1988 collection . Azzedine Alaïa gained his reputation by creating sleek dresses that hug the body, this dress is the ideal example...Category
1980s French Maxi Dress
- New LANVIN Duchesse Satin Vintage Gray Long Wedding Celebrity Gown US 2 4 FR 36By Lanvin ParisLocated in Goshen, KYSize: French 36 Brand: LANVIN Color: Light Dove Gray Season: Vintage Features: Strapless sweetheart neckline Draped detail throughout Ruffle detail at side Belt at waist Long leng...Category
2010s Wedding Dresses
- Vintage 1960's Lilac & Gold Lurex Keyhole Dress UK 12-14 US 8-10Located in Cheltenham, GBA classic silhouette rendered in a lilac cotton weave with a gold lurex thread geometric woven pattern, this eye-catching 1960's dress is just the piece for your cocktail wardrobe. The stylised rounded mandarin collar is framed by a simple shoulder line and a sleeveless cut. The detailed bodice is accented by three teardrop shaped keyhole features along the front of the neckline. The fitted bodice is accented tailored darts along the bust-line and a fitted waistline. The timeless A line cut of the skirt, completes this dress in an iconic 1960's silhouette. Label: None Measurements of the Dress: Armpit to Armpit: up to 36 inches Shoulder to Hem: 52 inches Waist: up to 32 inches Hips: up to 41 inches Fastenings: This dress fastens with a 21 inch plastic zip and two hook and eyes along the nape Size: UK 12-14 US 8-10 Condition: This dress is in perfect vintage condition, with very gentle wear to the fabric along the back of the collar. Washing instructions: This garment should be dry cleaned Fabric: lurex woven thread, cotton Vintage garments have been previously worn and lovingly cared for, they may however have a blemish or two. Here at Willow Hilson...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Neymar Couture Duchess Satin & Beaded Gown UK 4 US 0Located in Cheltenham, GBA once in a lifetime piece, this original 1950's Neymar Couture duchess satin gown, in the most sumptuous shade of cream, showcases true craftsmanship i...Category
1950s Ball Gowns
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How John Galliano Caused Fashion Chaos around the Globe
The visionary designer epitomizes the pleasures and perils of irrepressible creative genius.
The Best Ways to Dress for Your Astrological Sign
Makeup and astrology expert Linda Mason dispenses fashion advice for every zodiac sign. Does your wardrobe match your horoscope?