1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns

A one of a kind evening gown, perfect for a summer wedding, and special enough to even be worn by the mother of the groom or bride. Custom design by TRAVILLA the famous Hollywood costume designer, who also did clothes for Saks Fifth Avenue for celebrities and the rich and famous in Hollywood. This was ordered at the Beverly Hills store and never worn by our Palm Springs California client. The most beautiful color of a light taupe crepe silk and nude color lace that is completely beat it by hand.. Rare to find a evening dress of this quality in size 16. The dress has enough hem to make the deess longer by at least 3”. It is not even pressed with any crease. to show if it is lengthened. A stand out dress that looks as expensive as it was (over $2500). William TRAVILLA Bio: The man who draped a fringed Idaho potato sack on Marilyn Monroe for a famous snapshot - proving that she looked good in anything - was born on Catalina Island off the California coast on March 22 1920. He studied at the Chouinard School of Art in L.A., showing a precocious talent for drawing fashion design from an early age. By the time he was sixteen, he made money by selling sketches of costume designs for showgirls he had studied at burlesque houses. Found unfit for wartime duties due to flat feet, William Travilla made his way to Hollywood and signed his first contract as costume designer at Columbia in 1941. However, during his two-year tenure he received rather few assignments and left disillusioned. Little work came his way during the next few years, until, in 1946, he was spotted in a nightclub (selling travel sketches of the South Pacific) by the actress Ann Sheridan, who became an instant admirer of his work. Sheridan persuaded Travilla to become her personal costume designer at Warner Brothers. This didn't quite come to pass, though he did design her gowns for Nora Prentiss (1947). More importantly, he notched up his first major success by winning the Academy Award for the lavish and colourful costumes of Adventures of Don Juan (1948) in conjunction with Leah Rhodes and Marjorie Best. After his three year contract was up, Travilla went on to 20th Century Fox, for what would become the most productive period of his career in the film business. At the same time, he set up his own high end fashion salon, Travilla Inc., in Los Angeles, creating several collections of elegant, award-winning designs. Travilla dressed many established stars, from Marlene Dietrich and Joan Crawford, to Loretta Young. However, he is chiefly remembered for the iconic gowns...

This stunning black silk evening gown by renowned designer Bob Mackie is a one-of-a-kind piece, purchased at Amen Wardy in Newport in 1987/88. Its gold sequin detail adds a touch of ...

Gold lace evening dress with ruffles on the bottom. No fabric tag composition but the metallic lace is on the top of a gold taffetas slip dress with silk lining. The ruffles are made...

VINTAGE GRACE NY Zandra Rhodes 1980s White Off The Shoulder Dress. From the iconic Zandra Rhodes, this dress is perfection. In a creamy white...

Silk jacquard cocktail dress with blue and black print. Belt in the same fabric. Zip closure on the left side. Pocket on both side. SIZE 38 (Fr) M

Presenting a fabulous black knit Alaia halterneck dress. From the Spring/Summer 1986 collection, this meticulously tailored dress accentuates the body...

- Designed by Gianni Versace - Sold by Skof.Archive - Spring Summer 1988 - Orton chainmail mini dress Features a shimmering surface with intricate chainmail detail - Sleeveless desig...

Pink and black satin cocktail dress and black velvet belt with bow

Jet-black, pleated , silk mini dress from Valentino Boutique dating to the early 1980's. Fits a size 6 or possibly an 8. Approximate measurements are: bust 36", waist 28", hips 36", ...

Verlaine Vintage is delighted to offer a stunning Chantal Thomass vintage ensemble consisting of a black tulle skirt and a matching top. Adorned with ...

Sexy 1980s SAMIR metallic electric blue lurex and black lace handkerchief hem slinky spaghetti strap dress ! Features a flattering ruched body, with ...

Sexy 80s VICKY TIEL COUTURE for BERGDORF GOODMAN black silk French Chantilly lace strapless dress ! Marked size 46, this beauty converts to a US 12 / 14. Boned inner bodice holds eve...

1980s Louis Feraud Green & Black Silk Taffeta Strapless Ballgown w Peplum: A bold, unforgettable stripe with wonderful mitering of pattern in peplum...

Beautiful late 80s BILL BLASS Size 6 black and white gingham silk taffeta dress with hot pink bows. Fit and flare style with a boned tailored b...

Beautiful vintage 80s MORTON MYLES pink / purple fortuny pleated long sleeve beaded and pearl dress! The perfect shade of somewhere between pink and purple! Fantastic amount of detai...

A great black jersey dress from Louis Estevez. I has long sleeves with zippers at the wrists, a back V neck, shoulder padding and a ruched panel extending on an angle from one shoul...

A pretty rose pink silk dress with her signature micro pleating from Mary McFadden's Couture line. It has a V neckline, a crossing front bodice and back and short sleeves with a ruf...

Beautiful late 80s LILLIE RUBIN ivory and gold rayon lace drop waist dress ! Features an ivory lace with thousands of hand-sewn gold sequins and beads. Long sleeve cuffs and hem have...

Incredible early 1980s does 1920s lipstick / cherry red fully fringed flapper style sleeveless dress ! Features nine tiers of fringe throughout the entire dress. Hidden zipper up the...

Backless cocktail dress in printed chiffon and rhinestone neckless. no fabric tag composition but probably silk. Double-lays of fabric: top one is ch...

Circa 1980 France Beautiful evening dress in navy blue Polyamide tulle with polka dots by Sherrer Boutique Paris numbered A13862 dating from the beginning of the Prêt-à-porter of t...

Museum-Worthy 1980s Jean Paul Gaultier Pour Equator Maxi black Dress in lycra, with silk bow, knitted sleeves and tulle skirt. Size 44 IT. Condition: Overall...

The Vintage Oscar de la Renta evening gown is a true masterpiece of elegance and glamour. Crafted from luxurious black silk, thi...

- Vintage Chanel black silk taffeta one shoulder evening gown from circa late 80s collection. - Pleated shoulder and bottom part of the dress. - Two layers. - Side zipper closu...

Fabulous early 1980s I. MAGNIN royal blue Avant Garde full length taffeta maxi evening dress! Features a vibrant royal blue color. Ruffle origami detail at top left shoulder, and dia...

Beautiful vintage early 80s RICHILENE ' Victorian Revival ' light purple / lilac hand painted silk dress! Silk chiffon bodice, with hand painte...

Black wool jersey cocktail dress with rhinestone embellishment. Zip closure on the middle front. SIZE 46 (It) 42 (Fr) M

Oscar de la Renta for Swirl 1980s black silky kaftan / maxi dress ! Features an attached tie at the waist. Iridescent sequins and beads on the chest are in the shape of butterflies. ...

In the electrifying world of Thierry Mugler, fashion was never just about dressing - it was an act of transformation. And in his Fall/Winter 1988/89 Les Infernales (She Devils) Colle...

Such a pretty vintage Nina Ricci dress! Beautiful raspberry pink color, on a double breasted style! Attached bow belt wraps around the back, w...

A fabulous soft, supple leather dress by Emanuel Ungaro in black and grey. It has a crew neckline, long sleeves with zipper cuffs and shoulder pads. The dress is black with an angul...

Loris Azzaro (Made in France) Long silk jersey dress featuring a pleated bustier. It fastens at the back. No composition or size tag, it fits a size 36FR. Additional information: D...

Beautiful vintage Emanuel Ungaro Kelly green cotton wrap/shirt dress! Amazing graffiti/scribble print in vibrant colors. Double breasted style, with matching sash belt....also looks ...

Incredible vintage 1980s / 80s VICTOR COSTA for NEIMAN MARCUS purple silk taffeta strapless dress and sash belt! Features accordian pleated ruffle along the bodice, down the front si...

Yves Saint Laurent Autumn-Winter 1987 black lace flamenco evening dress with ruffled trim

From the Fall/Winter 1986 collection, this ruched black satin Valentino Garavani skirt set is comprised of a short-sleeve blouse and a matching full-length skirt. The season featured...

Extremely rare collectors piece, original dress from the legendary 1988 Thierry Mugler Spring Summer "African Collection". The pattern was a signature pattern of the Collection. Stu...

- Designed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren - Henri Matisse - Femmes et Singes (1954) printed in brown 'Buffalo / Nostalgia of Mud' Autumn-W...

John Galliano London; grey Prince of Wales check coat dress. Bustled skirt falling in polonaise drapes, gathering into a band at the hem, can be button...

Amazing 1980s purple silk chiffon beaded and sequined flapper style cocktail dress ! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequins and beads throughout. Sheer chiffon bellow the neck. Hidd...

A gorgeous coral silk dress from Louis Feraud. The silk has a slight iridescent quality alternating subtly between shades of coral and rose coral. Th...

This Red, Green & Gold fully sequined 2-piece Mini Suit has a Diamond Pattern. Both jacket and skirt are fully sequined and also fully lined in silk organza. The skirt has a zipper, ...

Beautiful mid 80s RICHILENE black, pink and green mini flower print cotton and silk chiffon midi dress ! Features a tailored bodice with a forg...

Fabulous vintage 1980s VICKY TIEL COUTURE botanical print silk strapless dress! Features amazing prints in practically every color of the rainbow; vibrant colors of green, fuchsia, p...

Chic vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche light lilac lavender purple linen short sleeve shirt dress! Features luxurious soft Irish linen, with pockets at each breast and at each s...

▪ Azzedine Alaia evening dress ▪ Black acetate knit ▪ Button-up collar with low-cut neckline ▪ Leg of mutton sleeves ▪ Open-knit detail on the hips ▪ ...

Alaia Spring-Summer 1986 magenta acetate knit bodycon dress

What an extraordinairy find!! Extremely rare Collectors Piece: Thierry Mugler dress 'African Summer' Spring Summer Collection 1988 Documented and Featured on the legendary runway sh...

Azzedine Alaia Vintage Plunging Semi-Sheer Midi Dress Size XS Vintage Alaia sleeveless midi dress with open knit trim throughout, plunging neckline a...

90s Gianfranco Ferre Sheer metallic grey long sleeve fitted cocktail dress. Size: 4/6 see measurement: Bust: 36” / Waist: 30”/ Hip : 38”/ Should...

Black cocktail jersey dress with beadwork. Same jersey as lining. Shoulder-pads.Zip and hook&eye in the middle back. Split in the middle back in the bottom = 8 cm SIZE M

Incredible late 11980s navy blue silk chiffon couture quality long sleeve evening gown ! The perfect alternative to black. Features a boned sweetheart bodice. Flower appliqué at left waist. Layers of chiffon on the skirt look...

Amazing, and fabulous vintage Patrick Kelly 80s dress! Red cotton velveteen with a long sleeve body con fit! Layers and layers of wonderful red silk tulle at hem, that jets out, crea...

A gorgeous brightly colored flowered silk skirt from Gianni Versace. It has a 2" waistband, falls straight to the hem with a panel draping across the front and is comprised of diffe...

Museum worthy piece of Fashion History The iconic Thierry Mugler Stingray Dress SS 1989 Collection. Famously worn at the legendary Les Atlantes Runwayshow by Dianne Brill. A Signature Piece for this amazing Collection. Tight sexy white dress...

1980s Patricia and Charles Lester drop waist evening gown. Navy and indigo devoree velvet with a symmetrical leaf blockprint throughout. The bateau neckline balances the drop shoulde...

A stunning raw silk vintage gown by Senatore Moda Milan . The dress has a deep round neckline , original shoulder pads ( can be removed) and short leaves with flower detail on the ...

Chic DONNA KARAN Spring 1987 vintage three piece silk ensemble ! Strapless yellow / marigold bustier features inner support with two sets of hook-and-eye closures, and long side sash...

A stunning wedding kimono dating from the 1980s . In red shot silk with gold thread detail in the design of Cranes, Ume,/ Plum Blossom and Bamboo. Crane...

This stunningly sensual black haute couture evening gown was designed by one of the true masters of 20th century couture, Yves Saint Laurent. Designed by YSL for his Fall/Winter 198...