Late 20th Century Evening Dresses and Gowns

Around 1970 when he introduced his eponymous brand after becoming a leading couture fashion designer among New York City society, American Bill Blass created this sleek tuxedo-like e...

Dame Zandra Rhodes is an iconic British designer who has been designing for the last 50 years. Rhodes considers herself “an artist working in the field of textiles and fashion,” evident in her process which always starts with drawing and finishes with the final product and how it drapes on the body. The international world of fashion is indelibly embedded with her dramatic, theatrical designs. Her background as a printed textile artist is an underlining passion that makes her work "pop" with dynamic exuberance. She has designed and clothed the Who's Who of the Glitterati: from Jackie Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor to Bianaca Jagger and Princess Diana. This exquisite mid-length dress, created in 1987 is a rare acquisition, and its sister dress in ivory is part of the collection of the The Philadelphia Museum of Art. Clothing you in a breath of light and air this dress is handcrafted from baby blue silk with a hand-printed skyscraper design. The collar: like a pearl necklace is a sampling of Zandra Rhodes' brilliantly executed design expertise! The bodice is embellished with hand-applied crystals, baby pearls...

Vintage Helmut Lang Fall 1990 - seen on the runway Tan dress with feather trim skirt Semi sheer glitter lurex material Stretch material  Size “9AR” - equivalent to approx size smal...

This is a fine and rare runway documented Chloe musical instrument dress. A showstopping piece designed by Karl Lagerfeld from the spring / summer 1983 collection. Ornately beaded d...

Yves Saint Laurent YSL red strapless gown with a black velvet band at the top of the bust. There is no fabric tag but fabric is silky with a satin ...

A dramatic and rare 1975 James Galanos aubergine rayon matte jersey gown with Empire belted waistline, full cuffed sleeves and a gorgeous loosely draped hood! Channel your inner Grac...

S/S 1995 Gianni Versace sky blue sleeveless bustier gown. Silk crepe upper with built-in silk corselet with padded bra cups, side boning and back zip closure. Lower portion is compos...

▪ Archival Prada Velvet A-Line Slip Dress ▪ Creative Director: Miuccia Prada ▪ Fall-Winter 1997 ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Fashioned from a lightweight black crushed velvet ▪ ...

1970S Halston Double cashmere sleeveless maxi dress and cardigan set in light tangerine size ; 2/4 XS or Small

▪ Archival Alaia Stretch Knit Lace Mini Dress ▪ Creative Director: Azzedine Alaia ▪ Fall-Winter 1990 ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Fashioned from b...

James Galanos 1980s Black and White Puff Sleeve Pleated Open Back Dress Vintage; circa 1980s Made for Nan Duskin Philadelphia boutique Black/Cream White Bubble puff sleeves Round ne...

A great , groovy and easy to wear , plus no ironing needed , black vintage crochet dress. The dress has a v neckline and elbow length sleaves, an...

Trapeze dress by André Courrèges! White logo on the front. Square neck. Iconic Courrèges look! 2 huge front pockets. There is a matching jakcet, the jacket is sold separatly! VERY G...

This extraordinary 1990s Moschino cocktail dress epitomises the dynamism and flare of the designer at his zenith. This piece of top label couture is magnificently adorned with pure s...

Emilio Pucci printed lycra dress from the 1990s. Abstract swirling pink, grey and black floral print all over with geometric trim at the neckline and cuffs. Square neckline and sligh...

Vintage Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 1995 Black silk satin full length dress Slightly flared A line skirt Fully lined Zip up back 100% silk Size EU 42 / UK 14 / US 10 Clipped back...

Beautiful 1970s royal blue fully sequined gown ! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequins throughout. Peek-a-boo back with hidden zipper and hook-an...

This vintage 1980s floral party dress is pure feminine fun. The black background on this floral print is my preferred way to wear florals in the cold-weather months. Classic 1980s pu...

Introducing the Zandra Rhodes White Spring/Summer 1985 Dress - a stunning display of hand-selected classic pearlescent dangle beads and rhinestones. With a ...

1988 Stephen Sprouse sequin gown with off center racing back. Has stretch. Orange, pink and yellow color Condition: Excellent Size 6

Gianni Versace F/W 1996 Vintage Metallic Floral Lace Brown Mini Dress IT 42 Gianni Versace metallic brown lame lace evening mini dress featuring embellished medusa straps, scalloped...

Bodice can be worn separately from gown. Exceptional construction and hand finishing, fully lined in silk taffeta. 1980 VALENTINO Black Silk Tulle Couture Quality Gown With Lace And ...

This timeless quintessential corseted, shirred, ruched and topstitched "little black dress" produced by Victor Costa in the 1980s was made for the high standards of New York's trendsetting Bergdorf Goodman when it was the first U.S. luxury department store to order exclusive special-occasion dresses from this Texas designer and subsequently to give him a namesake in-store boutique. He soon became associated with the feminine glamorous gowns worn by "PYT" (Costa-speak for pretty young things) on the Dallas-based television-series "Dynasty", which idealized a status-conscious Texas woman mostly via fashion. With a strapless curvaceous sweetheart neckline (spared from '80s shoulder pads!), narrow sinuous folds of crepe silk-blend jersey cross diagonally below the decollete, while contrasting vertical ruching defines the seven bones of the invisible corset structure that is fully lined on the interior. Under the bust in front below the empire-like peaked high waist, the fitted tucked underlay of the cocktail dress wraps around the back to end as an overlay in front, where the opening on the left side extends to the bodice like a discreet slit. The freely hanging bias-cut overlay in front is gathered underneath each breast for a forgiving central drape that adds additional curves to make the wearer's torso underneath appear in sleek condition despite a potentially less than ideal figure. The dress closes with a concealed zipper in the center of the back, with exterior hook-and-eye fastening to narrow the waist. There is a second concealed hook-and-eye fastener at the top of the zipper. Although the only remaining tag is the Costa/Bergdorf label, it is a contemporary U.S.-size 8, which will also suit a large-busted size 6 or a svelte size 10. Now 88 years old, Victor Costa (b.1935) became widely known by the 1980s in The States for perfecting affordable luxurious gowns that could be mistaken for one-of-a-kind flamboyant designs by foreign couturiers Christian Lacroix, Arnold Scaasi, Oscar de la Renta or Valentino Garavani. Early on, the avid female sketcher...

▪ Rare Jean Paul Gaultier Mesh Top and Skirt Set ▪ Creative Director: Jean Paul Gaultier ▪ Spring-Summer 1996 ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Crafted from bronze-tone mesh ▪ Hand-s...

Bill Blass 1979 Beige Silk and Ostrich Feather Slit Evening Dress Fall 1979 Collection Beige/Peach/Brown/Neutral Ostrich feather neckline Semi-sheer layers Cascading front slit Fol...

Early beautiful piece by John Galliano! Wonderful silhouette! LIKE NEW! SIZE Fits from XS to small. Marked size: small. Length: 104 cm / 40.9 inch Bust: 35 cm / 13.8 inch Waist: 30...

1970's James Galanos Couture Label ecru silk chiffon pleated gown with polka dot strapless interior bustier and embellished upper. Interior white strapless bustier with black and whi...

Black viscose dress with sheer, chenille, open-net panels designed by Azzedine Alaia, exactly as seen on the fall 1989 runway. The main portion of the dress is made of a cool to the...

Valentino - (Made in Italy) Set composed of a semi-transparent skirt with flounces in black Swiss dot tulle and a bustier top with thin straps in black velvet and Swiss dot tulle. No...

▪ Archival Vivienne Westwood 'Portrait Collection' Evening Maxi Dress ▪ Creative Director: Vivienne Westwood ▪ Fall-Winter 1990 ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Museum Grade ▪ Craft...

Beautiful sailor midi dress from Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil with s6 raw cutted 100% silk flowers applique on the front. Closure: full clips on the front! Fabric is nicely stretch and...

Documented dress by Jean Paul Gaultier! From the “Around the World in 168 Outfits” Spring/Summer 1989 women’s collection! Junior buttons. VERY GOOD Condition. SIZE No size label. L...

This vintage Oscar de la Renta evening dress is in a luxe black velvet and it is accented with pink satin ruffles at the collar, hem, and down the front. The dress has long sleeves and closes with a back zipper from the collar to the hips with snaps at the collar. Oscar de la Renta dresses are always special and so nice to own because they are made to last. We always love finding his vintage pieces and this one would be an effortless perfect special occasion dress...

With the original hand-sewn off-white unbranded rectangular label of Paris-based Maison Martin Margiela, this asymmetrical plunging v-neck black jersey pullover gown was designed in 1994 by Belgium fashion-designer-cum-artist Martin Margiela. In his early deconstruction style, it partly appears to be a ruched halter dress that is positioned on a bias to add curves to shape the waist, while its open overlapping wrap skirt enables ample draping on one side that conceals a high slit from the waist down. Recalling the construction found in two of Martin Margiela's seminal collections--both the upcycled-split 1950s ballgowns of Spring/Summer 1991 and the draped "Stockman" garments of Spring/Summer 1997--this stretch-viscose dress is likewise a bodice with a split skirt, while its 3/4-length sleeves can recall Margiela's famous "shouldered arm bands" if worn with protruding breasts fully exposed. The top has a wide deep gapping chest or back, along with the option to position the looped "halter" cord that hangs from the torso in one of several ways by pulling over the head. For example, if the dress is worn "backwards" with the brand label resting on the upper chest, the cord from the ruching that is positioned in back can be pulled overhead and under the arms, which can secure the front shoulders of the top by pulling the loop overhead again in the other direction to rest on the back of the neck--like the Martin Margiela Spring/Summer 1997 "Stockman evening dress" in the museum collection of TheMet (see our pic of its smaller open-front black halter and half skirt with the neck strap worn this way.) No doubt the buyer will try more creative ways, too! You may be inspired by our other listing for arguably one of Martin Margiela's best Artisanal Line 0 pieces--a couture body harness--that, like his fashion manifesto, enables endless repurposing of button-down tops to create a plunging v-neckline with a distinct rolled collar. The Italian-size 42 dress...

An incredibly rare and highly coveted John Galliano sheer red flocked velvet and lycra asymmetric bias-cut gown from his beloved 1991 spring/summer 'Honcho Woman' collection. As show...

▪ Azzedine Alaia knitted virgin wool dress ▪ Single zip fastening circles the body starting at the right hip and ending at the left breast ▪ Integral hood with scarf ending on one si...

Unisex outfit by Comme des Garcons! Cut out at the sides. 2 big pockets. Pleated bottom. Colusure: zipper and button at the side. NEW with Tags! SIZE Men: fits from S to L. Women: ...

This is a beautiful black velvet vintage Christian Dior evening dress with a full skirt. The dress has buttons and a zipper that starts at the waist in the back. The cross over bod...

Thierry Mugler S/S 1994 White Fan Pleated Dress; with pleated gathering to central metal ring at midriff, satin-covered lightly-boned corset to interior. Fits US size 4, EU 34; Miss...

A beautiful bright blue asymmetric stretch silk mesh skirt from Ordinary People. The skirt has an asymmetric hemline and is covered in pink, blue and ...

Gorgeous sheer washy Atlantic blue silk midi dress by Richilene for Elizabeth Arden. This dress features long sheer balloon sleeves, a ruffled collar and full sweep triple layered sk...

Gorgeous dramatic Thierry Mugler Raffia Cocktail dress, Spring Summer Collection 1995 Featured on the legendary Berlin Show in '95 The most amaz...

In 1987, the New York Times described Victor Costa as “widely recognized as a significant contributor to the current vogue for flamboyant, super-feminine dresses...

Introducing the Lanvin Haute Couture 1980s Velvet Bias Cut Black Gown, a breathtaking masterpiece that epitomizes timeless elegance and sophistication. T...

Wonderful 70's silhouette with this Givenchy maxi dress. Made of airy silk chiffon featuring a red and white graphic print, the dress has a deep plunging neckline at the front and re...

Amazing vintage pheasant bird print caftan! Features bright colors of blue, green, turquoise, orange, yellow, and red on a black background. One size fits most In great condition

GIVENCHY HAUTE COUTURE - (Made in France) Red silk and black velvet bustier dress. No size indicated, it fits a 34FR/36FR. Condition: Very good c...

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...

A chic vintage cocktail / dinner dress by Amanda Wakeley main line. The outerfabric and lining are silk. It has a fold over top , and back central zip, with a pleat at the front. Sh...

Silk Chanel dress. One piece dress, it has a suit look. Golden logo metal buttons. With shoulder pads. Fully lined with Chanel logo. 100% silk VERY GOOD condition, but it has light...

For a formal special event, this 1980s maxi dress sleeveless gown by American designer Victor Costa features glamorous glossy red satin that is gathered, ruched and topstitched in bo...

A rare and jaw-dropping piece from the early 1990s! Designed by Crane Day Hand Weaver from Santa Fe, this poncho has a loose and breathable silhouette and fe...

Leonard 1970's vintage button up maxi dress in water coloured grey with gradient pink, white and orange floral print Composed of soft silk jersey Pus...

Presenting a chic navy fringe flapper-style Dolce & Gabbana dress. From the Fall/Winter 1993 collection, this mini dress debuted on the season's runway on Carla Bruni, with a similar...

Incredibly flattering, jet-black, seamed dress with full skirt from Azzedine Alaia dating to approximately 1990. Size XS. Approximate measurements (unstretched): drop shoulder 17", b...

- Roberto Cavalli spring-summer 1999 collection - Sold by Gold Palms Vintage - Black viscose evening gown - Glitter Zebra print - Cowl neck - Golden logo chain-straps - New with ta...

Vintage Gianni Versace Fall 1998 - seen on the runway & in campaign images by Steven Meisel Black silk full length gown with open side detail One open side with crystal and Medusa...

By the French designer Isabelle Allard, this 80's evening dress is sure to get you in the mood to party ! Made from metallic silver lace that's ruched throughout to emphasise the clo...