Valentino Boutique 80's Silk Taffeta Feathers Black Gown
View Similar Items
Valentino Boutique 80's Silk Taffeta Feathers Black Gown
Valentino
The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani (b. 1932) is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. Valentino dresses, skirts and other apparel captured the hearts of many of Italy’s wealthiest ladies in the couturier’s early days and led to commissions from Babe Paley, Gloria Guinness, Jayne Wrightsman and others on the international best-dressed list (when it still meant something). They sought out Valentino for gorgeous gowns, jackets, elegant daytime wear and even when they needed wedding dresses.
An early fascination with fashion developed when Valentino attended the theater as a child and was dazzled by the evening gowns on stage. While a teenager in Voghera, Lombardy, he studied under Italian designer Ernestina Salvadeo and soon moved to Paris, where he trained at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. Valentino spent time apprenticing under haute couturiers Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, learning how to design and construct high fashion while also thinking about how to strike out on his own.
In 1959, Valentino returned to Italy, and a year later, he opened his own salon, soon joining with longtime professional and personal partner Giancarlo Giammetti. It was located on Rome’s trendy Via Condotti and modeled after the French maisons. One of his earliest clients was Elizabeth Taylor, who discovered Valentino while she was in Rome filming Cleopatra and ordered the white dress that she wore to the premiere of Spartacus.
When the designer launched his first couture line in 1962 with its fiery red colors, it was internationally celebrated, with Valentino soon attiring fashion trendsetters including Princess Margaret and Audrey Hepburn. He formed an especially close friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for whom he designed numerous dresses. Luxurious drapery with fine needlework, bold uses of color and dramatic flourishes would define Valentino fashion across the decades.
As a fashion house, Valentino is best known for its signature Valentino Red color, though one of its iconic lines is the monochromatic “no colour” collection for which the designer won the Neiman Marcus Award in 1967. (The collection also debuted his trademark “V.”) The white dresses and beige dresses led to a demand for Valentino wedding gowns, with clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez and Anne Hathaway.
Valentino retired from his fashion empire in 2007, with Alessandra Facchinetti and then the duo Maria Grazia Chiuri (who departed in 2016) and Pierpaolo Piccioli succeeding him as creative directors. But Valentino still steps out of retirement for special occasions, such as designing a wedding gown for Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013.
Today, the brand offers a range of collections that include the Valentino Garavani line and REDValentino, a diffusion line that is aimed at a younger audience. The house has expanded far beyond women’s haute couture and prêt-à-porter to encompass various lines of accessories, including shoes, sunglasses, scarves and perfume.
Find vintage Valentino evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
- Gucci by Tom Ford F/W 2004 AD Runway Silk Black Plisse Cocktail Dress It. 38By Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Montgomery, TXTom Ford for Gucci Campaign Runway Silk Cocktail Black Dress F/W 2004 Collection Designer size 38 Sexy Black Silk Plisse Dress, Fully Lined, Stretch, Front Slit, Side Zip Closure. Ma...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- New Gianni Versace Couture F/W 2001 Leather Lace Black Bandage Buckled GownBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXNEW Gianni Versace Couture Runway Leather Lace Black Bandage Buckled Gown F/W 2001 Collection Leather and Lace, Sexy and Classy!!! Iconic Bandage Style!!! Wide leather removable belt...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
- Tom Ford for Gucci 2003 Collection Cut Out Open Back Studded Dress It. 42 - US 6By Gucci, Tom FordLocated in Montgomery, TXTom Ford for Gucci Rare Cut Out Studded Cocktail Dress Italian Size 42 - US 6 2003 Collection Super Sexy Black Studded Open Back Stretch Dress Gold...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- New Roberto Cavalli New Beaded Sequins Mini Corset Cocktail Silk Dress It 40By Roberto CavalliLocated in Montgomery, TXNew Roberto Cavalli Beaded Mini Cocktail Dress Designer size 40 - US 4 Corset style, Blue and Black Sequins and Beads at front, 100% Silk, Fully Lined, Back Side Zipper. Measurements...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- New Versace Silver Metallic Mesh Cut Out Black High Slit Gown It sizes 42By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXNew Versace Silver Metallic Mesh Cut Out Black Gown Designer size - 42 Metal mesh,High front slit, Cut-out back. Build in bodysuit, Fully lined, Zip closure. Made in Italy New with tag.Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- New Versace One Shoulder Color-Block Cocktail Metal Dress It. 38, 40, 42.By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXNew Versace One Shoulder Color-Block Cocktail Dress Italian sizes available - 38, 40, 42. US - 4,6,8. Metal Detail Embellished Fabric N# 1 - 78% Wool, 20% Polyester, 2% Elastane. Fab...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 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 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
Price Upon Request - Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
Named after a ...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon Request - 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
Price Upon Request - Eavis & Brown Beaded Evening DressBy Eavis & BrownLocated in Water Mill, NYEavis & Brown Fabulous Beaded Hand Made Dress..Size XSCategory
20th Century English Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Beautiful D&G Dolce and Gabbana Leopard Print DressBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Hoffman Estates, ILBeautiful vintage D&G Dolce & Gabbana leopard print dress. Excellent condition.Category
Early 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
$440 Sale Price20% Off