Valentino Lace Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Thousand Oaks, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU126636670691
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.
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 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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Thousand Oaks, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Alexander McQueen NWT Dusty Rose Cap Sleeve Cocktail DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAAlexander McQueen Dusty Rose Cap Sleeve Cocktail Dress . Never Worn - Tags Attached. Figure Hugging. Sweetheart neckline, with cap sleeves. Light Pink with metallic threading which...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Walter Collection Embellished Mesh Skater DressLocated in Thousand Oaks, CATutu mini dress by Walter Collection with sheer nude mesh bodice featuring strategically placed beaded and sequined embellishments and a white satin ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Christopher Kane x Disney Rosettes DressBy Christopher KaneLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAChristopher Kane x Disney Rosettes Dress Tulle cocktail dress in pale lilac with snap-on rosette appliqué by Christopher Kane for Disney. This sleeveles...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gucci Teal, Silk Halter, Cocktail DressBy GucciLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAGucci Teal Halter Cocktail Dress - with many different options to style it! Inner black gold inlay on the neck and detailed tassels with attached scarf. S...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Alexander Wang Black Draped Cold Shoulder Pleated DressBy Alexander WangLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAAlexander Wang Black Draped Cold Shoulder Dress. Draped black dress by Alexander Wang with open shoulders and tie neck. Elasticized waist to show o...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Peter Pilotto Yellow Taffeta Crop Top with Purple Ballroom Skirt Size 4By Peter PilottoLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAPeter Pilotto Yellow Taffeta Crop Top with Purple Ballroom Skirt This Peter Pilotto paneled, yellow, taffeta Top with purple long Skirt is a show-st...Category
2010s Polish Evening Dresses
- Elaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920sLocated in New York, NYElaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920s Indigo knee-length gauze Flapper dress with intricate beading of art deco style motifs in shades of indigo, blue and silver. Featurin...Category
1920s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- 1990s Masaki MatsushimaBy Masaki MatsushimaLocated in Austin, TXMasaki Matsushima grey wool dress, high slit. Condition: Excellent Made in Paris Size 2 / US 6Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- CHANEL pink black cashmere STRIPED SLEEVELESS KNIT Dress 38 S 11CBy ChanelLocated in Zürich, CHChanel (Sample) sleeveless embroidered knit dress in black, ivory and rose cashmere (100%) with a round neck. Embroidery is cotton (100%). Unlined. Opens with black faux pearl button...Category
2010s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Long Blue Kimono with Rose DetailLocated in London, GBA vintage kimono from Kyoto dating from the 1980s. It has flowers on a blue background and is lined in cotton. Measurements: Length 63'' bust up to 46''Category
1980s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- La Perla "Peacock Feathers" Two-Way Pullover Silk Jersey Tapered DressBy La PerlaLocated in New York, NYLa Perla wonderfully whimsical elegant "Peacock Feathers" silk jersey pullover form-fitting dress can be worn two ways if desired. One can wear this wonderful dress as is, ...Category
1990s Italian Chemises
- 1980's Vintage Black & Silver Silk Cocktail Dress with Batwing Sleeves SIze 4-6Located in Los Angeles, CAThis vintage cocktail dress is composed of a beaded silk with a silver and black combination. This dress features batwing sleeve and a center back zipper closure. In great vintage c...Category
20th Century Cocktail Dresses