Valentino Haute Couture Embellished Cocktail Dress, Circa 1960
View Similar Items
Valentino Haute Couture Embellished Cocktail Dress, Circa 1960
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 41.9 in (106.43 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 40.2 in (102.11 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Three little wear spots at the rear hem (not really visible).
- Seller Location:Geneva, CH
- Reference Number:Seller: 1DJD02871stDibs: LU5601195472
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.
- Yves Saint Laurent Knit & Tulle Mini Dress, Fall-Winter 1988By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Geneva, CHAnthony Vaccarello has dived into Saint Laurent's archives once more ! We can find a close inspiration of this original 80's dress in the current 2019 Fall-Winter collection (see pic...Category
1980s French Mini Dresses
- Alaia Knit Fitted DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Geneva, CHThis recognizable 90's Alaïa slim-fit viscose knit black dress is designed to flatteringly follow the silhouette. It nips-in at the waist and features a scoop collar. The dress can a...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
$1,300 - Courreges Sleeveless A-Line Maxi DressBy André CourrègesLocated in Geneva, CHThis late 60’s - early 70’s black cotton sateen Courreges maxi dress is a great example of the modernist design for which André Courrèges is famous. Of structured A-line silhouette and with unusual fishnet neckline, it is creating an advantageous effect. Labeled, this simple though sexy and elegant dress closes with a concealed zip, hook and eye on the left side plus three hooks on the left shoulder. Unlined, the size is a Courreges size b...Category
1670s French Maxi Dresses
- Emanuel Ungaro Draped Knotted Cut-Out Cocktail Dress, Circa 1985By Emanuel UngaroLocated in Geneva, CHDesigned more than thirty years ago, this 80's Ungaro Parallèle cocktail dress is still furiously trendy ! Made from taupe brown soft wool, it is artfully draped and knotted for a bo...Category
1980s European Cocktail Dresses
- Balenciaga Haute Couture Moiré Cocktail Dress, Spring-Summer 1963By BalenciagaLocated in Geneva, CHThis lovely haute couture watered (moiré) silk taffeta dinner/cocktail dress is the ideal "Little Black Dress" for any perfect modern wardrobe. Labelled and numbered 84543, the dress...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- Arnold Scaasi Off-The-Shoulder Ruched Floral-Print Cocktail DressBy Arnold ScaasiLocated in Geneva, CHOversized florals, bold colors and ruched silhouettes have flooded the collections for at least two seasons. So this genuine 80s Arnold Scaasi dress is completely in trend ! Finished...Category
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHAlaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- ALBERTO BINI 1990 leather mini dress with gold tone Lion NEW with tagBy AlbertoLocated in Genève, CHThis vintage dress from Alberto Bini is coming directly from the 90s, and it's also a beautiful ode to Versace universe. -Lion detail in metal gold tone ...Category
1980s French Mini Dress
- Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top SetBy Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Vintage Japanese Golden Eagle Koi Fish Kendall Jenner Wave Yellow Mesh Sheer Transparent Wrap T-shirt Skirt Top Dress Golden Japanese Eagle...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
$1,995 Sale Price30% OffFree Shipping - ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Textured Leather Bubble DressBy Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueenLocated in Berlin, BEIncredible Alexander McQueen textured leather dress with the most amazing dramatic silhouette. This high-quality dress has the most incredible round silhouette - It is made from a textured leather and features a round neckline with beautiful seam-line details, large round puff...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE 2014 Black Leather Mini DressBy Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BEThe most incredible leather mini-dress by Saint Laurent from 2014, designed by Hedi Slimane. This exceptional sleeveless mini dress is made from a soft lamb leather and features gor...Category
2010s French Mini Dress
- Vintage Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress with crystal trim details S/S1995By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBVintage Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress with crystal details S/S1995. The dress is in good condition just light signs of use around the crystals. ▪ Black rayon chiffon with lining ▪...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
$1,204 Sale Price48% Off