Valentino Silk Halter Maxi Dress with Scarf Drapery
View Similar Items
Valentino Silk Halter Maxi Dress with Scarf Drapery
About the Item
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.
- Robert Morton Halter Maxi Dress and Jacket 1970sBy Robert David MortonLocated in Water Mill, NYA great jersey halter dress in a turquoise, red, pink and white optical illusion print from Robert Morton.. It is semi fitted with a halter neck and a band of red around the necklin...Category
1970s American Maxi Dresses
- Valentino Dress with Cut out sides 1990sBy ValentinoLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous silk blend dress in a subtle black and white herringbone pattern from Valentino. It is sleeveless with a V neckline and black lace covered cut outs as the sides of the wai...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Tom Ford for Gucci SS 2004 Brown Silk DressBy Tom Ford, GucciLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous rich brown fine stretch silk dress from Tom Ford for Gucci. The dress portion is strapless then it is sheer to the stand up collar at the neck and to the elbows of the dramatic leg of...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Gianni Versace New Dress with HardwareBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in Water Mill, NYIn muted shades of grey a fine jersey dress from Gianni Versace Couture. It has one shoulder with a silver metal triangle joining the front and back. ...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Pierre Cardin 1960s Space Age DressBy Pierre CardinLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous off white wool dress by Pierre Cardin. It is an A line sleeveless dress with a stand up collar and hem highlighted with rows of top stitchi...Category
1960s French Day Dresses
- Tom Ford Cut out Shoulders and Sleeves DressBy Tom FordLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous white jersey dress from Tom Ford. It has cut out shoulders, sleeves and back all outlined in black velvet piping which ties at the shoul...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$675 Sale Price62% Off
- 1980s Zandra Rhodes Abstract Motif Drop Waist Silk DressBy Zandra RhodesLocated in Scottsdale, AZLooking For The Perfect 80s Dress? Well It's Arrived! Circa 1980s, this Zandra Rhodes asymmetrical drop waist dress features a cream and black pattern of flowers, swirls and tribal i...Category
1980s English Evening Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Silk Beaded Maxi DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis is a mid-century gem! This Yves Saint Laurent gown has details upon details. The most remarkable being the intricate beaded creating a pattern around the round neckline and the ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Maxi Dress
- Alexander McQueen lilac wool button-up sweater dress, fw 1996By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GB▪ Alexander McQueen lilac wool sweater dress ▪ Turtleneck ▪ Opening across bust line fastening with multiple buttons ▪ Pleated seam at centre-back ▪ Worn ...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Junya Watanabe floral cotton dress with harness straps and backpack, ss 2003By Junya WatanabeLocated in London, GB▪ Junya Watanabe cotton dress ▪ All-over floral pattern with pale blue background ▪ Puff sleeves ▪ Adjustable white harness straps ▪ Detachable backpack ▪ Double layered skirt ▪...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Day Dresses
- John Galliano purple ribbon crochet bias-cut maxi dress, fw 2001By John GallianoLocated in London, GB▪ John Galliano purple ribbon crochet maxi dress ▪ Scalloped detail around neckline and armholes ▪ Bias-cut skirt ▪ Button closures to the center-back ...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Christian Dior by John Galliano lavender crochet lace maxi dress, ss 2000By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior maxi dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Lavender viscose crochet lace ▪ Canary yellow zigzag stitch trimmings ▪ Figure hugging ▪ Rayon-knit underdress attached ...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns