Valentino Velvet and Wool Crepe Belted Cocktail Dress
View Similar Items
Valentino Velvet and Wool Crepe Belted Cocktail Dress
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.
- Adolfo Layered Chiffon Evening Dress with Silk "Poppy" Flower DetailBy AdolfoLocated in New York, NYAdolfo, bias cut, empire waist, multi layered, chiffon evening dress having a draped bodice and a large silk poppy flower detail at the center of the bust line. Dress has doubled thi...Category
1970s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Shamask Cotton Voile Tiered DressBy Ronaldus ShamaskLocated in New York, NYRonaldus Shamask, doubled, cotton voile and silk combination, tiered dress having a geometric sleeve and shoulder treatment and self belt.Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Chiffon LBDBy Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in New York, NYKarl Lagerfeld for Chanel, classic, "LBD" inspired by Coco Chanel's early silhouettes from the 1920's. This sleeveless dress is made of chiffon having a jeweled neckline with slit pa...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses
Sold$1,495 - Yves Saint Laurent One Shoulder Cocktail DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent, Rive Gauche, one shoulder, black matellase, cocktail dress having a subtle, lurex, textured sheen. Dress has a fitted bias cut, bodice, with a slightly dropped ga...Category
1970s French Cocktail Dresses
- Dior Strapless Cocktail DressBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in New York, NYChristian Dior, chiffon and hammered silk satin, strapless cocktail dress. Bodice has a horizontal, pleat like bodice in hammered silk satin having a ruched back. Skirt has two laye...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses
- John Galliano Pleated Silk Georgette Cocktail DressBy John GallianoLocated in New York, NYJohn Galliano, sleeveless, layered, silk georgette, cocktail dress having a V neckline, with "Madame Grès" pleated detail at the bodice. Side, self button and loop closure .Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- DOLCE&GABBANA Black and Beige Silk Dress with Adjustable Straps | Size 8US 40EUBy Dolce & Gabbana, D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Cuggiono, MIThis babydoll dress is made of a black silk chiffon fabric and it is fully lined with a silk beige crepe de chine. It features a full circle skirt, a pair of adjustable straps and a ...Category
2010s Italian Babydoll Dresses
- Herve Leger "Belina" Black Asymmetric Fringe Eyelet Strapless Bandage Dress NWTBy Herve Léger, Herve Leger by Max AzriaLocated in Chicago, ILHerve Leger "Belina" black asymmetric fringe metal eyelet strapless bandage mini dress. New with tags (MSRP: $1,990). Tight, sturdy and durable construction, built to showcase your c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Cocktail Dresses
$896 Sale Price25% Off - Thierry Mugler Rhinestone Stone Strass Diamond Evenening Couture Runway DressBy Thierry Mugler CoutureLocated in PARIS, FRThierry Mugler Rhinestone Stone Strass Diamond Evenening Couture Runway Gown Wasp Waist Bee Black Vintage Paris France 90s Fringe Small Medium Large ...Category
1990s French Evening Gowns
- 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
$2,002 Sale Price30% OffFree Shipping - Christian Dior By John Galliano Fw 2004 Black Bias Cut Silk Slip DressBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in São Paulo, SPV-neckline Zig-zag detail at hemline Crossed straps on back Knee-length Invisible zipper side closure Pre-owned vintage condition; no major/noticeable flaws. Size FR38; slight stret...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- Iconic Christian Dior By John Galliano Ss 2005 Beaded Bodice Black GownBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in São Paulo, SPKeyhole detail at the front Iconic Galliano row of button side closure Low-rise cowl style back Front slit Sequin and beads detailing through dress Ankle-length Pre-owned vintage co...Category
Early 2000s French Maxi Dress