Valentino Yellow Floral Print Draped Black Silk Fishtail Gown Shawl, 1970s
View Similar Items
Valentino Yellow Floral Print Draped Black Silk Fishtail Gown Shawl, 1970s
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.
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.
- A 1960s Nan Duskin Couture Metallic Brocade Empire Waist DressBy Nan DuskinLocated in Boca Raton, FLA show stopping dress from Nan Duskin. Fashioned from a metallic accented brocade in hues of magenta, blush, tangerine and champagne. Bullion trim sur...Category
1960s Empire Waist Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Floral Silk Long Sleeve Mini Dress YSL, 1980sBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Boca Raton, FLSaint Laurent's ability to make globally inspired designs by melding several aesthetics into one beautifully articulated garment is a hallmark of the renowned designer, as can be s...Category
1980s French Mini Dress
- Unsigned Gold Sequin Tunic Mini Dress 1960s StyleLocated in Boca Raton, FLThe designer of this tunic dress is unknown, but that makes it no less spectacular. Done in alternating boxes of matte and shiny gold sequins that create a lattice design, this dazzling dress is playful and sophisticated at once. The bodice begins with a scoop neckline and wide, three-quarter length sleeves, giving this dress a relaxed, languid feel. The dress falls to a mini-length at the upper thigh in a subtle A-line, creating a classic 60s silhouette. The boxes of sequins are arranged in intersecting rows and columns that follow and accentuate the natural lines of the body, giving the eye something new to appreciate at each angle while the sequins glimmer and catch the light. Size estimate: SML/MED Measurements: Shoulders: 16 inches Sleeves: 15 inches Bust: 37 inches Waist: 35 inches Hips: 37 inches Length: 33 inches Evoking the glam mod chic of the 60s embodied by supermodels and socialites such as Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick, this dress is meant for the spotlight and is the perfect choice for a wedding, cocktail party, or special occasion. A special addition to the discerning fashion lover’s wardrobe, this dress can easily be paired with strappy heels and statement accessories. This vintage 60s style dress...Category
1990s Unknown Mini Dress
- Balenciaga Runway Floral Print Gown Look #30, Fall 2016By BalenciagaLocated in Boca Raton, FLCurrently the creative director for the house of Balenciaga, Georgian born designer Demna Gvasalia has a bricolage aesthetic that tends to blend streetwear with arts and crafts. Comb...Category
2010s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Pamella Roland Silk Leopard Print Strapless Evening Gown and ShawlBy Pamella RolandLocated in Boca Raton, FLAmerica designer Pamella Roland has had a fairly recent rise to recognition in the world of fashion. Debuting her first collection only in 2002, Roland’s affinity for sleek, beautifu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Pauline Trigère Abstract Floral Print Cotton Kimono Angel-Sleeve Dress, 1960sLocated in Boca Raton, FLPauline Trigère was a prominent figure in putting American designers on the map. Like many of the acclaimed French couturiers, she was an expert at tailoring and had an eye for interesting volumes. However true-to-form of the American aesthetic, Trigère designs are known for their relative simplicity and elegance through ease. From the late 1960s, this magnificent dress is a fine example of why Trigère’s designs were so beloved in Hollywood during that period. Done in a woven cotton featuring an abstract floral print in white, chartreuse, pink, lavender, and ochre on a navy ground, this dress is a wearable work of art. The bodice begins with a high round collar and has incredible sheer kimono...Category
1960s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace brown leather and viscose jersey evening dress, fw 2001By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace brown leather and viscose jersey evening dress ▪ Leather panels at shoulders and hips ▪ 3 buckle fastenings at hips ▪ C...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld gold lurex t-shirt dress, fw 1996By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in London, GBChanel by Karl Lagerfeld gold lurex knitted t-shirt maxi dress with v-neck and six 'cc' button closures at back vent. Fall-Winter 1996Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Worlds End by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren toga dress, ss 1982By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ A rare Worlds End toga dress ▪ Designed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren ▪ Cotton-jersey bodice ▪ Open sides with ties to the waist ▪ Asymmetric sleeves ▪ Cream and ora...Category
1980s English Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alberto Fabiani by Puritan Brown Lace Vintage Evening Sheath DressLocated in Brindisi, BtAlberto Fabiani by Puritan vintage brown lace dress. Great Italian designer of the 50s and 70s. The dress is linear, short-sleeved, fully lined, long ...Category
1970s Italian Sheath Dresses
- Blumarine Brown Wool Animalier Sheath DressBy BlumarineLocated in Brindisi, BtBlumarine 2000s women's dress. Sheath dress with animalier pattern, brown and beige. Zipper closure along the back and side. Fabric 88% wool, 12% polyam...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- DRIES VAN NOTEN 2012 gold oriental crane embroidery shift dress FR36 SBy Dries van NotenLocated in Hong Kong, NTDRIES VAN NOTEN 2012 gold oriental crane embroidery shift dress FR36 S Reference: TGAS/B02199 Brand: Dries Van Noten Collection: 2012 Material...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses