Fall Winter 2000 Valentino Garavani Black Silk Sequin Runway Evening Skirt
View Similar Items
Fall Winter 2000 Valentino Garavani Black Silk Sequin Runway Evening Skirt
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.
- 1940s Vintage Skirt in Patchwork Color block Print from Gilbert Adrian CollectorLocated in Portland, ORWe acquired this incredibly beautiful rayon 1940s vintage long skirt from an estate that also had 3 Gilbert Adrian vintage dresses. We would not be sur...Category
1940s American Skirts
- Chanel Spring Summer 2001 Black Wool Skirt With CC Logo Monogram Size 42By Chanel, Karl LagerfeldLocated in Portland, ORThis is a vintage Chanel Spring / Summer 2001 black a-line wool skirt with subtle seams and oval CC logo plate sewn into the waistband. This skirt fits right into the modern aestheti...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Skirts
- Pre-Fall 2009 Oscar de la Renta Brown & Cream Wool Mohair Alpaca Tweed SkirtBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a lovely Oscar de la Renta Brown and Cream Tweed Skirt with a pretty attached panel ruffle from his Pre-Fall 2009 collection. It has a nice fit, and the ruffle causes movemen...Category
Early 2000s Italian Skirts
- Dolce & Gabbana Pencil Skirt With Satin Trim and Cheetah Print LiningBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful Dolce and Gabbana pencil skirt with satin trim and wonderful seam and dart detail. The skirt is labeled an italian size 42 and is 90% wool and 10% acetate. There...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pencil Skirts
$347 Sale Price29% Off - Christian Dior Paris Camel Pencil Skirt With Back Buttons & SIlk Lining Size 8By Christian DiorLocated in Portland, ORWe love this incredible vintage skirt from Christian Dior! The skirt has back buttons down the center seam and is in a beautiful 100% camel fabric with pure silk lining. There are da...Category
Late 20th Century French Pencil Skirts
- Diane Freis Vintage 2 Pc Dress W Drawstring Top & Gored Skirt in Floral PrintBy Diane FreisLocated in Portland, ORWe have re-discovered our love affair with Diane Freis pieces and this one is one of our favorites! This Diane Freis Original two piece dress includes a gored skirt...Category
1980s Hong Kong Day Dresses
- c.1970s Archival GUCCI Camel Suede A-Line SkirtBy GucciLocated in New York, NY1970s GUCCI Archival Camel Suede A-Line Skirt; Knee Length skirt with oval leather trim and gold metal buckle hardware; Side zipper closure; Fully lined with signature "Gucci" monogr...Category
1970s Italian A-Line Skirts
- 1980 GIANNI VERSACE lurex silk pleated SkirtBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Genève, CHRare Gianni Versace deep blue pleated silk skirt -Closed by side zipper -Belt loops -Made in Italy -Circa 1979-1989 -80% Silk - 20% Polyester -Estimated ...Category
1980s Italian Pleated Skirts
- JEAN PAUL GAULTIER 1990 fringed denim skirt - part of a setBy Gaultier JeansLocated in Genève, CHBlue denim skirt with fringe trim by Jean Paul Gaultier, wear yours with the matching shirt. -Frayed fringe details along seams and hems -Metal zipper and logo on the side -100% Cot...Category
1990s Italian Skirts
$610 Sale Price30% Off - Fendi Monogram SkirtBy FendiLocated in London, GBFendi Monogram Skirt CONDITION: This item is a vintage/pre-worn piece so some signs of natural wear and age are to be expected. However good general condition. SIZE LABELLED: IT 44...Category
21st Century and Contemporary A-Line Skirts
- Roberto Cavalli 1999 python style skirtBy Roberto CavalliLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHThis Roberto Cavalli mini skirt, crafted from 100% leather in a vibrant yellow creme hue, features an exotic snakeskin texture. It is designed with a convenient side zipper closure. ...Category
1990s A-Line Skirts
- Jean Paul Gaultier Venus De Milo Torso Optical Illusion Nude Sculpture Dress SetBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRNEW Jean Paul Gaultier Venus De Milo Torso Optical Illusion Nude Sculpture S/S 1999 Kim Kourtney Kardashian Iconic Collector Soleil De...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses