Valentino Leather Gladiator Skirt with Rhinestones, circa 2016
View Similar Items
Valentino Leather Gladiator Skirt with Rhinestones, circa 2016
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.
- Vintage Vicky Tiel Bulle SkirtBy Vicky TielLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Bulle bubble skirt by Vicky Tiel Solid Black Banded waist Back zipper closure with hook and eye Made in France Composition: 100% silk Condition: great; no significant signs o...Category
Late 20th Century French Skirts
- Saint Laurent Extended Waist Mini Skirt Spring2017By Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAExtended waist mini skirt by Saint Laurent Spring 2017 Ready-to-Wear Made in Italy Black textured patent leather Skirt extends below bust with decorative three-button closure Adju...Category
2010s Italian Skirts
- The Row Pleated Maxi Skirt Fall2018By The RowLocated in Los Angeles, CAPleated maxi skirt by The Row Fall 2018 Ready-to-Wear Made in USA Ivory Drop waist Dramatic accordion style pleating Side zipper and hook closure ...Category
2010s American Skirts
- Vintage Alaia SkirtBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Los Angeles, CAProduct Details: Vintage skirt by Azzedine Alaia Olive green Decorative seams High waisted skirt Zip back and button closure Made in France Condition: Excellent vintage condition, ...Category
Late 20th Century French Skirts
- Tom Ford For Gucci 1999 Black Lambskin Fringed SkirtBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in Los Angeles, CAGucci 1999 Black Lambskin Fringed Skirt Spring 1999 Ready-to-Wear Collection by Tom Ford Black/Beige Above the knee Cutout accents throughout Fringed hem Leather covered elasticized...Category
1990s Italian Skirts
- Perry Ellis 1992 Hand-Painted Cotton Organdy Full Skirt (Marc Jacobs)By Perry EllisLocated in Los Angeles, CAPerry Ellis 1992 Hand-Painted Cotton Organdy Full Skirt Marc Jacobs' SS1992 collection for Perry Ellis was inspired by Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles and Hollywood and featured...Category
Early 2000s American Skirts
- FENDI black brown FF Zucca monogram trim knee length skirt IT42 MBy FendiLocated in Hong Kong, NTFENDI black brown FF Zucca monogram trim knee length skirt IT42 M Brand: Fendi Material: Polyester Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Extra Detail: FF Zucca band trim along sid...Category
2010s Italian A-Line Skirts
- Balenciaga Paris Black Pencil Skit, Size 38By BalenciagaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAProduct details: Classic pencil skirt designed by Balenciaga, featuring asymmetrical cut, higher waisted and shorter on the front and lower waisted and longer on the back. Total fron...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Pencil Skirts
$520 Sale Price20% Off - Jean Paul Gaultier black pleated skirt with tan leather waistband, ss 2000By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GBPresenting a stunning Jean Paul Gaultier skirt from the Spring-Summer 2000 collection, a true representation of the designer's bold and innovative style. This skirt exudes elegance a...Category
Early 2000s Italian Skirts
- GUY LAROCHE black floor length bias cut skirt with ruched waistBy Guy LarocheLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black bias cut silk skirt with ruching at side from Guy Laroche dating to the early 1990's. Labeled a French size 40, which best fits a size 4 or 6. Waist measures 32" (meant to ...Category
20th Century French Skirts
- PRADA Black Flare Midi Skirt Size 40By PradaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAPRADA Black Flare Midi Skirt Size 40 Product details: Size 40 Black color Flare style Midi length Size zipper and hook closure Made in ItalyCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Flare Skirts
$520 Sale Price20% Off - Prada Black Pencil Skirt, Size 40By PradaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAProduct details: The skirt is designed by Prada, it features mini/ mid length, rear concealed zip closure and rear slit detail. Made in Italy.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pencil Skirts
$392 Sale Price20% Off