A Rare Gilbert Adrian Inspired Suit by Valentino Garavani
View Similar Items
A Rare Gilbert Adrian Inspired Suit by Valentino Garavani
About the Item
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU196202470
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.
- Christian Dior by John Galliano F/W 1999 Very Stylish Camel Cashmere SuitBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Los Angeles, CAJohn Galliano for Christian Dior soft camel cashmere wool suit from the Dior collection F/W 1999. Uniquely designed with asymmetric fitted jacket with sleek midi skirt makes a high...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
$5,760 Sale Price20% Off - Tom Ford Signature Black Body Hugging Gown with Cape New!By Tom FordLocated in Los Angeles, CAA signature style by Tom Ford in this version of a body hugging gown with high back kick pleat. A sheer black silk chiffon cape completes the look. Dramatic, elegant and sophisticate...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Moschino Rare Roy Lichtenstein Jacket and Pants Suit S/S 1991By MoschinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAFranco Moschino, Cheap & Chic suit, 1992. Features Lichtenstein cartoon-like dot design, printed words in Italian say Domani E’ Un Altro Giorno - "Tomorrow is Another Day". Designe...Category
20th Century Trouser Pant Suits
- Moschino Couture Runway Corset Tux Jumpsuit Holiday Dressing! NWTBy Moschino CoutureLocated in Los Angeles, CAMoschino Couture jumpsuit specially designed with dramatic exciting eye catching presence! Ruched rich rose magenta silk bodice with fine black wool tux style trousers. Boned bodic...Category
2010s Evening Dresses
- Rare Comme des Garcons Runway "Broken Bride" Wedding Ensemble Coat & DressBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CARei Kawakubo's Fall 2005 "Broken Bride" Collection emphasized beautiful and romantic "nuptial" clothing inspired by the Victorian era. Look #23 on the runway showcases a full length coat with an attached wedding dress fashioned of silk with an antique look of parchment. This ensemble is that which is being offered. Asymmetric draped dress is fashioned of silk and cotton with patterns of Victorian lace, stains, imprinted on the front of the dress. The coat is substantial and weighty fully lined and includes a belt. Garment is cleverly designed as one (1) piece giving the illusion of 2 separate pieces. Garments displays...Category
Early 2000s Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Jonathan Simkhai $12K Embroidered Jumpsuit with Dramatic Removeable Train NewBy ValentinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAOffered new with tags Jonathan Simkhai jumpsuit with removable train. As seen on the runway of the 2017 Resort Collection. A different and distinct creation for special occasion d...Category
2010s Jumpsuits
$3,960 Sale Price20% Off
- Kenzo Jungle Velvet Red SuitBy Kenzo JungleLocated in London, GBKenzo Jungle Red Suit Jacket Blazer Skirt Floral Velvet Suit Jacket and Skirt Co-Ord Set Velvety Rose Pattern Detail CONDITION: This item is a vintage/pre-worn piece so some sign...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- YVES SAINT LAURENT BY TOM FORD S/S 2002 Runway Sheer Silk Two-PieceBy Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BEThis leopard print two piece was the opening look for Yves Saint Laurent’s Spring Summer 2002 Rive Gauche collection by Tom Ford. This elegant two-piece consists of a high waisted silk pencil skirt and a zip up sleeveless silk top in a classic leopard print. This safari inspired set features beautiful details such as the YSL logo on the right side of the front of the bodice, and also embossed on the zipper. The bodice features a deep V neckline, multiple pockets on the front and drawstrings at the sides, the back features a transparent panel...Category
Early 2000s French Twin Sets
- VERSACE JEANS COUTURE vintage 80s Betty Boop jumpsuit and jacketLocated in Rubiera, REVERSACE JEANS COUTURE vintage 80s Betty Boop cartoon pop art print catsuit jumpsuit and jacket Cotton knit jumpsuit, mandarin collar, back zip 88% cotton 12% elastane Size label not ...Category
1980s Jumpsuits
- Thierry Mugler Paris Eggplant Skirt SuitBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Sharon, CTLength of sleeve 23", Length of skirt 25", waist 28", Jacket length 27", 3 snaps in front, 2 pockets, plus one at neckline.Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- 1994 Vivienne Westwood 3-piece Leopard skirt, vest and jacket suitBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHStunning leopard 3 piece set is notable piece from Vivienne Westwood's 1994 fw collection. The print made its debut in October 1993 during the Fall/Winter 1994 "Café Society' collection, representing one of the designer's most iconic moments. On that memorable occasion, the jacket adorned the graceful model, Helena Christensen. "Café Society" reimagines European history's impact on women's fashion, posing the question: How does a woman appear when freed from restrictions? Vivienne Westwood, a challenger of fashion authority, draws inspiration from Charles Frederick Worth, the 19th-century founder of haute couture. By incorporating elements like ivory tassels, Westwood transforms the traditional Victorian bustle...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- Alexander Mcqueen 2004 black tailor stitches suitBy Alexander McQueenLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHThis Alexander McQueen jacket is crafted from black textured wool, accented with distinctive white stitching for a sharp contrast. The ensemble comes with it's matching skirt. It fea...Category
Early 2000s Skirt Suits