Gucci Runway 1920's Style Chain Mail Evening Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU19617028642
Gucci
Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Gucci Coveted Runway Tartan Plaid Hi Low Dress GownBy GucciLocated in Los Angeles, CAGucci unveiled its resort 2017 collection with an eclectic collection that fused Alessandro Michele’s whimsical style with British inspired touches. The result was a highly imaginat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
- Maison Margiela Rare Vintage Beaded Tapestry Runway Dress Gown Museum CollecBy Maison Martin MargielaLocated in Los Angeles, CASpring 2012 Maison Martin Margiela's collection of exquisite evening wear inspired by Asian theme tapestry. One could picture this "wearable art" sequined number out at a fashion party or special event. Margiela tapestry gown featured in RSID museum exhibition (see last photo). Strapless gown with corset...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- John Galliano Grecian Inspired Asymmetric Ivory Silk Chiffon DressBy John Galliano, Christian DiorLocated in Los Angeles, CAJohn Galliano circa 2000 angelic elegant evening gown inspired by Grecian fashion. Asymmetrically fashioned in ivory silk chiffon delicately crafted in crisscross draped bodice. L...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses
- Thierry Mugler Iconic Old Hollywood 1930's Inspired Dress Gown Wing Fin AccentsBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThierry Mugler Siren gown inspired by Old Hollywood fashions of the 1930's. Fashioned of white pleated viscose in a halter style featuring "win...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Comme des Garcons NWT 2014 Runway Oversized Aerodynamic Link DressBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CARei Kawakubo's collection for Comme des Garcons S/S 2014 denotes a collection creatively unfettered by rules and formulas normally used in the fashion industry. In this collection t...Category
2010s Shift Dresses
- Alberta Ferretti Bias Cut Silk Dress with Jewel DécolletéBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Los Angeles, CAAlberta Ferretti cold shoulder striking blue grey silk charmeuse dress featuring a heavily embellished jeweled bodice. Features a bias cut drape and its jeweled embellishment in a de...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
- Gucci S/S 2010 Bodycon Lace Up Bandage Grey Mini DressBy GucciLocated in Naples, FLGucci S/S 2010 Bodycon Lace Up Bandage Grey Mini Dress Please note the size and fabric tags have been removed. This item will best fit size XS/S.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- John Galliano S/S 2005 Cherry Print Tie Up Silk Slip Mini DressBy John GallianoLocated in Naples, FLJohn Galliano S/S 2005 Cherry Print Tie Up Silk Slip Mini Dress FR 38Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Linda Cunningham Taupe Silk Gown w/ Multi Floral Lace & 3 Tier Ruffle Bust - 10Located in West Palm Beach, FLLinda Cunningham Taupe Silk Gown w/ Multi Floral Lace & 3 Tier Ruffle Bust - 10. This gorgeous gown is in excellent condition. It features a taupe silk material, three tier ruffle ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Multi Silk Tie Dye Print Dress with Pockets - 44By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis unique Dolce & Gabbana dress is a tie dye print silk material. It is sleeveless with tapered stitches, 2 side pockets, and a thin gold leather belt. Size 44, circa 21st cent...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Scaasi 1990’s White and Silver Silk Lace One-Shoulder Ruffled Ball Gown-Size 10By Arnold ScaasiLocated in West Palm Beach, FLScaasi White and Silver Silk Lace One-Shoulder Ruffled Ball Gown - 10. Circa 90's. This beautiful gown has 4 tiers of layered ruffles. There is 1 layer of lace, 2 of tulle, and 1 ins...Category
1990s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Malcolm Starr Heavily Beaded Green Silk Organza Gown, Circa 1970sBy Malcolm StarrLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMalcolm Starr Heavily Beaded Green Silk Organza Gown - 8- Circa 70's This Elinor Simmons for Malcolm Starr creation is fabulous. This gorgeous green ...Category
1970s American Empire Waist Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Explore a Century of Gucci Fashion in London
The iconic Italian label’s traveling exhibition has just arrived in London.
The Stories behind the Most Famous Luxury Fashion Logos
From Chanel to YSL, the logos of some legacy fashion houses spark instant brand recognition and have come to symbolize a kind of luxury that feels at once aspirational and attainable.