UNWORN Breathtaking VALENTINO Black Glitter-Embellished Silk Dress Gown 42
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 42 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Unworn, perfect condition.
- Seller Location:Switzerland, CH
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: DXB, United Arab Emirates
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- UNWORN Gucci by Tom Ford FW 2004 Black Silk & Tassle Evening Gown Dress 40By Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Switzerland, CHRARE COLLECTOR'S ITEM STUNNING PIECE BY TOM FORD FOR HIS FINAL COLLECTION IN FALL 2004 FOR GUCCI Seen on the runway show, in the AD campaign and in many editorials One of the key...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
- UNWORN Emilio Pucci Silk Cady Embroidered Kaftan Tunic Dress 44By Emilio PucciLocated in Switzerland, CHEmilio Pucci's embroidered kaftan is perfect for chic summer parties. Crafted in Italy from luxurious silk-cady, this design has amazing embellishments. Team yours with a clutch and ...Category
2010s Italian Kaftans
- UNWORN Emilio Pucci Pink Embroidered Cady & Chiffon Silk Dress 40By Emilio PucciLocated in Switzerland, CHExclusive EMILIO PUCCI evening cocktail dress Decorated with hand-embroidered embellishments Crafted from luxurious cady & chiffon silk Amazing pink color Dry Clean only Made in Ital...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- NEW John Galliano Black Crochet Knit Ruched DressBy John GallianoLocated in Switzerland, CHAn extremely luxurious JOHN GALLIANO piece that will last you for years Made of soft black knitted fabric Ruched details Fully lined with black soft fabric Dry clean onlyCategory
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- UNWORN Dolce & Gabbana Rare 1998 Chinese Lantern Print Corset Hook Dress GownBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Switzerland, CHBREATHTAKING DOLCE & GABBANA CHINESE PRINT CORSET DRESS GOWN COLLECTOR'S PIECE DETAILS: A DOLCE & GABBANA classic signature piece that will last you for years From the f...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
- NEW Missoni Crystal Gold Metallic Lurex Crochet Knit Evening Gown Maxi Dress 42By MissoniLocated in Switzerland, CHA fantastic Missoni Crochet Knit Evening Gown Elegant kaftan-style With belt for a perfect fit Sparkling crystal embroidery on neckline Full length Beautiful golden metallic crochet ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- Emilio Pucci Blue Silk DressBy Emilio PucciLocated in Paris, FREmilio Pucci blue silk jersey printed dress featuring an iconic geometric print, a front gathered detail. Composition: 100% silk Estimated size IT42/38fr/US6 /UK10 Made in Italy. In...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s A J Bari Vintage Silver Evening Dress w Puffed Gathered Sleeves & PocketsBy A.J. BariLocated in Portland, ORWe love this vintage A. J. Bari vintage dress from the 1980's. The dress is in a silver abstract pattern fabric and it has a gently pleated skirt, gather...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- Gianfranco Ferre Favorite Avant Garde Beaded Blue Evening Dress NEWBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Los Angeles, CAGianfranco Ferre's highly architectural avant garde creation, designed with an art deco influence, is truly unique and imaginative in an amazing innovative and structurally breathtak...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses
- 1984 Yves Saint Laurent Floral Silk Runway Dress w Black Velvet TrimBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis iconic Yves Saint Laurent dress is in a fine floral silk in shades of dove grey and pink on a black background with black velvet trim at the cuffs, yoke and over the shoulders. ...Category
1980s European Day Dresses
- Valentino Red Crepe Vintage Dress With DrapingBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThere is nothing like the perfect red! The Valentino dress is in the classic "Valentino red" which is such a flattering color and it has just the right pigment to flatter all skin types. This lovely dress is such a perfect piece to add to any wardrobe and can easily go from day to night with the right accessories! We especially love the gorgeous draping in the back and the puckered, paneled sleeve detail. The center back has a 10 1/2" slit at the hem and there is a center back hidden zipper closure with a hook and eye. This fully lined dress is made in an acetate viscose blend crepe and it is labeled Valentino. Made in italy...Category
Early 2000s European Evening Dresses
- Black rayon cocktail dress with black see-through lace on the waist VersaceBy VersaceLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack rayon cocktail dress with black see-through lace on the waist. Fabric composition: 99% rayon, 1% polyamide. Zip and hook&eye on the left side. Drape on the bust. $SIZE 42 (It ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses