Valentino 1960s costume made silk lilac kaftan dress flower embellished train
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Bust: 33 in (83.82 cm)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Antwerpen, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU44715586702
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: Antwerpen, Belgium
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Dolce & Gabbana vintage strapless leopard lining & lace trim purple dressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestDolce & Gabbana adorable vintage strapless leopard lining & lace trim purple dress With front slide pockets Size 42 Please use the measurements taken flat for the perfect fit Bust 1...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Loris Azzaro 1970s vintage collectors red silk chiffon draped bodice dressBy Loris Azzaro, Loris Azzaro ParisLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestThis spectacular vintage 1970s Loris Azzaro evening dress features a boned bustier draped bodice. It closes with the original back zipper. There are delicate shoulders straps attache...Category
1970s French Cocktail Dresses
- Lanvin vintage 1980s red pleated skirt with matching belt dressBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestLovely pleated skirt coral red crepe dress by Lanvin comes with a matching belt. Made in a mix of 10%wool - 45%cupro - 30%acetate - The dress is fully lined with a 100% silk materia...Category
1880s French Day Dresses
- Leonard Paris 1970s vintage signed 100% silk jersey floral print maxi dressBy Leonard of Paris, LeonardLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestSigned Leonard Paris 1970s vintage maxi dress featuring bell sleeves and made in a botanical printed 100% silk jersey. The dress is labeled size 4 but can accommodate a variety of si...Category
1970s Maxi Dress
- Courreges 1960s vintage black 100% silk smock boned bustier dressBy Courrèges, André CourrègesLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestBeautiful vintage black silk boned bustier dress by Courreges Lined, Courrèges size 0 Measurements are taken flat Ua to Ua 15inch/38cm(x2) - Waist 12inch/30,5cm(x2) - Hip17inch/43cm...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- Christian Lacroix vintage 1990s black French Chantilly lace silk long dressBy Christian Lacroix Paris, Christian LacroixLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestCHRISTIAN LACROIX PARIS. Made in France. French size 38 100% Silk. Please use the measurements that are taken flat Underdress: Bust 17inch/43cm(x2) - Waist 16,5inch/42cm(x2) - Hip 19...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Purple Draped Silk Corset Detailed Strapless Mini Dress MBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Look nothing but lovely as you don this marvelous dress from Dolce & Gabbana. Pair it with your favorite accessories as you head out for the day.Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- S/S 2002 Gianni Versace by Donatella Purple Lace-Up Eyelet DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a purple plunging eyelet dress designed by Donatella for the Gianni Versace Spring/Summer 2002 collection. The eyelets that cover every inch of this dress give it a flirty...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Arnold Scaasi Purple One Shoulder Textured Gown, 1960sBy Arnold ScaasiLocated in West Palm Beach, FLArnold Scaasi Purple One Shoulder Textured Gown - 8 - 60's This spectacular and unique one shoulder textured gown has a straight fit and an extra layer that comes across the front an...Category
1960s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Silk Violet Bustier Dress, 1980sBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYBeautiful Vintage Yves Saint Laurent silk bustier violet dress with a small drapery in front. Edition Soir. The inner corset tightly fixes the bustier o...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses
- Edith Flag Vintage Dress, 1980sBy Edith FlaggLocated in New York, NYStunning couture vintage dress, draped and embellished with beading and stones. Period: 1980s Shoulder pads. There are no tags with the composition, it f...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- Vintage Donald Campbell Purple Silk DressLocated in London, GBA chic vintage silk dress by Donald Campbell. As you would expect the silk is super soft with a wonderful texture. The upper area of the dress is unlined, and the skirt area lined. I...Category
1980s British Cocktail Dresses