Valentino Early 2000s Floral pattern silk chiffon halter evening dress
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milano, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Roberto Cavalli animal print dress, Resort 2014By Roberto CavalliLocated in Milano, IT- Runway Look 3 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Animal print lycra dress - Above knee-length - Crew-neck - Fit regalar to the body - Resort 2014 Size: FR 38 - ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière Resort 2009 b&w asymmetric cocktail dressBy Balenciaga, Nicolas GhesquièreLocated in Milano, IT- Resort 2009 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Designed by Ghesquière - Black and white all over printed asymmetric cocktail dress - Sleveless - Hidden side zipper closure - Draped asymm...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- Versace Jeans Couture floral print open back silk dress, early 2000sBy Versace Jeans Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in Milano, ITVersace Jeans Couture floral print open back silk dress, ealry 2000s - Versace jeans couture floral print silk dress - Sold by Skof.Archive - Des...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
- Gucci S/S 2006 Chocolate brown backless halter bamboo cocktail dressBy GucciLocated in Milano, IT- Designed by Frida Giannini - Sold by Skof.Archive - Bamboo clasp detail - Open-back brown cocktail dress - Fitted to the body - Spring Summer...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alberta Ferretti plum velvet and chiffon open back evening dress, fw 2007By Alberta FerrettiLocated in Milano, IT- Runway Look 55 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Plum velvet evening dress - Open back - Asymmetric American neckline - Hidden side zipper - Fall Winter 2007 Size : FR 42 - EN 46 - UK 1...Category
Early 2000s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Max Mara black lycra open back buckle dress, early 2000sLocated in Milano, IT- Above knee-length - Sold by Skof.Archive - Open back cocktail dress - Early 2000s - Front slit - American neckline with adjustable buckle details - Removable belt - Internal leo...Category
Early 2000s Italian 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
- Worn in Sex and The City 2, Iconic John Galliano Christian Dior Newsprint DressBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in New York, NYBeing offered is the Iconic John Galliano for Christian Dior Autumn/Winter 2000-2001 Newsprint Dress WORN by Sarah Jessica Parker and lent by Vintage Luxury N.Y. for Sex and the City 2, the movie. The iconic Dior newsprint dress...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- EMILIO PUCCI black white blue wool 2012 COLORBLOCK RACERBACK Dress 46 XLBy Emilio PucciLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Emilio Pucci sleeveless color-block shift dress in sky blue, off-white and black stretch wool (with 2% elastane). Opens with a zipper in the back. Lined in viscose (10...Category
2010s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- PRADA multicolor cotton PRINTED Short Sleeve Dress 38 XSBy PradaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Prada beach hut and palm trees print dress in multi-color cotton (94%) and elastane (6%) with a round neck and yellow zippers on each sides....Category
2010s Day Dresses
- Rare 2009 Alexander McQueen Crystal Skeleton DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Austin, TXRare 2009 Alexander McQueen "Natural Distinction, Un-natural Selection" Collection dress. Capped sleeves, low cut front. Wool and silk blend. Made ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Dolce Gabbana Herringbone Wool CoatBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Beverly Hills, CA90s Dolce Gabbana Herringbone wool coat lined in silk. fit size 4/6. Marked size 42 italianCategory
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns