Valentino Hand Beaded Sari Silk Asymmetrical Evening Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1966330702
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 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
- Saint Laurent Asymmetric Cut-Out Chiffon Overlay Gown DressBy Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAA sexy Saint Laurent goddess gown designed with intricate cut-out panels and drape. Fashioned of black sheer chiffon anchored by a lined bodysuit that keeps the dress in place. Designed with hook and eye side closures. Asymmetric toga style long chiffon overlay...Category
2010s Evening Dresses
- Rubin Singer Demi Couture Wine Velvet Strapless Gown DressBy Rubin SingerLocated in Los Angeles, CARubin Singer is known for creating special event glamour gowns, and this one is no exception. Fashioned of rich deep wine velvet expertly draped onto the...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Isabel Sanchis "Valentine Pick" Jeweled Heart Runway GownBy ValentinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAA unique and exciting gown by Isabel Sanchis, known for her imaginative evening wear. Fashioned peek-a-boo black net bodice adorned with embroidered be...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Versace Vintage Runway Bondage Gown Plunging Neckline Thigh High Slit WOW!By VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CAEarly 2000 Versace cut-out halter gown fashioned in rich deep black silk. Boasts thigh high slit and plunging neckline. Trimmed with square faceted silve...Category
Early 2000s Evening Gowns
- New 1997 Comme des Garcons "Rei of Light" Polkadot Black DressBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAA striking fabrication of black wool offset by sheer polkadot poly. From the 1997 A/W Comme des Garcons collection of which this style dress is shown in various versions on the ru...Category
1990s Cocktail Dresses
- Moschino Silk Contoured Hoop-Skirt GownBy MoschinoLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis gown will pull you in and intrigue you with all the curves and volume. This Moschino design is genius as the skirt has varying sizes of circular boning to fit to your own body's curves giving you a hyper-feminized silhouette. Featuring a full-length to add to the drama and a simple black color-way and tank-top style to let the bottom detail steal the show. The fabric is 100% silk. Make sure to pair this dress with dramatic earrings...Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood bronze stretch-velvet and gold foil printed dress, fw 1990By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood bronze stretch-velvet evening dress ▪ Gold foil neoclassical print inspired by Andre-Charles Boulle ▪ Concealed zipper at center-back ▪ Size Medium ▪ Fall-Winter...Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 2000s Marc Jacobs Vintage Black Taffeta Open Back Punk Inspired Evening DressBy Marc JacobsLocated in Portland, ORThis is a great vintage Marc Jacobs evening dress from the early 2000's. The dress is in an elevated, rich black taffeta with an open back that clo...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Azzedine Alaia F/W 1991 Vintage Bodycon Velvet Knit Black DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaia F/W 1991 Vintage Bodycon Velvet Knit Black Dress Size M Alaïa heavy knit velvet dress with open knit trim throughout, V-neck, long sleeves ...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace S/S 2016 Runway Embellished Cutout Sheer Panels Mini Evening DressBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace S/S 2016 Runway Embellished Cutout Sheer Panels Mini Evening Dress IT 40 Look 54 from the Spring 2016 Collection.Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns