Vintage Valentino Red Silk Slip Dress with Lace Inserts & Open Back
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Read full description (NA)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 30 in (76.2 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. A few pulled threads.
- Seller Location:Portland, OR
- 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: Beaverton, OR
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1980s Vintage Red Vakko Suede Peplum Strapless DressBy VAKKOLocated in Portland, ORThis is such a fun vintage red dress! This Vakko suede peplum evening dress has a sweetheart bust and a pointed peplum at the waist. .The dress is fu...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- Vintage Norma Kamali 1980s Red Satin One Piece JumpsuitBy Norma KamaliLocated in Portland, ORWe adore vintage Norma Kamali pieces and this red satin jumpsuit is simply stunning! This Norma Kamali jumpsuit would make a wonderful evening dre...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Rust Burgundy Silk Kimono w/ Gold Metallic Embroidery for FallLocated in Portland, ORThis gorgeous kimono is another of the beautiful pieces we acquired when we purchased an estate of Asian textiles. We love the fall color - a rusty burgundy with gorgeous gold metallic starbursts! The kimono has a snap for the collar in the back so it can be folded down and beautiful silk lining. This kimono measures 62" long from the nape of the neck and would make a lovely evening coat, hostess robe...Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Bill Blass Red Lace Vintage Long Evening Runway Dress Spring Summer 1997By Bill BlassLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Bill Blass Spring Summer 1997 runway dress is simply incredible! This stunning evening dress is in a gorgeous, intricate red lace and it has a nude silk slip underneath. The double layered slip has thin straps and a scoop neckline and the red lace dress has short sleeves and a high round neckline. There is a metal zipper down the center back seam with a hook and eye for closure. The seams of the red dress are in the same nude color as the slip and the lace has a ruffle near the shins...Category
20th Century American Evening Gowns
- Vintage Travilla Red Dress w Statement Jeweled Rhinestone & Pearl CollarBy TravillaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a really fun Travilla bright red wool crepe dress made for Saks Fifth Avenue. We especially love the jeweled collar with gold beads, faux ...Category
1980s American Shift Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1920s Flapper Style Finely Beaded Red Silk Dress W Original BeltLocated in Portland, ORWe adore this beautiful vintage dress from the late 1970's or early 1980's, inspired by the 1920s. When worn without the belt, it looks like a beaded 20's flapper dress and when belted it takes on an entirely different look! The dress has long sheer sleeves with extra wide zip cuffs and the beading forms vertical stripes and small florals. This dress has the Sister Max...Category
1980s Indian Evening Dresses
- Valentino red evening dress with embellished lace sleeves, fw 2005By ValentinoLocated in Milano, IT- Runway Look 84 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Red evening dress - Sequined sleeves - Hidden side zipper - Inner bustier with side zipper - Fall Winter 2005 Size : FR 40 - EN 44 - U...Category
Early 2000s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Documented 2005 A-POC by Issey Miyake & Dai Fujiwara 2-Piece Orange Dress SetBy Issey MiyakeLocated in Scottsdale, AZFabulous 2005 A-POC BY ISSEY MIYAKE AND DAI FUJIWARA in a brilliant orange. 2 pieces of fabric layered over one and other. Miyake “A-POC” is an acronym for “A Piece of Cloth” and ref...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cocktail Dresses
- 1980's William Travilla Crushed Velvet DressBy TravillaLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis is an absolutely stunning vintage dress from William Travilla from the 1980's! This incredible Boudreaux velvet dress has a deep v neckline, with...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana red jersey draped drawstring mini dress, ss 2003By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana red viscose jersey mini dress and detached sleeves with various drawstring fastenings. Spring-Summer 2003Category
Early 2000s Italian Mini Dress
- Tom Ford coral viscose crepe beaded evening dress with train, fw 2013By Tom Ford, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in London, GBTom Ford; coral viscose crepe evening dress with train and Pop Art inspired beading Fall-Winter 2013Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana red velvet patchwork maxi dress, fw 1993By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana, red velvet diamond patchwork maxi dress. Fall-Winter 1993Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns