Valentino Garavani Vintage Gold Lizard Embossed Mini Bag
View Similar Items
Valentino Garavani Vintage Gold Lizard Embossed Mini Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (UK)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: ValentinoGaravani25534GoldBags1stDibs: LU2832222384912
Valentino Garavani
The mononymously known Italian designer Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani is renowned for his fashion house of romantic styles and feminine shapes that he founded in Rome in 1960. Beautiful 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 Garavani evening dresses, handbags and other items on 1stDibs now.
- Vintage Judith Leiber Silk Floral Crystal Embroidered Tassel ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAVintage Judith Leiber Silk Floral Crystal Embroidered Clutch in fair condition. Cream silk with multi color floral embroidery and crystals. Matching cream/beige leather trim and side...Category
1980s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel 2004 Beige Mini Flap Beige Cream Python Mini Clutch Top Handle Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLSpring 2004 {VINTAGE 18 Years} -Beige python leather -Ruthenium hardware -Classic interwoven triple chain -CC classic lock closure at frontal flap -White satin lining -Small interio...Category
Early 2000s French Clutches
- Chanel Cc Logo Muff Vintage Rare Limited Edition White Fur SatchelBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel' White CC Rabbit Muff CC Logo Gold hardware Detachable brushed-gold interwoven chain White rabbit fur Filled with down Black satin lining Chai...Category
1990s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel Bowling Bag Exotic Bowler Paris NY Grey Crocodile Skin Leather SatchelBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLGrey Crocodile bowler from the Paris-NY collection 2005 {VINTAGE 17 Years} Antique silver hardware 4 bottom feet Cc zipper charm Hanging cc pl...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Christian Dior Nude Canvas Envelope Clutch BagBy Christian DiorLocated in Paris, FRChristian Dior nude canvas envelope clutch bag featuring an envelope shape, a front snap opening, bordeaux leather details, a back zip pocket and an inside logo stamp. Circa 1990s ...Category
1990s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Vintage English Art Deco Gold Bookend Minaudiere 1930sLocated in Wilmslow, GBA Vintage Art Deco Gold Bookend Minaudiere. A stunning find from the 1930s Art Deco period. A minaudiere box style evening purse finished with book-end s...Category
1930s Evening Bags and Minaudières