Valentino Italy Vintage Chic “Lace” Cat Eye Sunglasses
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Style:Italian Designer Collection (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Little to no use.
- Seller Location:Palm Springs, CA
- 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: Palm Springs, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Marc Jacobs Sold Out Chic Edition/Style Oval Sunglasses w/ Cases and ClothBy Marc JacobsLocated in Palm Springs, CAOne of our fashionista clients in Palm Springs bought these sunglasses in five colors. This pair seems never to have been worn, but possibly worn once or twice according to the inter...Category
2010s Italian Sunglasses
- Balenciaga Speed Racer Shoes Rare Olive Green/Black Size 43/10 Mens UnisexBy BalenciagaLocated in Palm Springs, CAThese pair of Balenciaga speed racers came from a client that wore them a couple times. Out of all the athletic shoes that Balenciaga did, these were co...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Vionnet Paris Navy Suede Pumps with Chartreuse Sculpture Heel Italy Size 37By Vionnet ParisLocated in Palm Springs, CAShoes as Art. That’s the only way you can describe these amazing shoes designed by the house of VIonnet, Paris. A dark navy suede pump becomes art wit...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Carmen by Carmen Marc Valvo Black Jersey Sleeveless Embellished Dress Size SmallBy Carmen Marc ValvoLocated in Palm Springs, CAA modern black jersey chemise dress designed by Carmen Mac Valvo for the Carmen label. Such a chic dress for day to cocktails. The smoke and champagne color crystal embelishments are...Category
2010s Chemise Dresses
- Escada Collection Chic Vintage Tailored Black Beaded Pantsuit Size 4/6 USBy Escada Margaretha Ley, Margaretha Ley EscadaLocated in Palm Springs, CAWe were able to shop a closet of a Palm Springs Fashionista, who used to model and had the most amazing selection of clothing. We’ve seen in a long time. This first item is a beautif...Category
1990s German Trouser Pant Suits
- Metallic Jewel Tone Metallic Plaid Suit Vintage European Custom Made Size 6/8Located in Palm Springs, CAThis beautiful custom made suit cane from the closet of a Philanthropist/Socialite Fashionista’s Closet. Custom made in Europe, one of a kind, in the 80s. The fabric is super luxe. A...Category
1980s European Skirt Suits
- Kenzo Purple Hardware Frame SunglassesBy KenzoLocated in New York, NYThese iconic Kenzo's purple hardware frames sunglasses measures 5 1/4" across the front, height is 1 5/16", arms are 5 1/4" and finished with purple lucite tips.Category
1990s French Sunglasses
- Yves Saint Laurent Black Hardware SunglassesBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent black hardware frame sunglasses measures 5" straight across the front. The curved front measures 7 1/2" from hardware side-...Category
1990s Italian Sunglasses
- New Vintage Rare Alain Mikli 639 Black Round Aluminium France Sunglasses 1980By Alain MikliLocated in Baleares, BalearesNew Vintage Rare Alain Mikli Round Aluminium frame. Rare item in new and unworn condition. Spotless light brown gradient lenses. Please consider that this item is nearly 40 years o...Category
1980s French Sunglasses
- 1990s Cutler and Gross Tortoiseshell SunglassesLocated in Toronto, OntarioKnown for the "finest Italian craftsmanship with irrefutably cool style" Cutler and Gross glasses are collectable and timeless. This pair from the 199...Category
1990s Italian Sunglasses
- Moschino Thick Black Lucite with Heart Crystal Accent SunglassesBy MoschinoLocated in New York, NYMoschino thick black lucite sunglasses accented with heart-shaped crystals on the arm of the glasses. Also on the arm tips are highlighted with gold hardware hearts within the lucite...Category
1990s Italian Sunglasses
- New Vintage Rare Alain Mikli 3124 Tortoise & Black France Sunglasses 1990By Alain MikliLocated in Baleares, BalearesNew Vintage Rare Alain Mikli black, silver and tortoise frame. This item is in unworn condition. Please consider that this item is nearly 40 years old so it could show minor sign o...Category
1980s French Sunglasses