Valentino 98 Vintage black embellished tassel backless sequin maxi dress gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2314219718912
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: Paris, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Dolce & Gabbana 2003 black ruched lace up ties bustier corset midi dress IT 40By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Paris, FRDolce & Gabbana black 2003 lace up dress Ruched body with a tight body con fit Inner underwired bra Boned corset style upper Laces run down the entirety of the sides of the dress and...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Gucci Tom Ford S/S 2003 black ruffle plunging neckline backless silk mini dressBy Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Paris, FRFrom the Gucci Spring Sumer 2003 runway collection by Tom Ford Iconic black ruffled mini dress with a low cut plunging neckline Backless cut with criss over spaghetti straps Double l...Category
Early 2000s Italian Mini Dress
- Ralph Lauren SS 2013 black white sleeveless halter backless button up dress gownBy Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Ralph Lauren Purple label Spring Summer 2013 runway dress Beautiful Spanish/Latin American inspired dress Ivory and black The upper part ...Category
2010s American Evening Dresses
- Vera Wang black off the shoulder fitted floor length maxi dress gownBy Vera WangLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Vera Wang black off the shoulder floor length dress Body skimming cut Concealed back zip Size: No size label - estimated to fit an XS but please refer to the meas...Category
2010s American Evening Gowns
- Christian Dior Spring 2007 black silver metal chain hoop sleeveless dress FR 36By Christian DiorLocated in Paris, FRChristian Dior Look 28 from the Spring 2007 runway collection Black short sleeve dress with silver chain hoop detail to the arms, body and hem...Category
Early 2000s Italian Informal Dresses
- Louis Feraud Paris vintage black blue red abstract print jersey midi maxi dressBy Louis Feraud ParisLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Louis Feraud Paris long vintage dress Black with blue, red and beige abstract style print Long sleeves Crew neck Stretch fabr...Category
Late 20th Century German Informal 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