NWT F/W 2004 Valentino Garavani Red Sheer Lace Mini Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 12 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Never worn, with original tags still attached. Light wear from age and storage throughout.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388220754022
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- F/W 1997 Gianni Versace Padded Neckline Black Leather Bodycon Tube DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful strapless black leather Versace tube dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1997 collection, similar entirely black leather tube dresses debut...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 1999 Roberto Cavalli Grey Animal Print Trompe l'Oeil Stretch Cowl Neck DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a grey cow print Roberto Cavalli dress. From the Fall/Winter 1999 collection, a similar dress with the same print was highlighted in the season's ad campaign. This fabulou...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2002 Gianni Versace by Donatella Red Eyelet Cutout Stretch Racerback DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a bright red eyelet cut-out Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Spring/Summer 2002 collection, this vibrant sleeveless dress features a w...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1997 Dolce & Gabbana Cheetah Print Silk Sleeveless Bodycon Pin-Up DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful mid-length cheetah print Dolce and Gabbana dress. From the Spring/Summer 1997 collection, this effortlessly chic slip dr...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 2001 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Black Mesh External Bralette Babydoll DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous black mesh Gucci babydoll dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2001 collection, this dress debuted on the season's ru...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1985 Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black White Leaf Print Cap Sleeve DusterBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black and white leaf print Saint Laurent Rive Gauche duster, designed by Yves Saint Laurent. From the Spring/Summer 1985 collection, this fabulous bold print debuted on ...Category
1980s French Maxi Dresses
- BALLY Gray RARE Sleeveless Dress Italy 4/38By BallyLocated in Asheville, NCBally, Made in Italy, Size US 4, Sack Style Bottom at Back, Grosgrain Ribbon Tie, Stitched Details, 70% Viscose, 30% Polyamid Measurements Laying Flat (Has Stretch): Bust Free (Blou...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mini Dresses
- Vintage JAMS WORLD Colorful Woman Roses Art ARCHIVE Rayon Dress S/M RARELocated in Asheville, NCJams World, Excellent Graphics, Zipper on Back, Back Slit (5"), No Size or Care Tag Measurements Laying Flat: Bust 18" Waist 15" Hips 19.5" Length 34" (at shoulder)Category
Late 20th Century Mini Dresses
- DYED PETALS Vintage Botanically Tie-Dyed 60's Upcycled Dress XS/SLocated in Asheville, NCThe DYED PETALS Collection (vintage, upcycled, and custom-made fashion using natural dyes and colorants), is designed and offered exclusively by PARPARIAN....Category
Mid-20th Century Maxi Dresses
- Vintage 60s 70s Mod GREEN MCM Geometric Abstract OP ART MAD MEN Dress M/LLocated in Asheville, NCVintage Mod Green Dress, Diamond and Floral Print, Polyester, Metal Zipper on Back, Darted, Short Sleeve, Calf Length, Great for Spring! Measurements Laying Flat: Bust 18" Waist 17...Category
1960s Informal Dresses
- Chanel Navy Dress with LogoBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel navy dress, size 36. Excellent condition.Category
2010s Day Dresses
- AZZEDINE ALAÏA black dress and green polka dots FR 36By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Rubiera, REAZZEDINE ALAÏA PARIS black dress with green polka dots - sleeveless very snug zip on the back size FR 36 Made in Italy 50% wool 25% viscose 15% polyamide 10% polyester Flat measures:...Category
2010s Italian Mini Dresses