VALENTINO Vintage 80's Silk Corset Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Marked Size: 4 (US)Bust: 31 in (78.74 cm)Waist: 24 in (60.96 cm)Hip: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Georgetown, ME
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3602219495222
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: Georgetown, ME
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1970's Vintage Tri Color Floral DressBy I Magnin and CoLocated in Georgetown, MEVintage 70's Tri Color Floral Halter Dress! I am obsessed with this dress, it is perfect in every way. Designer: unknown has the Joseph Magnin Department Store Label Size: fi...Category
1970s Maxi Dresses
- GIRASOL Deadstock Vintage 70's Mexican DressLocated in Georgetown, MEDeadstock Vintage 70's GIRASOL Striped Cotton Mexican Dress. This dress is deadstock (new with tags) and so cute! Designer: Girasol Condition: Excell...Category
1970s Mexican Sheath Dresses
- KRIZIA Vintage 80's Polar Bear DressBy Krizia MagliaLocated in Georgetown, MERare Vintage 80's KRIZIA Polar Bear Dress. My love affair with Vintage Krizia animal knitwear continues! Cozy and Krizia! Designer: Krizia Condition: Excellent Size: 42, fit...Category
1980s Casual Dresses
- S/S 2000 Vintage VERSACE Couture DressBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Georgetown, MERare Vintage S/S 2000 VERSACE Couture silk dress! Designer: Versace Condition: Excellent Size: 42, fits like a small-medium Length: 40 inches including Bust: 17.5 inches ar...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shift Dresses
- CHANEL Vintage Spring 1998 Little Black DressBy Chanel Boutique, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Georgetown, MEVintage CHANEL Spring 1998 Little Black Dress. This classic piece is made from light weight wool and lined in silk. Two logo buttons adorn the bac...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- CHANEL Vintage Spring 1988 DressBy Chanel, Chanel BoutiqueLocated in Georgetown, MEVintage CHANEL S/S 1988 Runway Lace & Floral Dress! This incredible Dress is so hard to find. I love the petticoat which gives the skirt a bit of vo...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1980’s Callaghan wool jersey dress with corduroy detail & leather beltBy CALLAGHANLocated in COLLINGWOOD, AUThis beautiful, vintage early 1980's Callaghan wool jersey dress with unique corduroy detail to the cuffs and bind on the raglan sleeve is designed by Gianni Versace when he was work...Category
1980s Italian Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Le Nard 1980s Belted Long Sleeve Feather Print DressLocated in Scottsdale, AZStep into the bold and vibrant spirit of the 1980s with our Le Nard Belted Long Sleeve Feather Print Dress—a statement piece that fuses fun, nostalgia, and contemporary style. This m...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Mascara 1990s Asymmetric Draped Polka Dot DressLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Mascara Paris asymmetric draped dress is sooo funky and eye catching! Get a look at this gorgeous draped style which features an asymmetric cut at the sleeves and gives way to ...Category
1990s Informal Dresses
- Comme des Garcons Homme Plus brown wool knitted v-neck sweater dress, A / W 1995By Comme des GarçonsLocated in London, GBAutumn-Winter 1995Category
1990s Japanese Day Dresses
- 1980s Leopard Kaftan DressLocated in Scottsdale, AZStep into the spotlight with our 1980s Leopard Kaftan Dress, a striking statement piece that captures the essence of 80s fashion. This kaftan style dres...Category
1980s Kaftans
- Vivienne Westwood red striped cotton jersey dress, ss 1989By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood red striped cotton jersey dress with printed baroque metallic gold picture frame. Civilizade, Spring-Summer 1989Category
1980s British Day Dresses