1990's VALENTINO black textured leather convertible 'envelope' clutch bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 11.75 in (29.85 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:textured leather and gold-tone hardware.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light signs of wear.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8121475292
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: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1990's RENAUD PELLEGRINO textured leather convertible shoulder clutch bagBy Renaud PellegrinoLocated in San Fransisco, CAColor blocked textured leather convertible clutch with exterior pockets designed by Renaud Pellegrino dating to the 1990's. Bag measures approximately 8.875" wide by 7.75" tall and 1...Category
1990s American Clutches
- 1980's CARLOS FALCHI asymmetrical snakeskin patchwork clutch bag with strapBy Carlos FalchiLocated in San Fransisco, CAAsymmetrically shaped snakeskin patchwork clutch with thin concealable leather strap designed by Carlos Falchi dating to the 1980's. One interior pocket. Made in the U.S. Very good c...Category
1980s American Clutches
- 1980's BOTTEGA VENETA large grey woven leather bagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in San Fransisco, CAElephant-Grey, woven leather bag from Bottega Veneta dating to the late 1980's. Bag measures approximately 16" tall by 10" wide seam to seam (it's actual wider and taller depending o...Category
1980s Italian Hobo Bags
- 2005 COMME DES GARCONS natural leather bag with hand woven saddle stitchingBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare untreated natural cowhide leather bag with hand woven saddle stitching details from Comme Des Garcons dating to spring of 2005. Very similar to pieces seen on the runway. B...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Tote Bags
- COMME DES GARCONS brown embossed leather bag with silver 'kiss lock' frameBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in San Fransisco, CABrown, crocodile embossed, leather bag with adjustable black nylon shoulder strap and silver kiss lock frame designed by Katsuyuki Yoshida for Comme ...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Shoulder Bags
- 1980's BOTTEGA VENETA mini green woven leather bag with long strapBy Bottega VenetaLocated in San Fransisco, CADark-green woven leather bag from Bottega Veneta dating to the 1980's. Bag measures approximately 6.5" tall by 8" wide edge to edge. Depth is approximately 2-3" depending on how much...Category
1980s Italian Hobo Bags
- Chanel Orylag Triple Chain Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA stylish and Chic Chanel Orylag flap bag from the Fall/Winter 2015 Act 1 Collection. The exterior of this bag features a navy orylag fur with antiqued s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- 1990's GIANNI VERSACE CROC SUNBURST Women's Brown Patent CLUTCH BagBy Gianni VersaceLocated in PUTNEY, NSWCollector's Gianni Versace croc clutch, featuring sunburst hardware, brown pattern croc leather. comes with many card slots and seperate department for not...Category
1990s European Clutches
- Fendace Gold Medusa Bling Mesh Mini Fendi Versace FF Zucca Baguette Bag ChainBy Versace, FendiLocated in PUTNEY, NSWCollector's Versace X Fendi Bag as seen countless celebrities. Brand new with dust bag, full set with tags, Feature Material: Mesh, Metal Color: Gold Condition: Brand New Period: 20...Category
2010s European Clutches
- Judith Leiber Vintage Cream Leather ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PABeautiful Judith Leiber Vintage Cream Leather Clutch in excellent condition. Soft cream leather exterior with textured pinched leather top front...Category
1980s Clutches
- Judith Leiber Beige Lizard Tiger Eye Gemstone ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Beige Lizard Tiger Eye Gemstone Clutch in fair condition. Beige lizard leather trimmed with gold hardware and tiger eye gemstones along t...Category
1980s Clutches
- Hermès Kelly Cut Clutch Elan Crocodile Porosus Lisse 89 Noir GHWBy HermèsLocated in New York, NY- New 2023 - Kelly Cut Clutch Elan - Crocodile Porosus Lisse 89 Noir - Gold Hardware - Full set including, Cities, Receipt, Dust bag, BoxCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches