1950s MGM Mme. Etoile by Irene Sharaff Couture Ball Gown in Deep Teal Silk
By Irene Scharaff
Located in Gresham, OR
1950s MGM Mme. Etoile by Irene Sharaff couture ball gown in deep mauve and teal silk tulle and horsehair : Irene Sharaff, 5-time Academy Award Winner for costume design, made this go...
Lanvin Alber Elbaz Turquoise Red Crocodile Effect Woven Chain Bag Spring 2009
By Lanvin Paris
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Moroccan-born designer Alber Elbaz is remembered as much for his love of people as he is for his astounding talent and creative philosophy. Credited with revitalizing the French fash...
$445Sale Price|22% Off
Size: Refer to measurements
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Avant-Garde Hooded Dress c 21st C
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in University City, MO
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Avant-garde hooded dress The edgy boxy tunic style dress is designed with a subtle textured crinkled pattern that emulates reptile scales The unique ...
CHRISTIAN DIOR black rabbit felt 2018 WILD EMBELLISHED COWBOY Hat 57
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Christian Dior Wild Cowboy Hat is crafted from black rabbit felt. It features a structured silhouette with a wide brim, a black beaded band embellished with turqu...
Sleeveless "mermaid" blue and green sequin evening dress ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER
By Alexandre Vauthier
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Sleeveless "mermaid" blue and green sequin evening dress. Black rayon lining. Invisible zip closure on the middle back. Middle front lenght : 120cm Side lenght : 132cm SIZE M / SAMPLE
Walborg Black Puddle Beaded Vintage Purse Handbag
By Walborg
Located in New York, NY
Walborg Black Puddle Purse Handbag vintage Very good condition especially considering the age of this beautifully beaded novelty purse. Please see detailed pictures.It’s a must have...
Vintage dress 1960s
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
UNKNOWN - Short muslin dress with a pattern in yellow, green, orange, and purple tones. It comes with a stole. No size indicated, it fits a 34FR/36FR. Condition: Good condition Dim...
Vintage Paste & Velvet Crown 1950s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Paste Crown most likely dating to the mid century and possibly earlier. A rare find. Hand set with rhinestones the crown can be worn with or without the velvet lining. Remi...
Ralph Lauren S/S 2012 Purple Label Bias Cut Silver & Floral Print Dress
By Ralph Lauren Purple Label
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Whether you are a bride-to-be, or looking for that unique bias cut dress to add to your wardrobe for a special occasion, this Ralph Lauren Purple Label dress covers all basis.Origina...
$4,590
Size: Small / Medium
CD Greene Early 2000s Sheer Nude Mesh Mirror Disc Embellished Bodycon Gown Y2K
By CD GREENE
Located in San Diego, CA
An unforgettable vintage early-2000s CD Greene couture gown, masterfully balancing sensuality and architectural precision. Crafted from nude illusion stretch mesh, this floor-length,...
1960s French Batik Rainbow Silk Sleeveless Dress
Located in London, GB
This French couture dress was designed in the late 1960s and is tailored from a watercolour rainbow printed silk chiffon using a batik technique. The dress has a fitted top with tiny...
New Badgley Mischka Beaded Evening Dress Gown Sz 4
By Badgley Mischka
Located in Conroe, TX
Badgley Mischka Gown Brand New with Tags Size: 4 100% Black Nylon Overlay 100% Silk Fuchsia Shell Fuchsia Silk & Black Nylon Overlay Dress Fuchsia Silk Shell Shows Through the black...
Rare 1980s Krizia Baloo " Jungle Book " Novelty Print Vintage 80s Jumpsuit
By Krizia
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and collectible KRIZIA Baloo "Jungle Book" print one piece jumpsuit! Features Baloo, the sloth bear, in various poses around the front and back bodice. Color block with bright t...
New Badgley Mischka Beaded Evening Dress Gown Sz 4
By Badgley Mischka
Located in Conroe, TX
Badgley Mischka Gown Brand New with Tags Size: 4 100% Black Nylon Overlay 100% Silk Midnight Blue Shell Midnight Blue Silk & Black Nylon Overlay Dress Midnight Blue Silk Shell Shows...
Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Tie with Box
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Milano, IT
This elegant vintage Yves Saint Laurent tie features a sophisticated abstract wave pattern in shades of bronze and black set against a deep midnight blue silk background. Its refined...
Chanel 1995 Fall/Winter Pink Runway Blazer size 38
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
A breathtaking statement from the Chanel Fall/Winter 1995 collection, designed by Karl Lagerfeld during one of the most iconic eras in the house’s history. This blazer is crafted fro...
Louis Vuitton 30 Ramages Speedy bag 2015
By Louis Vuitton
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
LOUIS VUITTON -(Made in France) 'Ramages' monogram coated canvas 30cm Speedy bag with natural leather, golden brass, a padlock and keys. A 2015 Collection - limited edition. Conditi...
With entire museum exhibitions dedicated to examining fashion designers and their creations, we’re finally recognizing that costuming is art. Evening dresses over time have conveyed specific statements about social class, position and beliefs. Fashion is a powerful means of self-expression, and sophisticated vintage evening dresses and gowns by our favorite couturier play no small role in making us feel wonderful but, perhaps more importantly, making us feel like ourselves.
In the 16th century, dresses and gowns were so important that England's Queen Elizabeth I defined rules about what dresses women could wear — guidance included long skirts and fitted bodices. Forward-thinking designers have responded to this history.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel reimagined traditionally masculine garments for feminine shapes, and her elegant evening dresses and gowns promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by layers of fabric. Christian Dior's gowns celebrated luxury and femininity in the late 1940s — and gave to women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of the war. French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent introduced innovative and highly coveted dress designs in the 1960s while at the same time challenging sexist stereotypes about which members of society could wear tuxedos.
Works by unconventional British designer John Galliano — featured in houses like Givenchy and Dior — redefined limits that dressmakers faced in terms of material, construction and vision during the late 20th century. From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless Dior newspaper dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably collectible and newsworthy
Today’s designers target an increasingly broad audience with their boundary-crossing work, and their tendency to play off of each other’s ideas means that every walk down the runway is also a walk through an entire history of fashion design and dress craftsmanship.
Whether you gravitate toward backless maxi dresses or silk charmeuse gowns by Alexander McQueen or embellished, ruffled floral-print designs by Chloe or Versace, there is an extraordinary collection of vintage and designer evening dresses and gowns waiting for you on 1stDibs.