Travilla Strapless Silk Strapless Gown 1970s
By Travilla
Located in Water Mill, NY
From acclaimed designer William Travilla a stunning gown comprised of layers of pointed edge red silk.
Travilla Strapless Silk Strapless Gown 1970s
By Travilla
Located in Water Mill, NY
From acclaimed designer William Travilla a stunning gown comprised of layers of pointed edge red silk.
Travilla Purple Silk Long Sleeve Cocktail Dress with Draping Size 8
By Travilla
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Travilla cocktail dress is fashioned from a wonderful purple silk.
1980s Travilla Size 10 Black Matte Silk Jersey Rhinestone Vintage 80s Gown Dress
By Travilla
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and timeless WILLIAM TRAVILLA black matte silk jersey rhinestone encrusted long sleeve evening gown ! Features flattering ruching throughout the bodice. Interior shoulder p...
TRAVILLA Black Silk Gown with Bead Lace Size 8
By Travilla
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Travilla gown is composed of black silk and features beaded lace accenting with a nude underlay. There is a center back zipper closure. In excellent vintage condition. **P...
Travilla for I. Magnin Vintage Black Silk Velvet Cocktail Dress
By I. Magnin, Travilla
Located in Sparks, NV
Vintage Travilla for I. Magnin silk velvet button up cocktail dress with long sleeves and a structured collar.
TRAVILLA 2pc White and Gold Metallic Brocade Silk Dress and Coat Ensemble Size 8
By Travilla
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Travilla ensemble is composed of an off white and gold metallic brocade silk.
TRAVILLA Draped Brown Silk Chiffon Gown with Feather Applique Size 8
By Travilla
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Travilla gown is composed of a brown silk chiffon. Features a center front drape and peasant feather applique. There is a center back zipper closure. In excellent vintage condi...
$1,196Sale Price|25% Off
Travilla Vintage Black Sequin Avant Garde Cutout Silk Satin Evening Gown
By Travilla
Located in San Diego, CA
Looks like a strapless dress with gloves. Mock jeweled buttons up the bodice, with a nipped wasp waist.
TRAVILLA White Silk Ruffled Gown with Floral Motif and Wrap Size 8-10
By Travilla
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Travilla gown is composed of an off-white silk with a turquoise and pink floral motif. Features a side draped ruffle with large flower. There is a center back zipper. Comes wit...
Travilla for Saks Fifth Ave Beverly Hills Beaded Lace and Silk Gown Size 16 NWOT
By Travilla, William Travilla
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Travilla dressed many established stars, from Marlene Dietrich and Joan Crawford, to Loretta Young.
Unavailable
Vintage 1970's Travilla Silk Maxi Dress
By Travilla
Located in Hudson on the Saint Croix, WI
vintage 1970's dress * black graphic print silk * silk lining * back zipper * smocked sleeves * wide cuffs * deep scoop neck * by Travilla condition | loose/missing threa...
1986 Travilla Couture Whitney Houston Design Blue One-Shoulder Beaded Silk Gown
By Travilla, William Travilla
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Whitney Houston's actual Travilla dress was auctioned off at Julien’s for over $20,000.
Travilla Red Silk Chiffon Godet Dress with Shawl Size Small Medium
By Travilla
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Travilla cocktail dress is composed of a fabulous red silk chiffon and is coupled with a matching shawl.
1970's Travilla White Silk Crepe Gown with Unusual Cord Decoration
By Travilla, William Travilla
Located in New Hope, PA
Oscar winning Hollywood Costume Designer William Travilla is best known as the designer of the white silk halter dress Marilyn Monroe wore in the film The Seven Year Itch in 1955.
Travilla Silk Applique Trim Dress 1970s
By Travilla, William Travilla
Located in Water Mill, NY
An incredible black silk dress by William Travilla. It is semi fitted with a wrap tie belt at the waist, a V neckline and a straight skirt.
Museum Quality 1970s Travilla Vintage Metallic Gold + Black Silk Jumpsuit Dress
By Travilla, William Travilla
Located in Sparks, NV
Incredible museum quality vintage 1970s palazzo jumpsuit by William Travilla. Sheer silk midriff and balloon sleeves. Huge palazzo pant legs! Partially lined with rear zip and hook c...
Vintage Travilla Lace Illusion Bodice Silk Chiffon Flowy Black Dress
By Travilla, William Travilla
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage Travilla silk chiffon black pleated dress, with gorgeous intricate lace bodice.
Vintage Travillia Couture 1970s Hand Painted Kelly Green Silk Chiffon 70s Gown
By Travilla, William Travilla
Located in San Diego, CA
Absolutely stunning 1970s TRAVILLIA hand painted kelly green caftan gown! Features layers upon layers of the finest silk chiffon. Hand painted watercolor prints throughout the front,...
Travilla 1950's Blue Silk Dress
By Travilla
Located in Toronto, ON
Vintage 1950's William Travilla blue dress. Blue sheer silk overlay with draped neckline, short sleeves, bow at centre back waist, and gathered design at back skirt.
c1953 Travilla "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" Purple Silk Dress
By Travilla
Located in Rockwood, ON
Though this dress is obviously not that exact dress, it is most likely a one-off made by request of some woman at the time who went to Travilla to re-create that look.
1960s Travilla Plunging Sequin Covered Couture Silk Dress
By Travilla
Located in Rockwood, ON
The interior is lined in a silk chiffon that has the same print as the exterior layer even though you would never see this once the dress is on.
1970s Mongolian Fur Trimmed Cream Silk Travilla Gown
By Travilla
Located in Rockwood, ON
Famous for creating Marilyn Monroe's scintillating and iconic "subway grate" dress for the movie The Seven Year Itch, Travilla began as a costume designer before opening his own cust...
Travilla 1930's style silk charmuese dress with peplum jacket
By Travilla
Located in Cloverdale, CA
Travilla 1930's style silk charmuese dress with peplum jacket.
William Bill Travilla Vintage Silk Dress Houndstooth Plaid Tassel Print 8/10
By Travilla
Located in Portland, OR
This pretty silk vintage dress was designed by Bill Travilla, the designer who was one of Marilyn Monroe's favorites!
Travilla Illusion Cocktail ca.1970
By Travilla
Located in Phoenix, AZ
A exquisite Travilla "illusion" cocktail dress. Fine silk chiffon item features black and metallic gold cut velvet "dots" and a sheer midriff.
1970s Layered Silk Chiffon Travilla Maxi Dress
Located in Rockwood, ON
This beautiful and easy to wear dress is by Travilla, who is of course the genius behind Marilyn Monroe's Subway Grate dress from the movie "The Seven Year Itch".
Thierry Mugler Sweetheart Neckline Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
In this stunning dress, Thierry Mugler once again proves that fashion is not merely worn - it’s performed. A masterclass in theatrical femininity, this mid-century-inspired silhouett...
$840Sale Price|20% Off
Size: Medium
Vintage Mollie Parnis 1970s Blue and White Novelty 70s Linen + Cotton Dress
By Mollie Parnis
Located in San Diego, CA
From the queen of dressing First Ladies, comes this wonderfully chic 1970s vintage MOLLIE PARNIS blue and white nautical linen/cotton dress ! Features the perfect linen/cotton blend ...
Yves Saint Laurent Tom Ford Black White Plunging Cleavage Cut Out Gown Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy and highly collectible museum quality vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL by TOM FORD black and white plunging runway cut-out gown ! Features a soft crepe blend fabric that hugs the ...
$500
Size: vintage 12; comparable to size M
Dove Gray A-Line Shift Dress with Bead-Crusted Neckline and Pockets - M, 1960s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Perfect for brunch, weddings and cocktail parties, this heavyweight linen dress combines crisp geometry with masterful but discrete beading. Its Mod fingertip pockets and gentle A-li...
BOB MACKIE Green Chiffon Flower Embellished Gown Size 2 4
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage Bob Mackie gown is composed of a light green mint hue silk chiffon. The upper bodice features an embellished center front and short sleeve, with a floral pattern. There ...
$746Sale Price|25% Off
Size: Petite Small - Medium
1990s Janine of London Lillie Rubin Silver Grey Metallic Crushed Velvet Dress
By Lillie Rubin, Janine of London
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy 90s JANINE OF LONDON for LILLIE RUBIN silver gray crushed velvet metallic bodycon dress! Features the softest crushed velvet that stretches to fit. Has what first appears to be ...
1990s Michael Casey Silk Ombre Botanical-Patterned Strapless Gown W/ Train
By Michael Casey
Located in Gresham, OR
A lovely 1990s Michael Casey silk ombre botanical-patterned silk chiffon strapless gown with ruching and gathering at bodice. Asymmetrical delicate bronze toned bamboo leaf beaded g...
Vintage turquoise beaded silk sheer floral layered wedding slip dress gown M L
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE A breathtaking vintage gown. I would estimate this to be from around the late 90's. It has a pale blue lining which is overlayed with a sheer turquoise layer that ...
Rare Early Yves Saint Laurent Black Rhinestone Top
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy vintage YSL knit top, with gorgeous rhinestones on each strap. Flattering fit, with incredible construction. In great condition. Approximately Size Small (lots of stretch) M...
Brocade and black satin evening coat Circa 1925
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Brocade and black satin evening coat. Small black satin roses embellishment. Silk taffetas lining. SIZE 38 (Fr) M
1960s Helga Vintage Cocktail Dress
By Helga
Located in Sparks, NV
Absolutely stunning 1960s vintage silk satin cocktail dress by Helga. Metallic brocade paisley design over gray silk animal print. Nipped waist with bow detail. Stunning construction...
Vivienne Westwood Velvet Blouson Jacket
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Berlin, BE
Beautiful velvet Vivienne Westwood Jacket. Cut in a stunning velvet that seems to absorb and refract light like oil on water, the piece balances romance and rebellion with signature ...
1990s Vintage Tadashi Shoji White 90s Grecian Dress w/ Rhinestones + Pearl
By Tadashi Shoji
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy vintage Tadashi Shoji white dress! Avant Garde style, with cut-outs at bust (on front and back). Attached rhinestone brooch at bust, encrusted with an oversized pearl dangling f...
Chanel 90s Vintage Canvas & Leather Duffle Bag
By Chanel
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Chanel late 80s early 90s canvas and leather quilted duffle bag. Gold tone hardware. Handle drop 6.5". Detachable strap measures 44". Small glue residue on top, interior smell due to...
$223Sale Price|20% Off
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Variation Vintage Fuchsia Tunic Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gorgeous unworn fuchsia tunic dress. Short sleeves. Large buttons. 2 front pockets. Unlined. Label reads Yves Saint Laurent Variation Made in France. Si...
Sleek Braided Leather Alligator Head Choker Necklace
Located in University City, MO
Sleek braided leather alligator head choker necklace The unique choker necklace is designed with a pair of silver metal alligators heads adhered to a black leather braided cord. The ...
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.