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.
Black lace and wool cocktail dress with rhinestone and lace appliqué VALENTINO
By Valentino
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black sleeveless lace and wool cocktail dress with rhinestone and lace appliqué. Fabric composition: lace ( on the top) : 85% rayon, 15% nylon with silk chiffon lining ( only on the...
Alexander McQueen Rare Vintage Black Velvet White Chiffon Dress Gown NEW
By Alexander McQueen, Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Alexander McQueen 2009 romantic fantasy holiday gown. Strapless bodice fashioned of rich black velvet with panniers at each hip extending into full vol...
$1,248Sale Price|20% Off
VALENTINO 2022 Crepe Couture wool silk ruffle bib neck tie mini dress IT38 XS
By Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO 2022 Crepe Couture black white wool silk ruffle bib neck tie mini dress IT38 XS Reference: AAWC/A01443 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Collection: 2022 Mater...
$672Sale Price|20% Off
VALENTINO 2016 Runway cream floral print cape back ruffle sleeve dress
By Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO 2016 Runway cream floral print cape back ruffle sleeve dress Reference: GEGG/A00083 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Collection: Prefall 2016 - Runway Materia...
Valentino Garavani 1993 Vintage Black Silk Velvet Gown Women's Size 36
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1993 Valentino Black V neck silk and velvet gown. ( runway picture attached) Bust” 36” / Waist: 26”/ Hip 38”
Valentino Leather and Silk Strapless Dress
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous leather and silk dress from Valentino. It is strapless with alternating curved overlapping strips of leather and silk organza peeking out starting at the top of the bust ...
1990's VALENTINO Grecian style silk dress with red pleated single shoulder
By Valentino
Located in San Fransisco, CA
1990's Valentino black silk dress in a fluid fabric with a clean, elongated silhouette. Dress has a relaxed body-skimming fit, it features an asymmetrical neckline with a single plea...
$4,396Sale Price|20% Off
NWT Valentino as seen on Queen Maxima Black Macramé Silk Crepe Fringe Dress 40
By Valentino
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Valentino Runway Black Silk Crepe Macramé Dress Italian size - 40 Same dress as seen on Queen of the Netherlands Maxima. Silk Crepe, Macramé Detai...
VALENTINO gold sequin embroidered collar cream lace bridal dress
By Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO gold sequin embroidered collar cream lace bridal dress Reference: LACG/A00399 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Material: Feels like cotton Color: Cream, Gold ...
$338Sale Price|35% Off
VALENTINO Garden illustration print silk off shoulder lace up dress IT40 S
By Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO Garden illustration print silk off shoulder lace up dress IT40 S Reference: TGAS/B01216 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Model: Garden print dress Material: S...
NEW VALENTINO ruffled green velvet midi runway dress, 2016
By Valentino
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Lush green velvet midi dress with ruffled neckline from Valentino exactly as seen on the fall 2016 runway. Italian size 40. Approximate measurements: bust 32-34", waist 27", hips 45"...
Valentino F/W 2005 Burgundy Iridescent Taffeta Silk Gown
By Valentino
Located in Paris, FR
Burgundy iridescent taffeta silk gown Valentino featuring a strapless bodice with smocked ruffle detailing at the bust and empire waistline. The dress showcases extensive shirring an...
L'Wren Scott Bold Black White Geometric Pattern Halter Gown New!
By Valentino, L'Wren Scott
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bold entrance making creation by fashion designer L'Wren Scott (1967-2014). Known for her impeccable taste and style as well as for long slenderizing silhouettes, femininity and im...
Valentino F/W 2003 Black Velvet 20s Inspired Beaded Gatsby Maxi Dress Gown US 8
By Valentino
Located in Montgomery, TX
Valentino Black Velvet Beaded Maxi Dress Gown F/W 2003 Runway Collection US size - 8 Black velvet 20s inspired Gatsby dress finished with lots of black on...
$1,800
Valentino New Neon Dress
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
An incredible neon dress from Valentino. It has a scoop neckline, full sleeves, a full skirt, and a fitted waist. It is lined in the same fabric and has a ...
Valentino S/S 1995 red beige floral wrap sari scarf one shoulder mini dress M-L
By Valentino
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE A very rare piece from Valentino S/S 1995, the most gorgeous sari inspired scarf dress in vibrant red with beige floral print. The dress features a one shoulder cu...
2000s Valentino Pink Beaded Gown with Sheer Panels
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
This spotlight stealing, Valentino candy pink maxi dress was designed during the very early 2000s and was probably a Cruise collection piece. It was certainly designed pre 2008, when...
Valentino FW 2006 Embellished Dress
By Valentino
Located in Mentone, CA
This rare Valentino piece from the Fall Winter 2006 collection showcases a striking reimagined floral print from the 1970 Valentino collection. The show-stopping gem and rhinestone-e...
Valentino Roma Ink Black Cocktail Dress
By Valentino Roma, Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic cocktail dress by Valentino Roma/ main line. The dress has a black upper area , with the skirt area in a wonderful heavy blue /black lace with a scallop hem. Measurements :Bus...
Valentino Boutique Black and White Beaded Dress
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous off white silk dress completely covered in black and white glass beads from Valentino Boutique. It is sleeveless with a scoop neckline...
VALENTINO Rare 2013 Nude Silk Georgette Evening Gown Dress 40
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Switzerland, CH
A stunning example of Valentino’s signature "understated romanticism," this floor-length gown debuted on the Spring 2013 runway, designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Picciol...
1985 Valentino Red Silk Jersey Open back dress runway
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1983 VALENTINO boutique silk jersey red ( more berry tone) long sleeve dress with open back ( drape). Dress has beaded appliqué on both shoulder. Perfect for holiday party. ( see adv...
NEW Valentino Draped Cady Silk Evening Bridal Goddess Gown Cape Dress 8
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Switzerland, CH
INCREDIBLE VALENTINO GRECIAN GODDESS IVORY SILK EVENING GOWN Gorgeous off-white evening gown inspired by the Grecian goddesses by VALENTINO. Details: Draped Neckline Three-quarter...
VALENTINO Midnight Blue Silk Cady Evening Cape Gown Dress 4
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in Switzerland, CH
Valentino's midnight-blue gown is cut from silk-cady - it hangs beautifully and is unlined to enhance the fluid feel. The full-length cape overlay flutters gracefully as you walk, so...
Valentino F/W 2001 Black Panther Satin One Shoulder Gown
By Valentino
Located in Paris, FR
One shoulder gown Valentino silk satin featuring hand-appliqué panther motifs throughout. Crafted from lustrous black silk satin with dramatic asymmetrical silhouette. The gown showc...
$1,248Sale Price|20% Off
VALENTINO red Rosette ruffle boned bust black bow belt midi gown IT40 S
By Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO red Rosette ruffle boned bust black bow belt midi gown IT40 S Reference: CC/A00461 Brand: Valentino Material: Viscose, Blend Color: Red, Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip L...
Valentino New Silk Dress with Cape
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous deep red silk dress with an attached cape from Valentino. It has an elaborately vertically ruched front bodice with a back cape emanating from the shoulders and a full ski...
Valentino Night Beaded Dress - '90s
By Valentino
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Effortlessly elegant, the Valentino Night Beaded Dress from the 90s collection features delicate sequin and bead detailing on the upper and a heavy silk viscose blend fabric with lay...
Valentino 98 Vintage black embellished tassel backless sequin maxi dress gown
By Valentino
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI Vintage An incredibly rare black embellished gown from Valentino Spring/Summer 1998 Beautiful fine silk crepe that is cut on the bias...
Valentino 'butterfly' dress
By Valentino
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
VALENTINO - (Made in Italy) Long dress with mid-length sleeves overlaid with red leather and decorated with embroidered pearl butterflies. No size indicated, it fits a 36/38FR. Cond...
Valentino Embellished Silk Evening Gown Spring/Summer 2006 Size 44IT
By Valentino
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Valentino Embellished Silk Evening Gown Spring/Summer 2006 Size 44IT
Valentino F/W 2009 Teal-to-Black Ombré Ruched Silk Sleeveless Gown
By Valentino
Located in Paris, FR
From the F/W 2009 collection of Valentino, this floor-length sleeveless gown is executed in a luminous silk that graduates from deep teal at the bodice to near-black at the hem. The ...
Valentino Embellished Sheer Evening Gown Size 46IT
By Valentino
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Valentino Nude with Blush Undertones Embellished Evening Gown Size 46IT
Valentino 1980s Black / Red Silk Jersey Vintage Strapless 80s Gown Size Small
By Valentino
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and timeless 1980s VALENTINO silk jersey black and red strapless evening gown ! This dress has so much attention to details. Has a built in boned corset inside to hold ever...
Valentino New Silk Cut out Jumpsuit
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous black silk jumpsuit by Valentino. It is semi fitted with long raglan sleeves, full straight legs and elongated, gradated oval cutouts radiating from the neckline. It com...
$800Sale Price|44% Off
Valentino Black Silk Chiffon Multi-Layered Cocktail Dress Bodice Cut Outs, 2007
By Valentino
Located in Studio City, CA
2007 Valentino black silk chiffon cocktail dress with multi-layered flared skirt with an opening at the top layer. Bodice constructed from pieces of ruched fabric in a basket weave ...
Black cocktail dress with leather collar and cuffs VALENTINO
By Valentino
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black cocktail dress with leather collar and cuffs with laser cut and embroideries. . Main fabric composition: 77% wool, 23% silk. Silk lining. Invisible zip closure on the middle ba...
Valentino Silk Dress with Lace Insets
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
An incredible black silk dress by Valentino. It is sleeveless, semi fitted with a solid silk skirt and diamond shaped panels over the bustline. There are angular bead enhansed black...
VALENTINO Pearl Red Silk Evening Kaftan Tunic Maxi Dress Gown 42
By Valentino
Located in Switzerland, CH
Valentino's red gown is cut from luxurious silk-crepe - it fits beautifully and is unlined to enhance the fluid feel. The ankle-length dress flutters gracefully as you walk, so maxim...
1997 Valentino Brown and Lilac Devore Velvet and Lace Dress
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
This Valentino Boutique dress is crafted from a lightweight silk-mix devoré fabric. We have seen identical prints in different colourways in both the Fall 1997 and Spring 1998 collec...
$1,977Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino F/W 2005 Black silk bow cocktail dress
By Valentino, Valentino Garavani
Located in Milano, IT
- Designed by Valentino Garavani - Sold by Skof.Archive - Fall-Winter 2005 - Little black cocktail dress - Embellished bow on the straps - Runway look 56 - Back hidden zipper clos...
Valentino Boutique Disc Sleeve Silk Dress 1980s
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous navy silk dress with tiny white dots dress from Valentino. The cap sleeves are incredible, the ends of them encircled with several 100 finished circles adding dimension a...
VALENTINO Crepe Couture ivory wool silk floral embroidered A-line dress IT38 XS
By Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO Crepe Couture ivory wool silk floral embroidered A-line dress IT38 XS Reference: LACG/A00493 Brand: Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Collection: Crepe Couture Materi...
Valentino dress Resort 2018
By Valentino
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
VALENTINO - (Made in Italy) Long black tulle dress with a pink-silk tiger patch entirely embroidered with multicolored pearls and sequins. Pale-pink silk slipdress. Size 44IT indicat...
1990s Valentino Garavani Navy Blue Crepe Gown with Sequin Collar
By Valentino Garavani, Valentino
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1990s Valentino navy crepe gown with light blue sequins collar. Button fastener in the side and gown cut in bias. Perfect for wedding / bridal . Model is size 4. This Gown fit best ...
Valentino plum silk angel-sleeve evening dress, fw 2002
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
▪ Valentino evening dress ▪ Fall-Winter 2002 ▪ Constructed from two layers of silk in plum and wine ▪ Off-shoulder neckline ▪ Inverted pleats at the shoulder and hips ▪ Angel sleev...
Valentino 1980s Pink Bow Dress
By Valentino
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Are you ready to make an unforgettable entrance? Embrace the electrifying style of the 1980s with our Vintage Valentino Pink Bow Dress, an iconic piece...
Valentino Spring 2014 Women's Embellished Lace Maxi Dress IT42/UK10
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
Absolutely beautiful Valentino embellished lace maxi dress from the Spring 2014 collection. Bought for £5750 and worn once. Made from heavy golden beige cotton mix guipure lace with ...
Valentino F/W 1995 Black Cashmere & Silk Chiffon Dress
By Valentino
Located in Milano, IT
• Rare Valentino Fall/Winter 1995 evening dress in an iconic all black palette blending softness and dramatic movement • Sleeveless fitted bodice cr...
Valentino Alessandro Michele Spring 2025 Look 1 Black ruffle dress
By Valentino, Alessandro Michele
Located in CANNES, FR
Valentino X Alessandro Michele Spring/Summer 2025 Collection "Le Pavillon des Folies" - Look 1 Wool and black velvet dress, ecru inserts, ruffled hem. Italian size 42.
Valentino Coral Silk Ruffle Trim Dress
By Valentino
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous coral colored silk dress from Valentino. It has a V neckline with an optional tie at the neck and long sleeves that gather at the wrists. A band separates the bodice fro...
Valentino Spring Summer 2008 blush pink fully sequined midi dress
By Valentino
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Valentino all-over sequinned blush pink midi dress from the Spring Summer 2008 collection. A stunning demonstration of Valentino's red-carpet glamour and luminous embellishment....
Valentino early 2000s bridal ivory fully beaded midi skirt
By Valentino
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Valentino fully beaded ivory knee-length skirt from the early 2000s. A spectacular example of Valentino Garavani’s couture-level textile artistry, even for Ready to Wear pieces ...
2000s Valentino Silk Leopard Print Midi Dress with Crossover
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
This beautifully cut Valentino leopard silk midi dress is circa 2004 and was likely part of a mainline resort collection. This dress offers a soft, fluid take on a classic column sil...
S/S 2000 Valentino Garavani Runway Red White Polka Dot Print Cocktail Dress
By Valentino
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Valentino Garavani cocktail dress from the Spring/Summer 2000 collection is cut in a fitted, knee-length silhouette. It features a shallow V neckline, three-quarter-length sleev...
Valentino Blue & Metallic Gold Lace Party Dress 2016
By Valentino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a Valentino metallic blue and gold lace evening dress featuring a fitted bodice with a gathered neckline, a halter neck with grey silk ties t...
$11,360Sale Price|20% Off
Valentino Vintage Black Lace Evening Gown Size 4
By Valentino
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Valentino Vintage Black Lace Evening Gown Size 4
2007 Valentino Runway Documented Black Silk Dress with Art Deco Buckle
By Valentino
Located in London, GB
This elegant Valentino evening dress walked the runway as look 40/74 in the Fall 2007 show, one of Valentino Garavani’s final shows as creative director before he retired in 2008. Ta...
VALENTINO 2008 Vintage black lace overlay nude navy satin back mini dress UK6 XS
By Valentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VALENTINO 2008 Vintage black lace overlay nude navy satin back sleeveless mini dress UK6 XS Reference: MELK/A00482 Brand: Valentino Collection: 2008 Mat...
Valentino Embroidered Evening Gown Fall/Winter 2014 Size 2
By Valentino
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Valentino Embroidered Evening Gown Fall/Winter 2014 Size 2