2012 Valentino Runway Documented Heavy Beaded Gold Maxi-Dress
Description
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli's fantastical approach to design is embodied by this elaborately embellished Valentino dress created for the House’s Spring 2012 collection and walked the runway as look 44/56 albeit without the slip. The Vogue review of the collection mentioned that “the designers turned out their best collection yet - one dress more seductively, calmly and lovely than the next”.
Tailored from mauve-grey mesh, it has a long-sleeved, ankle-length silhouette. The fabric is detailed all-over with deep gold/bronze beadwork and metallic embroidery which form stripes across the cloth. Unlined at the top, it has a semi-sheer finish. The sleeves are cut to a balloon-sleeve shape with cuffs that fasten with two hidden snap closures on each. The skirt is full, softly pleated and sheer. It is lined with one layer of white tulle. The standout detail of this dress is at the waist. Adorned with hundred of tiny rows of metallic beads, the waistband almost gives the appearance of glittering chainmail. The dress fastens at the back with a hidden zip. It has a keyhole cut-out at the top which is secured with a mother-of-pearl button. The dress is lined with a sheer pale pink slip with delicate sheer mesh spaghetti straps - it fastens with a tonal zip. The slip is separate to the dress and it can be worn without, as it was on the runway.
This piece is in fantastic condition with no issues and looks barely worn. It has no composition label. It is labelled an Italian 44 but sizes vary between brands so please check the below measurements carefully. The label reads “Valentino - Made in Italy” in black font on white silk. The fabric does not have any stretch to it and we believe that this would best fit around a UK size 10, US 6 with plenty of give in the hip if you are a size bigger in this area.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST - 34 in. (86 cm)
WAIST - 28 in. (71 cm)
HIP - 44 in. (112 cm)
LENGTH - 58 in. (147 cm)
