1990 Documented Valentino Purple Iridescent Silk Chiffon Ruched Dress

This stunning Valentino Boutique gown was designed as part of the Fall 1990 collection, when Mr Garavani was still at the helm of his eponymous fashion house. A dress with the same silhouette, but in green, walked the runway and is pictured here at the end of the presentation. In the same collection, Valentino showed a different style of dress in the same purple-hued ruched silk and lace. Since finding the runway images, we have realised that the detachable bow - photographed by us on the shoulder - can also sit at the waist, or wherever the wearer chooses.

Beautifully crafted as only Valentino can, this floor-length gown is tailored from an iridescent silk chiffon that shines between shades of mauve and plum. Up close, the fabric is revealed to be woven with tiny threads of vibrant aqua-blue, which catch the light as the cloth ripples. The gown is cut to a one-shoulder silhouette and has a bustier top where the chiffon is heavily ruched, creating an organic ruffled texture and woven into panels which cross over at the front. The bustier top has a sweetheart neckline and is boned the whole way around, supporting the bust and cinching the waist. The skirt is multilayered and intricately detailed. The bottom layer is crafted from lilac lace and is detailed with flowers and metallic threads. This sits underneath a layer of sheer silk chiffon, revealing flashes of metallic cloth sparkling from underneath. The single strap is crafted from sheer chiffon and is adorned with a large frothy bow that falls elegantly over the shoulder.

Vintage Valentino gowns of this calibre are rare to market and the dress is in very good vintage condition overall, following some additional restoration work in our studio. We have expertly repaired some small tears near the bottom bias cut seam of the dress - you'd only spot them now with the dress in hand. The zip is a replacement - not by us but it has been done well enough so we have left alone. Some light colour changed noted at the bottom hem - we have made sure you can see this in the front invisible mannequin shot and its actually less noticeable in normal daylight. Were you to attach the bow to the left hip as per the runway photo, it would cover this completely. It has no size or composition label, so please check our measurements below as there is no stretch. It would best fit up to UK size 8 or a US 4.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 32 in. (81 cm)

WAIST - 26 in. (66 cm)

HIP - 40 in. (102 cm)

LENGTH - 57 in. (145 cm)