2007 Valentino Runway Documented Black Silk Dress with Art Deco Buckle

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. Tailored from a luscious black silk-mix satin giving a liquid look to the dress. It has a graceful sleeveless, column construction with a high neckline. The detailing across the front takes its lead from the evening gowns of the 1940s. Art Deco detailing abounds, whether in the ruched panels of fabric which cross the torso, the angular hems of the panels which make up the body of the dress, or the huge glistening silver-tone brooch, studded with rhinestones, which forms a clasp on the front of the gown. Unlined. It fastens down the back with a long hidden tonal black zip. The dress still has the original tags attached, which reveal that it retailed at Bergdorf Goodman for $5,500 + taxes nearly 20 years ago. A comparable dress today would cost over $15,000.

This archival vintage dress by one of the greatest Italian couturiers of all time is in excellent, unworn condition. Labelled as 59% Silk, 41% Viscose, with a lining of 100% Silk. Tagged a size US 8 but please double-check our measurements as the fabric has no stretch. We think it suitable for a size smaller - around a UK 10 or US 6.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 34 in. (86 cm)

WAIST - 30 in. (76 cm)

HIP - 40 in. (102 cm)

LENGTH - 54 in. (137 cm)