• The twin of this dress was shown for Look 70 of the resort 2017 Valentino collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli & Maria Grazia Chiuri.
• This ended up being the final collection that Maria worked on for the Valentino label.
• The inspiration behind the collection was Cuba and the looks were rife with embroidery and print. Piccioli remarked that "It gave us a real freedom to mix, like a souvenir, lots of pieces together."
• The dress has the added provenance of being the twin of the dress worn by Natalie Portman that year on the red carpet. She wore it beautifully and it shows you just how spectacular the dress is once on the body.
• The dress is made out of a light weight, more open weave black net that sits over a black silk chiffon lining to make it opaque enough to wear. Onto that is a stark white embroidery that forms a beautiful pattern over the entire dress.
• The neckline is set wide across so that it sits at the edges of the shoulders. If you are not very broad across the shoulders you should be able to wear it fully off the shoulder. The dress form shows it fully off the shoulder. The collection photo shows it at the very edge and then Natalie chose to wear it a little higher up. I love that this let you see all of the options.
• A wide 9" ruffle follows the entire neckline and gives it the prettiest flounce all the way around you.
• Under that the bodice skims down to the seamed waist and then the skirt is smoothly set into the waist. From there the skirt expands outwards and by the time it reaches the hem it has an amazing amount of volume. The back is cut slightly longer than the front so you get a beautiful sweep.
• The the hem of the skirt has a ruffle that picks up on the one around the shoulders and that ruffle is a full 13" wide. Underneath the top layer is two more layers of black netting that sit between the top skirt and the inner silk chiffon lining. I love how this added touch of underskirts along with the beautiful cut of the skirt adds to the volume and detail of the skirt. It also gives you fantastic movement when you move.
  
• This is an absolutely stunning dress and this particular cut of dress is one of my favourites. 
• The dress is fully lined in a black silk chiffon with extra layers of netting through the skirt as described above. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
• Tagged a modern Valentino 38
• Excellent condition
  

Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from the top of the shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to the front hem, 64" to the longest point of the back hem.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5635

Reference Photos: (1) Resort 2017 Valentino, Look 70.  /  (2-4) Natalie Portman at the Premiere of Jackie, Venice Film Festival 2016.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this coat walked the runway for Pre-fall 2019 Valentino for Look 4.
• It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaulo Piccioli.
• The show was in Tokyo and combined both women and the men's pre-fall, both firsts for the label. Piccioli maintained that "he wanted to 'keep the prettiness in the romanticism, the codes of the house' but then apply the notion of Wabi-Sabi to these clothes to bring them firmly into today's world."
• The coat is made out of a soft mohair and cotton mix to give the appearance of a shaggy sheepskin.
• The cut is meant to be oversized as you can see on its runway counterpart.
• It has no collar, but sits higher around the neck. The shoulders are soft and they curve down and into the more full cut sleeves.
• Three hidden hooks close it partway down from the neck and it's open from under that. Having them hidden keeps the coat feeling simple and sleek so it's just the drama of the red faux fur and the oversized silhouette that stays centre stage.
• When you look at the construction, it actually is quite clever and surprising. Panels fall from the front shoulders down and these sit over the panels that wrap around from the back. After about the waist each of the four panels fall independently from each other and this gives the coat lots of movement. The design is very clever.
• It also gives a very interesting feel when you put your hands in the pockets because you are actually slipping your hands through and under the front panels to a pocket tucked and hidden along the back panel that wraps around to the front.
• The red is a touch deeper than the classic Valentino red, which makes it a perfectly fabulous neutral in many ways.
• The coat has some weight but it is distributed over you very well once on the body.
• It is fully lined in a red silk and slips on to wear with three fur hooks hidden down the upper part of the front. The faux fur is purposely meant to look slightly aged and the coat appears to have been worn very little if at all. Pockets along each hip.
• Tagged a modern Valentino 44
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: approximately 22" and they are 16" around the upper arm
Shoulders: approximately 17.5" but meant to be soft and slightly draped/ oversized
Bust: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-Hips: open
Total length: 46" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-XL

Item# DD5562

Reference Photo/Video: Pre Fall 2019 Valentino, Look 4. Model Fran Summers.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this incredible dress walked the runway for the Fall 1995 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of the original Mr. Valentino.
• I love that we have runway reference photos so that you can see how phenomenal this is once on the body. 
• This is a fantastically rare dress by the original Mr. Valentino and it is extraordinarily beautiful.
• The dress combines an inky black velvet with portions covered in glossy black sequins that are densely applied. Little bits of lace give it that touch of Valentino femininity.
• Black piping outlines the neckline and the neckline scoops in a soft V down the front. The piping continues up and over the shoulders and then crosses over the bare and exposed back. Lace has been added along the length of the entire piping for the prettiest finishing detail.
• The bodice is shaped and comes in at the waist to a low seam that sits just below the natural waist. The entire bodice has been finished with tiny little black sequins that are densely applied so that they slightly overlap. 
• I love how the rows that they are set in are slightly angled. This is all a clever way to give illusion of more shape through the body. The sequins sit inside four vertical panels across the front and the direction of the sequins changes so you get this incredible hitting of the light on the sequins from every angle.
• The skirt is made out of rich black velvet and I love the combination of the velvet and sequins together. The richness of each textile perfectly compliments the other.
• As the skirt falls to the floor it flares out dramatically and is extremely wide. When I lay it out flat the bottom is a full circle around. This has been achieved by long triangles of sequins set in around the entire hem of the skirt.
• The triangles have a black net backing so if the light hits them in the right way they have a sense of transparency contrasting further to the velvet and adding to the beauty of the dress once it is on the body.
• The sequin triangles have been laid out with the same technique as the rows on the bodice. They are set on angles that meet at a middle point. This allows them to catch the maximum amount of light from every angle.
• Each triangle is finished with the same lace edging that you see on the bodice. Inside the inner edge of the hem there is a band of stiffened netting that helps to hold the shape and volume around you. When you move the skirt moves around you and it is absolutely incredible.
• It is really an outstanding example of his work during this time period.
• The dress is fully lined in a silky black silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The bias cut should allow it to work on a range of sizes and frames.
• There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
• Excellent condition

Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under natural waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17.5" from top of shoulder to seam under natural waist
Total length: 61.5" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5546

Reference Photos: Fall 1995 Valentino. Model: Stella Tennant.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this gorgeous dress walked the Fall 1986 runway.
• It was made under the creative direction of the original Mr Valentino.
• This is an exceptional example of Valentino's work that he was doing during the 1980s. Finding pieces from this time period in such immaculate condition is a rarity and I am very pleased to have this beautiful dress in the shop.
• In 2022 Sara Sampaio wore one backwards on the red carpet. 
• I love having the red carpet and runway photo so that you can see how the dress can be worn either way around. We also photoed it both ways so that you can see how it lies. 
• The dress is made out of an inky black velvet and then the back inset and end of each sleeve are made out of a stiffened silk chiffon fine net that has the rows of glittering rhinestones set onto it
• The dress has all of the red carpet feel that you look for in the best of his work. The shoulders are shaped with inner padding, and then they extend down into the sleeves, which are wider at the tops near the shoulder and narrow to those amazing cuffs.
• Each cuff is a band of the silk that has hand applied horizontal rows of rhinestones wrapped around them for a glamorous finish. I love this extra detail that lets you have that bit of glitz no matter which way around you decide to wear the dress.
• The bodice is meant to skim out from the shoulders. The same shape is repeated at the back.
• The waist is brought in with subtle darting and then it curves out and over the hips to fall to the floor, widening out slightly as it near the hem.
• The inset of net and rhinestones has been set on a sharp angle that extends to the lower back. When this is turned around to be worn at the front, it goes down to the low waist. There is transparency here so if you do decide to wear it to the front you can also decide how daring you want to be as far as what you wear underneath.
• This is an exceptional and early example of his work.
• The dress is fully lined in a black silk organza with the areas covered in rhinestones having transparency between the rows. It closes with a hidden set zipper placed at what was traditionally the front. Padding in each shoulder. Each cuff closes with a hidden set zipper. The back skirt extends slightly longer and has a bit of fullness. If you wear the rhinestone side to the front, you will have that little bit of extra fabric there.
• Tagged a vintage Valentino 8
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 23" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true seams and the padding let them extend slightly off the edges of the shoulder
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56" from top of shoulder to front hem and the back extends another 3" past that at the centre longest point with approximately 2" turned under the ham. 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD5547

Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1986 Valentino.  /  (2-5) Sara Sampaio at the Red Sea Film Festival, December 2022.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2017 collection for Look 52.
• It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli and the print was done in collaboration with Zandra Rhodes.
• Historically, this was an important collection as it was Pierpaolo's first solo show at Valentino. It was also his first collaboration with Zandra Rhodes.
• On the runway the dress was shown without a lining so had a higher level of transparency that you can see in the photos and the video.
• The dress and collection were very well received and was one of the most documented dresses of the season.
• Meryl Streep famously wore its twin to the 2017 SAG awards. Laetitia Casta and Lee Young Ae appeared in one for Elle France and Elle US, and it was shot for other editorials. This really lets you see how spectacular it is on and in a variety of circumstances.
• The dress is made out of a beautiful lightweight white silk chiffon that has a custom Zandra Rhodes print covering the entire dress. Written in between the print are the words "In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas corpora" which is the opening line of Ovid's epic poem, Metamorphoses, and translates to "My mind is bent to tell of bodies changed into new forms" or "My soul inclines to speak of forms changed into new bodies". This powerful opening sets the poem's central theme of transformation, with Ovid's narrative beginning from the creation of the world and continuing to his own time, weaving together many myths about how beings and objects were transformed into new forms."
• The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are long. They are a single layer of the silk chiffon so they have a beautiful delicacy to them.
• The dress skims over the bust from a scooped neck and drapes easily over the body to a more generously cut waist.
• Built-in and under the top layer of silk on the bodice is a second layer of the same silk that creates a covered curving deep plunge at the front. The same effect has been created at the back as well and there the V has been set wider across. I love the play on transparency that this gives the dress. You are completely covered but at the same time the plunge is there on both sides. It is an unexpected sexiness that still feels elegant and refined. 
• The waist is cut more generously so that you have a beautiful flow from head to toe. You can see this in all of the various reference photos and how it sits on the body. This cut was to become one of Pierpaolo signatures.
• The skirt flows to the floor from there and it is extremely full. It has a second ivory silk chiffon layer underneath so that it is opaque enough to wear. The excessive amount of fabric used through the skirt gives it a ton of movement when you walk and move. The back is cut slightly longer than the front for a beautiful sweeping feel behind you.
• The lightness of the silk and the way that it lays over the body allows it to move spectacularly over you and it will pick up the slightest bit of air.
• The dress is partially lined through the bodice to create the plunge as seen and described above. The skirt is fully lined in a solid silk chiffon layer. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. This is a dress that is easy to fit and wear because of the easy cut through the body. It appears to have been worn very little if at all
• Tagged a vintage Valentino 44
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 24" and they are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approximately 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to front hem in the back extends another 7" past that.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD5541

Reference Photos/Videos: (1-3) Spring 2017 Valentino, Look 52. Model Jessie Bloemendaal.  /  (4-6) Meryl Streep at the 2017 Sag Awards.  /   (7) Laetitia Casta for Elle France, June 2017.  /  (8) Photograph by Ken Browar & Deborah Ory.  /  (9-10) Lee Young Ae in Valentino for Elle.  /  (11) Harper's Bazaar, 2017. 

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this dress was shown for Look 70 of the resort 2017 Valentino collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli & Maria Grazia Chiuri.
• This ended up being the final collection that Maria worked on for the Valentino label.
• The inspiration behind the collection was Cuba and the looks were rife with embroidery and print. Piccioli remarked that "It gave us a real freedom to mix, like a souvenir, lots of pieces together."
• The dress has the added provenance of being the twin of the dress worn by Natalie Portman that year on the red carpet. She wore it beautifully and it shows you just how spectacular the dress is once on the body.
• The dress is made out of a light weight, more open weave black net that sits over a black silk chiffon lining to make it opaque enough to wear. Onto that is a stark white embroidery that forms a beautiful pattern over the entire dress.
• The neckline is set wide across so that it sits at the edges of the shoulders. If you are not very broad across the shoulders you should be able to wear it fully off the shoulder. The dress form shows it fully off the shoulder. The collection photo shows it at the very edge and then Natalie chose to wear it a little higher up. I love that this let you see all of the options.
• A wide 9" ruffle follows the entire neckline and gives it the prettiest flounce all the way around you.
• Under that the bodice skims down to the seamed waist and then the skirt is smoothly set into the waist. From there the skirt expands outwards and by the time it reaches the hem it has an amazing amount of volume. The back is cut slightly longer than the front so you get a beautiful sweep.
• The the hem of the skirt has a ruffle that picks up on the one around the shoulders and that ruffle is a full 13" wide. Underneath the top layer is two more layers of black netting that sit between the top skirt and the inner silk chiffon lining. I love how this added touch of underskirts along with the beautiful cut of the skirt adds to the volume and detail of the skirt. It also gives you fantastic movement when you move.
  
• This is an absolutely stunning dress and this particular cut of dress is one of my favourites. 
• The dress is fully lined in a black silk chiffon with extra layers of netting through the skirt as described above. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.
• Tagged a modern Valentino 38
• Excellent condition
  

Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14.5" from the top of the shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to the front hem, 64" to the longest point of the back hem.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5635

Reference Photos: (1) Resort 2017 Valentino, Look 70.  /  (2-4) Natalie Portman at the Premiere of Jackie, Venice Film Festival 2016.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this coat walked the runway for Pre-fall 2019 Valentino for Look 4.
• It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaulo Piccioli.
• The show was in Tokyo and combined both women and the men's pre-fall, both firsts for the label. Piccioli maintained that "he wanted to 'keep the prettiness in the romanticism, the codes of the house' but then apply the notion of Wabi-Sabi to these clothes to bring them firmly into today's world."
• The coat is made out of a soft mohair and cotton mix to give the appearance of a shaggy sheepskin.
• The cut is meant to be oversized as you can see on its runway counterpart.
• It has no collar, but sits higher around the neck. The shoulders are soft and they curve down and into the more full cut sleeves.
• Three hidden hooks close it partway down from the neck and it's open from under that. Having them hidden keeps the coat feeling simple and sleek so it's just the drama of the red faux fur and the oversized silhouette that stays centre stage.
• When you look at the construction, it actually is quite clever and surprising. Panels fall from the front shoulders down and these sit over the panels that wrap around from the back. After about the waist each of the four panels fall independently from each other and this gives the coat lots of movement. The design is very clever.
• It also gives a very interesting feel when you put your hands in the pockets because you are actually slipping your hands through and under the front panels to a pocket tucked and hidden along the back panel that wraps around to the front.
• The red is a touch deeper than the classic Valentino red, which makes it a perfectly fabulous neutral in many ways.
• The coat has some weight but it is distributed over you very well once on the body.
• It is fully lined in a red silk and slips on to wear with three fur hooks hidden down the upper part of the front. The faux fur is purposely meant to look slightly aged and the coat appears to have been worn very little if at all. Pockets along each hip.
• Tagged a modern Valentino 44
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: approximately 22" and they are 16" around the upper arm
Shoulders: approximately 17.5" but meant to be soft and slightly draped/ oversized
Bust: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist-Hips: open
Total length: 46" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-XL

Item# DD5562

Reference Photo/Video: Pre Fall 2019 Valentino, Look 4. Model Fran Summers.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this incredible dress walked the runway for the Fall 1995 collection.
• It was made under the creative direction of the original Mr. Valentino.
• I love that we have runway reference photos so that you can see how phenomenal this is once on the body. 
• This is a fantastically rare dress by the original Mr. Valentino and it is extraordinarily beautiful.
• The dress combines an inky black velvet with portions covered in glossy black sequins that are densely applied. Little bits of lace give it that touch of Valentino femininity.
• Black piping outlines the neckline and the neckline scoops in a soft V down the front. The piping continues up and over the shoulders and then crosses over the bare and exposed back. Lace has been added along the length of the entire piping for the prettiest finishing detail.
• The bodice is shaped and comes in at the waist to a low seam that sits just below the natural waist. The entire bodice has been finished with tiny little black sequins that are densely applied so that they slightly overlap. 
• I love how the rows that they are set in are slightly angled. This is all a clever way to give illusion of more shape through the body. The sequins sit inside four vertical panels across the front and the direction of the sequins changes so you get this incredible hitting of the light on the sequins from every angle.
• The skirt is made out of rich black velvet and I love the combination of the velvet and sequins together. The richness of each textile perfectly compliments the other.
• As the skirt falls to the floor it flares out dramatically and is extremely wide. When I lay it out flat the bottom is a full circle around. This has been achieved by long triangles of sequins set in around the entire hem of the skirt.
• The triangles have a black net backing so if the light hits them in the right way they have a sense of transparency contrasting further to the velvet and adding to the beauty of the dress once it is on the body.
• The sequin triangles have been laid out with the same technique as the rows on the bodice. They are set on angles that meet at a middle point. This allows them to catch the maximum amount of light from every angle.
• Each triangle is finished with the same lace edging that you see on the bodice. Inside the inner edge of the hem there is a band of stiffened netting that helps to hold the shape and volume around you. When you move the skirt moves around you and it is absolutely incredible.
• It is really an outstanding example of his work during this time period.
• The dress is fully lined in a silky black silk and closes with a hidden set side zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. The bias cut should allow it to work on a range of sizes and frames.
• There is no size tag present so please go by the measurements listed below
• Excellent condition

Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under natural waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17.5" from top of shoulder to seam under natural waist
Total length: 61.5" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD5546

Reference Photos: Fall 1995 Valentino. Model: Stella Tennant.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this gorgeous dress walked the Fall 1986 runway.
• It was made under the creative direction of the original Mr Valentino.
• This is an exceptional example of Valentino's work that he was doing during the 1980s. Finding pieces from this time period in such immaculate condition is a rarity and I am very pleased to have this beautiful dress in the shop.
• In 2022 Sara Sampaio wore one backwards on the red carpet. 
• I love having the red carpet and runway photo so that you can see how the dress can be worn either way around. We also photoed it both ways so that you can see how it lies. 
• The dress is made out of an inky black velvet and then the back inset and end of each sleeve are made out of a stiffened silk chiffon fine net that has the rows of glittering rhinestones set onto it
• The dress has all of the red carpet feel that you look for in the best of his work. The shoulders are shaped with inner padding, and then they extend down into the sleeves, which are wider at the tops near the shoulder and narrow to those amazing cuffs.
• Each cuff is a band of the silk that has hand applied horizontal rows of rhinestones wrapped around them for a glamorous finish. I love this extra detail that lets you have that bit of glitz no matter which way around you decide to wear the dress.
• The bodice is meant to skim out from the shoulders. The same shape is repeated at the back.
• The waist is brought in with subtle darting and then it curves out and over the hips to fall to the floor, widening out slightly as it near the hem.
• The inset of net and rhinestones has been set on a sharp angle that extends to the lower back. When this is turned around to be worn at the front, it goes down to the low waist. There is transparency here so if you do decide to wear it to the front you can also decide how daring you want to be as far as what you wear underneath.
• This is an exceptional and early example of his work.
• The dress is fully lined in a black silk organza with the areas covered in rhinestones having transparency between the rows. It closes with a hidden set zipper placed at what was traditionally the front. Padding in each shoulder. Each cuff closes with a hidden set zipper. The back skirt extends slightly longer and has a bit of fullness. If you wear the rhinestone side to the front, you will have that little bit of extra fabric there.
• Tagged a vintage Valentino 8
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 23" and they are 14" around the upper arm
Shoulders: no true seams and the padding let them extend slightly off the edges of the shoulder
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Total length: 56" from top of shoulder to front hem and the back extends another 3" past that at the centre longest point with approximately 2" turned under the ham. 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD5547

Reference Photos: (1) Fall 1986 Valentino.  /  (2-5) Sara Sampaio at the Red Sea Film Festival, December 2022.

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.

• The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Spring 2017 collection for Look 52.
• It was made under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli and the print was done in collaboration with Zandra Rhodes.
• Historically, this was an important collection as it was Pierpaolo's first solo show at Valentino. It was also his first collaboration with Zandra Rhodes.
• On the runway the dress was shown without a lining so had a higher level of transparency that you can see in the photos and the video.
• The dress and collection were very well received and was one of the most documented dresses of the season.
• Meryl Streep famously wore its twin to the 2017 SAG awards. Laetitia Casta and Lee Young Ae appeared in one for Elle France and Elle US, and it was shot for other editorials. This really lets you see how spectacular it is on and in a variety of circumstances.
• The dress is made out of a beautiful lightweight white silk chiffon that has a custom Zandra Rhodes print covering the entire dress. Written in between the print are the words "In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas corpora" which is the opening line of Ovid's epic poem, Metamorphoses, and translates to "My mind is bent to tell of bodies changed into new forms" or "My soul inclines to speak of forms changed into new bodies". This powerful opening sets the poem's central theme of transformation, with Ovid's narrative beginning from the creation of the world and continuing to his own time, weaving together many myths about how beings and objects were transformed into new forms."
• The shoulders are soft and the sleeves are long. They are a single layer of the silk chiffon so they have a beautiful delicacy to them.
• The dress skims over the bust from a scooped neck and drapes easily over the body to a more generously cut waist.
• Built-in and under the top layer of silk on the bodice is a second layer of the same silk that creates a covered curving deep plunge at the front. The same effect has been created at the back as well and there the V has been set wider across. I love the play on transparency that this gives the dress. You are completely covered but at the same time the plunge is there on both sides. It is an unexpected sexiness that still feels elegant and refined. 
• The waist is cut more generously so that you have a beautiful flow from head to toe. You can see this in all of the various reference photos and how it sits on the body. This cut was to become one of Pierpaolo signatures.
• The skirt flows to the floor from there and it is extremely full. It has a second ivory silk chiffon layer underneath so that it is opaque enough to wear. The excessive amount of fabric used through the skirt gives it a ton of movement when you walk and move. The back is cut slightly longer than the front for a beautiful sweeping feel behind you.
• The lightness of the silk and the way that it lays over the body allows it to move spectacularly over you and it will pick up the slightest bit of air.
• The dress is partially lined through the bodice to create the plunge as seen and described above. The skirt is fully lined in a solid silk chiffon layer. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. This is a dress that is easy to fit and wear because of the easy cut through the body. It appears to have been worn very little if at all
• Tagged a vintage Valentino 44
• Excellent condition

Sleeves: 24" and they are 12" around the upper arm
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: approximately 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Total length: 60" from top of shoulder to front hem in the back extends another 7" past that.

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD5541

Reference Photos/Videos: (1-3) Spring 2017 Valentino, Look 52. Model Jessie Bloemendaal.  /  (4-6) Meryl Streep at the 2017 Sag Awards.  /   (7) Laetitia Casta for Elle France, June 2017.  /  (8) Photograph by Ken Browar & Deborah Ory.  /  (9-10) Lee Young Ae in Valentino for Elle.  /  (11) Harper's Bazaar, 2017. 

All items are thoroughly checked over before shipping. Unless noted everything in our shop has been professionally cleaned. All sales are final. Overseas clients will be emailed to obtain agreement to our final sales policy before the order is shipped as per our return policy.