valentino
Documented Fall 1970 Valentino Printed Black Ribbon Silk Chiffon Dress w Huge Tassel Detail
This is a fabulous fall 1970 dress from the Valentino boutique label. Valentino launched his ready to wear label in 1962, two years after opening his first salon in Rome. He eventually expanded and added other boutiques. The New York boutique launched in the fall of 1970 and it caused a sensation. Traffic was backed up 3 blocks with everyone who was anyone trying to get in on opening night. He wanted everyone to have the Valentino experience and he often brought in the designs that he created for his main couture label into the boutique work. In these early days especially the were remarkably close in quality and the line between the two labels was often blurred. On this dress you can see that in the hand finishing that is has. This one is extra fabulous because it is so well documented.
Marisa Berenson wore the twin of this dress for a Vogue editorial that season and Naomi Simms wore one to that opening of that first New York Valentino boutique. Which gives it a significant place in Valentino's history.
The dress is gorgeous and it is made of a black silk chiffon that has a ribbon weave fused directly into the silk. In between the ribbon weave the silk is semi-transparent and the play between the two is stunning in person. The dress has a black silk chiffon lining and that gives the more transparent parts a backdrop so that the silk feels like it has depth. Then onto that is that gorgeous print made up of a pink and purple and gold coloured threads that run over the entire dress. I love how the pattern is heavier at the bottom and then slowly makes its way up to scattered across the top of the dress. The collar is small and neat and the sleeves are cut to pouf out above the buttoned cuffs. The sleeves are unlined so you get a bit of transparency. The dress is cut in a simple sheath that skims over your bust, waist and hips and then it flares out slightly to the hem. There is no seam to break the line at the waist, instead he has placed two square pockets on each hip. The pockets are amazing. Each zips to close from corner to corner and the zipper pull is a long knotted and fringed tassel. A third tassel acts as the pull on the zipper that closes the front of the dress. In both the reference photos a sash was wrapped around the waist for added shape and you could easily add a belt to cinch it in. I think it looks equally as well worn straight and sleek. It is nice to have both options because the dress looks dramatically different each way. It is gorgeous and very well made. Excellent condition.
Fully lined in a black silk and zippers to close up the front. Each cuff buttons to close with two silk covered buttons and each pocket zips to close. There is an extra button in the lining of the dress. Hand finishes throughout. Tagged a size 8
Sleeves: 14"
Shoulders: 23.5"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 52" from neck to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4205
Reference Photos: (1) Marisa wearing Valentino, photo by Elisabetta Catalano in Rome, Vogue September 1970. / (2-3) Naomi Sims attends the grand opening of Valentino Boutique on October 12, 1970 in New York City.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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