This is such an interesting dress because it is a re-issue of the original and iconic 1965 dress that is so well documented and associated with the Valentino label. The original debuted in the Spring 1965 Haute Couture collection and it is remarkable how forward feeling that design was for its time. It has grazed the cover of the Valentino book, was worn by Linda Evangelista in an editorial that looked back at the label in 1992. It was originally seen on the likes of Verushka and Virna Lisi. Recently Gwyneth Paltrow wore the again and it is a beloved museum piece. On the Spring 2000 Haute Couture catwalk it was shown in a pink on Esther Canadas and then Elizabeth Hurley wore one to the American Fashion Awards. This dress is a re-issue of the original that released to shops that year under the main label. From what I understand they were done in limited quantities and only available at select locations. It is an incredible piece that is instantly recognizable and very special.

This is fashion history. The dress is beautiful. It is strapless with built in moulded and padded cups at the front that top an interior boned corseted panel. The fabric is draped over that inner construction and the cups curve up and over each breast.I love how each side sits up and there is eternal wiring and boning to keep the shape. They are slit down the front in the middle for a little slice of skin to show and then a panel loops over between the cups and falls down the front all the way to the hem. There is a tiny burst of flat peaks plats under one cup, and then that panel wraps underneath the other panel. It skins over the waist and hips falling to the floor in a beautiful column of the red silk crepe. A high open slit is hidden under the overlapping of the skirt where it sweeps up under that front panel and when you walk or sit you get a fantastic length of bare leg. You can see this in the video that we've included here. This is fantastic dress and a very special piece. Excellent condition

The bust has built in moulded, padded cups and then there is a boned half corset under that inside. The inner corset zips with its own zipper and then the dress zippers to close over that with a hidden set zipper. The skirt is unlined. I see a touch stress to the fabric on the inner part of the hem. This does not show when on but mentioned for accuracy.

Bust: 14-16" flat across from side seam to side seam with a A-B cup
Seam under the bust: 12-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 5.5" from top of bodice to seam under the bust at the middle
Total length: 49" from top of bodice to front hem, 51" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4666

Reference Photos/Video: (1-2) Spring 1965 Valentino Couture.  /  (3) Virna Lisi Virna in Valentino's signature red evening ensemble of chiffon gown with long satin coat covered in ostrich feathers, photo by Angelo Frontoni, 1965.  /  (4) Virna Lisi in the Valentino Atelier, 1965.  /  (5)  Veruschka in Valentino Couture 1965. Photo by Henry Clarke.  /   (6-7) Linda Evangelista in 1965 Valentino, W Magazine, September 1992.  /  (8) Valentino Book Cover.  /  (9) Katarina Scola in Fall 1965 Valentino Couture. Photo by James Moore for Valentino's Red Book, 2000. From the book "A Grand Italian Epic: Valentino Garavani" by Taschen.  /  (10) 1965 Valentino Haute Couture Dress from the Valentino Garavani Online Museum.  /  (11-13) Spring 2000 Valentino Haute Couture. Model Esther Canadas. /  (14-15) Elizabeth Hurley in Valentino at the American Fashion Awards, 2000.  /  (16) Erin O'Connor on The Sunday Telegraph Magazine, April 2003.  /  (17) Gwyneth Paltrow in Vintage Valentino at the British Fashion Awards, December 2023.

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