The V&A is a treasure trove when it comes to fashion history. (And that goes doubly for when I visited, because I also saw the Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition while I was there.) While there was certainly a feast for the eyes, a few pieces stuck out to me in the fashion gallery. This Valentino evening dress might not be the more elaborate or complex garment in the gallery, but it is a thing of beauty. (And could definitely be worn today…) As we head back out into the world for public events, I’m happy to turn my eye back to this gorgeous Valentino gown for Style File Friday!
Valentino Evening Dress (1969), Victoria and Albert Museum
The V&A describes this dress as,
Evening dress of black velvet, lined with black taffeta. The bodice and skirt are joined by a broad band of heavy open-work braid decorated with diamanté. The shoulders of the dress are also decorated with the braid. The dress is fastened at the back with a zipper.
Although velvet gets a bit of a bad reputation and seems to be held for party dresses for children, I think that this dress is stunning. And it owes a lot of that oomph to the velvet.
Fit For a Princess
While this dress would be gorgeous no matter who it was for, it has an interesting provenance. Valentino designed this dress for Princess Stanislaus Radziwill, also known as Lee Radziwill, also known as Jackie Kennedy’s sister. Lee and Jackie were dedicated Valentino patrons, and they both frequently wore Valentino designs. (I guess that means Valentino is favoured by European and American royalty…)
If you want to know more about Valentino, he is featured in my favourite fashion history documentaries!
Would you wear this Valentino evening dress?
Cheers,
The Historian
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