American Evening Dresses and Gowns

A one of a kind evening gown, perfect for a summer wedding, and special enough to even be worn by the mother of the groom or bride. Custom design by TRAVILLA the famous Hollywood costume designer, who also did clothes for Saks Fifth Avenue for celebrities and the rich and famous in Hollywood. This was ordered at the Beverly Hills store and never worn by our Palm Springs California client. The most beautiful color of a light taupe crepe silk and nude color lace that is completely beat it by hand.. Rare to find a evening dress of this quality in size 16. The dress has enough hem to make the deess longer by at least 3”. It is not even pressed with any crease. to show if it is lengthened. A stand out dress that looks as expensive as it was (over $2500). William TRAVILLA Bio: The man who draped a fringed Idaho potato sack on Marilyn Monroe for a famous snapshot - proving that she looked good in anything - was born on Catalina Island off the California coast on March 22 1920. He studied at the Chouinard School of Art in L.A., showing a precocious talent for drawing fashion design from an early age. By the time he was sixteen, he made money by selling sketches of costume designs for showgirls he had studied at burlesque houses. Found unfit for wartime duties due to flat feet, William Travilla made his way to Hollywood and signed his first contract as costume designer at Columbia in 1941. However, during his two-year tenure he received rather few assignments and left disillusioned. Little work came his way during the next few years, until, in 1946, he was spotted in a nightclub (selling travel sketches of the South Pacific) by the actress Ann Sheridan, who became an instant admirer of his work. Sheridan persuaded Travilla to become her personal costume designer at Warner Brothers. This didn't quite come to pass, though he did design her gowns for Nora Prentiss (1947). More importantly, he notched up his first major success by winning the Academy Award for the lavish and colourful costumes of Adventures of Don Juan (1948) in conjunction with Leah Rhodes and Marjorie Best. After his three year contract was up, Travilla went on to 20th Century Fox, for what would become the most productive period of his career in the film business. At the same time, he set up his own high end fashion salon, Travilla Inc., in Los Angeles, creating several collections of elegant, award-winning designs. Travilla dressed many established stars, from Marlene Dietrich and Joan Crawford, to Loretta Young. However, he is chiefly remembered for the iconic gowns...

Sensational 1970s HOLLY'S HARP black and royal blue silk jersey heavily beaded disco meets flapper dress! Features a double ply silk jersey that hugs the body in all the right places. Cris cross hand-sewn layers of black and blue beaded fringe on both the front and back bodice. Fabulous beaded hem. Sleek long sleeves with ruched detail. Words cannot even begin to describe how incredible this dress looks on! Couture quality, with so much detail! In great condition. Made in USA. Marked Size US Medium Measurements: (lots of stretch) 34-42 inch bust 30-36 inch waist...

1950s Dorothy McNab Gold Lame & White Silk Sari-Inspired Gown w Draped Attached Waterfall Back, and Incredible Princess Seamed Bodice. Gold lame woven p...

Vintage 70s Oscar De La renta Creme silk ruffle jumpsuit with black silk pleats pants. Size: 4 Bust 34 inches/ Waist 27 inches/ Hip; 38 / Jumpsuit length 53 inches

Chic mid 60s pink, red, purple and white paisley Irish Linen shift dress! Features a slight cowl neck with fitted bodice and a forgiving skirt. Full metal zipper up the back with hoo...

Gorgeous vintage 1970s light brown / coffee jersey long sleeve maxi dress! Gold beads and crystal rhinestones adorn the bust and bottom of each sleeve. Hidden metal zipper up the bac...

Oscar de la Renta Silk Embellished Maxi Dress US size - 2 S/S 2008 Runway Collection ( Look 53/68 ) For this summer dress Oscar de la Renta, in addition to the lightest transparent s...

Chic and rare early 1990s NICOLE MILLER little black novelty "Chess' dress! Flirty fit, with a fitted bodice, and a slightly flared skirt. A whimsical take on the LBD, with Chess the...

Unworn with the original store tags still attached! Vintage yellow and black lace halter dress by Bill Blass. Full flared skirt and open back. Det...

Avant Garde 90s BARBOGLIO CRISTINA JAN two piece corset top and peplum skirt! Features a fitted bodice, with a slight flare at hem, and interior boning to keep everything in place. H...

Beautiful late 80s BILL BLASS Size 6 black and white gingham silk taffeta dress with hot pink bows. Fit and flare style with a boned tailored b...

This fabulous quality 1960s cream A-line shift dress features many hallmarks of the mod era. The fabric is weighty, a heavy cream wool that feels luxurious to touch. There are four d...

Chic vintage 90s does 50s white and black lace strapless dress! Features white French lace over a silk white underlay. Attached black taffeta origami layered belt...

Beautiful Avant Garde 1980s JILL RICHARDS black and nude French lace and silk chiffon long sleeve cocktail dress ! Features a nude underlay on the bodice, with black French lace over...

Gorgeous 1950s demi couture HOUSE OF BRANELL black and white floral print silk short sleeve dress! Faux wrap style is flattering and comfortable for an array of sizes. Fitted bodice ...

Bustier cocktail dress in Polka dots Lurex. Main fabric composition: 70% rayon, 30% lurex. Acetate lining and black tulle petticoat. Boned. Zip closure in the middle back. Size XS ...

Sexy yet sophisticated vintage early 90s TADASHI SHOJI royal blue bodcon double ply jersey mini dress! Wonderful vibrant blue color, with a fit that is to die for! Flattering ruching...

This is an exotic evening gown from Bob Mackie. It is an orange and black long sleeve fitted gown with a tiger print beaded pattern, and a full and flowy chiffon skirt. Fully lined. ...

Rare and amazing vintage GEOFFREY BEENE early 90s 'hearts and stars' 1960s 60s style yellow cotton short sleeve shift / A - Line dress! Features color...

1980s Black Silk Strapless Gown w Small Cream Polkadots & Bow Trimmed Fully Boned Bodice: No maker label, but excellent demi-couture quality detailing. Fully boned and ruched bodice ...

An incredible 1940s iconic swing style dress with uber 1940s styling details: square-cut neckline that begs for some coordinating dress clips, high structured shoulder pads for that ...

Absolutely incredible vintage James Purcell yellow dress! Features origami like fan bust, with a full skirt. Attached sash can be worn a number of ways. There was an impressive amoun...

80's bustier dress in lace, sequin and taffetas

Exceptional vintage 1950s ANITA MODES black silk crepe one shoulder cocktail wiggle dress! Form fitting silhouette hugs the body in all the right places. So Marilyn Monroe, Audrey He...

This vintage 1930's gown is composed of a bias cut aqua silk crepe. Features rhinestone and beaded applique throughout. There are side snap closures. In excellent vintage condition, ...

This rare vintage 1950s Helen Rose silk party dress is not only the most joyous confection, but a very important piece of fashion history. Helen Ros...

Ralph Lauren Black Label pale blue silk chiffon, strapless draped bodice bias cut gown marked size 8. Dusty pale blue silk chiffon gown with a ...

▪ Ralph Lauren Purple Label evening dress ▪ Fall-Winter 2013 ▪ Constructed from black viscose jersey ▪ Thousands of hand-beaded black bugle beads ▪ Plunging v-neckline ▪ Gathered c...

Pauline Trigere designed this two piece evening dress in the 1970's for Bergdorf Goodman. It has a short capelet top with sheer black silk organza at the neckline, which closes at th...

Versace leather cut out floral details embellished with Swarovski crystal and sequins over tulle sky-blue gown. Tulle, crepe. Tonal bead and crystal embellishments, overlay, crosso...

Quintessential Geoffrey Beene in cut and detail, this stunning and sophisticated gown is composed of olive green satin with black wool crepe panels strategically integrated into the ...

Chic late 70s HALSTON purple wool long sleeve dress ! Features the perfect color purple that looks great on any skin tone. Tailored bodice with a slight A-Line skirt. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-eye closure. Pockets at each side of thew waist. Fully lined. Great belted or alone. The pictured 90s Jane August...

Beautiful vintage 1990s LIANCARLO COUTURE black silk sequined one shoulder dress! Features a black silk backdrop, with thousands of black hand-sewn sequins throughout. Layers of mesh...

Super chic vintage yellow, green, pink, purple and white daisy flower print cotton skooter dres! Features a nice tailored bodice with a pleated flat...

A simple black silk sheath dress from Geoffrey Beene with a pink flower print. It has a crew neckline, dolman balloon sleeves with a button closure at the wrists and falls straight t...

This vintage gown is composed of a combination of silk jersey and satin floral applique, with sequin and rhinestone embellishment. Features a draped skirt design with bustier style b...

Beautiful 1980s vintage TADASHI SHOJI avant garde white cut-out full length crepe evening dress! Features cut out detail above bust. Pearl and rhinestone encrusted details at center...

This gorgeous black knit Donna Karan strapless mini dress from the 1990s features internal boning to create a streamlined silhouette and pockets at the hips. Approximate measuremen...

Amazing 70s M BASSEL blue and pale pink cropped top and maxi skirt! Features a flattering stretch jersey wrap crop top that can either be tied in the fro...

Beautiful 1950s FRED PERLBERG robin eggs blue fit n' flare dress! Features a ribbed fitted bodice with cap sleeves. Full forgiving skirt with attached sash belt. Full metal zipper up...

Chocolate brown crepe long sleeved dress with a striped ascot bow tie at the neck by designer Adele Simpson. Rear zip closure. Partially lined. DETAILS: Partially lined Back zip cl...

The perfect little black dress! Flattering body hugging fit looks amazing on! Cap sleeves features strands of black beaded fringe. Full lined. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and...

Chic 1960s light heather grey sleeveless wool shift dress! Features a tailored silhouette, with a belted back. Full metal zipper. Up the back with hook-and-eye closure. Great with bo...

Black Rayon Crepe and Gold Kid Leather One Piece Deco Gown from the late 1930's, early 1940's. Pleated faux wrap design with large exaggerated collar and amazing gold kid applique Deco...

BRAND NEW (Never Worn) VINTAGE!!! Chic 1950s Suzy Perrette black silk velvet cocktail dress! Brand New deadstock vintage dress! Skirt feat...

NHA KHANH white lace bodice flutter sleeve bridal gown dress UK10 XL Reference: MAFK/A00005 Brand: Nha Khanh Material: Polyester, Blend Color: White, Nude Pattern: Lace Closure: Zip ...

Chic late 80s vintage GEOFFREY BEENE for SAKS 5th AVENUE houndstooth silk dress ! Features solid black on the front bodice with black, white, and red houndstooth prints on the sleeve...

Brilliant vintage late 1960s PAT SNADLER bright orange paisley print psychedelic A-Line / empire waist dress! Features allover paisley prints in vibrant blue, green, yellow, orange,...

Geoffrey Beene, gold lurex knit ensemble, having an elastic puckering mid elbow sleeved, boat neck top and a gathered skirt. Top and skirt are edged in a go...

This Donna Karan navy blue stretch wool midi dress debuted on the Fall/Winter 1989 runway. This elegant design showcases a body-skimming silhouette with long sleeves and a high side ...

A glorious 1990s Michael Casey Couture gold silk lame goddess gown with structured and boned bodice, halter closure and a plunging neckline held ...

Oscar de la Renta (1932-2014) for his Spring 1982 collection created a number of styles of bold vibrant uniquely-handpainted crepe-de-chine caftans that helped define his five-decade...

Oscar de la Renta Black Silk Taffeta One shoulder Dress- Size 10 RUNWAY Pre-Fall 2009. This was look 31 in the Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2009 Fashion Sho...

This 1970's evening dress from Pauline Trigere has a low cut neckline and a high opening at the center front hemline. It is made from black light weight wool crepe, lined in black silk, with a center back zipper. This is a great dress for bold jewelry...

ATELIER VERSACE 1999 Black Strapless Boned A-line Front Slit Dress Circa: c.1999 Label(s): Atelier VERSACE Designer: Donatella Versace Style: Co...

Wonderful vintage JOSEPH MAGNIN 70s does 30s black cotton short puff sleeve maxi dress! So much detail in this beauty! Features pink, blue and ye...

Chic 1960s LILLI DIAMOND canary yellow and white silk lace dress! Features a fitted bodice with a ruffled skirt. White pom poms at the collar and each tier of ruffles. Hidden zipper ...

Sexy and super flattering SAMIR black ruched sleeveless cocktail dress! Features a peek-a-boo bust, encrusted with pearls, beads, seed beads and rhinestones. Flattering stretch jerse...

An exquisite example of early 1930s craftsmanship, this vintage peach lace and silk chiffon gown captures the ethereal elegance and fluid silhouette of the Art Deco era. Designed wit...

Gorgeous vintage 70s LILLIE RUBIN black silk fully sequined sleeveless gown! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequins throughout the entire dress. Attached belt hooks closed at the ba...