This dress is from the Fall 2013 collection from the house of Valentino. During this time period both Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli were acting Creative Directors. It was the finale dress of the runway presentation. The runway pieces were shown and styled with removable collars and cuffs as mentioned in the review below. Vogue's Nicole Phelps reviewed the collection and said in part:

Vermeer's Girl With a Pearl Earring stared out from Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli's mood board this season. At a preview, the Valentino designers were making connections between what they called the severe yet sensual portraits of the Dutch masters and their exquisite new collection for Fall. "We wanted to capture women in a private moment," Chiuri said. "In this show, the face is very important. Making a study of white collars, Chiuri and Piccioli added them to many of their familiar looks. The collars came in laser-cut leather encrusted with beads or in "Calvinist" plain cotton piqué, and they decorated the simplest pieces. This is Valentino we're talking about, of course, so in the end there was no lack of intricacy in the details. There were gowns galore, many of unsurpassed beauty, and some too beautiful not to bring up. But to prattle on describing them would be to defeat the point. They weren't the news; the austere grace was.

This dress is one of the best example of that 'austere grace' that Phelps describes above. It was also the gown chosen to close the show and this is always an important piece to look to as it leaves us with the final impression that the designer wished us to have of the show. It is almost stark and severe in its simplicity and it is gorgeous. It is made from a fine cotton with just a touch of silk in it. The choice of cotton gives it the weight, slight stiffening and structure that the fabric needs to hold its shape while the addition of the silk gives the fabric a lightness and very subtle touch of sheen. The cut is minimalist with a high neck with a small and neat collar. The bodice is fitted and the sleeves are long and slim. There is a hidden set button at the end of each sleeve and I love how this button is set towards the inner lining so that not even here is the line broken in even the slightest of ways. The skirt is maxi length and widens out as it nears the floor. Beginning at the waist and running right to the hem is a long, deep inverted pleat that gives the skirt width, structure and volume. At the back, the hem curves down and is cut a few inches longer then it is at the front. It is amazing on and and is finished with all the meticulous attention paid to it that you would expect from the Valentino label. It appears to  have never been worn or worn very little. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk throughout and has a hidden set zipper at the back. Tagged a Valentino 42

Sleeves: approx 22"
Shoulders: approx 15" but no true defined seams
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 61" from neck to front hem, 65" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3300

Reference Photos: (1) F/W 2013 Valentino Runway Finale Look. Model: Maud Welzen.  /  (2) Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.