F/W 1991 Gianni Versace Black Silk Color Block Runway Button Down Top
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 38IT (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear throughout fabric. Cufflinks not included.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388219748012
Gianni Versace
The signature extravagance of legendary fashion designer Gianni Versace — forever aligned with glamour, sex, celebrity and spectacle — can overshadow the Italian couturier’s broad and deep engagement with history and culture. Today, his vintage dresses and gowns, handbags, sunglasses and other accessories look astonishingly fresh and freshly relevant.
More than any designer before him, Versace mined celebrity, music and Pop art for inspiration, and his subversive, maximalist and unabashedly seductive designs infused high fashion with an entirely new ethos. “I don’t believe in good taste,” he once explained. Instead, he had a sexy good time with fashion — as he did with life.
Gianni Versace was born in Calabria, Italy. His mother was a successful dressmaker who employed more than 40 seamstresses. As a child, little Gianni marveled at her workshop, which would become a university of sorts, where he learned the exceptional construction techniques that were at the foundation of his creative expression.
In 1972, at age 25, he moved to Milan to work in fashion. He launched his first collection — and his label — in 1978, with his older brother Santo managing the business concerns. Soon, sister Donatella, whom Gianni dressed and took to discos when she was still a child, joined the family venture, where she had a creative role and managed enormously popular ready-to-wear lines such as Versus.
Vintage Versace — and Gianni Versace Couture, which debuted in 1989 — has become catnip for modern fashion enthusiasts who seek out the now-iconic house codes that originated in the designs of the 1980s and 1990s. His glamorous and seductive apparel — the clingy skirts and slender, strappy party dresses, as well as the erotic magazine ads that publicized them — looms large, but Versace’s art and historical influences were also vast.
Versace was an art collector, and he took on commissions to create costumes for theatrical performances during the 1980s and spoke of looking to numerous cultures for inspiration. The New York Times noted in 1997 that the fashion industry “is now driven by contemporary culture because Mr. Versace made it that way.”
Insiders consider his 1991/1992 Autumn/Winter runway show — which featured supermodels Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista lip-synching George Michael’s “Freedom” — as the moment when the two worlds of fashion and pop culture became one, changing both forever.
Versace's adventurous spirit of design resulted in his creating jewel-toned prints rooted in Grecian motifs, Etruscan symbols, the Italian Baroque and Andy Warholʼs Marilyn Monroe. There were slinky dresses in Oroton, his patented chain-mail textile that draped like satin, and leather bondage ensembles. Sex sold, for both women and men. Wrote the late curator Richard Martin, “[Versace] became the standard-bearer of gay men’s fashion because he eschewed decorum and designed for desire.”
Following Versace’s tragic murder in 1997, Donatella took over the role of artistic director and continued to evolve the house codes with a twist of her feminine and feminist perspective. Today, Santo Versace is chief executive officer of Versace and Donatella is its chief creative officer.
Browse an extraordinary collection of vintage Gianni Versace evening dresses, handbags, day dresses and more on 1stDibs.
Gianni Versace Couture
Subversive, maximalist and unabashedly seductive, Gianni Versace’s (1946–97) designs infused high fashion with an entirely new ethos. “I don’t believe in good taste,” the legendary Italian couturier once explained. Instead, he had a sexy good time with fashion — as he did with life.
Today, vintage Versace clothing, handbags and other accessories look astonishingly fresh and freshly relevant. The designer debuted his Atelier Versace line — which was part of the first Versace haute couture collection — in 1989.
More than any designer before him, Versace mined celebrity, music and Pop art for inspiration. In fact, the New York Times noted in 1997 that the fashion industry “is now driven by contemporary culture because Mr. Versace made it that way.”
Insiders consider his 1991/1992 Autumn/Winter runway show — which featured supermodels Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista lip-synching George Michael’s “Freedom! '90” — the moment when the two worlds of fashion and pop culture became one, changing both forever.
Versace was born in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. His mother was a successful dressmaker who employed more than 40 seamstresses. As a child, little Gianni marveled at her workshop, which would become a university of sorts, where he learned the exceptional construction techniques that were at the foundation of his creative expression.
In 1972, at age 25, Versace moved to Milan to work in fashion. He launched his first collection — and his label — in 1978, with his older brother Santo managing the business concerns. Soon, sister Donatella, whom Gianni dressed and took to discos when she was still a child, joined the family venture, where she had a creative role and managed enormously popular ready-to-wear lines such as Versus.
Vintage Versace — and 1989's Gianni Versace Couture — has become catnip for modern fashion enthusiasts who seek out the now-iconic house codes that originated in the designs of the 1980s and 1990s. His glamorous and seductive apparel — the clingy skirts and slender, strappy party dresses, as well as the erotic magazine ads that publicized them — looms large, but Versace’s art and historical influences were also vast.
Versace was an art collector, and he took on commissions to create costumes for theatrical performances during the 1980s and spoke of looking to numerous cultures for inspiration. This adventurous spirit of design resulted in his creating jewel-toned prints rooted in Grecian motifs, Etruscan symbols, the Italian Baroque and Andy Warholʼs Marilyn Monroe. There were slinky dresses in Oroton, his patented chain-mail textile that draped like satin, and leather bondage ensembles. Sex sold, for both women and men. Wrote the late curator Richard Martin, “[Versace] became the standard-bearer of gay men’s fashion because he eschewed decorum and designed for desire.”
Following Versace’s tragic murder in 1997, Donatella took over the role of artistic director and continued to evolve the house codes with a twist of her feminine and feminist perspective. Today, Santo Versace is chief executive officer of Versace and Donatella is its chief creative officer.
Browse an extraordinary collection of vintage Gianni Versace Couture bags, dresses and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1990s Gianni Versace Couture Vintage Silk Floral Collared ShirtBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAThis bright silk collared shirt features an Atelier Versace original print. With large flowers on the front and back of the blouse, other images on ...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- S/S 1992 Gianni Versace Runway Ad Gold Medusa Blue Jean Denim Button Down TopBy Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a blue cotton denim button-down designed by Gianni Versace for his Spring/Summer 1992 collection. Similar jackets denim tops debuted on the runway on Marpessa Hennink, Yas...Category
1990s Italian Blouses
- S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Beige Navy Sheer Ombré Silk Button Up Plunge TopBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful sheer ombré Gucci shirt, designed by Tom Ford for the Spring/Summer 1997 collection. The button closure stops about halfway up the front for a plunging necklin...Category
1990s Italian Blouses
- F/W 2002 Gianni Versace by Donatella Black Stretch Cotton Plunging Button Up TopBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a sexy black collared Gianni Versace Couture top, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Fall/Winter 2002 collection, this fitted button-down top features a plunging neckline and three groups of silvertone buttons at the front closure as well as the cuffs with the Versace logo on them. This sleek and ultra-sexy top...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses
- F/W 2002 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Black Raw-Edge Silk Sheer Plunge TopBy Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black raw edge long sleeve Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche top, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2002 collection, this top features sheer organza details that c...Category
Early 2000s French Blouses
- F/W 1999 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Leather Flower Appliqué Sheer Knit TopBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful semi-sheer Gucci blouse with a leather flower applique, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 1999 collection, this top debuted...Category
1990s Italian Blouses
- Dolce Gabbana 1992 bustier topBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Annandale, VADolce Gabbana rare 1992 bustier top Top size 42 Excellent vintage condition, no rips or stainsCategory
1990s Italian Blouses
- Marc by Marc Jacobs Off White Floral Lace Short Sleeve Top MBy Marc by Marc JacobsLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2This white top from Marc by Marc Jacobs is such a stunner. The top is made of a cotton blend and features a beautiful floral lace textured pattern all over it. It flaunts a round nec...Category
2010s Italian Blouses
- Marni Gold Floral Jacquard Frayed Trim Detail Cap Sleeve Top SBy MarniLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2We love this top from Marni as it is high in style and appeal. It comes in gold with floral jacquard, frayed trims and cap sleeves. You can team it with pants or skirts and high heel...Category
2010s Italian Blouses
- Elie Tahari Cream Silk Contrast Placket Ruffle Detail Sleeveless Blouse SBy Elie TahariLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2The Elie Tahari collection offers a diverse range of the best styles for all women. Wear this cream blouse and watch everyone give you all the attention at a formal meeting. This ble...Category
2010s Italian Blouses
- Just Cavalli Black Jersey Animal Printed Trim Scoop Neck T-Shirt SBy Just CavalliLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2This creation from the house of Just Cavalli has been made to suit a diverse range of outfits, with a stunning shade of black shade. Masterfully crafted from a premium viscose blend,...Category
2010s Italian Blouses
- Etro Multicolor Printed Silk Blouson Top SBy EtroLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2The printed blouson top by Etro embraces a boho-chic look. The multicolor top is finely tailored with silk increasing your comfort and style, and it features gathered details and a b...Category
2010s Italian Blouses