F/W 1997 Gianni Versace Couture Royal Blue Keyhole Wool Stretch Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT40 / US6 (EU)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 35 in (88.9 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 33 in (83.82 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear from age and use throughout.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388216726942
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.
- Cruise 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford Teal Sheer Silk Bandana Strap Mini Dress NWTBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a rare mini dress designed by Tom Ford for Gucci's 2004 cruise collection. New with tags, this piece is made of sheer light blue silk printed in a western paisley bandana pattern. Small gold studs...Category
Early 2000s Italian Mini Dresses
- F/W 2000 Emanuel Ungaro Runway Ad Blue Watercolor Silk Chiffon Dress Y2KBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a blue watercolor silk Emanuel Ungaro chiffon dress, designed by the late designer before the ready-to-wear line was taken over by Giambattista Valli. From the Fall/Winter 2000 collection, this gorgeous halterneck dress debuted in red as look number 55 and appeared in the season's ad campaign on Kristen Owen, captured by Mario Sorrenti...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 1996 Gianni Versace Couture Royal Blue Wool Medusa Cinched Button DressBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous blue collared Gianni Versace dress designed by Gianni Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1996 collection, this royal blue dress featu...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Blue Snake Print Viscose Leather Strap Plunging DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a blue plunging neckline snake print viscose dress designed by Tom Ford for Gucci. This piece debuted in grey as look number 2 on Danita Angell for the Spring/Summer 2000 runway collection, which Ford described as "Farrah Fawcett and Blondie, with a touch of Gwyneth Paltrow." Glamorous 1970s-inspired designs like this dress became instant hits and are now coveted. The dress bunches and hangs from a leather necklace-like strap with a silver-toned metal clasp marked "GUCCI." Worn by Gisele Bündchen on the cover of the January 2000 issue of Harper's Bazaar, this dress was also worn by Frankie Rayder and photographed by Herb Ritts for his 'Le Chic...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford GG Buckle Black Stretch Backless Halter Top DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a sexy formfitting halter neck Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford for the Spring/Summer 1997 collection. This dress features a halter neck with a gold 'GG' interlocking clo...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford G Buckle Purple Knit Sleeveless Cutout DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting two-in-one, this dress can be worn with either an exposed back or a plunging neckline. Sexy and versatile, this dress represents one of Tom Ford's most popular and iconic ...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Versace S/S 08 turquoise strapless tassel fringe corset bustier midi maxi dressBy VersaceLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Versace Spring Summer 2008 strapless dress in turquoise Ruched bust Inner boned corset with underwired cups Long ties at the bust with long leather tassels, these ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Maxi Dresses
- A French Pierre Balmain Printed Silk Dress, Circa 1980By Pierre Balmain CoutureLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1980 France Pierre Balmain summer dress in blue silk with polka dots in shades of yellow, pink white and black. Round neck, short kimono sleeves, tightened dress at the waist,...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli Poseidon God Mosaic Couture Blue Just Vintage 90s Mini DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in PARIS, FRPoseidon dress by Roberto Cavalli! Pattern: Poseidon on the throne Mosaic Shell Angel head Flowers EXCELLENT condition! No label, but *Just Cavalli* is indicated on the dress. Plea...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
- 1960s Teal Blue Floral Three Quarter Sleeve DressLocated in London, GBSuperb example of an early 1960s day dress but could just as easily be worn in more formal settings or as a cocktail dress. Cut in a beautifully iridescent teal blue silk feel fabric...Category
1960s British Cocktail Dresses
- Karl Lagerfeld 1980s Size 44 / US 10 Navy Blue Silk Chiffon Vintage 80s DressBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful late 80s KARL LAGERFELD navy + ivory silk chiffon sleeveless dress. Features a navy body with semi sheer ivory above the bust. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-eye c...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Blue Black Floral Print Vintage 80s Silk Dress Size 42By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing 1980s YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Rive Gauche blue and black floral / rose print short sleeve silk dress ! Pockets at each side of the waist. Features a vibrant blue flowers and r...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses