Gianni Versace Couture Black Silver Silk Wool Lamè Evening Skirt Suit 1980s
About the Item
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 28.75 in (73 cm)Marked Size: 8 (US)Bust: 19.3 in (49 cm)Waist: 16.15 in (41 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:wool and silk
- Condition:Excellent vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Brindisi, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU135439007462
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: Brindisi, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Emanuel Ungaro Light Blue Silk Skirt Suit Polka Dot Party Cocktail Dress 1990sBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Brindisi, BtEmanuel Ungaro 90s vintage women's skirt suit. Complete shirt and skirt with polka dots , 100% silk , light blue and yellow. Wallet skirt, soft knit with short sleeves. Made in Italy...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Pierre Cardin Black Elegant Skirt Suit 1980sBy Pierre Cardin ParisLocated in Brindisi, BtThis elegant vintage Pierre Cardin suit is the perfect addition to any woman's wardrobe. The black jacket and skirt are made from a high-quality wool fabric and feature an embroidered button detail. The vintage 80s design...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Carlo Pignatelli Blue Silk Ceremony Pants Suit 2000sLocated in Brindisi, BtThe Carlo Pignatelli pants suit is a sophisticated and elegant outfit, perfect for a groom or anyone attending a formal ceremony. The suit features a ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Pierre Cardin Brown Cashmere Vintage Ceremony Pants SuitBy Pierre CardinLocated in Brindisi, BtPierre Cardin vintage 90s ceremony suit pants. Set consisting of jacket, pants and vests drop 4, classic model color brown, 90% wool 10% cashmere. Buttons in mother of pearl. Made in...Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- 1990s Pierre Cardin Black Wool Tuxedo Suit Pants Size 36By Pierre Cardin, Pierre Cardin ParisLocated in Brindisi, BtPierre Cardin vintage tuxedo suit 1990s. Gray and black color. Jacket with one button in dark gray. Gray and black fantasy trousers, two side pockets and button closure. Made in Ital...Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Salvatore Ferragamo Black Viscose Long Cocktail Suit Dress 1990sBy FerragamoLocated in Brindisi, BtSalvatore Ferragamo vintage 90s woman dress. Suit consisting of dress long with vest. Dress with gold-colored button closure, without sleeves. 100% viscose. Color black. Made in Ital...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana black 3-piece ensemble with ostrich feathers, A/W 1995By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB- Silk chiffon loose fitted blouse with ostrich feather trim on collar and cuffs (IT42-FR-38-UK10) - Black satin bra with lace trim and adjustable straps...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set, fw 1992By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set ▪ All over abstract print in blue, purple, pink, red and gold ▪ Turtle neck m...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood rope print knitted cowl-neck top and drape skirt set, ss 1998By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood rayon-knit top and skirt 2-piece set ▪ Allover beige rope print ▪ Cowl-neck top ▪ Draped knee-length skirt with elasticated waistband ▪ Size Medium ▪ 100% Rayo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana tiger print and denim 3-piece skirt suit, fw 1999By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana 3-piece skirt suit ▪ Fitted jacket in black denim with red contrast topstitch ▪ Bra-top with open back and tiger-print front with sequins ▪ Low-rise maxi skirt w...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Prada by Miuccia Prada black lace evening ensemble, fw 2008By Miuccia Prada, PradaLocated in London, GB▪ Prada evening skirt suit ▪ Designed by Miuccia Prada ▪ Black 3D Swiss lace ▪ Halter vest with peplum and open back ▪ Pencil skirt ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Fall-Winter 2...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns