F/W 1997 Gianni Versace Couture Green Beaded Black Lurex Metallic Knit Sweater
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT46, US12 (EU)
- 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: LU2388217186472
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.
- Early 2000s Gianni Versace by Donatella Black Sequin 'V' Monogram Knit SweaterBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous black long sleeve Gianni Versace sweater, designed by Donatella Versace. From the early 2000s, this soft sweater features a sequi...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pullovers
- Early 1990s Gianni Versace Sheer Yellow Floral Medusa Oversized Cardigan SetBy Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a sheer floral Gianni Versace cardigan set, designed by Gianni Versace. From the early 1990s, this set is made up of a matching tank top and cardigan both with the same pattern on semi-sheer fabric. The neckline of both the tank top and cardigan feature a bright yellow trim. The set is made complete with gold Versace Medusa button...Category
1990s Italian Cardigans
- Late 1990s Gianni Versace by Donatella Sequin Fishnet Stretch Knit Sweater TopBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black wide knit Gianni Versace sweater, designed by Donatella Versace. From the late 1990s, this fabulous top features a fishnet-like knit...Category
1990s Italian Pullovers
- 1980s Christian Dior by Gianfranco Ferré Blue Floral Sequin Knit Sweater TopBy Gianfranco Ferré for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a blue floral sequin Christian Dior Boutique sweater top, designed by Gianfranco Ferré. From the 1980s, this rare knit top is covered in sequins with a floral design. The ...Category
1980s French Blouses and Tops
- F/W 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford GG Logo Black White Knit Turtleneck SweaterBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black Gucci mock neck sweater, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2000 collection, this beautiful sweater is ribbed and features a square Gucci 'G' pattern at th...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pullovers
- F/W 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Double Buckle Black Knit Wool Cardigan TopBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an open black knit Gucci cardigan, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 1998 collection, this incredible cardigan features two closures at the front, each marked 'Gucci', which tactfully leave the sweater slightly open. The sweater is made complete with diagonal perforated stripe details at the front. A rare piece of early Gucci...Category
1990s Italian Cardigans
- Chanel Colourful Pattern TopBy Karl Lagerfeld, ChanelLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Chanel colourful pattern top. - Size 42.Category
Early 2000s French Pullovers
- 1960s Yellow + White + Clear Paillettes Sequined Lamb's Wool Sleeveless 60s TopLocated in San Diego, CAChic vintage 1960s yellow, white and clear paillettes and sequin encrusted sleeveless lamb's wool sweater top! Features hundreds of hand-sewn sequins and paillettes throughout. Super...Category
1960s Hong Kong Blouses and Tops
- Jean Paul GAULTIER Equator 1984 Lurex Floral Flower Pullover SweaterBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRLurex sweater by Jean Paul Gaultier from the Autumn Winter 1984 collection! This sweater is constructed of pink flowers knit with chenille yarn, and copper...Category
1980s Italian Pullovers
- Gianni Versace Versus Swing Painting Fragonard Men Leopard T-shirt Top SweaterBy Gianni Versace, VersusLocated in PARIS, FRGianni Versace rococo t-shirt / pullover from his Versus line! Wonderful rococo pattern: The Swing painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard Versace medus...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Louis Feraud Ribbon Knit Colour Block SweaterBy Louis FeraudLocated in West Palm Beach, FLLouis Feraud ribbon knit colour block sweater in moss green and autumn yellow, the colours are purposely irregular as hand dying can be. The ribbo...Category
1980s French Pullovers
- Vintage 1970s Le Roy Knitwear Cream Nubby Open Knit Sweater with Jabot CollarLocated in San Francisco, CAVintage 1970s cream Le Roy sweater in a wonderful nubby knit with attached jabot collar. Long sleeve, pearlized button closure at back neck. Slightly open-knit, layer for a conservat...Category
1970s Taiwanese Pullovers