Versace
View Similar Items
Versace
About the Item
Versace
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.
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 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. 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 Versace evening dresses, handbags, day dresses, accessories and more on 1stDibs.
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Multicolor Plaid Silk Blouse 1980sBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Yves Saint Laurent red, yellow and blue plaid silk button-front blouse. Yves Saint Laurent Size 38 Measurements: Shoulders 16”, B...Category
1980s French Blouses
- Chantal Thomass Black & White Striped Bustier Top With RufflesBy Chantal ThomassLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Chantal Thomass black ribbed body-con dress with halter top, ribbed stretch body, fitted body, lace ruffle back and sleeves, and lo...Category
1990s French Blouses
- Helmut Lang Brown Black & Silver Inset TunicBy Helmut LangLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Helmut Lang brown, black and silver inset tunic. Long sleeves with zipper at side. Helmut Lang Size S/M Cotton and Synthetic Exce...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Blouses
- Alexander McQueen Black Top With Puckered Shoulders AW 1999 Overlook CollectionBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer an important Alexander McQueen black top featuring puckered sleeves, a draped pleated neckline, an...Category
1990s Italian Blouses
- Helmut Lang Charcoal Black Knit Halter TopBy Helmut LangLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Helmut Lang charcoal knit halter top with an open back, elastic waistband, and hood. Helmut Lang Size One Size Knit & Elastic Exc...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Blouses
- Chanel Black & White Knit Striped Top With Crochet Flowers 2007By ChanelLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Chanel black and white knit sweater top featuring horizontal stripes, black ribbing, crochet d...Category
Early 2000s French Blouses
- Two Bill Blass Couture Beaded Tops. New Still Retaining Their Original PricetagBy Bill Blass, Bill Blass for Neiman MarcusLocated in Buchanan, MITwo Bill Blass Couture Beaded Tops. New Still Retaining Their Original Pricetags. Priced Per Top. THE FIRST Nude silk chiffon with red thread circle embroidered...Category
20th Century Blouses
- Two Sam Kori George Cashmere Sweaters. Black And Cream With Sholder Detail.Located in Buchanan, MITWO SAM KORI GEORGE CASHMERE SWEATERS. Comprising of a black and cream sweater with shoulder detail Nice weight, 4-5 ply and of highest quality. Pri...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Pullovers
- 2002 Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Black Cotton Peasant Blouse F38By Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NY2002 Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Black Cotton Peasant Blouse F38 Lightweight black Cotton and Silk Blouse with Elongated Ties; Bishop Sleeves.Category
Early 2000s French Blouses
- Yigal Azrouel Paisley Backless Turtleneck TopLocated in New York, NYSize smallCategory
1990s Blouses
- Chantal Thomass Vintage 1990's Backless Lace Up Floral ShirtBy Chantal ThomassLocated in Berlin, BEChantal Thomass Vintage 1990's Lace Up Floral Shirt Brand: Chantal Thomass Designer: Chantal Thomass Collection/Year: 1990's Fabric: Cotton Color: Grey Size: Approx S Chantal Thoma...Category
1990s French Blouses
- Dolce Gabbana 2000 leather studded corsetBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Annandale, VADolce Gabbana 2000 leather studded corset Very rare piece Size tag is missing please see approx. flat measurements in photos Good vintage condit...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses