1999 Gianni Versace by Donatella Black Chain Bodycon Stretch Knit Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 38IT/US4 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Negligible signs of wear throughout.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388218237522
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.
- F/W 2001 Gucci by Tom Ford Hot Pink Silk Satin Zipper Mini Dress RunwayBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAOur Gucci dress was modeled by Nataša Voljnović as part of look 38 on the Fall/Winter 2001 runway. Tom Ford designed this HOT pink mini dress using oversized zipper accents. Also fea...Category
Early 2000s Italian Mini Dress
- S/S 2000 Gianni Versace Jungle Print Backless Dress with Charms by DonatellaBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an iconic jungle print dress from the S/S 2000 collection, designed by Donatella Versace. This stunning dress features the same pattern but a different color combination as the infamous JLo Versace jungle dress...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 1995 Gianni Versace Yellow Orange Checker Runway DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a checkerboard dress from the collection Gianni noted was all “about cut, quality, and construction", designed by Gianni Versace. A green version of this yellow/orange checkered...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- S/S 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Ad Suede Heart Belted DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting An absolutely fabulous tan suede dress from Gucci's Spring/Summer 2002 collection, designed by Tom Ford. Constructed purely of suede, this dress debuted on the season's runway and features a tie closure at the top as well as a suede wrap-around belt adorned with hearts at both ends to tie the waist. The dress is simple and sexy, with two slits on either side. This dress was also featured in the season's ad campaign on Rie Rasmussen, photographed by Terry Richardson...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- S/S 2000 Gianni Versace by Donatella JLo Pink Jungle Print DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAThis iconic jungle print dress from the Spring/Summer 2000 collection was designed by Donatella Versace. This stunning dress features the same pattern but a different color combination as the infamous JLo Versace jungle dress...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford G Buckle Black Turtleneck Sheer Stretch DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a figure-hugging little black dress designed by Tom Ford for Gucci's Spring/Summer 1998 collection. This piece features the iconic 'G' buckle leather straps that were heav...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
- ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHAlaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Jean Paul Gaultier Mesh Nomad Ethnic Tribal Aztec Tattoo Tatouages Indian DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Collector Catwalk Mesh Transparent Sheer Nomad Ethnic Tribal Indian Western Aztec Tattoo Tatouages Long Maxi Dress Extremely rare "Tatouages" dress from Jean Paul Gaultier! Museum piece! "Tim Blanks’ Top Fashion Shows of All Time Jean Paul Gaultier, Spring/Summer 1994, October 1993: BoF’s Editor-at-Large journeys back to a show that fused Indian mysticism, 18th century silhouettes...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top SetBy Jean Paul Gaultier, Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Vintage Japanese Golden Eagle Koi Fish Kendall Jenner Wave Yellow Mesh Sheer Transparent Wrap T-shirt Skirt Top Dress Golden Japanese Eagle...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Textured Leather Bubble DressBy Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueenLocated in Berlin, BEIncredible Alexander McQueen textured leather dress with the most amazing dramatic silhouette. This high-quality dress has the most incredible round silhouette - It is made from a textured leather and features a round neckline with beautiful seam-line details, large round puff...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE 2014 Black Leather Mini DressBy Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BEThe most incredible leather mini-dress by Saint Laurent from 2014, designed by Hedi Slimane. This exceptional sleeveless mini dress is made from a soft lamb leather and features gor...Category
2010s French Mini Dress
- Vintage Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress with crystal trim details S/S1995By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBVintage Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress with crystal details S/S1995. The dress is in good condition just light signs of use around the crystals. ▪ Black rayon chiffon with lining ▪...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress