S/S 1994 Gianni Versace Couture Red Orange Watercolor Button Down Shirtdress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT42 / US8 (EU)Bust: 36 in (91.44 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: LU2388215059532
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. 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,” Versace once explained. Instead, he had a sexy good time with fashion — as he did with life. Today, vintage Gianni Versace clothing, handbags and other accessories look astonishingly fresh and freshly relevant.
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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- S/S 1993 Gianni Versace Couture Red Leather Yellow Silk Floral Medusa VestBy Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a supple leather vest designed by Gianni Versace for his Spring/Summer 1993 collection. A bright yellow floral printed silk panel at the back beautifully contrasts the fiery red leather and matching gold and enamel Medusa buttons. Add a pop of color with this classic Versace original...Category
1990s Italian Vests
- S/S 1996 Gucci by Tom Ford Pink Orange Sheer Abstract Watercolor Button Up TopBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a sheer silk button-up top designed by Tom Ford for Gucci's Spring/Summer 1996 collection. This 1970s-inspired collection featured the same blouse in blue in the runway presentation and in the season's ad campaign, shot by Mario Testino. The silk organza features a bright orange, pink and white watercolor print with the Gucci logo...Category
1990s Italian Blouses
- S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Red G Logo Medallion Viscose Stretch Knit TopBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a vibrant red knit Gucci top, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 1997 collection, this stretch t-shirt is constructed of knit viscose and features a mock necklin...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Red Ombré Sheer Silk Oversized Tunic TopBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful sheer ombré shirt, designed by Tom Ford for Gucci's Spring/Summer 1997 collection. The button closure stops about halfway up the front for a plunging neckline....Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford GG Logo Embroidered Red Stretch T-ShirtBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a red branded Gucci t-shirt, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 1997 collection, this classic crewneck t-shirt is perfectly elevated with a large embossed Gucci ...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- S/S 2000 Gianni Versace by Donatella Silk Bamboo Print Scarf Chain Medusa TopBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a silk Atelier Versace print scarf Medusa chain top. This top debuted on the runway with a similar top being featured in the season's ad campai...Category
Early 2000s Italian Halter Tops
- Cari Borja Red Semi Sheer Cowl Neck Silk / Rayon Tunic DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic legendary CARI BORJA ( see link ) red cowl neck silk and rayon blend tunic dress! Simply slips over the head. Vents at each side of the hem. Soft luxur...Category
2010s American Casual Dresses
- YVES SAINT LAURENT c.1980's YSL Red & Black Scoop Neck Tunic Top / DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Thiensville, WIDESCRIPTION: YVES SAINT LAURENT c.1980's YSL Red & Black Scoop Neck Tunic Top / Dress Circa: c.1980’s Label(s): Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Designer: Yves Saint Laurent Style: Tunic ...Category
1980s French Tunics
- Jean Paul Gaultier Erotic Transparent Silk Vintage Men Women Shirt Tee Top DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRIconic silk top/dress by Jean Paul Gaultier! Transparent. Deep armpit cut! It can be worn as a mini dress (if you are shorter, the length: 70 cm = 27.6 inch) or a top. With hoodie. 1...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Bruno Cucinelli Color Block Silk Shirt with Knit BandBy Brunello CucinelliLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful grey silk and charcoal wool shirt by Bruno Cucinelli. The upper half is grey silk with a shirt collar, mother of pearl button front closin...Category
2010s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Comme des Garcons Junya Watanabe Dress with Cut OutBy Comme des Garçons, Junya WatanabeLocated in Water Mill, NYA great black stretch dress from Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons, CDG. It is sleeveless with a cutout circle at the front waist and several l...Category
2010s Japanese Day Dresses
- 1970s Purple + Orange + Blue Flower Power Vintage 70s Tunic Mini DressLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing early 1970s flower power psychedelic tunic mini dress! Features flowers in various sizes, mixed with psychedelic prints. Vibrant colors of purple, orange and red throughout. ...Category
1970s American Tunics