Gianni Versace Silk Dress and Jacket 1990s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: XS, S, M (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 29 in (73.66 cm)Hip: 37 in (93.98 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 33 in (83.82 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Water Mill, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5112755033
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: Water Mill, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Dolce & Gabbana New Silk JumpsuitBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous camel silk jumpsuit by Dolce & Gabbana. It has a shirt collar, 2 chest button flap pockets, and a drop waistline. The long full sleeves have a 1 button cuff and the abil...Category
2010s Italian Jumpsuits
- Neil Bieff Arturo Herrera Silk Skirt and Top Set 1970sBy Neil BieffLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous 2 piece tan silk top and skirt set from designer Neil Bieff. It is adorned with an abstract pattern of sequins and glass beads created by world renowned artist Arturo Her...Category
1970s Indian Day Dresses
- Gucci New Silk Halter JumpsuitBy GucciLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous deep red silk jumpsuit from Gucci. It has a halter neckline crossing at the front then wrapping around the neck. There is a band at the waist and the pants portion are s...Category
2010s Italian Jumpsuits
- Dolce & Gabbana Flower Silk Drape Skirt with Flower and ShirtBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous set from Dolce & Gabbana consisting of a shirt and skirt made of sheer pink silk. The long sleeve shirt has a small collar and ornate filigree painted metal ball buttons u...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Lace up Top and SkirtBy John Galliano, Christian DiorLocated in Water Mill, NYAn incredible 2 piece silk skirt and top set in a pink and yellow flower print from John Galliano for Christian Dior. The top has adjustable functi...Category
Early 2000s French Skirt Suits
- Gianni Versace Silk Skirt and Top Set with HardwareBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Water Mill, NYA fine silk jersey one shoulder top and matching skirt from Gianni Versace Couture in pink scrolls and lines print on a black background. The top is fitted and has a gold metal signature Versace Greek key hardware...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Paul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble, c. 1960By Paul DaunayLocated in London, GBPaul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble comprising: long-line waistcoat lined with purple silk and high rise a-line skirt with inverted pleats and two side pockets. ...Category
1960s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Azzedine Alaia leopard wool dress, cardigan, skirt and leggings set, fw 1991By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaia leopard wool four-piece set ▪ Long sleeve fitted knee-length dress ▪ Oversized button-up cardigan ▪ High-waisted leggings ▪ High-waisted fitted knee-length pencil ...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Christian Dior by John Galliano purple tie-dye silk top and skirt set, ss 2001By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior silk top and skirt set ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Purple and orange tie-dyed silk chiffon ▪ Snakeskin print calfskin leath...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier Gibo Equator Houndstooth Cigar Vintage Jumpsuit Dress CatsuitBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRHoundstooth cigar catsuit dress by Jean Paul Gaultier! From the very early Gibo line! Zipper closure VERY GOOD condition! SIZE Small. Marked size: 38. Model`s size in photos: XS....Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses
- 1970s Couture Silk Checked Skirt and Cape EnsembleLocated in London, GBThis sensational 1970s silk couture skirt and cape ensemble with multicoloured check design is of superb quality and in excellent vintage condition with a contemporary high fashion a...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
- French SilkVelvet Dress and Opera Cape by Simone PieltainLocated in Gresham, ORA fabulous French 60s formal evening ensemble in flocked silk satin by Simone Pieltain with back pouf detail and opera cape. Approx US size 6Category
1960s French Dress and Coat Ensembles