Versace Medusa Detail Crepe Mini Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: XS (UK)
- Period:
- Material Notes:Composition – 57% Acetate, 43% Viscose (Label missing but corresponds)
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Condition – Very Good (Minor mark to rear).
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
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” — as 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, 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. 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Dolce & Gabbana Brocade & Lame Patchwork DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana Brocade & Lame Patchwork Dress Multi-coloured, sleeveless mini dress with patchworks of different materials and textures, such as brocade and lame. Rrp £1,400. Siz...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Halston Heritage Cut-Out DressBy Halston HeritageLocated in London, GBHalston Heritage Cut-Out Dress Champagne gold, sparkling maxi dress designed with cut-out detailing to the sides. Featuring deep V-Neck to rear and wrap-around accent. Boat neckli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gucci Silk Rose & Bee Print DressBy GucciLocated in London, GBGucci Silk Rose & Bee Print Dress Georgette style with in turquoise with brightly coloured roses and bumble bees. Ruffles to the neck and sleeves. 'GG' logo pearl button closure. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Chloe Silk Midi DressBy ChloéLocated in London, GBChloe Silk Dress Two tone in beige and khaki green, A- line style with cap sleeves and tie detail to the back of the neck and waist. Logo zipper pu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
- Jenny Packham Fishtail GownBy Jenny PackhamLocated in London, GBJenny Packham Fishtail Gown Black, evening dress designed with cowl neckline and long sleeves. Styled with open back and tie-up detailing to rear. Fea...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Carven Embroidered Silk & Cotton DressBy CarvenLocated in London, GBCarven Embroidered Silk & Cotton Dress Black, sleeveless dress designed with shirt style, collared top detailed with multicoloured, crafted with beads and threads animals embroidery. Featuring empire...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Muir Emerald Green Viscose Jersey Cocktail DressBy Jean MuirLocated in New York, NYJean Muir emerald green jersey cocktail dress with long wrap sash. Sash may also be worn as long scarf around neck, and tied at lower back. Front of dress has asymmetrical pleating. ...Category
Late 20th Century British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Badgley Mischka Beaded Black Silk Lace Evening Gown Size US 10By Badgley MischkaLocated in New York, NYBadgley Mischka glamorous black silk lace evening gown, size US 10. Gown features hand beaded and embroidered lace with glass jet beading, and neckline with glass jet beads along cu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Gowns
- Giambattista Valli Ivory Crepe Sleeveless Wedding Gown Dress EU 40By Giambattista ValliLocated in New York, NYElegant Giambattista Valli ivory crepe sleeveless wedding gown has a delicate fitted bust, darts to accentuate the length of waist, which is finished with a stitched ribbon at the wa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- WILLIAM PEARSON Designer Vintage Floral Green Dress Ribbon Ruffle Off Shoulder 8Located in Asheville, NCWilliam Pearson, Floral Pattern, Double Layered Lining, Could be off Shoulder or on Shoulder, Satin Ribbon Tie in Back, Satin Ribbon Along Bottom, Full Skirt, Ribbed Top Material, Zi...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Rare LARRY ALDRICH COUTURE 1950s Silk Taffeta Bow & Button Cocktail DressLocated in Asheville, NCLarry Aldrich, 1950's Era Vintage Couture, Silk Taffeta, V Neck Front Wrap Style with Bow, Two Front Pockets, Nine Fabric Back Buttons, Built-in Moderate Crinoline with Hook and Eye ...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress, c. 1990s.By Calvin KleinLocated in New York, NYCalvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress, c. 1990s. Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress featuring low cut V-ncekline and shoulder pads. Beautiful Lace hem extends past chiffon linin...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses