Versace Silk Dress with Studded Leather Straps
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40 (EU)Bust: 33 in (83.82 cm)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Water Mill, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5116871161
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Water Mill, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Robert Morton Halter Maxi Dress and Jacket 1970sBy Robert David MortonLocated in Water Mill, NYA great jersey halter dress in a turquoise, red, pink and white optical illusion print from Robert Morton.. It is semi fitted with a halter neck and a band of red around the necklin...Category
1970s American Maxi Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Lace up Silk SkirtBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous light grey stretch silk skirt from Dolce & Gabbana. It is a pencil style skirt with horizontal ruching across the front and back. There is functional lacing along the ce...Category
2010s Italian Skirts
- Valentino Dress with Cut out sides 1990sBy ValentinoLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous silk blend dress in a subtle black and white herringbone pattern from Valentino. It is sleeveless with a V neckline and black lace covered cut outs as the sides of the wai...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Tom Ford for Gucci SS 2004 Brown Silk DressBy Gucci, Tom FordLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous rich brown fine stretch silk dress from Tom Ford for Gucci. The dress portion is strapless then it is sheer to the stand up collar at the neck and to the elbows of the dramatic leg of...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Gianni Versace New Dress with HardwareBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in Water Mill, NYIn muted shades of grey a fine jersey dress from Gianni Versace Couture. It has one shoulder with a silver metal triangle joining the front and back. ...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Pierre Cardin 1960s Space Age DressBy Pierre CardinLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous off white wool dress by Pierre Cardin. It is an A line sleeveless dress with a stand up collar and hem highlighted with rows of top stitchi...Category
1960s French Day Dresses
- 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
- Elaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920sLocated in New York, NYElaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920s Indigo knee-length gauze Flapper dress with intricate beading of art deco style motifs in shades of indigo, blue and silver. Featurin...Category
1920s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Tom Ford Crystal Embellished Statement Dress F/W 2011 Size 38ITBy Tom FordLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLTom Ford - Olive gray, Swarovski crystal lace embellished dress. The lace dress is lined in sheer nude fabric and has an invisible zipper for closure.Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- Vintage 1950's Pink Swirling Satin & Tulle Dress UK 6 US 2Located in Cheltenham, GBThis iconic 1950's dress, rendered in layers of pink tulle, with delicate circular satin details, is just the piece for that special occasion. The strapless cut of the dress, featu...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- Sass & Bide Silk Crepe 3 Way Maxi Harness Bustier Dress AU 8 US 2Located in PUTNEY, NSWDress Crepe Embellished Contrasting trims SilkCategory
Early 2000s Australian Cocktail Dresses
- Blumarine, Strapless draped dressBy BlumarineLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLBlumarine, Strapless draped dress in grey. This item is new - unworn. With zipper on the side • CONDITION: new - unworn • SIZE: IT40 - XS • MEASUREM...Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns