S/S 1994 Gianni Versace Couture Silver Lurex Periwinkle Stretch Bodysuit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT38 / US4 (EU)
- 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: LU2388215508732
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. Today, his vintage dresses and gowns, handbags, sunglasses and other accessories look astonishingly fresh and freshly relevant.
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,” he once explained. Instead, he had a sexy good time with fashion — as he did with life.
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 — 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. 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.
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.
- S/S 2003 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Wrist Tie Cotton Button Up BlouseBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black long sleeve Gucci shirt, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2003 collection, this top features a stand-up collar, qu...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses and Tops
- F/W 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Obi Leather Belted Plunge Cotton BlouseBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning black collared Gucci belted shirt, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2002 collection, this beautiful top features a plunging neckline, collar, and built-in wrap-around obi belt. The top is kept closed by the belt which is secured by a braided leather tie. Obi belts and Japanese influence were heavily present in this dark rocker-chic Gucci by Tom Ford collection...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses
- S/S 1996 Gucci by Tom Ford Silk Patchwork Inside Out Print Button Up BlouseBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an incredible patterned patchwork Gucci collared shirt, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 1996 collection, this incredible mixing ...Category
1990s Italian Blouses
- NWT S/S 2005 Roberto Cavalli Runway White Lace-Up Bustier Corset BlouseBy Roberto CavalliLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning asymetrical Roberto Cavalli corset with exaggerated poof sleeves. From the Spring/Summer 2005 collection, this fabulous top debuted on the season's runway as pa...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses and Tops
- S/S 2003 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Periwinkle Silk Floral Appliqué BlouseBy Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous periwinkle silk Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche top, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2003 collection, many similar looks debuted on the season's run...Category
Early 2000s French Blouses and Tops
- S/S 1999 Gucci by Tom Ford Saddle Brown Ruffle Leather V-Neck BlouseBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a saddle-colored leather ruffled Gucci top, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 1999 collection, fabric versions of this top debuted on the season's runway. This ...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Vintage 1960s Silver Sequinned Evening TopBy Alan LeeLocated in London, GBA beautiful beaded and sequin evening top by Alan Lee of Mayfair. The body of the top is made of a soft ivory 100% wool knit. The top is fully lined in an ivo...Category
1960s Blouses
- Giorgio Armani 1990s Silver Gunmetal Avant Garde Vintage 90s Silk Blouse TopBy Giorgio ArmaniLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful vintage GIORGIO ARMANI 90s silver and gunmetal Avant Garde sleeveless shirt! Features luxurious silk, with an excellent draped neckline, and asymmetrical ruffle along the f...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Gianni Versace "Native American" Print Silk ShirtBy Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in Scottsdale, AZA very rare true piece of wearable art created by Gianni Versace, circa 1993. A beautiful Gianni Versace Silk Print in excellent condition, the "Nat...Category
1990s Italian Collars
- Roberto Cavalli Green Ruffle Corset Lace Up TopBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Scottsdale, AZIncredible 1990s ruffle blouse from iconic designer Roberto Cavalli! Sexy tight fit with adjustable lace up corset up the front for added cleavage action! Accented with little Cavall...Category
1990s Italian Bodices
- Hermes 'Christophe Colomb Decouvre l’Amerique' BlouseBy HermèsLocated in Scottsdale, AZComplete your Hermes collection with this amazing and rare piece! Circa 1992 designed by Carl de Parcevaux, this design is titled 'Christophe Colomb Decouvre l’Amerique' or Christoph...Category
1990s French Blouses
- Roberto Cavalli Snake Print DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Scottsdale, AZIncredible 2000s dress from iconic designer Roberto Cavalli! Form fitting dress featuring a snake print with a gold metallic finish, gold toned front zipper, lightly pleated skirt with great movement and dramatic long sleeves. V-neck and pleating at the front provide a flattering fit. Leotard bottoms inside. A true show stopper, this vintage piece will pair perfectly with your favorite Tom Ford for Gucci or YSL pumps...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shirts