F/W 1999 Gianni Versace by Donatella Runway Sheer White Chenille Beaded Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT42 / US8 (EU)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 32 in (81.28 cm)Hip: 44 in (111.76 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear from age and use throughout, fabric tag removed.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388216702582
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 1998 Thierry Mugler Silver Abstract Pendant Brown Wrap Drape Maxi DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a brown Thierry Mugler wrap dress, designed by Manfred Mugler. From the Spring/Summer 1998, this midi dress features silver-tone hoop accents and a tie at the waist. Simil...Category
1990s French Maxi Dresses
- F/W 1996 Gianni Versace Couture Purple Satin Yellow Lace Rhinestone Slip DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning yellow and purple satin Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1996 collection, this gorgeous dress debuted as part of l...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 1977 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture 'Les Chinoises' Documented Dress SetBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a well-documented piece of fashion history expertly crafted by a master couturier in his prime. Yves Saint Laurent designed this dress for his infamous and brand-defining 'Les Chinoises,' or 'Opium Couture,' collection. A version of this Cheongsam-inspired belted dress set debuted on the Fall/Winter 1977 Haute Couture runway in July 1977 and appears in Saint Laurent's original archival sketches, held by the YSL Museum in Marrakesh. This collection corresponded with the release of YSL's infamous Opium fragrance and featured the designer's dreamy interpretation of historical Chinese style elements. Marino Schiano, one of YSL's muses, wore a similar set to the "Yves Saint Laurent Presents Opium Perfume...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses
- F/W 2000 Yves Saint Laurent by Alber Elbaz Black Sparkle Plunging Runway DressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Alber Elbaz for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a shimmering lurex dress designed by Alber Elbaz for Yves Saint Laurent's Fall/Winter 2000 collection. This slimming cocktail dress features a shawl collar that plunges al...Category
Early 2000s Cocktail Dresses
- NWT F/W 2002 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Runway Sheer Lace DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous black lace Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2002 collection, this dress debuted on the season's runway as look 3...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- 2004 Versace by Donatella Rhinestone Silk Satin Chiffon Cutout GownBy Donatella Versace, VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a sexy cut-out gown designed by Donatella for Versace in 2004. Black silk satin is accented with sheer silk chiffon at the center of the skirt and a rhinestone embellished collar that continues through the neckline plunge and along the lower back. This piece features a built-in interior bodysuit to streamline the silhouette of the wearer. A perfect example of Donatella's ability to combine Y2K sex appeal with timeless glamour. Check out our storefront for more vintage Versace gowns...Category
Early 2000s Italian Maxi Dresses
- 1960s Galanos Ivory Off - White Linen Avant Garde Vintage 60s Mod Cream DressBy James Galanos, GalanosLocated in San Diego, CARare early 1960s JAMES GALANOS for Bonwit Teller ivory Irish linen Avant Garde dress ! This gem is seriously a musuem worthy couture piece from Galanos' early work. Couture quality, ...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Monique Lhuillier Size 14 Mint Green Ivory Beaded Sequined Mermaid Gown DressBy Monique LhuillierLocated in San Diego, CAEnchanting MONIQUE LHUILLIER light mint green and ivory beaded, sequined, rhinestone, etc. silk and tulle mermaid gown! This beauty only had one owner, and retailed for over $15,000 ...Category
2010s American Evening Gowns
- Demi Couture 1950s Neusteters Ivory + Pink Silk French Lace Vintage Peplum DressBy NeustetersLocated in San Diego, CAThe prettiest, yet sexiest 50s NEUSTETERS Demi Couture French silk lace peplum wiggle dress! The most fantastic fitting dress, with both flattering construction and materials. Featur...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2012 look #27 VERSACE WHITE STUDDED EMBELLISHED LEATHER DRESS 38 - 2By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Actual runway sample Spring/Summer look # 27 (Has a minor sings of wear on the lining) Embellished Leather Dress Sleeveless Knee length Content: 100% leather armpi...Category
2010s Italian Casual Dresses
- Michael Kors Collection Off White Ivory Size 2 / 4 Grommet Bell Sleeve DressBy Michael KorsLocated in San Diego, CAEarly 2000s vintage MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION off-white / ivory long bell sleeve grommet dress ! Features a tailored bodice with silver grommets aro...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Pierre Balmain 1950s Haute Couture Cream Jacquard Two Piece Bridal SetBy Pierre BalmainLocated in London, GBThis timeless 1950s New Look style Haute Couture two piece by Pierre Balmain is in impeccable condition with exceptional line and form. The soft cream jacquard fabric is embossed wit...Category
1950s French Vintage Bridal Gowns