1997 Gianni Versace Yellow Velvet Dandelion Floral Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT42 / US8 (EU)Bust: 33 in (83.82 cm)Waist: 31 in (78.74 cm)Hip: 34 in (86.36 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- 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: LU2388214785352
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 2000 Gianni Versace Silk Bamboo & Orchid Jungle Sleeveless Dress DonatellaBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAThis Versace take on a collared 'ladies who lunch' dress was designed by Donatella Versace. This dress by Gianni Versace for the Spring/Summer 2000 collection and includes an orchid ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- S/S 1993 Gianni Versace Couture Runway Ad Campaign Striped Silk Skirt Vest SetBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a multicolor striped Gianni Versace Couture vest and skirt set, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1993 collection, this set debuted as part of look 60 on the season's runway presentation, modeled by Beverly Peele. This bright set was also worn by Kristen McMenamy...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- S/S 1994 Gucci Marigold Velvet Terry Cloth Full Length Logo Embroidered DressBy GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a vintage marigold Gucci dress. From the Spring/Summer 1994 collection, this velvet terry cloth full length column dress features a scoop neckline with small slits on eith...Category
1990s French Casual Dresses
- S/S 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford Chain Link Yellow Ombré Fringe Kaftan Cover Up NWTBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a bright yellow sheer Gucci cover-up, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2004 collection this kaftan appeared on the runway as part of look number 24 on Daria Werbowy. Constructed primarily of a sheer canary yellow silk, this cover-up is made complete with a chain mesh hem that connects to long white to yellow ombré fringe. Also featured in the season's ad campaign on Hana Soukupova, photographed by Mario Testino, on Jessica Miller in British Vogue and Flair Italia, photographed by Raymond...Category
Early 2000s Italian Beachwear
- S/S 2000 Thierry Mugler Canary Yellow Chiffon Dress with Matching ShawlBy Thierry MuglerLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous canary yellow chiffon Thierry Mugler gown with a matching shawl, designed by Manfred Mugler. From the Spring/Summer 2000 collection, this stunning dress feature...Category
Early 2000s French Maxi Dresses
- S/S 1992 Gianni Versace Couture Creme Black Bow Bodycon Mini DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a chic creme Gianni Versace Couture mini dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1992 collection, this dress features a black bow accent at the round ne...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
- Spring 2020 Look #42 LIME SATIN STRAPLESS DRESS as seen as Selena 40 - 4By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Spring 2020 Look #42 Bright lime green stretch satin mini dress from Versace with off-shoulders design, lateral gathered detail with golden buttons embellishment. lime ...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Pierre Cardin Yellow Mod DressBy Pierre CardinLocated in Los Angeles, CAYellow linen mod dress. Front pockets. Large white button details. Rear zipper closure. Lined. Made in France. *Condition: excellent vintage condition. No...Category
1960s Day Dresses
- Spring 1996 Gianni Versace Couture Neon Green Highlighter Print Silk DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in Prague, CZThe iconic neon green dress, featured on the runway and in the campaign. The lightest, slightly sheer, stretchy crepe chiffon silk blend. Size IT 42,...Category
1990s Day Dresses
- Saks Fifth Ave Yellow Print & Quilted DressBy Saks Fifth AvenueLocated in Los Angeles, CAMake an impressive entrance with this vintage Saks Fifth Ave dress! Featuring a unique quilted pattern, shimmery rhinestone buttons, and a vibra...Category
1960s Maxi Dresses
- John Galliano Honcho Woman 1991 S/S Runway London Medium L Dress Ensemble SuitBy John GallianoLocated in PARIS, FRA John Galliano 'Honcho Woman' green emnsemble! From the 1991 Spring/Summer"Honcho Woman" collection! London labelled. Watch the runway video :) Metal zipper at the ankles. Galliano tab on the front jacket. Galliano leather...Category
1990s French Maxi Dresses
- 1990s Jams World Brightly Colored Abstract Flower Print Vintage 90s Mini DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1990s JAM’S WORLD collector’s cotton mini dress ! Features abstract and flower prints in bright colors of pink, yellow, green, lime green, red, and ora...Category
1990s American Casual Dresses