Gianni Versace Couture New Pantsuit with Cut outs S/S 1998
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 44 (EU)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 31 in (78.74 cm)Hip: 42 in (106.68 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Water Mill, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5114631821
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: Water Mill, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Moschino Color Block Tuxedo Dress 1990sBy Moschino, Moschino Cheap and ChicLocated in Water Mill, NYA whimsical dress from Moschino in black red and off white. The bodice appears as a black double breast jacket with peak lapels and long sleeves with...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Lanvin New S/S 2014 Silk JumpsuitBy Alber Elbaz, Lanvin ParisLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous red jumpsuit from Lanvin S/S 2014 collection. It wraps at the front creating a V neckline and has full dolman sleeves with stretch at the wri...Category
2010s French Jumpsuits
- Sybil Connolly Skirt Suit 1960sBy Sybil ConnollyLocated in Water Mill, NYAn incredible red suit in intricately pleated fine linen made famous by Sybil Connolly. The jacket closes in front with matching silk buttons, bound buttonholes with matching silk pi...Category
1960s Irish Skirt Suits
- Neil Bieff Arturo Herrera Silk Skirt and Top Set 1970sBy Neil BieffLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous 2 piece tan silk top and skirt set from designer Neil Bieff. It is adorned with an abstract pattern of sequins and glass beads created by world renowned artist Arturo Her...Category
1970s Indian Day Dresses
- Lillie Rubin New 1950s Silk Damask Dress and Mink Collar Coat SetBy Lillie RubinLocated in Water Mill, NYA rare, new 1950s dress and coat set from Lillie Rubin in a black silk damask flower pattern. The dress is semi fitted with a matching belt, a bateau ne...Category
1950s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Gianni Versace Silk Skirt and Top Set with HardwareBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Water Mill, NYA fine silk jersey one shoulder top and matching skirt from Gianni Versace Couture in pink scrolls and lines print on a black background. The top is fitted and has a gold metal signature Versace Greek key hardware...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Christian Dior by John Galliano pink wool and yellow lace skirt suit, fw 1998By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior skirt suit ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Pink jacquard wool ▪ Yellow Calais lace trim ▪ Single-breasted jacket with scarf collar ▪ Ribbed-knit sleeves ▪ Pleated wr...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Thierry Mugler Rainbow Arc En Ciel S/S 1990 Couture Structured Ensemble SuitBy Thierry MuglerLocated in PARIS, FRUltra rare “Arc En Ciel” (Rainbow) Thierry Mugler skirt suit from the Spring Summer 1990 Collection. Jacket has shoulder pads and wasp waist. You can adjust the waist with the wais...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- NWT Vintage Christian Dior Romper Size 14 Lipstick Red Cotton One Piece JumpsuitBy Christian DiorLocated in San Diego, CABrand new with tags CHIRSTIAN DIOR romper / jumpsuit in rare Size 14 ! Soft cotton lipstick red fabric buttons up the front, and at each breast pocket. Fla...Category
Late 20th Century Jumpsuits
- Vintage Norma Kamali 1980s Red Satin One Piece JumpsuitBy Norma KamaliLocated in Portland, ORWe adore vintage Norma Kamali pieces and this red satin jumpsuit is simply stunning! This Norma Kamali jumpsuit would make a wonderful evening dre...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Thierry Mugler Space Future Wasp Waist Red Orange Active Dress Ensemble SuitBy Thierry MuglerLocated in PARIS, FRWonderful suit by Thierry Mugler! With shoulder pads. Slimmed waist! Future look with the pockets. Color: orange. VERY GOOD condition! Light sign of wear inside at the neck but it ...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture set (attributed to) Circa 1989By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1989 France Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture skirt and blouse set in red silk crepe and print of black and white roses from the late 1980s. No label set. Silk crepe of the Abr...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits