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 his first 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 Atelier Versace dresses, evening gowns and more on 1stDibs.
1991 Vintage Versace Atelier Black Crocodile Shoes 37.5 - 7.5 NWT
By Atelier Versace
Located in Montgomery, TX
1991 Vintage Versace Atelier Black Crocodile Shoes It 37.5 - US 7.5 100% Crocodile skin Leather sole Made in Italy New, in original box
1990s Atelier Versace Black White Abstract Beaded Collared Shirt custom
By Atelier Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Atelier Versace sheer top from the 1990s is designed in an abstract black and white motif. It is cut in a fitted silhouette with a lightweight sheer base. The surface is accente...
GIANNI VERSACE barocco silk scarf and belt
By Atelier Versace
Located in Rubiera, RE
GIANNI VERSACE - ATELIER VERSACE Suit red and yellow "Barocco" silk scarf and silk belt Spring/Summer 1990 collection ATELIER VERSACE Silk scarf 100% silk Hand rolled hem Care tag...
Vintage Gianni Versace Brown Leather Pumps
By Atelier Versace, Sergio Rossi
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant and timeless vintage Gianni Versace pumps crafted in smooth brown leather, featuring subtle stitched detailing along the sides and a strik...
Atelier Versace Black Satin Sling Backs, Never Worn Size 7
By Atelier Versace
Located in Buchanan, MI
Atelier Versace Black Satin Sling Backs, Never Worn Size 7
Atelier Versace Silk Scarf With Iconic Medusa Pictured in the Four Corners
By Atelier Versace
Located in valatie, NY
Versace Silk Scarf With Medusa Pictured in the Four Corners. In Greek mythology, Medusa, also called Gorgo or the Gorgon, was one of the three Gorgo...
Early 1990s Atelier Versace Green and Gold Baroque Print Square Silk Scarf
By Atelier Versace, Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a beautiful baroque Atelier Versace square silk scarf designed by Gianni Versace. This scarf features Roman/Greek mythological scenes with a bright green backdrop and flor...
Atelier Versace silk scarf with renaissance scenes
By Atelier Versace
Located in Genova, IT
Atelier Versace silk scarf with renaissance scenes ABOUT This vintage scarf by Gianni Versace transports us back in time to a richly decorated court populated by musicians, exotic ...
Early 1990s Atelier Versace Navy Gold Baroque Print Silk Square Scarf
By Gianni Versace, Atelier Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a beautiful baroque Atelier Versace square silk scarf designed by Gianni Versace. This scarf features a classically gold Versace floral baroque...
Atelier Versace Miami Print Silk Scarf circa 1990s
By Atelier Versace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Atelier Versace Miami Print Silk Scarf from the circa 1990s is a luxurious and timeless accessory that embodies the opulence and craftsmanship associated...
$16,500
Gianni Versace Brocade Rug
By Gianni Versace, Atelier Versace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Calling all Versace collectors! This neoclassical style rug is decadence rolled up into a rug. Bring your love for designer fashion and display it in your home. Designed by the one and only Gianni Versace, blue and purple hues give a fun flair to the Versace brand...
Vintage Atelier Versace Black Dress
By Atelier Versace
Located in Montgomery, TX
Vintage Atelier Versace Black Dress – Rare Archival Elegance An exquisite creation from the exclusive Atelier Versace line, this rare vintage dres...
$576
Foulard Versace
By Atelier Versace
Located in Carnate, IT
Foulard Versace 95x95cm with Opera print. Composition label is missing. Silk foulard. Excellent conditions. Rare piece
F/W 1991 Atelier Versace Couture Runway Studded Black Wool Blazer Jacket Custom
By Gianni Versace, Atelier Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Introducing a stunning black quilted wool jacket from Atelier Versace, designed by Gianni Versace for the Fall/Winter 1991 Haute Couture collection. This beautifully crafted, custom ...
Vintage 1990's Versace Orange Textured Boucle Zip Jacket
By Atelier Versace
Located in London, GB
Vintage 1990's Versace jeans couture textured cropped jacket. The jacket features a vibrant textured boucle fabric in bright orange , two front zip pockets, silver hardware detailing...
1990s Atelier Versace Yellow Floral Silk Square Scarf
By Gianni Versace, Atelier Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a beautiful silk Atelier Versace scarf designed by Gianni Versace. This bright scarf features one of Versace's classic baroque patter...
Atelier Versace by Gianni Silk Square Chair Printed Scarf
By Atelier Versace, Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a beautiful baroque Atelier Versace square silk scarf designed by Gianni Versace. This scarf features several chairs surrounded by a floral baroque pattern. A small Versac...
$1,377Sale Price|33% Off
Vintage Zipped Skirt Suit
By Gianni Versace, Atelier Versace
Located in Glasgow, GB
Vintage Gianni Versace skirt suit. Embellished with statement zip detail running all the way up the back. Jacket has lapels, paneling and flap over pockets with decorative zip detail. Single breasted and fastened with two silver toned buttons embossed with signature Versace head...
Atelier Versace Black Satin High Heels, Never Worn Size 7
By Atelier Versace
Located in Buchanan, MI
Atelier Versace Black Satin High Heels, Never Worn Size 7