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.
F/W 2000 Atelier Versace Haute Couture Amethyst Crystal Rhinestone Drop Necklace
By Atelier Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a gorgeous crystal and amethyst Atelier Versace necklace designed by Donatella Versace. From the Fall/Winter 2000 collection, a similar ne...
Amethyst, Crystal
Rose Gold Necklace Heart Shape Diamond Pendant
Located in New York, NY
14KT rose gold pendant heart shape pave diamond with 0.43 cts diamonds. This product comes with a certificate of appraisal This product will be packaged in a custom box Composition...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
BVLGARI B.ZERO1 Necklace In 18k Yellow Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU AT-2252 Comes With Box Only RRP £3630 Including taxes / $4600 Excluding taxes / €4200 Inc taxes Model 353795 Serial Number PZ**** Metal 18k Yellow Gold Weight 12.4 g Length 46 cm...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian Old Mine Diamond Pearl Heart Pendant Brooch 14 Karat Gold Antique
Located in New York, NY
This is an Antique Victorian Diamond Heart Pendant set throughout with lovely Seed Pearls. In the center is a sparkling Old Mine Cut D...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Diamond Bar Necklace, 14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Necklace, Dainty, NK6114
By Gabriel & Co.
Located in Austin, TX
This gorgeous 14k yellow gold bar pendant is stationed with five brilliant diamonds and is sure to put a smile on anyone's face! The diamon...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
$2,850
H 1.2 in W 1 in D 0.3 in
Miniature Pinscher Chihuahua Terrier Dog Pendant Essex Crystal 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a gorgeous and very rare antique Victorian Essex Crystal Pendant Necklace with an exquisitely rendered hand carved and painted enamel image of a Miniature Pinscher, Zwerg Pinscher, or Chihuahua in 18 Karat Gold. The Crystal is Rock Crystal. The image of the dog is hand carved into the reverse of the crystal and then hand painted with enamel. The pendant is the work of a master artisan. The domed crystal is set in a beautiful 18 Karat Gold bezel with exquisite Victorian beaded decoration around the edges. The Essex Crystal dates to the 19th - early 20th Century. We love our antique dog jewelry...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Yurman 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Pendant
By David Yurman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a David Yurman yellow gold pendant, featuring a softly squared cushion shape and a central field of dazzling pavé-set diamonds. There are 63 round diamonds that weigh approx...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Juste un Clou Diamond 18k Rose Gold Pendant Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU 33301664 Comes With Full Set (Box + Card) Date 2023 RRP £12,400 Incl. Taxes / €14,400 Incl. Taxes / $13,300 Excl. Taxes Model N7413500 Serial Number UK**** Metal 18k Rose Gold St...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Massive Flaming Black Heart Pendant Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Massive Flaming Black Heart Pendant Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT. - Massive black heart r...
Antique 1.22 Carat Diamond and White Gold Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique 1920s 1.22 carat diamond and 14 karat white gold necklace; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive antique diamond pendant has been crafted in 14k white gold. The pierced decorated drop design is ornamented with a feature 0.54Ct and 0.2Ct Old European...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique 5.15 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Bow Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning and impressive 5.15 carat diamond and 10 karat yellow gold, white gold set bow necklace, displayed on a platinum figaro style chain; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive diamond bow necklace has been crafted in 10k yellow gold with a 10k white gold setting. The antique necklace features a bow shaped design suspended from two integrated ring loop attachments. The 'knot' of the tied bow is ornamented with a bezel set Old European round cut diamond. The ribbon itself is embellished with twenty pavé set Dutch cut diamonds and accented with a millegrain decoration. Two vertical linear drops suspend from the lower border of the bow shaped setting. The shorter drop is accented with three bezel set Old European round cut diamonds, two smaller and one larger feature 1.38Ct diamond terminal. The longer drop is displays three bezel set smaller Old European round cut diamonds and a larger feature 1.45Ct diamond terminal. The necklace suspends from a 17" platinum figaro style chain and secures to the reverse with a conventional spring loaded bolt ring fastening. This antique 1920s diamond necklace...
Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,390 / item
W 0.67 in L 1.58 in
18 Karat Yellow Gold Pink Tourmaline Iolite Diamond Contemporary Pendant
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
18 karat yellow gold pink tourmaline iolite diamond contemporary pendant. This contemporary and edgy pendant is exquisite. The hot pink, baby pink tourmaline...
Diamond, Iolite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Blue Sapphire White Diamond White 18K Gold Modern Every Day Precious Necklace
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
White Gold 18K Necklace (Matching Ring and Earrings Available) Weight 3.69 gram Size 45 Diamond 18-Round 57-0,09-4/6A Blue Sapphire 1-1,65 Т(3)/4A With a heritage of ancient fine...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold