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.
NEW S/S 1999 Gianni Versace by Donatella Pony Hair Appliqué Sunglasses
By Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
These Versace sunglasses from the Spring/Summer 1999 collection by Donatella are fully wrapped in brown and white pony hair with a rectangular frame and dark lenses. Purple and green...
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
2000s Gianni Versace by Donatella Greek Key Enamel Buckle Wool Wide Brim Hat L
By Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a versatile floppy Gianni Versace hat designed by Donatella Versace. From the early 2000s, this hat can be worn down as a floppy hat or with the...
$251Sale Price|25% Off
Gianni Versace 1980s Vintage Medusa Blue Umbrella
By Gianni Versace
Located in London, GB
This 1980s Gianni Versace Medusa Blue classic umbrella features a timeless design that was crafted with premium materials to provide you with an umbrella that will last for years to ...
Early 1990s Gianni Versace Medusa Greek Key Medallion Brimmed Wool Hat S
By Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a chic Gianni Versace Couture hat designed by Gianni Versace. From the early 1990s, this black wool brimmed hat prominently features a large gold Medusa logo emblem on the...
Cartier Sunglasses Black with Silver Logo Vintage 1990s
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Cartier classic black sunglasses with silver CC logo. Classic, timeless, sophisticated piece to add to your wardrobe Authentic, vintage, rare, Cartier Paris France Black Jackie O. Sunglasses Original 1990s Cartier sunglasses features black frame, both arms sport the CC from Cartier iconic logo signature temple adornment. These are like a pair of jewels on your nose. Beautiful design and a real sign of the times. Designed and produced in the 90's limited edition. Description: Classic vintage Cartier black resin sunglasses. Comes with original case. Period: 1990s Condition: Good, may show minor sign of wear due to age. All hallmarks. Classic sunglasses...
Louis Vuitton Brown Damier Print Agenda
By Louis Vuitton
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louis Vuitton Brown Damier Print Agenda/Planner. Featuring the iconic Damier print in brown, gold hardware and accompanied by gold pen. Planner is for the...
$295Sale Price|38% Off
New Emilio Pucci Purple Logo Sunglasses With Case & Box
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Emilio Pucci Sunglasses Brand New * Stunning Classic Pucci Sunglasses * Deep Purple Front & Interior * Classic Pucci Print on Sides * Silver Pucci Logo on Both Sides * Handmade ZYL i...
Schiaparelli Surreal Shocking Pink Petit Coeur Guest Soaps
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in New York, NY
Schiaparelli guest soaps shaped as bon bon hearts in a candy box, a salute to Schiaparelli's surrealist wit. 1950's USA. Excellent condition. L9", W 5" I gave to pink, the nerve of the red, a neon pink, an unreal pink, Shocking Pink" Yves Saint Laurent: Schiaparelli's pink was "an aggressive, brawling, warrior pink” Elsa Schiaparelli's "Shocking" Pink was a color which derived from a 17.27 carat rose colored Cartier diamond known as the Tete de Belier, belonging to her friend and client, Daisy Fellowes. Shocking Pink was used for the eponymous perfume "Shocking", which was launched in 1937. The packaging was designed by artist Leonor Fini and the bottle was based on Mae West's curvaceous figure. Her first shoe-hat, designed for her autumn 1937 collection, had a Shocking Pink heel. Salvador Dali loved the color so much he used it for one of his own works, “an enormous stuffed bear...
19th Century Faux Tortoise Shell Long Handled Lorgnette Glasses
Located in Atlanta, GA
Late 19th Century imitation tortoise shell lorgnette magnifier glasses with a dramatic foldable long handle. A ring at the end of the handle can be used to attach the lorgnette to a chain for easy wear. Perfect for a dapper gent or a lady of leisure. No maker's mark. CONDITION Good antique condition with some light scratching to the surface of the tortoise finish. The magnification of the lenses is not that strong so the lorgnette glasses...
$1,470
H 0.6 in W 3.55 in L 10.44 in
Hermès Geegee Savannah Zebra Charm for Birkin Kelly Craie Noir Rose Pourpre
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Super Cute Authentic Hermès "Geegee" Charm Called "Savannah", this cute bag accessory is shaped as a zebra Made in France Stamp Z Made of Milo Lambskin Leather (smooth and soft) ...
$287Sale Price|40% Off
New Emilio Pucci Purple Logo Sunglasses With Case & Box
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Emilio Pucci Sunglasses Brand New * Stunning Classic Pucci Sunglasses * Purple Frames * Pucci Print Interior: * Purple, Cream, Blue & Yellow * Silver Pucci Logo on Both Sides * Handm...
Exceptional Hermès Vintage Glasses Case Beige Ostrich Leather RARE
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic Hermès Glasses Case Exceptional Piece, extremely rare Made in France No datation stamp, Vintage item Made of ostrich leather, inside ...
Hermes Poulpe Key Ring Black White Leather Octopus Birkin Hac Bag Charm 25 30 50
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
- Black leather exterior - Made in France - Comes with box Condition: The keyring is in overall great condition with no major imperfections Measurements: ( Approximately I...
Hermes Etriviere Dog Collar Large Model New
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes Etriviere dog collar featured in Natural Sable natural bridle leather. Buckle is stirrup shape. D ring for a leash. 2cm ...
Hermes Saddle Box Blue Recycled Kraft Paper Leather and Aluminum
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Saddle Box featured in Blue. Recycled Kraft cardboard stamped with the Hermes Sellier Clou de Selle. Top and bottom rim a...
Issey Miyake Cream Cork Screw Stockings, 1990s
By Issey Miyake
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Issey Miyake corkscrew printed stockings in cream. Black corkscrew illustration decorates the front of these vibrant tights contrasting with the white background. Circa 1990's. New, ...
Gianni Versace Medusa rhinestones bracelet
By Gianni Versace
Located in Milano, IT
Gianni Versace Medusa bracelet Golden metal with rhinestones Measures 19 cm - 7.5 in Very good condition Some fading
Vintage Gianni Versace Umbrella
By Gianni Versace
Located in Glasgow, GB
Vintage Gianni Versace umbrella from the eponymous brand. Golden brown toned wood shaft featuring a hooked wooden handle embellished with the signature cut out style medusa head logo...
1990s Gianni Versace Navy Blue Gold Medusa Compact Umbrella
By Gianni Versace
Located in London, GB
1990s Gianni Versace 1990s Navy Blue Gold Medusa Compact/Folding Umbrella with matching cover, 100% Polyester Measurements: Condition: excellent, no...
NEW S/S 1999 Gianni Versace by Donatella Pony Hair Appliqué Sunglasses
By Gianni Versace, Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
TheRealList presents: a fabulous pair of cow-print pony hair Versace sunglasses, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1999 collection, these sunglasses are covered i...
1990s Gianni Versace Medusa Medallion Key Ring
By Gianni Versace
Located in London, GB
FREE UK and WORLDWIDE DELIVERY Iconic Limited Edition Gianni Versace Medusa Medallion key ring bag charm, black grosgrain , gold and silver medusa metal details key ring or bag cha...
Brand New Vintage Gianni Versace China Salad / Appetizer Plates ( Set of 6 )
By Rosenthal, Gianni Versace
Located in San Diego, CA
Serve in style with these incredible brand new vintage Versace plates! Signature style, on incredible china! Set of 6 plates includes styles; (1) Floralia Gold, (3) Russian Dreams...