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 Vintage 2000s Y2K Gold Logo Medusa Head Dangle Pierced Earrings
By Gianni Versace
Located in San Diego, CA
Iconic never worn GIANNI VERSACE gold Medusa head embossed dangle pierced back earrings. Each earring features 6 discs. Pierced back. Can easily be dressed up or down. In great unwor...
Gianni Versace Medusa Rhinestone Earrings
By Gianni Versace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Snag yourself these hoops! Circa late 1980s/early 1990s, these gold plated Versace dangle earrings are embossed with the signature Medusa head and are embellished with rhinestones and fringe. Clip on closures. Pair with your favorite Versace silk shirt and black leather leggings...
1990s Gianni Versace Large Round Gold Medusa Logo Costume Clip on Earrings
By Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a pair of large gold-tone Gianni Versace Medusa clip-on earrings designed by Gianni Versace. From the 1990s, these fabulous large circular earrings feature a Greek key bor...
F/W 1992 Gianni Versace Gold Tone Rhinestone Medusa Logo Drop Clip-On Earrings
By Gianni Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a pair of gold-tone Gianni Versace drop earrings designed by Gianni Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1992 'Miss S&M' collection, these incredible clip-on earrings feature a V...
Modern Citrine 18K Yellow Gold Dangle Deco Style Classy Drop Earrings
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini Design Collection 18 Karats Yellow Gold Modern Citrine Dangle Earrings. This classy pair of dangle earrings is handcrafted in 18 karats yellow gold and enriched wit...
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Handcrafted 14 Karat Yellow Gold Amethyst Design Dangle Earrings
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini design collection, contemporary jewels. Handcrafted Earrings in 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Purple Amethyst . Oval cut Amethyst dangle earrings that reflect a Modern style Handcrafted in 14 Karat Yellow Gold and embellished with a deep purple Amethyst. The sculptural design provides an extra shiny surface of the disk and a subtle play of the shadow and light that remind the moon surface. You can wear the earrings every day and the piece can be ordered as a clip - on earrings. All stones have a meaning: Amethyst relieves an individual from stress and strain. By choosing a jewel from the Rossella Ugolini collection, you are not only choosing to support a unique, careful and meticulously built savoir-faire, built over years of work and artistic experimentation; by choosing the ""well-made"" by hand, you contribute to the growth and diffusion of a sector full of value, storytelling, culture and inspiration, in which Beauty plays a fundamental role: as inspirer and muse of the soul." Rossella Ugolini Jewelry Designer's collection is 100% handcrafted with loads of love in Rome. An exclusive design, enriched by the most precious metals and gems, gives shape to Rossella's daily inspirations and a lifetime passion, framed by the timeless beauty of Rome and its enchanting atmosphere. Quality comes from attention to detail. Each Rossella Ugolini's item is unique and never worn or owned before. Each box is wrapped with paper and ribbons in a color that matching the jewelry. In addiction you will find a handwritten card and a watercolor drawing of the piece. The box is seal with a wax lacquer seal . Feel free to contact us for any jewel's customization, we'll be pleased to create a one-of-a-kind piece on request for you. The strength of the collections proposed by Rossella Ugolini comes from the quality of the product, still characterized today by a strong artisan imprint and attention to detail. The company has always been faithfully linked to a Made in Italy that accompanies the jewels from the choice of the best precious stones, subjected to careful selection, up to the final packaging for which a finish aimed at a perfect fit of the jewel is always required . Today, in the Rome Atelier, we are committed to obtaining excellence from every single product. The laboratory entirely dedicated to design and handmade creations is also located in Rome. By choosing a jewel from the Rossella Ugolini collection, you are not only choosing to support a unique, careful and meticulously built savoir-faire, built over years of work and artistic experimentation; by choosing the ""well-made"" by hand, you contribute to the growth and diffusion of a sector full of value, storytelling, culture and inspiration, in which Beauty plays a fundamental role: as inspirer and muse of the soul. Details: Handcrafted 14 Karat Yellow Gold Amethyst Design...
Amethyst, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
Limited Edition Bold Gold Topaz Citrine Diamonds Dangle Handcrafted Earrings
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini Design Collection, these bold gold dangle pendant earrings are a limited edition piece that exudes sophistication and style. Measurements: 0.55 inch (14mm) x2.28 in...
Diamond, Blue Topaz, Topaz, Brown Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, G...
Rock Crystal and Twisted Gold Drop Earrings
By Christina Addison
Located in New York, NY
18kt Twisted Yellow Gold and Rock Crystal Drop Earring This elegant earring measures and inch and a half long. The top cushion is shaped Rock Crystal that measures half an inch w...
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Chalcedony, Citrine, Rock Crystal, Topaz, Crystal,...
Elegant Citrine Diamond Gold Three Stone Drop Earrings
By Christina Addison
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Citrine and Diamond Three Stone Drop Earrings. 18kt Yellow gold with faceted Cushion, Oval and then Cushion cut Citrine finished wit...
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage "Mabe" Pearl Earrings set in Yellow Gold
By Rosior
Located in Porto, PT
Vintage Earrings set in Yellow Gold with 4 "mabe" pearls. 4cm (1.57") long. Stamped by the portuguese assay office as 19.2k Gold. Stamped with Rosior hallmark. Loyal to artisanal te...
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
9.58 Carat Fancy Diamond 18 Karat Gold Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
These stunning sunshine earrings are handmade in 18-karat gold. It is set with 9.58 carats fancy yellow & white glittering diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
$638
W 1.03 in L 2.8 in
Oscar de la Renta Parlor Crystal Drop Clip On Earrings, Blue, Gray, Silvertone
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
A pair of Oscar de la Renta dangling clip on earrings from the parlor collection. Feature dark blue and gray/clear crystals with centerpiece gray moonglow cabochons. Silvertone setti...
Crystal
$8,880 / item
52.82 Carat Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Gold Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
These chandelier earring jackets are rendered in lustrous 18-karat gold and feature a diamond-encrusted emerald stud. The pair is accented with cascading strands of 52.82 carats emer...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
$878
W 0.63 in L 2.45 in
Givenchy Vintage Fan Pearl Crystal Tear Water Drop Elegant Gold Clip Earrings
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage Fan White Pearl Crystal Tear Water Drop Dangle Elegant Clip Earrings, Gold Plated Very excellent condition and very unique. Very light scratches, barely noticeable....
Gold Plate
Syna Yellow Gold Hex Earrings with Diamonds
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18 karat yellow gold Diamonds 0.40 carat approx. French wire for pierced ears Limited edition Exquisitely crafted in 18 karat yellow gold, these limited edition earrings ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Gold Plated And Blue Turquoise Resin Drop Dangle Clip On Earrings 80's
Located in North Miami, FL
This pair of lovely 1980's clip on earrings are gold plated with a ethereal blue light turquoise resin drop in the center. They are modern, elegant and make a statement. Very beautiful on. These are perfect for any season but especially summer, resort wear...
Gold Plate
Gianni Versace Vintage Black & White Enamel Medusa Dangling Earrings
By Gianni Versace
Located in Nice, FR
GIANNI VERSACE vintage gold toned dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring an iconic Medusa head top supporting a black and white enamel coin with Medusa head at the center. Embossed G...
Medusa Gold and Diamond Earrings by Versace
By Gianni Versace
Located in New Orleans, LA
These striking dangle earrings by the legendary Italian designer Versace exhibit a bold beauty. Each earring features a medallion of the firm's logo - the head of the infamous figure...
White Diamond, 18k Gold