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...
Syna Blue Topaz Yellow Gold Earrings with Diamonds
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18kyg Blue topaz 15 carats approx. Diamonds 0.05 carat approx. Limited edition Elegant and tasteful, these limited-edition earrings are sure to make a statement. Luxuriou...
Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
48.00 Carat Natural Amethyst Diamond Platinum Dangle Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Natural 48.00 carat amethyst crystal dangle drop earrings. Set in platinum with 40 single cut accent diamonds. , approx. total weight 48.00cts. 2 natural polished bright purple Ame...
Amethyst, Diamond, Platinum
Yves Saint Laurent Gilt Fretwork Earrings
By Robert Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic Yves Saint Laurent Gilt Fretwork Earrings with clip back fittings accented with pink and crystal accents. Long striking size. 1990's France. 3.5" x 1.4"
Gilt Metal
106.99 Carat Carved Emerald 18 Karat Gold Fish Tail Diamond Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
These stunning hand carved emerald earrings are thoughtfully and meticulously crafted in 18-karat gold. It is set in 106.99 carats emerald and ...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold
VIntage Brass Sculptural Heart Clip On Dangle Earrings 1970's
Located in North Miami, FL
These studio vintage brutalist brass clip on earrings are so sculptural! Their hand crafted form is the shape of a heart. They have a hand crafted look and feel to them. The twisted ...
Brass
1.47 Carats Sapphire Diamond Gold Dangle Earrings
By Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
The earrings are 18K White Gold There are 0.80 Carats In Diamonds F/G VS/SI There are 1.47 Carats In Blue Sapphires The round sapphires are prong set in a double square halo The earr...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Threader Earrings, Pearl Wedding Earrings, Genuine Cultured Pearl Earrings
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
Threaders are the perfect look for 2022! These earring threaders are constructed out of 14 karat yellow gold chain that has a gold par on the end to make it easy to put on. The pearl...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k 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
1950s Design Joseff Of Hollywood Gold Cherub Earrings
By Joseff of Hollywood
Located in London, GB
This exquisite 1950s design is by costume jeweller to the stars, Joseff of Hollywood. This set of figural earrings features a cherub with a small clear crystal in the hand reaching ...
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...
1990s Philippe ferrandis Pink Gripoix Glass Dangle Earrings New Never worn
By Philippe Ferrandis
Located in Wallkill, NY
This is an exquisite pair of dangle earrings that demonstrates all that is so great about the designs of Philippe Ferrandis. Pale pink at the top and a vibrant pink poured glass beze...
Gilt Metal
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,...
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