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 Vintage Oversized Gold-Tone Medusa Faux Pearl Dangle Earrings
By Gianni Versace
Located in Nice, FR
GIANNI VERSACE vintage oversized gold‑tone dangle earrings (clip-on) featuring Medusa heads and round faux‑pearl cabochons framed by Greek key motifs. These earrings embody the unmi...
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...
Drop Earrings with Moons and Stars Tassels in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Part of AMMANII's Sa'mma = Sky Collection. Homage to the sky, the universal blanket that covers mankind and connects us all under its wings. The drop earrings with moon and stars tas...
Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Silver
Vintage Lapis Lazuli and Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in Honolulu, HI
Beautifully Lapis Lazuli diamond dangling earrings in 14k yellow gold. These gorgeous earrings has a deep blue pear shape Lapis cabochons dangling from an inverted heart set with diamonds. The Lapis cabochons are bezel set. Each heart is set with 16 round brilliant cut diamonds totaling 32 diamonds on the pair. The diamonds are G in color and SI1 in clarity. The total diamond weight is approximately 0.65 carat. The earrings have post backs for pierced ears and are equipped with friction backings. These earrings are very well made in 14k yellow gold. The earrings measure 36 mm long (1.50 inches) x 13.94 mm wide (0.50 inch). The total weight of the earrings is 9.00 grams. These are vintage Lapis Lazuli...
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ruby Heart Diamond Dangling Earrings in 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Earrings Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Earring Length: 0.80" Total Weight: 1.9 Grams Diamonds: 42 Setting: Prong Ruby Carat Weight: 0.50 Diamond Color: G-H Diamond ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
$9,180Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.75 in L 1.25 in
Assael Coral Diamond Earrings Tahitian South Sea Pearls Estate 18k White Gold
By Assael
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant pair of estate Assael angel skin coral, diamond & Tahitian South Sea pearl earrings crafted in 18k white gold. Round brilliant cut diamonds total an estimated 1.25 carats (...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
White and Black Diamond Pave Dangle Earrings in 14k White Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous drop earrings with 0.93 ct. of white and black diamond rounds. Handmade 14k white gold mountings.
Black Diamond, White Gold
Dilys' 4.30ct 'Intense Bluish Violet' Tanzanite & Diamond Earrings
By Dilys'
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A pair of rare transparent 4.30ct Tanzanite cabochon drop earrings, certified by IGI to be 'Intense Bluish Violet'. Designed versatile to be worn in different ways, they are handcraf...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, Gold, 18k Gold, White ...
Vivid Diamonds GIA Certified 14.8 Carat Dangle Diamond Earrings
By Vivid Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Sensational Vivid Diamonds Dangle earrings crafted in platinum showcasing 2 GIA certified round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 6.05 carats total, G-H color, VS1-SI1 clarity and 2 GI...
Diamond, Platinum
Ammanii Vermeil Gold Drop Earrings with Freshwater Pearls and Tassels
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Part of our new collection Malikat = Queens. Inspired by the ruling females of ancient Egypt. Queen Nefertari means "Beautiful Companion"- These stunning statement earrings are an ode to her reign and the legacy to dare to set out of the box. Hand crafted vermeil gold with hand set clear zircon...
Zircon, Freshwater Pearl, Vermeil
$480Sale Price / set|20% Off
Ammanii Lapis Lazuli with Pearl Moon + Star Ear Jacket Earrings in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One of our top sellers! The jacket earrings are masterfully handcrafted from vermeil gold, base is sterling silver with a thicker coating of 18k yellow gold, in a satin finish. The dangling stars are sterling silver plated with black ruthenium. The stones are hand cut and had set natural Lapis Lazuli, Freshwater Pearls and high grade Cubic Zirconia. Star studs can also be worn separately. Light weight for maximum comfort with back post lifts for support and better fit. Part of our Sa'mma -Sky Collection- Homage to the sky; the universal blanket that covers mankind and unites us all under its wings. The natural blue Lapis Lazuli earrings...
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterli...
Ammanii Key Earrings with Ankh Amulet in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These Key earrings are masterfully handcrafted from sterling silver base with 18k yellow gold plating, in a satin finish with high grade hand set Cubic Zi...
Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
Emerald and Black Opal Drop Earring 18 Karat Gold
By Tinguely Bijoux
Located in Boston, MA
The bright Lightning Ridge crystal black opal has a clear, wide light spectrum that complements the kelly green of the rose-faceted emerald. Set in an 18 karat yellow gold. Model wea...
Emerald, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Gold
24.99 Carat Diamond Quartz Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
18 Karat White Gold Earrings Featuring 2 Pear Shape White Quartz Weighing Approximately 21.35 Carats Accented by Approximately 3.64 Carats of Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds. These E...
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold
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