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.
Versace Acron Big S009 18K Gold Black Dial Steel Automatic Mens Watch 18A99OD009
By Gianni Versace
Located in New York, NY
This brand new Versace Acron Big 18A99OD009 S009 is a beautiful men's timepiece that is powered by an automatic movement which is cased in a stainless steel case. It has a round shap...
18k Gold, Steel
Versus by Gianni Versace Watch
By Gianni Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Versus by Gianni Versace Watch
Rolex Datejust 1601 Black Dial 18K Yellow Gold Mens Watch
By Rolex
Located in Great Neck, NY
Rolex Datejust 1601 Mens Watch. 36mm 18K yellow gold case. 18k yellow gold fluted bezel. Black dial with gold hands and index hour markers. Minute markers on the outer dial. Date dis...
Vacheron Constantin Malte 18k White Gold Skeleton Date Automatic Men's Watch
By Vacheron Constantin
Located in New York, NY
This distinguished Vacheron Constantin Malte wristwatch exemplifies Swiss horological excellence with a refined, modern aesthetic. Crafted from solid 18k white gold, the case feature...
18k Gold
Cartier Roadster Diamond White Gold 18K Wristwatch
By Cartier
Located in Geneva, CH
Cartier Roadster Diamond White Gold 18K Wristwatch. Signed Cartier, numbered and marked. Fully polished. Wrist length: 15.5 centimeters. Additional links available on request. Extra...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rolex Oyster Datejust Automatic 18k Gold Black Dial Ladies Wrist Watch 6917
By Rolex
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The Rolex Oyster Datejust Automatic 18k Gold Black Dial Ladies Wrist Watch 6917 is a luxurious timepiece designed for women. This Swiss-made watch features a round black dial with go...
18k Gold
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k White Gold Men's Automatic Watch 5227G
By Patek Philippe
Located in Dallas, TX
Patek Philippe Calatrava 18k White Gold Men's Automatic Watch 5227G - Automatic winding with date at 3 o clock. Calatrava. 18K White gold case with smooth bezel (38 mm) Exhibition ba...
Rolex Datejust 36mm Automatic 18K Gold & Stainless Steel Men's Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
The Rolex 1995 Oyster Perpetual Datejust is a classic example of Rolex's timeless elegance and durability. The attractive fluted bezel and center links of the Oyster bracelet and ce...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel, Yellow Gold, Steel
1.56 Carat Ruby 1.02 Carat Diamond Ladies Cocktail Watch in White Gold Art Deco
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage Art Deco 1.56 carat ruby and 1.02 carat diamond ladies cocktail watch crafted in 9k white gold; part of our vintage watch collection. This stunning ladies vintage cocktail watch...
Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, White Gold
$15,800
H 0.52 in W 1.97 in Dm 1.58 in
Rolex Submariner 16613 Two-Tone Gold & Steel Blue Dial Automatic Men's Watch
By Rolex
Located in Westport, CT
An authentic Rolex Submariner 16613, a luxurious and durable timepiece that seamlessly blends functionality with style. This gold and stainless steel men’s watch comes with its original box, making it an excellent choice for collectors and enthusiasts. It features a striking Rolex midnight-blue index dial with a date indicator at 3 o’clock, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and a date magnification cyclops for easy readability. The watch is equipped with a yellow gold rotatable bezel and a graduated sixty-minute blue enamel bezel, adding to its refined design. Designed for both reliability and comfort, this Submariner showcases a Rolex two-tone yellow gold and stainless steel oyster bracelet with an extendable flip-lock deployment clasp for a secure and adjustable fit. Whether worn for daily use or as part of a collection, this Rolex Submariner 16613 is a statement of precision and craftsmanship. Polishing is available upon request. Reference Number: "16613", made in ~2008. Case Dimensions: - Lug-To-Lug: 50 mm - Diameter(W/Crown): 46 mm - Diamter(W/O Crown): 40 mm - Case Height: 13 mm - Lug Width: 26 mm Rolex Submariner Yellow Gold Steel Blue Watch & Box Keywords: Rolex Submariner 16613, Rolex gold steel watch, Rolex blue dial, men's luxury watch, Rolex dive watch...
Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
$24,999
H 1.58 in W 0.48 in Dm 1.58 in
NEW Rolex GMT-Master II 40mm Bruce Wayne Oyster Watch 126710GRNR
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Brand new. Comes with the original box and papers.
Stainless Steel
Cartier Santos Ronde Large Steel and 18k Gold Automatic Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1997 Cartier Santos Ronde Reference 1910, 34 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 Piece Water Resistant case with 18k Yellow Gold Bezel, Sapphire Crown, automatic, self winding movement, Whi...
18k Gold, Steel
$30,990
H 1.58 in W 0.52 in Dm 1.58 in
New Release Rolex GMT-Master II 40mm Bruce Wayne Jubilee Watch 126710
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Brand new. Comes with the original box and papers. Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR Condition: New Brand: Rolex Model: Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR Model Number: 126710GRNR Departm...
Stainless Steel
1966 Rolex Ladies Dress Watch, Silver Dial - 14K White Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
White Gold
Vintage Gianni Versace Gold Medusa Coin Watch
By Gianni Versace
Located in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta
Vintage Gianni Versace gold medusa coin watch in all gold color. Minor scuffing but in very good vintage condition. Watch still functions. Clasp is a little loose but safe to use. 18...
Rare Vintage Gianni Versace Gold Plated Medusa Gold Coin Black Dial Wrist Watch
By Gianni Versace
Located in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta
Beautiful rare vintage Gianni Versace Medusa Coin Wrist Watch in its original condition. Minor scratches on the hardware but not too visible. Diameter of the face is 31MM. A classic ...
Gold Plate
Versace Mystique Steel Chronograph Black Dial Quartz Men's Watch VFG100014
By Gianni Versace
Located in New York, NY
This pre-owned Versace Mystique VFG100014 is a beautiful men's timepiece that is powered by a quartz movement which is cased in a stainless steel case. It has a round shape face, c...
Versace V Sport MOP Guilloche Dial Steel Quartz Ladies Watch P6Q89FD002S099
By Gianni Versace
Located in New York, NY
This pre-owned Versace V-Sport P6Q89FD002S099 is a beautiful Ladie's timepiece that is powered by quartz (battery) movement which is cased in a stainless steel case. It has a round s...
Gianni Versace 1990s Greek Key Wrist Watch
By Gianni Versace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Add something from the Versace archives to your collection! Circa early 1990s, this gold plated Versace wrist watch features a Greek key bracelet w...
Gianni Versace Signature Medusa Wristwatch
By Gianni Versace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A Gianni Versace gold plated stainless steel wristwatch. This watch features a stainless steel back with a gold plated bezel housing a black dial with gold-tone hands and indexes. The bracelet is composed of gold plated circular discs containing the Versace signature...
Gold Plate
Versus by Gianni Versace Watch
By Gianni Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Versus by Versace Watch Women's Model Versus Tokyo Watch Collection. Stainless steel case. Turquoise blue polyurethane strap. Turquoise blue enam...
Versus by Gianni Versace Black Watch NWOT
By Gianni Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Versus by Versace Watch Women's Model #: AL13SBQ809-A009 Retail Price: $170.00 Versus Tokyo Watch Collection. IP Gold tone stainless steel case. Bl...
Versus by Gianni Versace Watch
By Gianni Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Stainless steel case with a stainless steel bracelet. Fixed stainless steel bezel. White and grey (triangle pattern) dial with silver-tone hands. No markers. Dial Type: Analog. Quart...
Versus By Gianni Versace Watch
By Gianni Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Versus by Versace Watch Women's Model Hummingbird
Versus by Gianni Versace Watch
By Gianni Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Acapulco's sandy beaches were discovered by the rich and famous in the 1950’s. This popular Mexican beach resort is still famous for its sunny skies and e...
Versus by Gianni Versace Watch
By Gianni Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Gianni Versace watch WOMEN'S QUARTZ WATCH WITH WHITE DIAL ANALOGUE DISPLAY AND MULTICOLOUR STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET SOF04 0014