Subversive, maximalist and unabashedly seductive, Gianni Versace’s (1946–97) designs infused high fashion with an entirely new ethos. “I don’t believe in good taste,” the legendary Italian couturier once explained. Instead, he had a sexy good time with fashion — as he did with life. Today, vintage Versace clothing, handbags and other accessories look astonishingly fresh and freshly relevant.
More than any designer before him, Versace mined celebrity, music and Pop art for inspiration. In fact, 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! '90” — the moment when the two worlds of fashion and pop culture became one, changing both forever.
Versace was born in Reggio di 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, Versace 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. This 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 Versace evening dresses, handbags, day dresses, accessories and more on 1stDibs.
Vintage Versace Art Deco Glass Target Brooch 1980s
By Versace
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A rare and exceptional 1980s Vintage Versace Deco Target Brooch. Gianni Versace never believed in restraint. His work blended history, theatre and bold glamour into something unmista...
$30,000Sale Price|55% Off
H 1.42 in L 2.25 in
Oscar Heyman 18k Gold & Fancy Yellow Diamond 'Prowling Lion' Brooch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman 18k yellow gold 'prowling lion' brooch contains a 0.01ct round emerald eye, 22 round diamonds (0.18ct, F-G/VS+), and 154 round fancy yellow diamonds (4.73ct). It is sta...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Oscar Heyman Gold 30 Carat One of a Kind Black Opal Snacking Fish Brooch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman 18kt yellow gold and platinum brooch contains an extraordinarily fine fancy shape Australian black opal weighing 30.63cts. This unique piece also contains 97 round diamonds (1.08cts, F/ VS) and 1 pear shape black opal...
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, Platinum
Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co. Peridot and Ruby Thistle Brooch
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Boston, MA
This late 20th century pin is comprised of full cut green peridots, and red rubys set in 18kt yellow gold in this whimsically classic floral thistle themed design. This pin measures ...
Peridot, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Oscar Heyman Gold Diamond and Ruby Bow Brooch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
This Oscar Heyman 18kt yellow gold brooch contains 2.55cts of calibré rubies and 3.95cts round diamonds (F-G/VS+). The rubies are cut by hand in Oscar Heyman's Madison Avenue workshop by the lapidary. The diamonds are bead set. Azures (cut outs) behind the gemstones and diamonds allow maximum light to shine through this piece, illustrating the finest principles of jewelry manufacturing. It is stamped with the makers mark, 18K, and serial number 74869. Comes in an Oscar Heyman brooch box. This brooch measures 49mm x 30mm x 11mm. It has a standard rollover safety clasp. It is light enough to wear on a shirt without pulling. Bows are a timeless ornament and this gemstone-encrusted version even more so! Oscar Heyman was founded in 1912 and became known as the 'Jewelers' Jeweler'® for creating pieces for Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. Oscar Heyman jewelry...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
$11,700Sale Price|35% Off
W 0.67 in L 0.67 in
Oscar Heyman Platinum Union Jack Diamond, Sapphire, and Ruby Lapel Pin
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman platinum Union Jack flag lapel pin contains custom cut rubies (0.76cts), sapphires (0.64cts) and round diamonds (0.05cts). It is a gently w...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage Brooch from ANGELETTI PRIVATE COLLECTION Gold with Peridot Green Tourmal
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Jade Brooch From ANGELETTI PRIVATE COLLECTION White and Yellow gold 18kt with Diamonds and Rubies. This Brooch was Manufactured in ‘60s in...
Diamond, Peridot, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Pearl Art Deco Floral Pendant/Pin/Brooch in 14 Karat Gold
Located in Milford, DE
Art deco pearls adorn this 14K gold triangular brooch/pendant decorated with floral motifs. Can be worn as a brooch, or attached to a chain and worn as a pendant. ... Tags, Marks, ...
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
Art Deco Silver and Onyx Broach
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Art Deco silver Broach set with a large onyx in the middle and marcasites, English ca 1930's One marcasite is missing, see pictures
Marcasite, Onyx, Silver
Reversible Lucky Horseshoe Stickpin with Bloodstone & Jasper-Scotland, 19th C
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lucky Scottish sterling silver horseshoe stickpin. The hand engraved top set with green Bloodstone from the Isle of Rum and red Campsie Fells Jaspe...
Jasper, Sterling Silver
Sapphire and Diamond Pansy Pin, Signed Tiffany & Co. by Oscar Heyman Brothers
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Boston, MA
Blue, fancy pink sapphires and diamonds are set in 18kt yellow gold and platinum in this whimsically classic floral pansy pin. Consisting of 48 mixed cut blue sapphires, 5 round cut blue sapphires, 30 round cut fancy pink sapphires, and 28 round brilliant cut diamonds. This pin measures approximately 1" in height. Stamped by Oscar Heyman Brothers for "Tiffany & Co.", serial no. "74551". *Shreve, Crump & Low Graduate Gemologist commentary: The Oscar Heyman Brothers pansy pin remains one of the most iconic brooch designs of the 20th century. Created in many combinations of gemstones, these special pins are a staple of any fine jewelry collector's gem box...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold...
Amethyst, Tourmaline, Topaz, and Diamond Pansy Pin, Signed Oscar Heyman Brothers
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Boston, MA
Purple Amethyst, Pink Topaz, Purplish Magenta Tourmaline, and sparkling white diamonds come together in a beautiful display of color to form a unique rendition of Oscar Heyman Brothe...
Diamond, White Diamond, Amethyst, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Go...
Ruby and Diamond Flower Brooch, Signed Oscar Heyman Brothers
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Boston, MA
This whimsical floral motif brooch is comprised of 18 karat yellow and white gold and consists of step-cut rubies having an estimated total weight of 13 carats, 7 round brilliant dia...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990's Gianni Versace Silver Ridder Helm Pearl Medusa Brooch Pin RARE
By Versace
Located in PUTNEY, NSW
Vintage Gianni Versace Silver Blue Stone Bangle, rare brand new vintage stock with tags. A collector piece that you won't find anywhere else. Minor scratch on main stone, otherwise e...
Silver
Versace Massive Abstract Brooch Pin Gold Metal Sculptural 1990s
By Versace
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
This abstract gold metal brooch or pin was made by Versace, most likely in the early 1990s. Made from gold tone metal in an abstract form, it fastens with three posts and measures a...
Gianni Versace 1990's Vintage Goldtone Signature Motif Pin
By Versace
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gianni Versace 1990's Vintage Goldtone Signature Motif Pin. This pin is in excellent vintage condition. Length- 1.5" Width- 1.75"