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.
Iconic 1990s Versus Versace Lion Saftey Pin Cuff Bracelet
By Versace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Iconic and Gorgeous Runway Versace Versus Saftey pin Cuff bracelet with the iconic lion face medallion. In silver, singed VERSUS MADE IN ITALY. Size: 2 3/...
Shield Cuff Solid Silver
By Tinguely Bijoux
Located in Boston, MA
Fluid and bold solid Silver cuff. Pairs with Shield Ring. Also available in Yellow Gold and White and Rose Gold by special order.
Sterling Silver
Barry Kieselstein Cord 2004 Sterling Silver & 14k Gold Frog Flower Cuff Bracelet
Located in Honolulu, HI
Barry Kieselstein Cord Cuff Bracelet in sterling silver and14k yellow gold. The bracelet features a 3-D frog in between 2 3-D flowers with 14k yellow gold petals. Hallmarked "Barry Kieselstein Cord" and stamped "2004," "925," "14K," "Thailand," on the inside. This cuff bangle measures 29 mm wide, 58 mm long and weighs 78.5 grams. This is a pre-owned Barry Kieselstein Cord bracelet...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Emerald Snake Cuff Bracelet White Diamond Victorian Style
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Emerald and Diamond Snake Cuff Bracelet, 14k Gold Plated Serpent Bangle Designer J DAUPHIN This cuff is a serpent form in brass with 14k gold plating, wrapping the wrist as an open...
White Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
Platinum and Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Horse Head Cuff Bracelet
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A perfect gift for all hose lovers. This bracelet is a Beautiful design masterfully sculpted from platinum and rhodium plated sterling silver and natural stingray leather. The horse ...
Zircon, Topaz, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Red Heart Cuff Bracelet Truth Faith Diamonds Gold Plated Enamel Heart
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
J Dauphin Truth and Faith Heart Cuff Bracelet 14k Gold Plated Black and Red Enamel A sculptural 14k gold plated brass cuff featuring the words TRUTH and FAITH in raised lettering ag...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
Dove Cuff Bracelet Bleeding Heart Ruby Gold Plated Brass Silver
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Ruby Dove Cuff Bracelet Gold Plated Brass and Sterling Silver Designer J DAUPHIN The Billet of Myself Cuff is a symbolic sculptural piece by J DAUPHIN featuring a pair of do...
Ruby, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Brass
$9,995
W 0.37 in Dm 2.29 in L 3.04 in
GIA Natural Jadeite Jade Pale Green & Brown Hinged Bangle 14K Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
GIA Natural Jadeite Jade Pale Green & Brown Hinged Bangle 14K Gold. Comes with GIA report #2235035266. A magnificent jade bangle with beautifully engraved hinge and clasp. The Jade has a very pleasant pale green with a brownish patch that creates a gorgeous contrast with the yellow gold hinge & clasp. The jade is translucent and has a beautiful natural look. The 14k yellow gold hinge and clasp are hand-engraved in botanical floral design. The clasp is equipped with a safety chain for added security. The inside diameter of the bangle is 58mm and would fit wrist size up to 53 mm. The bracelet is 9.37mm thick. The total weight is 55.9 grams. This is a vintage pre-owned Jade bangle in very good condition. Please ask any questions before bidding, serious buyers only please. Bracelet Specification: Style: Hinged jade Bangle...
Jade, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Snake Cuff Bracelet White Diamond Ruby J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
White Diamond and Ruby Snake Bracelet – 14K Gold-Plated Brass, Victorian Style Designer: J Dauphin This handcrafted snake bracelet by J Dauphin is made in 14k gold-plated brass and...
White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
Opal Silver Snake Bangle Bracelet Ruby Victorian Style J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Snake Bangle Bracelet Sterling Silver Opal and Ruby Serpent Open Cuff Wrap Victorian Style Designer: J DAUPHIN The Snake Bangle is handcrafted in sterling silver as a single serpen...
Opal, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
Tanzanite Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel Gold Plated Eight Pointed Star
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brutalist Cuff Gold Plated Black Enamel Studded Cuff Bracelet Seven Tanzanite Eightpointed Star Designer J DAUPHIN Handcrafted as a definitive statement piece, this structural open ...
Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
White Diamond Cuff Bracelet Light 14k Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k Gold Light Cuff Bracelet White Diamond Letter Word Statement Bangle Designer J DAUPHIN Handcrafted in a 14k gold finish over brass, this structural open-back cuff bracelet featur...
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
Black Enamel Cuff Bracelet White Diamond 14k Gold Plated Fleur de Lis J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fleur de Lis Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel White Diamond 14k Gold Plated Designer J DAUPHIN The Fleur de Lis Architectural Cuff is a symbolic sculptural piece by J DAUPHIN drawing in...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
Fendace Versace X Fendi Gold Toned Wide Zucca Bangle Bracelet SOLD OUT RARE
By Versace
Located in PUTNEY, NSW
Introducing the Fendace Zucca Wide Bracelet, a striking accessory that combines the iconic designs of Fendi and Versace. This bracelet showcases the renowned Zucca print, featuring i...
Versace Diamond Medusa Open Cuff 18k Yellow bangle Bracelet
By Versace
Located in Miami, FL
A bold and collectible statement piece from Gianni Versace, this high-polish limited-edition (#01) open cuff bangle is crafted in solid 18K yellow gold and features the iconic Medusa...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Fendace Versace X Fendi Gold Wide Zucca Bangle Bracelet SOLD OUT RARE
By Versace
Located in PUTNEY, NSW
Introducing the Fendace Zucca Wide Bracelet, a striking accessory that combines the iconic designs of Fendi and Versace. This bracelet showcases the renowned Zucca print, featuring i...
Gold
Vintage Gianni Versace 1990's Silk & Crystal Cross Bracelet
By Versace
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Gianni Versace black silk cord bracelet with large rhinestone embellished silver-tone cross with slide clasp closure. Circa 1990's. Excell...
VERSACE Black Crystal Studded Silver Medusa Bracelet
By Versace
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gorgeous VERSACE cuff bracelet comes in a polished silver tone metal and features black crystal spike stud details, an open side, and Medusa head end with Greek engraving. With Box. ...
Huge Leather and Gilt Versace Couture Medusa Cuff. 1980's. Super Rare.
By Versace
Located in University City, MO
Haute couture, runway scale, black leather cuff studded with snake chains and multiple gilt Medusa medallions by Gianni Versace. Curiously, the central Medusa's eyes are veiled by...