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.
Gianni Versace. Exclusive pure silk scarf in deep blue with the Medusa motif.
By Versace
Located in bronshoj, DK
Exclusive pure silk scarf by Gianni Versace. Designed in deep blue with the iconic Medusa motif at the center, framed by ornamental borders and acanthus scrolls in shades of grey. ...
$6,998
H 2.48 in Dm 0.78 in
CARTIER London 1939 Perfume Atomizer In 9Kt Yellow Gold With Cartier Fitted Box
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Perfume atomizer bottle designed by Cartier. This is a beautiful perfume atomizer bottle, created in London England for the jewelry house of Cartier, back in 1939. The vintage atomizer has been crafter with cylindrical shape in yellow gold of 9 karats and decorated with engine turned designs. It in pristine and excellent condition with no dents or marks and is accompanied by the original Cartier fitted box. Cartier in London In 1902, Cartier opened its first boutique in London, overseen by Pierre Cartier, who had a special relationship with the royal court. In 1904, the Maison received its first warrant as an official supplier to the court of King Edward VII. The Bond Street boutique became a must-see address as soon as it opened in 1909, alive with the excitement of exquisite orders and the appointments of the British. From Cartier, thanks. Weight: 45.95 Grams, (29.46 Dwt). Measurements: Diameter of 20 mm by height of 63 mm (0.79 x 2.48 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with British marks; the mark for the city of London, the maker's mark JC associated to Jacques Cartier, the mark .375 for the assay of the 9kt gold, the letter D for the date of production of 1939 and the five-digits serial number N7803. Collateral: This atomizer is presented in the original Cartier fitted box. Condition: The overall condition of Cartier perfume...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Cartier Gold Plate Elephant Belt buckle and belt new in box with Provenance
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2001 Cartier France Gold Plated figural Elephants Belt buckle, this from a scarce short lived Cartier collection offering. the buckle measur...
Gold Plate
$1,647
W 4.34 in D 0.87 in L 4.77 in
Antique Victorian Gilt Metal Enamel Hair Comb Buckle Motif Suspended Ball
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This unusual hair comb is made out of gilt metal and features a buckle motif. It is decorated with a ball and a cone suspended from fine snake link chains.
Gilt Metal
Vintage Balenciaga Heart Motif Hair Decoration 1980s
By Balenciaga
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A sculptural vintage Balenciaga hair accessory dating to the 1980s, defined by its bold heart motif and architectural presence. Balenciaga’s jewellery...
$337Sale Price|25% Off
H 7.75 in W 7.75 in D 1.5 in
Faux Tortoise Shell Peineta with Blue Rhinestones, Spain, 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a faux tortoise shell peineta with six forks. This hair ornament, a large fan shaped decorative comb, has small blue rhinestones. Women in the Hispanic world usually worn the...
HERMES Bolduc Scarf 90 square silver palladium metal horse logo scarf ring
By Hermès
Located in Hong Kong, NT
HERMES Bolduc Scarf 90 square silver palladium metal horse logo scarf ring Reference: VACN/A00068 Brand: Hermes Model: Bolduc scarf 90 ring Material: Meta...
Theater Silvery Metal Drama Crown with Blue Rhinestones
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Theater - Drama performance silvery metal crown set with blue rhinestones. Additional information: Condition: Good condition Dimensions: Length: 28.5 cm Seller Reference: TCR6
$466Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.52 in W 0.95 in D 0.52 in
Vintage Gold Plated DUNHILL Rollagas Lighter Silk Moire in Box 1986
By Alfred Dunhill
Located in DELFT, NL
Steeped in the rich legacy of British excellence, Dunhill continues to epitomise refined luxury in tobacco accessories with its iconic lighters. Since 1893, when Alfred Dunhill first...
Gold Plate
$765
H 0.95 in W 0.99 in D 0.6 in
Antique Victorian Scarf Clip Scarf Ring 15 Karat Gold Metal Turquoise Cabochon
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This elegant scarf clip is a fine example of modernistic tendencies in Victorian jewellery design which started to devellop from 1875 ca. This little jewel was created in 1880 ca ou...
Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold
Natural American Green Jade Hat Stick Pin Scarf 14kt Gold
Located in New York, NY
11x7 mm mm natural 5 carat pear shape natural American Jade. 68 mm long stick 14 karat gold 2 grams
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mexican Sterling Silver Leaf Motif Hair Barrette
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Simple and elegant sterling silver hair barrette made in Mexico. This hair piece is suitable for all occasions from formal to casual. The clasp is...
Sterling Silver
Hermes Palladium Etrier Charm Scarf Ring
By Hermès
Located in Montreal, QC
Hermes Palladium Etrier charm scarf ring new in the box, measures 2cm in diameter x 2.5 cm wide.
Palladium
VERSACE - sunglasses VE4388 GB1/87
By Versace
Located in AMSTELVEEN, NH
Introducing refined Versace VE4388 GB1/87 sunglasses, an elegant expression of the Maison’s bold and timeless design language. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this sophi...