Gianni Versace Couture Floral Abstract Dress 2002
About the Item
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Rayon
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Wallkill, NY
- Reference Number:
Versace
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Wallkill, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Diane Fres Ruffled Butterfly Georgette Floral Pink dress 1980sLocated in Wallkill, NYLovely 1980s Diane Frès Butterfly Georgette Floral Dress. Drop elastic waist, pockets and tassels. Measures Up to 40in chest -- Up to 30in on waist -- Open hips -- Length 49 in. do...Category
1980s Hong Kong Casual Dresses
- Bill Blass Black & White red striped baby doll dress W/ pockets, 1980s Size 4By Bill BlassLocated in Wallkill, NYFantastic Bill Blass dress. Featuring a crinoline under skirt with a Attached red silk bow belt. black bodice with zippered back. It has slit pockets in the skirt. The bodice is a knit, the skirt is a heavier Taffeta Silky Material. Bill Blass tag and Bergdorf Goodman labels. There are some marks on the skirt, the one in the front is basically hidden behind the pleat . Measuring Up to 36 inch bust----Up to 25 inch waist ---Hips open ---37.5 inch down the front. Size 4. Any questions please call, email or hit contact. Be sure to check our storefront for hundreds of new never worn pieces of jewelry, fashion and Vintage.Category
1980s North American Day Dresses
- Vintage 1930s Floral Embroidered Mesh Flutter DressLocated in Wallkill, NYBeautiful and unique 1930s dress. Done completely in sheer mesh with a embroidered Floral Motif. Flutter collar and sleeves. Snaps up the side. Color is a gray purple tone. Wear as a peek a boo or wear a slip. Measures up to 31 Bust -- 25Waist-- 34 Hips--51 Length. Please check our storefront for more contemporary, vintage, hundreds of pieces of designer and fine Jewelry. We have been selling on 1st dibs...Category
1930s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- Ted Lapidus Dress Boutique Haute Couture Paris Vintage -36 1980s XS-SBy Ted Lapidus BoutiqueLocated in Wallkill, NYLovely Wool blend Ted Lapidus Multi Colored (what feels like a wool / mohair blend) Dress. Has a madarin style collar with a drop skirt. Floral and check design. Measuring (labeled a...Category
1980s French Casual Dresses
- Mod Graphic Empire waist Yellow Black Midi Dress Mam'selle Betty Carol 1960sBy Betty CarolLocated in Wallkill, NYBlast of color on this stunning 60s Mini Dress. Has a Large wide belt Approx 2.5 in. wide. Great Wide collar with Huge buttoned Cuffs. Slit pockets Grea...Category
1960s American Mini Dresses
- Hanae Mori REDS & Blue Floral Printed Dress 1980s VintageBy Hanae MoriLocated in Wallkill, NYVintage 1980s Hanae Mori Dress. Lovely flowing sleeves. Velvet belt. Clip, snaps and button closure with Pockets! Labeled a size 10- Measuring Up to 38 chest -- Up to 26 Waist -- Up ...Category
1980s Casual Dresses
- Marc Jacobs pink dress US 6By Marc JacobsLocated in Rubiera, REMark Jacobs pink cyclamen dress US 6 Spaghetti strap and and satin thin belt Size US 6 Made in USA 51% silk 49% wool Lined flat measures: Length cm. 97 Bust cm. ...Category
2010s American Cocktail Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Vintage 1990's Bubblegum Pink Sleeveless Fitted Sheath Dress 38By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Chicago, ILVintage 1990's Dolce & Gabbana sheath dress designed by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Features a crew neckline, rear vent, and figure accentuating darts at front and back. 100%...Category
1990s Italian Sheath Dresses
- Gianni Versace F/W 2002 Star Flower Collage Print Plunge Neck Fit & Flare DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by Donatella Versace for the fall/winter 2002 collection. This Gianni Versace Couture labeled piece features a multicolor psychedelic floral and star cluster pattern, featured in fashion...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Tori Richard Floral Stripe DressBy Tori RichardLocated in Scottsdale, AZThe most adorable 1980s dress from Honolulu designer Tori Richard! Made of a pink and white floral cotton print fabric, contrasted with stripes along the sleeves, skirt and yoke. Sho...Category
1980s American Day Dresses
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld pink nylon spandex halter mini dress, c 2004By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel baby pink nylon spandex mini dress ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Halter neck can be styled in two ways ▪ Lemon, pink, and white strip...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- Monique Lhuillier Pink & Red Floral Print Cutout DressBy Monique LhuillierLocated in New York, NYProduct Details: Pink and red floral print cutout sleeveless dress by Monique Lhuillier. Round neckline. Zip closure at center back. 38" bust, 34" waist, 50" length, 18" shoulder wid...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Casual Dresses