Gianni Versace Couture Printed Halterneck Dress, Circa 1995-1996
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Size tag is missing. (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent pre-loved condition.
- Seller Location:Geneva, CH
- Reference Number:
Gianni Versace
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. 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,” Versace once explained. Instead, he had a sexy good time with fashion — as he did with life. Today, vintage Gianni Versace clothing, handbags and other accessories look astonishingly fresh and freshly relevant.
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 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Geneva, Switzerland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Arnold Scaasi Off-The-Shoulder Ruched Floral-Print Cocktail DressBy Arnold ScaasiLocated in Geneva, CHOversized florals, bold colors and ruched silhouettes have flooded the collections for at least two seasons. So this genuine 80s Arnold Scaasi dress is completely in trend ! Finished...Category
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- Emanuel Ungaro Draped Knotted Cut-Out Cocktail Dress, Circa 1985By Emanuel UngaroLocated in Geneva, CHDesigned more than thirty years ago, this 80's Ungaro Parallèle cocktail dress is still furiously trendy ! Made from taupe brown soft wool, it is artfully draped and knotted for a bo...Category
1980s European Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Printed Stretch-Mesh & Knit Asymetric Tattoo Dress, SS1995By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Geneva, CHJean Paul Gaultier's tattoo-printed tops first appeared during the 1994 Spring-Summer runway show and have remained a brand icon ever since. Originally inspired by a tattoo conventio...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent By Tom Ford Wrap DressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Tom FordLocated in Geneva, CHEffortlessly chic, this early 2000 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford wrap dress will deliver glamour and sophistication for any occasion. Cut from comfortable vibrant fuchsia crepe-viscose, it has a plunging V-neckline and satin-silk waist sash ties to ensure the most flattering fit. Partially lined the dress is approximately a size S (US 4) but runs slightly big to size. Style it with stilettos and a small clutch. Remarks : - same dress in black colour is available for sale as well - circa 2000 Bulgari...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Jean-Louis Scherrer Wool Day DressBy Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in Geneva, CHInject some bright color into Winter with this early (c. 1965) Jean-Louis Scherrer neon coral pink dress. Recognizable 60's cut - A-line silhouette wi...Category
1960s French Shift Dresses
- Emilio Pucci Print Cotton Shirt DressBy Emilio PucciLocated in Geneva, CHA light cotton long shirt, maxi dress by Emilio Pucci. This piece dates from the seventies. Shirt collar with full sleeves that cuff at the wrist, covers buttons all way down. Fi...Category
1970s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Issey Miyake Pleats Please Pleated Japanese Kimono Geisha Green Dress Blazer SetBy Issey MiyakeLocated in PARIS, FRIssey Miyake Pleats Please Pleated Japanese Kimono Geisha Apple Green Dress Blazer Set 2 pieces set, dress + blazer! Like new condition, except 1 button is missing from the blazer....Category
1990s Japanese Cocktail Dresses
- Pierre Cardin Yellow Mod DressBy Pierre CardinLocated in Waterford, MIYellow linen mod dress. Front pockets. Large white button details. Rear zipper closure. Lined. Made in France. *Condition: excellent vintage condition. No...Category
1960s Day Dresses
- Fendi Vintage Yellow & Nude Dress 38 ITBy FendiLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWThis elegant Fendi dress is crafted from two complementary shades of yellow and nude, with ruched details for subtle texture. Perfect for summer cocktail events, this stylish piece w...Category
2010s Day Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Yellow Satin Sleeveless Belted Dress SBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2This gorgeous dress from the House of Dolce & Gabbana adds a refreshing antidote to your summer wardrobe. It has been tailored lavishly using yellow satin fabric and features a sleev...Category
2010s Italian Casual Dresses
- 1970s Albert Capraro Yellow Mexican Blanket Maxi DressLocated in Toronto, Ontario1970s yellow wool blend day gown from the designer Albert Capraro. The pattern on the dress resembles a traditional Mexican blanket with navy, pink an...Category
1970s American Maxi Dresses
- 1930S Mustard Yellow Rayon Crepe Caplet Dress With Leg O Mutton SleevesLocated in New York, NYShows some signs of wear, cleaned and restored and ready to wear. 1930S Mustard Yellow Rayon Crepe Caplet Dress With Leg O Mutton SleevesCategory
1930s Casual Dresses