S/S 1994 Gianni Versace Couture High Slit Navy Sleeveless Gown
View Similar Items
S/S 1994 Gianni Versace Couture High Slit Navy Sleeveless Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT44 / US10 (EU)Bust: 37.5 in (95.25 cm)Waist: 33 in (83.82 cm)Hip: 42 in (106.68 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 58 in (147.32 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear from age and use throughout.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388215636132
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.
- S/S 1992 Dolce & Gabbana Stretch Cut Out Ruched DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous black formfitting Dolce and Gabbana mini dress. From the Spring/Summer 1992 collection, this sexy wrap effect dress ...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Early 2000s Gianni Versace by Donatella Black Stretch Cowl Neck Panel GownBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful black Gianni Versace Couture gown, designed by Donatella Versace. From the early 2000s, this effortlessly chic and sexy gown features ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Maxi Dresses
- S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Rhinestone G Logo Black Stretch Halter GownBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an iconic halter neck black Gucci gown with a black rhinestone 'G' closure, designed by Tom Ford for the Spring/Summer 1998 collection. The same rhinestone 'G' buckle accent debuted on both the men's and women's runway presentations on bedazzled swimwear. This stunning gown...Category
1990s Italian Maxi Dresses
- 1990s Thierry Mugler Beige Black Ribbed Knit Stretch Bodycon DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beige and black ribbed Thierry Mugler stretch bodycon dress, designed by Manfred Mugler. From the 1990s, this fabulous form-fitting dress features a deep v-neckline, lon...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2006 Christian Dior by John Galliano Sheer Stretch Knit Black Flare DressBy John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black knit Christian Dior Boutique dress, designed by John Galliano. From the Spring/Summer 2006 collection, this beautiful stretchy d...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1997 Dolce & Gabbana Sheer Silk Chiffon Floral Black Mini Babydoll DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful sheer silk chiffon floral black and white babydoll Dolce and Gabbana dress. From the Spring/Summer 1997 collection, this...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Antik Batik Green Wool Sequins Boho Chic Tunic DressLocated in Brindisi, BtAntik Batik 2000s woman dress. Boho chic dress, long tunic model. Green color with sequin applications from green to purple. 100% transparent wool fabric. ...Category
Early 2000s Indian Caftans
- Christian Dior Spring 2007 black silver metal chain hoop sleeveless dress FR 36By Christian DiorLocated in Paris, FRChristian Dior Look 28 from the Spring 2007 runway collection Black short sleeve dress with silver chain hoop detail to the arms, body and hem...Category
Early 2000s Italian Informal Dresses
- Brock Collection black ruffle short sleeve square neck knee length velvet dressLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Brock Collection black velvet dress Square neckline Short sleeves Ruffle detail to the neck and sleeves Knee length Fitted body with a slight flare to the skirt No...Category
2010s Italian Informal Dresses
- Valentino vintage black dress NWOTBy ValentinoLocated in Capri, ITValentino vintage black dress NWOT size 44Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Pierre Cardin Vintage Little Black Dress with Puffy StrapsBy Pierre Cardin Paris, Pierre CardinLocated in Milano, ITChic vintage dress designed by the great Pierre Cardin in the 1980s, fine French craftsmanship. ORIGINAL LABEL. The dress is really beautiful, but...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Chloe Black Dress with Colourful BeadingBy ChloéLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Chloe dress with beaded cuffs and pockets. Designed by Karl Lagerfeld, this Chloe dress features his immaculate use of intricate beading on simple bl...Category
1980s French Casual Dresses