Versace Black & White Fun Overall Dress
View Similar Items
Versace Black & White Fun Overall Dress
About the Item
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” — as 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, 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. 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.
- Bazaar of France Vivid Multicolor Abstract Cowl-Neck Cap-Sleeve Jersey DressLocated in New York, NYBazaar of France, vivid multicolor abstract dress accented with a cowl-neck front as well as cap-sleeves. The length measures 39 1/2 inches, bust measures 38 inches, waist mea...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- Christian Dior "Boutique" Cashmere Blend Fuchsia Body-Hugging Tank DressBy Christian DiorLocated in New York, NYChristian Dior "Boutique" bold fuchsia body-hugging cashmere blended with silk body-hugging tank dress measures 30 inches in length. Underarm circumference measures 24 inches,...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Todd Oldham Black Accented with Double-Chain Rhinestone Evening DressBy Todd OldhamLocated in New York, NYTodd Oldham for the famed Fred Hayman of Beverly Hills, wonderfully detailed elegant yet whimsical evening double-chain rhinestone encrusted slightly flared black evening dres...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
$885 Sale Price31% Off - Claude Montana Black Wrap Dress/Optional Coat With Velvet AccentsBy Claude Montana, Claude Montana ParisLocated in New York, NYClaude Montana black wrap dress with an optional choice to wear as a coat iss accented with velvet as ties and finished with gold hardware caps on ...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- 'House of London' Black Abstract Deconstruct Whimsical Evening Cocktail DressLocated in New York, NY'House of London' black abstract deconstruct whimsical evening cocktail dress has a center-back 2-way zipper measuring 41 inches in gilded gold hardware. The "Bra" waistband measures...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Moschino Dark Navy Multi-Panel Crepe DressBy MoschinoLocated in New York, NYMoschino dark navy multi-panel crepe sleeveless dress is detailed with a center-back invisible zipper which measures 14 1/2". The circumference of the hem measures 114". Th...Category
1990s Italian Ballerina Day Dresses
- Comme Des Garçons Button-up Black Chiffon Shirt DressBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Berlin, BEComme Des Garçons Button-up Black Shirt Dress Brand: Comme Des Garçons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection/Year: 2000s Fabric: Cotton / Chiffon Color: Black Size: XS Japanese desig...Category
2010s Japanese Casual Dresses
- Vintage LACOSTE DAVID CRYSTAL FASHION Stripe Collar Polyester SCOOTER Dress M/LBy LacosteLocated in Asheville, NCLacoste, David Crystal, Blue Dress, Red and White Stripe, Iconic Alligator, Zipper Front, Polyester, No Size Measurements Laying Flat (has stretch) Bust 20" (Armpit to Armpit) Waist...Category
1960s Casual Dresses
- Vintage 1920's Gold Beaded Sequin Dress Flapper Dress UK 6-8 US 2-4Located in Cheltenham, GBFull of opulent original details, rendered in the most luxurious fashion, this rare 1920's piece is a beauty to behold and never again find. The rounded neckline of the dress, is fr...Category
1920s European Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1960's Iridescent Cream Sequin & Beaded Wool Dress UK 8-10 US 4-6Located in Cheltenham, GBThis breathtaking 1960's cream knitted wool dress, embellished in its entirety with cream iridescent sequins, and finished with floral beaded details, is the perfect piece for a spar...Category
1960s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1920's Black Silk Chiffon Beaded Bow Dress UK 12 US 8Located in Cheltenham, GBFull of opulent original details, rendered in the most luxurious fashion, this rare 1920's piece is a beauty to behold. On a base of black silk chiffon and embellished with glass bea...Category
1920s European Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Silk Brocade Butterfly Dress UK 8-10 US 4-6Located in Cheltenham, GBA marvel to behold, this original 1950's silk brocade dress in a vibrant shade of fuchsia pink with rose pink accents, in a wonderfully intricate butterfly pattern, is just the piece...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses