Rare 1990s Gianni Versace Unique Couture Silk Crystal Evening Gown Maxi Dress
View Similar Items
Rare 1990s Gianni Versace Unique Couture Silk Crystal Evening Gown Maxi Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: No size tag, estimated IT38 US4 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some discoloration, see pictures.
- Seller Location:Switzerland, CH
- Reference Number:Seller: GVC1998IVORY41stDibs: LU41631854243
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.
- CHANEL Crochet Knit Dress with Seafoam Trimming Bridal Engagement 38By ChanelLocated in Switzerland, CHA stunning crochet knit dress by CHANEL A timeless classic Featured in many editorials, seen on the runway and the AD campaign Off-white with seafoam-colored trimming on seam Chanel...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$1,799 Sale Price55% Off - ATELIER VERSACE Multicolor Beaded Evening Mermaid Haute Couture Gown & Heels 39By Atelier VersaceLocated in Switzerland, CHJust breathtaking - a rare ATELIER VERSACE Evening Gown An amazing Haute Couture Piece Seen on Selma Blair One of the most famous pieces by Atelier Versac...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
- NEW Dolce & Gabbana Silk & Lace Bone Corset Dress, Coat & Brooch Ensemble 3PCSBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Switzerland, CHStunning 3PCS Ensemble by Dolce & Gabbana Can be worn as a suit or each piece by itselm Beautiful gold-metallic lace Overlayed with finest black silk Fully lined Corset dress with ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Gorgeous Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford YSL Black Lace DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Switzerland, CHLace dress designed by Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent FW 2002 Collection Rare piece Finest black guipure lace Lined on backside with black mesh tulle Seen on the AD campaign, on the runway and on Carine...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses
- EMILIO PUCCI by Peter Dundas Stretchy Leather Lace Up Cocktail Midi Dress MBy Emilio Pucci, Peter DundasLocated in Switzerland, CHGorgeous dress by Peter Dundas designed for Emilio Pucci Special piece in purple and black colors Perfect fit, tailored panels Long sleeves, umhemmed Extraordinary material combinati...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$399 Sale Price50% Off - NEW Dolce & Gabbana Turquoise Aqua Lace Crystal Floral Buttons Shift Dress 40By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Switzerland, CHBeautifully cut from finest lace fabric, Dolce & Gabbana hit a retro-inspired note with this stunning shift dress A DOLCE & GABBANA piece that will last you for years Square neckline...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$1,299 Sale Price56% Off
- 1970's White Gown with TrainLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis 1970's white gown is a timeless statement piece for any wedding. Crafted with intricate lace detail and an elegant wedding train, this gown is sure ...Category
1970s Wedding Dresses
- North Beach Spring 1985 White Leather Cross Back DressBy North Beach LeatherLocated in Los Angeles, CAOur Spring 1985 North Beach White Leather Cross Back Dress is an elevated mini dress that truly hugs the figure. It features full genuine leather construction, a flattering stitch d...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli Fall 2005 White Pleated Silk GownBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Roberto Cavalli Fall 2005 White Gown is made with luxurious silk and features sparkling crystal encrusted beading, layers of pleated fabric, and delicate straps. Perfect for bri...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN white RIBBED & OPEN KNIT PEPLUM Dress SBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Zürich, CHAlexander McQueen ribbed and open knit peplum dress in cream polyamide (43%), cotton (37%), viscose (11%), nylon (5%) and polyester (4%). Has short sleeves and a solid knit skirt. Ha...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- MARNI 2019 peach pleated collar round sleeve short sleeve midi dress IT36 XSBy MarniLocated in Hong Kong, NTMARNI 2019 peach pleated collar round sleeve short sleeve midi dress IT36 XS Reference: CELG/A00175 Brand: Marni Material: Viscose Color: Beige Pattern...Category
2010s Cocktail Dresses
- OSCAR DE LA RENTA 2016 white polkadot floral burnt out devore belted dress US2 SBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Hong Kong, NTOSCAR DE LA RENTA 2016 white polkadot floral burnt out devore belted dress US2 S Reference: AEMA/A00049 Brand: Oscar De La Renta Designer: Os...Category
2010s Cocktail Dresses