Versace Oroton F/W 2007 Runway Silver Metal Mesh Chain Mail Open Back Dress
View Similar Items
Versace Oroton F/W 2007 Runway Silver Metal Mesh Chain Mail Open Back 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.
- Azzedine Alaia S/S 1994 Vintage Black Long Chenille DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaia S/S 1994 Vintage Black Long Chenille Dress Size XS Black Alaïa sleeveless maxi dress with scoop neck and zip closure at center back. All Eyes on Alaïa For the last ...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Lace Up Bustier Sheer Lace Crochet Bodycon Black Mini DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Naples, FLDolce & Gabbana Lace Up Bustier Sheer Lace Crochet Bodycon Black Mini Dress IT 42Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- D&G by Dolce & Gabbana 1990's Sheer Knit Fishnet Virgin Mary Charm Black DressBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Naples, FLD&G by Dolce & Gabbana 1990's Vintage Sheer Knit Fishnet Mesh Black Dress w Virgin Mary Charm IT 40 D&G by Dolce & Gabbana mesh knit mini dress with scoop neckline, embellished virg...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace F/W 2017 Runway Chainmail Crystal Asymmetric Black Evening Dress GownBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace F/W 2017 Runway Chainmail Crystal Embellished Asymmetric Black Evening Dress Gown IT 40 Look 53 of Fall 2017 CollectionCategory
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Bustier Corset Bra Sheer Lace Crochet Bodycon Black Midi DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Naples, FLDolce & Gabbana Bustier Corset Bra Sheer Lace Crochet Bodycon Black Midi Dress IT 40Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Azzedine Alaia Vintage S/S 1996 Runway Black Sequin Embellished Dress GownBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaia Vintage S/S 1996 Embellished Sequin Black Evening Dress Gown Size M Black vintage Alaïa sleeveless beaded gown with bead and sequin em...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top SetBy Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Vintage Japanese Golden Eagle Koi Fish Kendall Jenner Wave Yellow Mesh Sheer Transparent Wrap T-shirt Skirt Top Dress Golden Japanese Eagle...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
$1,999 Sale Price30% OffFree Shipping - Christian Dior By John Galliano Fw 2004 Black Bias Cut Silk Slip DressBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in São Paulo, SPV-neckline Zig-zag detail at hemline Crossed straps on back Knee-length Invisible zipper side closure Pre-owned vintage condition; no major/noticeable flaws. Size FR38; slight stret...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli I Love You Logo Runway Evening Gown Dress F/W 2003 Size 40ITBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRoberto Cavalli - I Love You Logo Runway Evening Gown Dress. This dress is constructed with a sturdy zip up bodysuit/corset. The dress is made of ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
$9,940 Sale Price30% Off - Oscar de la Renta Elegant Strapless Black Feather Ball Gown S/S 2019 Size 2By Oscar De La RentaLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLOscar de la Renta - Elegant, black ostrich feather ball gown. This voluminous gown is made of tulle and ostrich feathers. The bodice has a deep cut sweetheart neckline. The fit is snug at the waist and flairs out like a sweeping princess gown...Category
2010s Ball Gowns
$12,600 Sale Price30% Off - Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld Black Blazer Dress with EmbellishmentsBy Karl Lagerfeld for FendiLocated in New York, NYFendi by Karl Lagerfeld Black Blazer Dress with Embellishments. Lagerfeld's time at Fendi is forever revered; his innovation left an indelible mark. This classic & sophisticated blaz...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce and Gabbana Beyonce dress, SS 2001By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBThe same dress worn by Beyonce in 2001. A raunchier version of this dress was seen on the runway. Material: Rayon and Silk Size: Italian 46 - US 10 howev...Category
Early 2000s European Cocktail Dresses