Versace
View Similar Items
Versace
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.
- Dolce & Gabbana 1992 Velvet, Applique, and Pom Pon Bomber Runway JacketBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Dolce & Gabbana velvet bomber jacket featuring an attached silk printed scarf, embroidery, appliques, pom-poms, mirrors, side slit ...Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- Azzedine Alaia Black Wool Fitted Blazer 1991By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Alaia black fitted wool blazer featuring a fitted body, notch collar, single-button closure, and pointed front hemline. Alaia Lab...Category
1990s French Jackets
- Vivienne Westwood Black Shearling CoatBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in Los Angeles, CAVivienne Westwood black suede shearling coat with Orb buttons. Gold label collection.Category
20th Century British Jackets
- Comme des Garcons Floral Flat Collection Jacket 2012By Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAComme des Garcons grey wool felt "Flat" collection jacket with floral print. AW 2012.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cropped Jackets
- Vintage Dolce & Gabbana Black Satin ShrugBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Dolce & Gabbana black satin shrug jacket with dropped shoulder and elongated sleeves. Excellent Vintage Condition. Size 42Category
Late 20th Century Italian Jackets
- Comme des Garcons Black Wool & Sheer Ruffle JacketBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Comme des Garcons black button front jacket featuring black sheer paneling below the waist with raw ruffles aligning the hem. Please inquire for additional images.Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Jackets
- Christian Dior FW 2019 Black and Green Mohair JacketBy Christian DiorLocated in Geneva, CHThis pre-owned mohair fringed jacket is part of the Fall-Winter Ready to Wear 2019 Christian Dior Collection. Collection: Fall-Winter Ready to Wear 2019 Fabric: 60% mohair, 34% poly...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets
$1,391 Sale Price20% Off - Nolan Miller Black Silk & Wool Jacket with Puff Sleeves Size SmallBy Nolan MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis jacket is composed of black silk and wool. The jacket has a center front button closures and puff style sleeves. In excellent vintage condition. Made in France. **Ple...Category
20th Century American Jackets
- Vintage Black Satin JacketLocated in London, GBA chic black satin jacket from the 1940s. The jacket has a v neckline, elbow length sleaves with turn ups, a four button front opening and pockets...Category
1940s Unknown Jackets
- Chanel Vintage Fall 2005 Grey Tones Patterned 3/4 Sleeve Tweed Jacket - Size 42By ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChanel Vintage Fall 2005 Grey Tone Checkered Patterned 3/4 Sleeve Tweed Short Jacket - Size 42 This beautiful Chanel jacket is from the Fall 2005 Collection and is in excellent vinta...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- 1960s Black Wool CapletLocated in San Francisco, CA1960s black wool caplet with a vibrant red satin lining. This piece is decorated with handmade cord frogs, and handset are slits. The rolled collar is pa...Category
1960s Capes
$159 Sale Price20% Off - 1940s Lilli Ann Black and White Avant Garde Wool Vintage 40s Peplum Jacket CoatBy Lilli AnnLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1940 LILLI ANN black and white Avant Garde wool jacket ! Features the finest soft wool fabric that was imported from France. Fabric covered buttons up the front. Flared honeyco...Category
1940s American Single-Breasted Jackets
$780 Sale Price20% Off