Gianni Versace black lycra and mesh pant suit, ss 2003
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT 38 - FR 34 - UK 6 - US 2 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14029190542
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Issey Miyake blue knit jersey convertible sweater and pants set, c. 1980sBy Issey MiyakeLocated in London, GBPresenting an exceptional Issey Miyake knitted 2-piece pant suit, a true treasure from the illustrious 1980s era. This unique suit showcases Issey Miyake's signature design ingenuity...Category
1980s Japanese Trouser Pant Suits
- Jean-Charles de Castelbajac black pinstripe wool pant suit, c. 1990By Jean-Charles de CastelbajacLocated in London, GBJean-Charles de Castelbajac black wool pant suit with white pinstripes, circa 1990's. Silver metal zip closure, double breasted, two front flap pockets and flared cropped pants. ...Category
1990s Trouser Pant Suits
- Alexander McQueen indigo denim corseted jumpsuit and leather belt, fw 1996By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GB▪ Alexander McQueen indigo denim corseted jumpsuit ▪ 64% Cotton, 36% Polyester ▪ Metal button and zip fastening ▪ Brown leather belt with metal buckle...Category
1990s Italian Jumpsuits
- Christian Dior by John Galliano floral cotton and leather pant suit, fw 2002By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior floral cotton and leather pant suit ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ 98% Cotton 2% Elastane / 100% Leather ▪ Round neck zip-up jacket ▪ Attached leather belt with metal buckle...Category
Early 2000s French Trouser Pant Suits
- Vivienne Westwood blue tweed skirt suit, fw 1994By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood blue tweed skirt suit ▪ 100% Wool ▪ Double breasted blazer jacket ▪ Velvet collar and pocket flaps ▪ Two front pockets ▪ Pleated wrap...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace black cotton lace pant suit, ss 1994By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace black cotton lace pant suit ▪ Sleeveless button up vest ▪ Two front flap patch pockets ▪ Slim pants with organza lining ▪ IT 38 - FR 3...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1990's Vintage Moschino Jean pants suitBy Moschino Jeans, MoschinoLocated in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR1990's Moschino Jeans pants suit straight legs with black All Over inscriptions patern, fabric is rayon and acetate. sizes FR 38 I 42 US 8 UK 12 Measurements : JACKET : shoulde...Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- 1990s Vintage ensemble by Moschino JeansBy Moschino Jeans, MoschinoLocated in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR2 piece 1990’s vintage ensemble by Moschino Jeans, it has been seen on the iconic Fran Fine on the Nanny sitcom, in perfect condition. Stretch fabric Sizes I 46 FR 42 US 12 UK ...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- S/S 1996 Thierry Mugler Sculptural Runway Museum Skirt Suit EnsembleBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Concord, NCOwn a piece of fashion history with this extraordinary documented Thierry Mugler Spring Summer 1996 skirt suit. Black and white jacket with a large folding ...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- Nina Ricci 'Boutique' Paris Black Silk SuitBy Nina RicciLocated in Sharon, CTOffering a Nina Ricci 'Boutique' Paris, Black silk suit retailed by Bergdorf Goodman. Puffy shoulders, skirted waist jacket, black on black polka dots,...Category
1980s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Henri Bendel Vintage Riding Habit Black velvetBy Henri BendelLocated in Sharon, CTEarly Henri Bendel Velvet Riding Habit. Jacket length 30". waist 34". Skirt length 35", waist 28".Category
Early 1900s American Skirt Suits
- Celine Paris Black Dress and JacketBy CelineLocated in Sharon, CTEnsemble black spaghetti straps short black dress and a long black jacket. Both in the same stretchy horizontal geometric woven design fabric. Dress...Category
1990s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.
Vivienne Westwood’s Punk Spirit Lives On in This ’90s Tartan Ensemble
The shorts suit in a mash-up of patterns with an asymmetrical cut speaks to the designer’s rebellious spirit.