Gianni Versace yellow lambskin leather top and skirt, ss 2003
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT 40 - FR 36 - UK 8 - US 4 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140218528582
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set, fw 1992By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set ▪ All over abstract print in blue, purple, pink, red and gold ▪ Turtle neck m...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood 'Voyage to Cythera' harlequin leggings and shirt set, fw 1989By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood harlequin ensemble. Loose fit cotton shirt and high waist fitted leggings. ''Voyage to Cythera'' Fall-Winter 1989Category
1980s British Trouser Pant Suits
- Christian Dior by John Galliano pink wool and yellow lace skirt suit, fw 1998By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior skirt suit ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Pink jacquard wool ▪ Yellow Calais lace trim ▪ Single-breasted jacket with scarf collar ▪ Ribbed-knit sleeves ▪ Pleated wr...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Paul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble, c. 1960By Paul DaunayLocated in London, GBPaul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble comprising: long-line waistcoat lined with purple silk and high rise a-line skirt with inverted pleats and two side pockets. ...Category
1960s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana black 3-piece ensemble with ostrich feathers, A/W 1995By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB- Silk chiffon loose fitted blouse with ostrich feather trim on collar and cuffs (IT42-FR-38-UK10) - Black satin bra with lace trim and adjustable straps...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier metallic gold sequin t-shirt and leggings set, ss 1991By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GB▪ Jean Paul Gaultier evening t-shirt and leggings set ▪ Gold metallic sequins printed with floral motifs ▪ Knitted band trim in red, orange and blue ▪ Fitted to the body ▪ IT 42 - F...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Emanuel Ungaro Light Blue Silk Skirt Suit Polka Dot Party Cocktail Dress 1990sBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Brindisi, BtEmanuel Ungaro 90s vintage women's skirt suit. Complete shirt and skirt with polka dots , 100% silk , light blue and yellow. Wallet skirt, soft knit with short sleeves. Made in Italy...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Alessandra Rich Ruffle Crystal Jumpsuit IT40 (US4)By Alessandra RichLocated in Brossard, QCFOLLOW US @RUNWAYCATALOG Deep V neckline. Long sleeves. Ruffled details. All over embellished with crystals. Lined. Deep V neckline Long sleeves Concealed back zip closure Composit...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Jumpsuits
- Stella McCartney Applique Silk Jumpsuit IT42 (US6)By Stella McCartneyLocated in Brossard, QCMulticolored silk crepe de chine and organza Concealed zip fastening along back Fabric1: 100% silk; Fabric2: 100% rayon; Embroidery: 100% silk Designer color: Navy Wide-leg Cu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jumpsuits
- 1980s Ferre Navy Fuzzy Lurex Top and SkirtBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Toronto, OntarioUnique Ferre ensemble from the 1980s. A black tie take on the classic Rugby jersey, the top is made from a shimmery lurex fabric and has black and navy horizontal stripes. Accented w...Category
1980s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Pauline Trigere Black Guipure Lace over Gold Lame 1980s 2pc Skirt SetBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in West Palm Beach, FLPauline Trigere black Guipure lace over gold lame', 2pc skirt set from the 1980s. The top has a jewel neckline and is seamed at the waist, flaring at the hem. The sleeves have padded...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Ronald Amey Rare Evening Coat & Evening Dress in Devore Velvet & Satin 1970sBy Ronald AmeyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRonald Amey rare evening coat & matching evening dress in devore velvet & silk satin from the 1970s. This set is very unusual, rarely, do you find an evening coat & matching dress to...Category
1970s American Dress and Coat Ensembles