Versace Palazzo Empire Bag
View Similar Items
Versace Palazzo Empire Bag
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.
- Vintage Sequin Fendi Logo BaguetteBy FendiLocated in Scottsdale, AZShow stopping Fendi monogram baguette covered in sequins! This stunning handbag features a plethora of navy, silver and ruby brown sequins alongside brown leather and metal Fendi engraved hardware complimented by a navy sherpa handle. Could this bag get any more unique?! This is the perfect statement piece thats begging to be added to your baguette collection. Shine bright on a night out and pair this with your favorite YSL evening dress and Versace pumps or elevate your casual brunch look by marrying this with some vintage Levis...Category
2010s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama Infinity Dots Capucines MM Top-Handle BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing a work of art in the form of a handbag - the Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama Infinity Dots Capucines MM Bag. This limited edition beauty is a stunning collaboration between ...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
- 1999 Moschino Couture! Polkadot Shopper BagBy MoschinoLocated in Scottsdale, AZAdorable 1990s Moschino Couture! mini shopper bag! Black and white polkadot printed cloth exterior with creamy tan leather trim and handles. Bold "Moschino" letters on the handle in ...Category
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Swarovski Swan Embellished Shoulder BagBy SwarovskiLocated in Scottsdale, AZDo not miss out on this rare Swarovski embellished handbag! Classic black mini shoulder bag is covered in Swarovski rhinestones and features an adjustable buckle strap which allows for versatility with wear. The focal point of the handbag is the gorgeous silver swan motif embellished at the center it really takes this handbag up a notch and adds a classic and glamorous Swarovski touch. This is such a show-stopping handbag that is sure to be catching eyes from across the room wherever you wear this. Let this handbag stand out and style with your favorite Versace little black dress and Manolo pumps...Category
Mid-20th Century Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Lambskin Evening HandbagBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZWhen choosing your next bag, the answer is always vintage Chanel. This bag has all the classic hints of Chanel but different than anything you have seen before. Details include a kno...Category
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
- Custom Anthony Luciano Patent Enamel HandbagLocated in Scottsdale, AZAmazing custom vintage Anthony Luciano black quilted patent handbag, exterior accentuated with a serrated trim. A green plastic top frame featuring col...Category
Early 2000s American Top Handle Bags
- Chanel New Tweed Space Flight Handle Logo Rare Limited Edition BackpackBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLNew Chanel Tweed Space Flight Handle Logo Rare Limited Edition Backpack Fall Spring 2016 Blue navy tweed Top Handle Front pocket Decorative patches Firm ...Category
2010s Italian Backpacks
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Artsy MM BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Designer bags are ideal companions for ample occasions! Here we have a fashion-meets-functionality piece crafted with precision. It has been equipped with a well-sized interior that ...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Darby Scott Brown Lizard Thompson ToteBy Darby ScottLocated in Philadelphia, PADarby Scott Brown Lizard Thompson Tote in very good condition. excellent exterior. very light scuffs and one penmark on lining. 12"x9.5x5" 5.5" handle dropCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
- Judith Leiber Black Lizard Round Gold Gemstone Top Handle BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Black Lizard Round Gold Gemstone Top Handle Bag in fair condition. Black lizard leather trimmed with gold hardware. Double top engraved gold handles with inlaid multi c...Category
1980s Top Handle Bags
- Gucci Zumi Shibuya Black and Tan Medium Top Handle BagBy GucciLocated in Philadelphia, PAGucci Zumi Shibuya Black and Tan Medium Top Handle Bag in very good condition. Black and tan diagonal stripe leather with silver and gold hardware, black le...Category
2010s Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Togo Kelly 35 Retourne Chocolate Brown Silver PDHBy HermèsLocated in Philadelphia, PAHermes Brown Togo Kelly 35 Retourne Silver PDH in excellent condition. Chocolate brown togo leather exterior trimmed with silver palladium hardware. Signature double strap twist lock...Category
Early 2000s Top Handle Bags