Gianni Versace Couture Printed Halterneck Dress, Circa 1995-1996
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Size tag is missing. (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent pre-loved condition.
- Seller Location:Geneva, CH
- Reference Number:
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. Today, his vintage dresses and gowns, handbags, sunglasses and other accessories look astonishingly fresh and freshly relevant.
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,” he once explained. Instead, he had a sexy good time with fashion — as he did with life.
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 — and Gianni Versace Couture, which debuted in 1989 — 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.
Gianni Versace Couture
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. The designer debuted his Atelier Versace line — which was part of the first Versace haute couture collection — in 1989.
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” — 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, Versace 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 — and 1989's Gianni Versace Couture — 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 Gianni Versace Couture bags, dresses and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Arnold Scaasi Off-The-Shoulder Ruched Floral-Print Cocktail DressBy Arnold ScaasiLocated in Geneva, CHOversized florals, bold colors and ruched silhouettes have flooded the collections for at least two seasons. So this genuine 80s Arnold Scaasi dress is completely in trend ! Finished...Category
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- Pierre Balmain (Attributed to) Haute Couture A-Line DressBy Pierre BalmainLocated in Geneva, CHLate sixties wool and silk snakeskin like dress, attributed to Pierre Balmain haute couture. Lovely A-line cut, "tie collar" and zipped back. Fully lined in refined black silk, the d...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Dessès '50s Haute Couture Satin Duchesse Princess Coat / DressLocated in Geneva, CHRare and lovely haute couture 50’s lilac satin duchesse coat / dress. Fits approx. : US 2-6 (small US 6) / FR 36-38 Measurements (taken flat) ...Category
1950s French Opera Coats
- Guy Laroche Haute Couture Silk Dress, Spring-Summer 1967By Guy LarocheLocated in Geneva, CHA fantastic piece of haute couture, this Guy Laroche dress is perfect for either daytime events or, after a quick change of shoes and accessories, a cocktail wear too ! Constructed i...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- Lanvin Printed Shirt DressBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Geneva, CHWhimsical and colorful prints have long been a part of Lanvin's DNA. And this wonderful late 60's - early 70's shirt/coat dress will not say the contrary ! Printed with a Chinese mot...Category
1960s French Empire Waist Dresses
- Philippe Venet Haute Couture Cocktail DressBy Philippe VenetLocated in Geneva, CHRare 70's Philippe Venet haute couture marigold silk dress. Fully lined in a refined matching silk, the dress features an internal belt and closes with a zip, hook and eye at the bac...Category
1970s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Jams World Brightly Colored Abstract Flower Print Vintage 90s Mini DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1990s JAM’S WORLD collector’s cotton mini dress ! Features abstract and flower prints in bright colors of pink, yellow, green, lime green, red, and ora...Category
1990s American Casual Dresses
- 1970s Mollie Parnis Yellow & Black Halterneck Ruffle DressBy Mollie ParnisLocated in London, GBThis striking 1970s or late 1960s linen blend halter neck dress in yellow is by celebrated US designer Mollie Parnis, who's designs were popularised by no less than 5 of Americas first ladies - Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford and Rosalynn Carter...Category
1970s American Informal Dresses
- Junko Koshino Vintage 1980s 80s Yellow Knit Asymmetric Sweater DressBy Junko KoshinoLocated in Sparks, NVRare vintage knit dress by Junko Koshino. Asymmetric hemline and yellow, black and silver striped design. Details: Unlined Shoulder Pads Can Be Re...Category
1980s Japanese Mini Dresses
- CHANEL yellow silk 2012 12C ANTIBES PATCH POCKETS LUREX CREPE Dress 40 MBy ChanelLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Chanel sleeveless sheath dress in yellow lurex crepe silk (with 12% nylon). Features a fitted silhouette with two patch pockets on the front. Opens with a concealed zi...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- Gattinoni Yellow Silk Chiffon High Low Evening Dress w CutoutBy GattinoniLocated in Portland, ORThis is an incredible Italian yellow silk high low dress with soutache bust detail from Gattinoni. We love the beautiful textures and different silks used for this dress. This has an...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses
- GIANNI VERSACE LEMON COTTON and FLAX DRESS 46 -10By Gianni VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXGIANNI VERSACE LEMON COTTON and FLAX DRESS Cold-plated black zipper with medusa Greek pattern Content: 80 % cotton, 20% flax outer fabric 1: 96% viscose, 4% acrylic outer fab...Category
2010s Italian Mini Dresses