Gianni Versace Black Drape front Couture Gown, Property of Courtney Love, 1996
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 42 (EU)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 30 in (76.2 cm)Hip: 34 in (86.36 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 60 in (152.4 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:There is stretch to the fabric, measurements listed are un-stretched and allow an additional one to two inches of give.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- ROBERT DAVID-MORTON Black Silk Cocktail Dress Nude Rhinestone Waist Size 6 8Located in Los Angeles, CAThis Robert David-Morton design is composed of a textured silk with a nude embellished lace waist. Features a halter neck with zipper closure. In excellent vintage condition. **Pl...Category
20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
- Nolan Miller Lovely Black Cocktail Dress with Lace and Bow SleevesBy Nolan MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a lovely Nolan Miller cocktail dress. This dress is composed of a fantastic black supple lace with a subtle metallic attribute. It features a wonderful V-Bust line and draped...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Ceil Chapman (Attributed) Vintage Black Matte Jersey Cocktail Dress, 1940By Ceil ChapmanLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a vintage black cocktail dress Attributed to: Ceil Chapman. Circa 1940's. Label missing. The piece is skilfully ruched, with a scoop neckline front and back. It has zipper ...Category
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
- ARNOLD SCAASI Belle De Jour Black Sequin Lace Cocktail Dress Size 10By Arnold ScassiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Arnold Scaasi custom ordered cocktail dress is composed of European black lace with sequin embellishment. This cocktail dress was a custom order made in the New York Atelier o...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Oscar De La Renta Brown Velvet Cocktail Dress with Ruched Skirt Size 6By Oscar De La RentaLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Oscar De La Renta cocktail dress is composed of a brown velvet and features a ruched skirt. There a zippers at the sleeve cuffs and a center back zipper for ease of access. Made...Category
20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
- Alaia Black Sheer Jersey Long Sleeve Scoop neck Dress, Circa 1990'sBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a sheer black Rayon jersey knit long sleeve dress by Alaia, from the 1990's. The dress has scoop neckline and trumpet sleeves. Size Large L...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Louis Feraud Vintage Circa 80's Velvet DressBy Louis FeraudLocated in West Palm Beach, FLLouis Feraud vintage circa 80's eggplant velvet dress with sashCategory
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roger Freres Black Lace and Green Silk Taffeta Gown-10-Circa 70'sBy Roger FreresLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRoger Freres Black Lace and Green Silk Taffeta Gown - Sz 10 - Circa 70's Additional Measurements: Bust 40" Waist 30" Shoulder to Shoulder 16" Sleeve length 25" Length 59"Category
1970s French Evening Gowns
- Vicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44. This beautiful dress is in excellent condition. It features a gorgeous black lace over a white nylon blend, a built-i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Floral Detail On Back - 42By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Organza Floral Detail On Back - 42. This special gown is in excellent condition. This dress features a purple silk taffeta material...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Carolyne Roehm 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Olive Ruffle Bottom - 4By Carolyne RoehmLocated in West Palm Beach, FLCarolyne Roehm 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Olive Ruffle Bottom - 4. This dress is in excellent vintage condition. It is short sleeved and has side ruching with rhinestone buttons ...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Oscar de la Renta Black and Red Silk Chiffon Dress with Lace - 10 - NWTBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Oscar de la Renta dress is black with a red underlay. It is made of silk chiffon and lace and has a black ribbon around the waist. This dress is in excellent condition and still...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Dresses and Gowns