NWT F/W 1998 Gianni Versace by Donatella Black Rhinestone Side Slit Medusa Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 53 in (134.62 cm)Marked Size: IT42 (EU)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 29 in (73.66 cm)Hip: 40 in (101.6 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Never worn, with original tags still attached. Rhinestones professionally replaced.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388217883742
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: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- F/W 1998 Gianni Versace by Donatella Runway Black Leather Rhinestone Maxi DressBy Gianni Versace, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous black leather Gianni Versace gown, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1998 collection, this incredi...Category
1990s Italian Evening Gowns
- F/W 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Maroon Strappy Silk Chiffon Mini DressBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful plum Gucci mini dress, designed by Tom Ford. From Fall/Winter 2002, this stunning dress features ruched fabric at the bust with several thin straps which meet ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Brown Lurex Metallic Stretch Strapless Tube DressBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a mid-length dark copper metallic tube dress designed by Tom Ford for Gucci. This dress debuted on none other than Naomi Campbell as the finale of the Spring/Summer 1997 r...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- F/W 2001 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Velvet Ribbon DressBy Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a timeless Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche little black dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2001 collection, this stunning midi dress in black features a fitt...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Abstract Print Viscose V-Neck DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a slinky printed viscose dress designed by Tom Ford for Gucci. This dress features three-quarter length sleeves, a v-neckline, and one of the signature S/S 2000 Gucci prin...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- S/S 1991 Atelier Versace by Gianni Versace Grecian Tunic Two Piece Dress SetBy Atelier Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning Atelier Versace dress set from the S/S 1991 collection, designed by Gianni Versace. This extraordinary piece can be seen on the season's haute couture runway. C...Category
1990s Italian Greek Style Dresses
- Emilio Pucci Blue Silk DressBy Emilio PucciLocated in Paris, FREmilio Pucci blue silk jersey printed dress featuring an iconic geometric print, a front gathered detail. Composition: 100% silk Estimated size IT42/38fr/US6 /UK10 Made in Italy. In...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1984 Yves Saint Laurent Floral Silk Runway Dress w Black Velvet TrimBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis iconic Yves Saint Laurent dress is in a fine floral silk in shades of dove grey and pink on a black background with black velvet trim at the cuffs, yoke and over the shoulders. ...Category
1980s European Day Dresses
- Valentino Red Crepe Vintage Dress With DrapingBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThere is nothing like the perfect red! The Valentino dress is in the classic "Valentino red" which is such a flattering color and it has just the right pigment to flatter all skin types. This lovely dress is such a perfect piece to add to any wardrobe and can easily go from day to night with the right accessories! We especially love the gorgeous draping in the back and the puckered, paneled sleeve detail. The center back has a 10 1/2" slit at the hem and there is a center back hidden zipper closure with a hook and eye. This fully lined dress is made in an acetate viscose blend crepe and it is labeled Valentino. Made in italy...Category
Early 2000s European Evening Dresses
- Lanvin Pink Silk Shirt Dress - 36By Lanvin ParisLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis fun Lanvin silk shirt dress is hot pink. It features a collar, a front pocket, long sleeves, and snap decorations on the shoulders. This dress is in good condition with some sta...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Eggplant Pleated Taffeta and Lace Dress - 46 - 1980'sBy Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Vicky Tiel dress is a stunning vintage piece with pleated silk taffeta on the skirt and sleeves. The bodice has lace and the bust has ruched fabric. The dress also has boning on...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- André Courrèges Tapeze Logo Monogram 70s 80s 90s Square Neck Large Black DressBy André Courrèges, CourrègesLocated in PARIS, FRTrapeze dress by André Courrèges! White logo on the front. Square neck. Iconic Courrèges look! 2 huge front pockets. There is a matching jakcet, the jacket is sold separatly! VERY G...Category
1980s Italian Formal Wear