Versace Pleated Silk Chiffon Dress with Purple Netting Detail circa 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 42 in (106.68 cm)Bust: 29 in (73.66 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:
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” — 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 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. 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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Rare Alexander McQueen "Hunger" SPRING 1996 RTW Runway DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis dress is 1 of 2 ever made. It was Look 22 worn by Stella Tennant in the Spring 1996 Ready to Wear "Hunger" runway show and gifted to its owner by Alexander McQueen. There is no ...Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jacques Fath Embellished Halter Dress with Jacket circa 1980sBy Jacques FathLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a mint colored halter dress by Jacques Fath c. 1980s. It features a bodice embellished with a combination of beads, sequins, and paillettes. The tea length skirt is constru...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- James Galanos Beaded Halter Gown (Circa 80s/90s)By James GalanosLocated in Los Angeles, CAJames Galanos Halterneck Gown Vintage Circa late 1980's or early 1990's White and Navy Blue Geometric diamond pattern Column style gown Halter style neckline Bust and straps ha...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Olivier Theyskens for Rochas Wedding Gown with Long JacketBy Rochas, Olivier TheyskensLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a modern wedding dress by Olivier Theyskens for Rochas. It comes with a long cap sleeve jacket and features a sculptural flower in the cente...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Dresses
- Burberry Black Silk-Blend Cutout Sheath DressBy BurberryLocated in Los Angeles, CABurberry Black Silk-Blend Cutout Sheath Dress Black/Brown/Tortoise Pattern Allover circular cutouts Square neckline Long sleeves with bell cuffs Cuffs adorned with chain-linked wood...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Yves Saint Laurent 1980s Black Off-the-Shoulder Lace Bustier DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAYves Saint Laurent 1980s Black Off-the-Shoulder Lace Bustier Dress Circa 1980s Rive Gauche line Black/Brown Sweetheart neckline Off-the-shoulder sheer balloon sleeves Bustier with l...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses
- Gucci S/S 2010 Bodycon Lace Up Bandage Grey Mini DressBy GucciLocated in Naples, FLGucci S/S 2010 Bodycon Lace Up Bandage Grey Mini Dress Please note the size and fabric tags have been removed. This item will best fit size XS/S.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- John Galliano S/S 2005 Cherry Print Tie Up Silk Slip Mini DressBy John GallianoLocated in Naples, FLJohn Galliano S/S 2005 Cherry Print Tie Up Silk Slip Mini Dress FR 38Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Linda Cunningham Taupe Silk Gown w/ Multi Floral Lace & 3 Tier Ruffle Bust - 10Located in West Palm Beach, FLLinda Cunningham Taupe Silk Gown w/ Multi Floral Lace & 3 Tier Ruffle Bust - 10. This gorgeous gown is in excellent condition. It features a taupe silk material, three tier ruffle ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Multi Silk Tie Dye Print Dress with Pockets - 44By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis unique Dolce & Gabbana dress is a tie dye print silk material. It is sleeveless with tapered stitches, 2 side pockets, and a thin gold leather belt. Size 44, circa 21st cent...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Scaasi 1990’s White and Silver Silk Lace One-Shoulder Ruffled Ball Gown-Size 10By Arnold ScaasiLocated in West Palm Beach, FLScaasi White and Silver Silk Lace One-Shoulder Ruffled Ball Gown - 10. Circa 90's. This beautiful gown has 4 tiers of layered ruffles. There is 1 layer of lace, 2 of tulle, and 1 ins...Category
1990s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Malcolm Starr Heavily Beaded Green Silk Organza Gown, Circa 1970sBy Malcolm StarrLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMalcolm Starr Heavily Beaded Green Silk Organza Gown - 8- Circa 70's This Elinor Simmons for Malcolm Starr creation is fabulous. This gorgeous green ...Category
1970s American Empire Waist Dresses