Iconic Versace Couture Printed stretch Leggings Pants, Fall-Winter 1991
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT42 (US 6) but runs a bit small (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Very good 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.
- Christian Dior By John Galliano Diorissimo "Flight" Cropped Jeans Pants, SS2006By John Galliano, Christian DiorLocated in Geneva, CHFrom the Spring-Summer 2006 "Flight" collection by John Galliano for Christian Dior, these jeans pants are printed with a tonal-blue version of the iconic Diorissimo motif. Designed ...Category
Early 2000s Portuguese Jeans
- Christian Dior By John Galliano "Kaos" Jeans, Spring-Summer 2004By John Galliano, Christian DiorLocated in Geneva, CHFrom the iconic John Galliano years for Christian Dior, these multicolor "Kaos" cotton pants are from the sought after Spring-Summer 2004 collection. Mid rise fit and bootcut leg, these jeans feature a silver metal button and a zipper closure with two additional side zip pockets (see pictures 6, 7, 13, 15 & 16). Printed with a colorful "street art" pattern, these rare jeans are more statement than staple ! Labeled a French size 38 (US 6 / UK 10 / IT 42), the jeans run a little bit small to size. Style it with a tank and loafers. Fits approx. : US 4-6 / UK 8-10 / FR 36-38 / IT 40-42 Measurements (taken flat) : Low waist approx. 39 cm (15.35 inches) Front rise approx. 24 cm (9.45 inches) Back rise approx. 33.5 cm (13.19 inches) Hips approx. 45.5 cm (17.91 inches) Inseam approx. 77.5 cm (30.51 inches) Outseam/Total length approx. 101 cm (39.76 inches) Leg opening approx. 22 cm (8.66 inches) Remark : iconic SS2000 Chanel quilted top...Category
Early 2000s French Jeans
- Gianni Versace Couture Open-Back Tropical Print Runway Silk Jersey Dress, SS2000By Donatella Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Geneva, CHVersace's garments deliver glamour, sex-appeal and sophistication, fit for any occasion ! This 2000 Spring-Summer dress is no exception ! Modeled by Erin O'Connor in look 14 on the r...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Exquisite Jean Louis Scherrer Couture Silk Chiffon & Lace-Trimmed DressBy Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in Geneva, CHThis early 80's Scherrer haute couture dress could be a fabulous option for a bride-to-be. Made from delicate off-white lace which is underpinned with a refined color matching silk-c...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses
- 1980s Isabelle Allard Bows-Embellished Ruched Lace Dress & Removable Sleeves SetBy Isabelle AllardLocated in Geneva, CHBy the French designer Isabelle Allard, this 80's evening dress is sure to get you in the mood to party ! Made from metallic silver lace that's ruched throughout to emphasise the clo...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses
- Gucci By Tom Ford Squares GG Logo Silk-Jacquard Shirt, Spring-Summer 1998By Tom Ford, GucciLocated in Geneva, CHChic and timeless, this black shirt from the iconic 1998 Spring-Summer Gucci by Tom Ford collection will prove to be a staple in any wardrobe. Jacquard-woven with lustrous squares GG...Category
1990s Italian Chemises
- Vivienne Westwood c.1996 MacAndreas Tartan Bondage Pants TrousersBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Vivienne Westwood c. 1996 Menswear however small size so also suitable for women MacAndreas tartan bondage pants Two sets of zips on back of legs Removable strap between t...Category
1990s Pants
- S/S 1995 Gianni Versace Butterfly JeansBy Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in Concord, NCVersace butterfly print jeans from Spring Summer 1995. White denim jeans printed with an energetic butterfly motif throughout. Condition: Good cond...Category
1990s Italian Jeans
- JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SS03 COUTURE Wool Sequin Embroidered PantsBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Brussels, BEHollywood Glamour -and the decadent appeal of its Golden Age- are recurrent themes within Jean Paul Gaultier’s work and his men’s and women’s collections. These mannish pants, made o...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pants
- Gianfranco Ferré Sequined Capri Pants - 80sBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Milano, ITGianfranco Ferré Sequined Capri Pants is a rare trouser by Ferré from the second half of the 1980s featuring a soft fit and cinched at the waist by an elastic lamé band. The entire g...Category
20th Century Italian Pants
- Krizia Silk Ballon Pants - 70sBy KriziaLocated in Milano, ITKrizia Silk Ballon Pants is a pair of Indian-style pants probably made in the late 1970s. The garment features a high buttoned waist, side pockets and a soft, cool fit thanks in part...Category
20th Century European Pants
- Gianfranco Ferré High-waisted Cropped Pants - 80sBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Milano, ITGianfranco Ferré High-waisted Cropped Pants is a rare Ferré trouser from the second half of the 1980s, featuring a high waist with contrasting topstitching and a side cross-tie closu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pants