Versace Leather Halter Dress Circa 1986
View Similar Items
Versace Leather Halter Dress Circa 1986
About the Item
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” — as 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, 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 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.
- Chanel 2006C Black Bodycon Dress w/Lace Cutouts & TrimBy ChanelLocated in Studio City, CAChanel 2006 Cruise collection fitted black ribbed stretchy dress featuring a deep V-neckline and transparent lace cutouts design motif below the bust and at the flounced high-low hem...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- 1976 Yves Saint Laurent Cossack Collection DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CA1976 Yves Saint Laurent paisley print wool tiered dress with black velvet smock and green velvet trim. In excellent condition - size tag 36. Please consult measurements - bust and to...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- 1970s Pierre Cardin Terry Cloth Maxi Dress w/Multicolored Stripes at HemBy Pierre CardinLocated in Studio City, CAThis 1970s Pierre Cardin terry cloth maxi dress with fitted bodice, A-line silhouette and bright orange, acid green and purple bands at the hem. Zips up th...Category
1970s French Maxi Dresses
- 1970s Pierre Cardin Mod Graphic Jersey Wool Day DressBy Pierre CardinLocated in Studio City, CAA Pierre Cardin sleeveless wool jersey dress in creme and brown with graphic print design. I'm such a fan of this hip and sophisticated mod day dress wit...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
$1,400 Sale Price36% Off - 2012 Junya Watanabe Polkadot Bodycon Mini Dress With Mesh OverlayBy Junya WatanabeLocated in Studio City, CAJunya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons sleeveless black and white polkadot stretch bodycon mini dress with mesh overlay featuring a circular cutout mid-bodice. In excellent condition. ...Category
2010s Japanese Day Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Purple Knee-Length Day DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CA1990's Yves Saint Laurent deep purple day dress in a lightweight wool and slightly flared skirt. Hidden zipper up center back. Size tag 38. In excelle...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- 1970S Purple & Blue Floral Rayon Boho Loose Size DressLocated in New York, NY1970S Purple & Blue Floral Rayon Boho Loose Size DressCategory
1970s Casual Dresses
- New GIANNI VERSACE COUTURE BLACK STUDDED DRESS 38 - 2, 40 - 4By Gianni VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE COUTURE BLACK DRESS "Versace fashion is elaborate, colorful and strong. It's playfully classy and immediately rich." Opt for a biker chic look with Versace' bold black dres...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 2000S ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Black Cotton Kimono Sleeve Cocoon Shirt DressLocated in New York, NY2000S ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Black Cotton Kimono Sleeve Cocoon Shirt DressCategory
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Moschino Spot Dress with Wrap Over Front.By Love Moschino, MoschinoLocated in London, GBA wonderful Moschino dress , black with crimson spots. The dress has a wrap over front with zip detail, side zip opening and is fully lined.Category
2010s Unknown Day Dresses
- Vintage English Lady Day DressLocated in London, GBA chic and easy to wear day dress by English Lady. The dress is in a wool jersey with a black background and colourful leaf print. It has a button through opening to below the waist...Category
1970s British Day Dresses
- Christian Lacroix Vintage Trompe L'Oeil Print Sleeveless Turtleneck Dress Size MBy Christian LacroixLocated in Nice, FRCHRISTIAN LACROIX vintage trompe l'œil bustier, jewels and lace print sleeveless turtleneck dress. The front bottom is made of gold lame with a lace pattern (see photo 11). The back...Category
20th Century French Day Dresses