Gianni Versace Silk Printed Dress, 1990s
View Similar Items
Gianni Versace Silk Printed Dress, 1990s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Austin, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1618845891
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. 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,” Versace once explained. Instead, he had a sexy good time with fashion — as he did with life. Today, vintage Gianni Versace clothing, handbags and other accessories look astonishingly fresh and freshly relevant.
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 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.
- 1991 Dolce & Gabbana High Waist Corset Skirt Lace Top " pin up collection "By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Austin, TXF/W 1991 Dolce & Gabbana 'Pin-up' collection High Waist Corset Skirt Lace Bra Top Condition: Excellent Skirt is elastane & spandex- top is un...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 1990s Vivienne Tam Micro Mini DressBy Vivienne TamLocated in Austin, TX1990s Vivienne Tam red micro mini dress Condition; Excellent Size XS / SCategory
1990s Unknown Day Dresses
- 1960s Adele Simpson Linen Dress - saleBy Adele SimpsonLocated in Austin, TX1960s Adele Simpson red and white linen dress with rope belt and side pockets, v neck, zipper at back. Condition: Excellent. Size Medium We accept r...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- D&G Denim Bustier Sheer HalterBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Austin, TX2000s D&G sheer dress with denim bustier and stretch bottoms. Sz M/ US 6 / IT 42 Condition: Very good, no visble damage 29.5" bust, 26" waist, 44" hips...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli Micro Mini Sequin Strapless DressBy CavalliLocated in Austin, TXRoberto Cavalli Micro Mini Sequin Strapless Dress 26" bust, 25" waist, 31" hips, 32" length Condition : Excellent size XS / US 2 / IT 38Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Complice black slip dress with longer hem in backBy Dolce & Gabbana, CompliceLocated in Austin, TXComplice black slip dress with longer hem in back Condition: Good, some all over wear 100% Viscose 28" bust, 24" waist, 35" hips, 53" length size S /...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1930's Cartwright Ivory Striped Silk Rayon Cut-Out Maxi Dress & JacketLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThe vibrant rainbow-stripe used on this ivory silk rayon 1930's "Cartwright" designer dress ensemble has a whimsical allure that I find irresistible. The sleeveless bodice has a flir...Category
1930s American Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Louis Feraud 1980s Size 10 Novelty Umbrella Print Short Sleeve Vintage Dress 80sBy Louis FeraudLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1980s LOUIS FERAUD black and white novelty umbrella print silk dress ! Features a black and white striped bodice with polka dots on the collar and ...Category
1980s German Cocktail Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli Paisley Jacquard Knit Sleeveless Fitted Cocktail Dress Size 42By Roberto CavalliLocated in Paradise Island, BSThis Roberto Cavalli sleeveless cocktail dress features a vibrant orange and blue paisley print, a V-neckline, and a fitted silhouette with a trumpet hem. It is the perfect dress for...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$717 Sale Price40% Off - ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2009 “Natural Distinction” Crystal Kaleidoscope Maxi DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIOne of a Kind - SAMPLE ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2009 “Natural Distinction” Crystal Kaleidoscope Maxi Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 2009 “Natural Dis-t...Category
Early 2000s Maxi Dresses
$3,297 Sale Price50% Off - Vintage 1950's Anne Verdi Champagne Sequin Lace & Tulle Bustle Back Bridal DressLocated in Beverly Hills, CAEthereal 1950's Anne Verdi designer champagne lace hourglass cocktail dress from the Old Hollywood era of glamour! The fabric itself is a masterpiece; high-...Category
1950s American Wedding Dresses
- Abstract lotus print flared midi silk dress - FLORA KUNGBy Flora KungLocated in Boston, MAEasy and flattering all-season silhouette. FLORA KUNG silk dresses are made in premiere quality, long-filament silk yarn which gives a natural simmering glow and a buttery, luxurio...Category
Early 2000s American Casual Dresses