Versace
View Similar Items
Versace
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.
- Balenciaga Black Corset Jacket 2004By BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga black corset jacket featuring a hook and eye front interior panel, ...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- Comme Des Garcons Navy Deconstructed Selvedge Coat 2005By Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Comme des Garcons Vintage navy blue deconstructed coat with ruffles at collar and waist, gathers ...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Jackets
- Comme Des Garcons Grey Linen Lumps & Bumps Jacket 1997By Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Comme des Garcons "Lumps and Bumps" neutral tone linen jacket featuring round seaming, long sleeves,...Category
1990s Japanese Jackets
- Christian Dior by John Galliano Brown Suede Blazer Jacket with ButtonsBy Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Christian Dior by John Galliano brown goat suede jacket featuring a chic button-down lapel, side pockets with flaps, tailored body ...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- Junya Watanabe Floral Drape JacketBy Junya WatanabeLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Junya Watanabe cotton floral shrug jacket with exaggerated draping, short sleeves, and a shawl collar. Junya Watanabe Size: Small...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Jackets
- Balenciaga Brass Button Military JacketBy BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection is pleased to offer a vintage Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere black wool double-breasted military-inspired jacket with gold buttons at center front and shoulders, velve...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- Child's Vintage 1980's Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket Size 8Located in New York, NYVintage child's black leather motorcycle jacket , size 8. Authentic details feature zip front closure, zippered sleeve cuffs and side pockets, metal snap collar and front pocket. At...Category
1980s American Jackets
- Vintage Terry Paris Gold Medallion Leather Lace JacketLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLFabulous early 1990's Terry Paris Versace style jacket. Beautiful decorative goldtone medusa head medallions. Lace embellishment. Goldtone button closure a...Category
1990s French Jackets
- Louis Vuitton Logo Limited Edition Travel Hoodie JacketBy Louis VuittonLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLTailored from a comfortable technical cotton jersey, this iconic button up travel hoodie features a metallic silver reflective Louis Vuitton logo pe...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sport Jackets
- Three Sam Kori Greorge Courture Atelier Boucle Jackets. Approximately size 12-14Located in Buchanan, MIThree Sam Kori Greorge Courture Atelier Boucle Jackets In The Style Of Chanel. Each is a wool boucle collarless jacket in blue, brown, and red. Priced per jacket. Approximately s...Category
20th Century American Single-Breasted Jackets
- JOHN GALLIANO F/W 2017 Contemporary Tailored BlazerBy John GallianoLocated in Berlin, BEElegant and versatile polkadot blazer by John Galliano from their Fall Winter 2017 collection. A true wardrobe staple, This versatile piece is made from a soft wool with a chic micr...Category
2010s French Blazers
- Azzedine Alaïa Vintage S/S 1992 Runway Coral Corset Jacket DocumentedBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Berlin, BEIconic documented vintage Azzedine Alaïa Spring Summer 1992 runway corset jacket in the most beautiful rare coral colour! AS seen on the Spring Summer 1992 runway show and worn by model Beverly Peele for Vogue issue...Category
1990s French Blazers
$5,425 Sale Price20% Off