1980's Versace for Istante Early Bondage Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 34 in (86.36 cm)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 34 in (86.36 cm)Hip: 39 in (99.06 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2282747742
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: Toronto, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1980s Christian Dior Black Fine Wool Tuxedo DressBy Christian DiorLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s black fine wool Christian Dior cocktail dress. The dress looks like a double breasted tuxedo jacket and pencil skirt ensemble from the front, and a dress from the back. Deep cu...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1960's Nina Ricci Black Couture Dress with Mink TrimBy Nina RicciLocated in Toronto, OntarioElegant couture made late 1960's black silk cocktail dress with fitted corset bustier and dark brown mink fur trimmed bodice. The full skirt adds a touch of volume to the dress. Hand...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Holt Renfrew Black Lace DressBy Holt RenfrewLocated in Toronto, OntarioEarly 1960's Holt Renfrew Canada couture design studio dress with fine black lace overlay and full layered skirt. Strapless silk under dress. Many layers of the softest lace are topp...Category
1960s Canadian Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Valentino Black Chiffon and Velvet Dress Shirt DressBy ValentinoLocated in Toronto, OntarioAmazing 1990s Valentino little black shirt dress from Holt Renfrew Canada. Top is black chiffon with a pussy bow tie, sheer bishop sleeves and delicate ruching at shoulders. Jet blac...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1970's Nina Ricci Black Taffeta Ingenue GownBy Nina RicciLocated in Toronto, OntarioBlack jersey and taffeta 1970's ingenue style evening gown with cream satin collar and cuffs. Fitted waistline attached to full taffeta skirt trimmed with velvet. In excellent vintag...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses
- 1960's Geoffrey Beene Black Silk Cocktail DressBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Toronto, OntarioCute and chic 1960's Geoffrey Beene black silk crepe cocktail dress. Empire waist and cap sleeve. Perfect for nearly any occasion. Invisible zipper closure up back. Excellent vintag...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Roland Klein black strapless dress with black and white striped trainBy Roland KleinLocated in Austin, TX1980s Roland Klein black strapless dress with black and white train. Acetate fabric. 34" bust, 26" waist, 40" hips, 48" front length - 54 1/2" ba...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- UNWORN Gucci by Tom Ford FW 2004 Black Silk & Tassle Evening Gown Dress 40By Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Switzerland, CHRARE COLLECTOR'S ITEM STUNNING PIECE BY TOM FORD FOR HIS FINAL COLLECTION IN FALL 2004 FOR GUCCI Seen on the runway show, in the AD campaign and in many editorials One of the key...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
- Vintage Tom Ford for Gucci F/W 1996 Black Jersey Dress Gown w Pony Hair Belt 42By Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Montgomery, TXVintage Runway Tom Ford for Gucci Black Jersey Dress Gown F/W 1996 Collection Designer size - 42 Black Jersey, Fully Lined, Slip-on Style. Black Pony Hair Belt...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Azzedine Alaia black acetate knit evening dress with train, fw 1986By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaia evening dress ▪ Black acetate knit ▪ Button-up collar with low-cut neckline ▪ Leg of mutton sleeves ▪ Open-knit detail on the hips ▪ ...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace black silk evening wrap dress with lace underlay, fw 2000By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace black silk evening wrap dress ▪ Lace underlay ▪ Open back ▪ Beaded belt fastening ▪ Boat neck ▪ Pleated detail at waist ▪ Draped detail at back fastening ▪ IT 3...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990s Moschino Couture It's All So Simple Black Sleeveless Shift DressBy MoschinoLocated in San Francisco, CAVintage 1990s Moschino Couture black and white sleeveless sheath dress with "It's all so simple" embroidery at front. Back zip. 52% acetate, 48% rayon. Fully lined in 60% acetate, ...Category
1990s Italian Casual Dresses