F/W 1993 Gianni Versace Couture Green Knit Dress + Medusa Button Cardigan Set
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT38 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear and repairs to knit throughout.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388213605902
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: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- F/W 2003 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Runway Emerald Green Ruffle Silk DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an iconic emerald green Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche silk dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2003 collection, a more sheer version of this dress debuted on the season's runway as look 1 modeled by Julia Stegner and in the season's ad campaign on Julia Stenger, photographed by Craig McDean...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2000 Gianni Versace by Donatella Jungle Yellow Orchid Stretch Charm DressBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black and yellow orchid print Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Spring/Summer 2000 collection, this fabu...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Thierry Mugler Logo Belted Green Cotton Wrap DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a vibrant green Thierry Mugler wrap dress, designed by Manfred Mugler. From the early 1980s, this cotton wrap dress features a v-neckline,...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2003 Gianni Versace by Donatella Neon Green Stretch Knit Eyelet Mini DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a neon green Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Spring/Summer 2003 collection, this dress debuted on the season's runway as part of look...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1989 Gianni Versace Runway Bright Green Linen Chiffon Tie Runway DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous bright green linen Gianni Versace Couture dress designed by Gianni Versace. Debuting in the Spring/Summer 1989 runway presentation, this vibrant mini dress features petal-style sleeves and is made complete with ruched chiffon that wraps around the waist from the bust to tie at the lower back. The masterful draping emphasizes the curves of the wearer in true Versace fashion! This rare late 1980s Gianni Versace runway dress...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- F/W 2001 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Velvet Ribbon DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a timeless Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche little black dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2001 collection, this stunning midi dress in black features a fitt...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- NEW ALEXANDER McQueen GREEN EVENING DRESS size 40 - 4By Alexander McQueenLocated in Montgomery, TXAlexander McQueen Emerald green glass beaded long dress Content: 100% silk Back zipper Sleeveless Back slit Size 40 - 4 (S) Length 63" Bust 35...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1970s Fredericks of Hollywood Kelly Green Vintage Jersey 70s Maxi DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1970s FREDERICK’S OF HOLLYWOOD kelly green jersey maxi dress ! Features the perfect green color that can be worn all year. Knotted applique at center chest. Hidden zipper up the...Category
1970s American Evening Gowns
- 1950s Kelly Green Demi Couture Silk Chiffon Vintage Short Sleeve 50s DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1950s kelly green Demi couture silk chiffon short sleeve cocktail dress ! Features an intricate tailored pleated bodice with a straight skirt. Hidden metal zipper down the back ...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- Cashmere Brown and Turquoise Caftan 1980s RobeLocated in North Hollywood, CAHandmade Moorish cashmere brown and turquoise long maxi dress caftan from North Africa, Morocco. Vintage 1980s caftan robe. Caftan with running down the center round braided buttons ...Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Caftans
- Vintage Moroccan Caftan Emerald Green Maxi Dress, circa 1970 Size MLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant vintage Moroccan cotton green caftan embroidered with white threads design. The kaftan features a traditional neckline, with side slits and gent...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans
- A Hubert de Givenchy Catwalk Dress in Satin and Lamé Velvet Circa 1985By GivenchyLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1985 France Haute Couture A Hubert de Givenchy dress for show in emerald silk satin and gold lamé velvet dating from 1985/1990. Straigh...Category
1980s French Aesthetic Day Dresses