1994 F/W Gianni Versace Couture Gold Oroton Metal Mesh Chainmail Top & Skirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40 (EU)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 44 in (111.76 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Studio City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU35721606512
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: Studio City, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 2000's John Galliano Black Bias Cut Evening Dress w/Lace Insets & BeltBy John GallianoLocated in Studio City, CA2000's John Galliano black sleeveless bias cut evening dress w/cowl neckline, lace insets and a detachable rhinestone buckle belt that is worn below the waistline. Fabric is an aceta...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Gown & Jacket Evening Ensemble No.155782/3By Pierre Balmain Haute CoutureLocated in Studio City, CAMid-1960's Pierre Balmain haute couture No.155782 gown with a high waist and featuring a brown gathered jersey bodice, a claret colored velvet waistband and an ivory ziberline A-line...Category
1960s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Iconic Azzedine Alaia Black Bodycon Trained Gown, 1986By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Studio City, CA1986 F/W Azzedine Alaia black acetate knit floor-length evening gown with stand collar, vertical gathers at the bust that create a unique shoulder detail and an open back in the shap...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 2006 Gucci Navy & Silver Beaded Cocktail Dress w/Dramatic Neck TiesBy GucciLocated in Studio City, CA2006 Gucci navy blue silk halterneck cocktail dress featuring silver bugle beads in a chevron pattern. Dress features a plunging neckline, slit at center back, ruching at the waist, ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Ceil Chapman Champagne-Colored Satin Beaded Cocktail Dress Ca. 1965By Ceil ChapmanLocated in Studio City, CACa. 1965 Ceil Chapman champagne-colored satin faux pearl beaded cocktail dress. Dress features an A-line silhouette with a mock wrap at front and zipper closure at back. The dress i...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Circa 2005 Azzedine Alaia Black Evening Dress GownBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Studio City, CACirca 2005 Azzedine Alaia black fitted evening gown with zipper closure up the back. At the back skirt there are slight gathers as well as a nude-...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44. This beautiful dress is in excellent condition. It features a gorgeous black lace over a white nylon blend, a built-i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Floral Detail On Back - 42By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Organza Floral Detail On Back - 42. This special gown is in excellent condition. This dress features a purple silk taffeta material...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Carolyne Roehm 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Olive Ruffle Bottom - 4By Carolyne RoehmLocated in West Palm Beach, FLCarolyne Roehm 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Olive Ruffle Bottom - 4. This dress is in excellent vintage condition. It is short sleeved and has side ruching with rhinestone buttons ...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Rose Taft Vintage Purple & Teal Silk Blend Strapless Gown w/ Floral Design - 10By ROSE TAFTLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRose Taft Vintage Purple & Teal Silk Blend Strapless Gown w/ Floral Design - 10. This lovely vintage gown is in excellent condition. It features a purple and teal silk blend materi...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Linda Cunningham Taupe Silk Gown w/ Multi Floral Lace & 3 Tier Ruffle Bust - 10Located in West Palm Beach, FLLinda Cunningham Taupe Silk Gown w/ Multi Floral Lace & 3 Tier Ruffle Bust - 10. This gorgeous gown is in excellent condition. It features a taupe silk material, three tier ruffle ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Oscar de la Renta Black and Red Silk Chiffon Dress with Lace - 10 - NWTBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Oscar de la Renta dress is black with a red underlay. It is made of silk chiffon and lace and has a black ribbon around the waist. This dress is in excellent condition and still...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Dresses and Gowns