Versace F/W 2009 Embellished Plunging Neckline Open Back Black Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT 42 (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Naples, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1624120026182
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: Naples, FL
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Atelier Versace Haute Couture F/W 1998 Embellished Sheer Cutout Mini DressBy Atelier VersaceLocated in Naples, FLAtelier Versace by Gianni Versace Haute Couture F/W 1998 Embellished Sheer Cutout Mini Dress IT 42 Atelier Versace sleeveless mini dress ...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace F/W 2006 Plunging Ruched Ruffles Black DressBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace F/W 2006 Plunging Ruched Ruffles Black Dress IT 38Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- John Galliano S/S 1999 Sheer Lace Open Knit Black Mini DressBy John GallianoLocated in Naples, FLJohn Galliano S/S 1999 Sheer Lace Open Knit Black Mini Dress Size M FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @OPULENTADDICTCategory
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace S/S 2005 Runway Logo Belt Plunging Backless Wrap Black DressBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace S/S 2005 Runway Logo Belt Plunging Backless Wrap Black Dress IT 40 Condition: Good vintage condition, moderate tarnishing on the hardware. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @OPULENTAD...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace S/S 2000 Runway Embellished Jungle Print Evening Dress GownBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Naples, FLGianni Versace Couture S/S 2000 Runway Finalee Vintage Embellished Cutout Tropical Jungle Print Evening Dress Gown IT 40 Gianni Versace Couture vintage pink, red, orange jungle trop...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Mugler S/S 2016 Runway Embellished Cutout Panels Black Mini DressBy MuglerLocated in Naples, FLMugler S/S 2016 Runway Embellished Cutout Panels Black Mini Dress FR 38 Look 31 from the Spring 2016 collection. Mugler stretch-woven mini black dress featuring geometric cutouts w...Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Louis Feraud Vintage Circa 80's Velvet DressBy Louis FeraudLocated in West Palm Beach, FLLouis Feraud vintage circa 80's eggplant velvet dress with sashCategory
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roger Freres Black Lace and Green Silk Taffeta Gown-10-Circa 70'sBy Roger FreresLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRoger Freres Black Lace and Green Silk Taffeta Gown - Sz 10 - Circa 70's Additional Measurements: Bust 40" Waist 30" Shoulder to Shoulder 16" Sleeve length 25" Length 59"Category
1970s French Evening 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
- Oscar de la Renta 1990's Red & Purple Satin & Velvet Color Block Dress-Size 8By Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLOscar de la Renta 1990's Red & Purple Color-Block Dress - 8. This dress is in excellent condition and is long sleeved. The top part is velvet and the ...Category
1990s American Evening Dresses and Gowns