Versace Spring 1998 Documented Runway Dress in Purple Silk With Blue Star Print
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Italian size 40 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In good condition but there are a couple of issues: There is a slight fade to the shoulders and a small tear in underarm seam was professionally repaired , barely noticeable.
- Seller Location:Portland, OR
- Reference Number:
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: Portland, OR
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1970s Halston Vintage Purple Jersey Dress W Asymmetrical HemBy HalstonLocated in Portland, ORThis wonderful vintage Halston jersey dress is in a beautiful shade of purple lightweight wool. At first glance, the dress looks deceivingly simpl...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- Vintage Valentino Pale Purple Linen 2 Piece Dress w Blouse & Tiered SkirtBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThis incredible vintage Valentino Boutique pale purple linen 2 piece dress comes from the estate of a Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent client who bought all of her clothing during th...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Vintage Albert Nipon Blue Orange & Red Silk Floral Print 2pc DressBy Albert NiponLocated in Portland, ORThis is a really lovely 2 piece vintage dress from Albert Nipon in a bright blue silk floral print. We love vintage Albert Nipon pieces and especially l...Category
1970s Hong Kong Day Dresses
- 1970s Jean Muir London Vintage Purple Rayon Jersey DressBy Jean MuirLocated in Portland, ORThis is a great late 1970's or early 1980's vintage dress from Jean Muir, London. The dress is in a purple rayon jersey and has gathered dolman style short sleeves and a V neck. The...Category
1980s English Casual Dresses
- 1980s Vintage Givenchy Bright Pink & White Floral Dot Silk Day DressBy GivenchyLocated in Portland, ORThis is a lovely vintage dress from Givenchy with the Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique label from the 1980's. The dress is pink and white floral silk with tone on tone white dots embroidered all over. The dress closes with front pink dome buttons...Category
1980s French Maxi Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Blue & Black Cotton Poplin Peasant Style Dress W Puff SleevesBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis iconic late 1970s or early 1980s Yves Saint Laurent vintage peasant style dress is in a rich royal blue cotton poplin with black accents at the yo...Category
20th Century French Day Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Purple Silk Chiffon Gathered Dress MBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2A purple wonder from the house of Dolce & Gabbana, this dress is a buy you will love. The dress exhibits a standout design and serves well for special occasions. It is tailored into ...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Temperley Purple Satin Ruffled Cold Shoulder Belted Faux Wrap Midi Dress MLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Make room in your closet for this creation from Temperley. Designed to offer a fashionable look, it has a faux wrap design, ruffle trims, a belt detail, and a midi hemline. This cold...Category
2010s English Casual Dresses
- HERVE LEGER blue & pink OPEN BACK JACQUARD Dress SBy Herve LégerLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Herve Leger bandage dress in blue and pink rayon (90%), nylon (9%) and spandex (1%). Features an open back. Opens with a zipper and a hook on the back and a hook at th...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 1999 Sea Life Print Bodycon Zipper Mesh Maxi DressBy Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 1999 Sea Life Print Bodycon Zipper Mesh Maxi Dress Size LCategory
1990s Day Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2007 Cutout Bodycon Maxi DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier S/S 2007 Cutout Bodycon Maxi Dress Size L Please note this dress is very versatile and could be worn with the cutouts in front or back...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- 1970's Geoffrey Beene Demi Couture Navy Raw Silk Day DressBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Toronto, Ontario1970's Geoffrey Beene demi couture navy raw silk sleeveless dress with oversized round ivory colored buttons up the back and half belt. Custom made for a loyal client back in the 1970's, this simple, elegant dress...Category
1970s American Sheath Dresses