Atelier Versace Couture Metallic Gold Open Back Dress
About the Item
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 60 in (152.4 cm)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 40 in (101.6 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3435220998212
Atelier 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. The designer debuted his Atelier Versace line — which was part of his first 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 Atelier Versace dresses, evening gowns and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Roberto Cavalli 2008 Black/ White Low Back GownBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Los Angeles, CAIndulge in pure elegance with Roberto Cavalli's 2008 Black/White Low Back Gown. This sophisticated gown boasts a deep plunge V-neckline and geometric color blocking, creating a stunn...Category
Early 2000s Evening Gowns
- Rhinestone Jersey Cocktail DressLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis dress has countless unique details that make it a must-have. Wear this as an alternative wedding gown or to a red carpet event, no matter the occasion this dress will have you f...Category
Late 20th Century Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 2010 Black Cone Bra Corset DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn incredible iconic ready-to-wear piece from Jean Paul Gaultier. Our F/W 2010 corset and cone bra dress has a lace up corset up the back of the dress. It has the iconic cone shape...Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier Marabou Fringe Sleeve DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn insanely sexy and glamorous dress from Jean Paul Gaultier. Style this with a pair of platforms to balance out the sleeves and you're ready for a night of fun! This dress is the u...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jane Booke Silver Cross Back Silver Slip DressLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Jane Booke Silver Cross Back Silver Slip Dress is an stunning and unique piece! It is made of 100% silk in a beautiful silver color with a very ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Chloe Black/Liquid Gold DressBy ChloéLocated in Los Angeles, CALights, Camera, Action! This Chloe dress is going to have you shining bright all night long. This Chloe dress is a stunning black and gold color. The dress has a black top with a jewel neck that leads to a pleated gold...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Extremely Rare Mariano Fortuny Cotton DelphosBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis extraordinarily rare dress is made of finely pleated white cotton. Few cotton pleated Fortuny dresses have been documented and survived.
Named after a Greek clas...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Rare Shell Pink Long Sleeved Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYDescription: This dress is made of finely pleated shell pink colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
Named after a ...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Mariano Fortuny Sienna Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated sienna colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION 1992 Vintage Lace Mini DressBy Michael KorsLocated in Leonardo, NJMichael Kors Vintage Runway SS92 USA size Medium but fits closer to a size Small Pristine Measurements in inches laying flat: length 34, smallest of waist 13, hips 16. Can stretch 2 ...Category1990s Cocktail Dresses