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.
$3,196Sale Price|20% Off
NWT S/S 2001 Atelier Versace by Donatella Versace Pink Satin and Wicker Bag
By Donatella Versace, Atelier Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting an incredible pink wicker Atelier Versace bag designed by Donatella Versace. From the Haute Couture collection, this bag debuted on the season's...
EMILIO PUCCI c.1960's Multicolor Velvet Abstract Print Top Handle Mini Handbag
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Thiensville, WI
EMILIO PUCCI c.1960's Multicolored Velvet Abstract Printed Top Handle Mini Hand Bag Brand / Manufacturer: Emilio Pucci Circa: 1960's Style: Structured t...
Rare Ileene Reeves 1970s Handpainted Fairytale Fairies Vintage Handbag 70s Purse
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare mid 1970s ILEENE REEVES hand painted plexiglass novelty handbag! Features fairies, flowers, mushrooms and daisies throughout. Secure front closure. Interior features a mirror on...
$295
H 4.25 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
Brass Etched Openwork Filigree Cube Purse w MOP Lucite Lid and Clear Base, 1950s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Simultaneously delicate and sturdy, this unusual box purse provides a glimpse of its contents via openwork filigree sides, while a clear Lucite platf...
$425
H 7 in W 7 in D 4 in
New Walborg Black Wood Bead and Chenille Top Handle Pochette Purse– Japan, 1950s
By Walborg
Located in Tucson, AZ
Despite its deceptively small size, this pochette remains exceptionally roomy thanks to its fully opening center change purse-style pocket and two side compartments. Petite but practical, the hand-strung polished wood beads create texture and interest for evening, while the velvety chenille ground lends playfulness for day. Deadstock double top handle bag of black chenille punctuated with black wood beads all over surface and handles. Interior features three total compartments including one center compartment with kiss lock clasp closure, plus one side pocket in another compartment. Fully lined in black velvet; plain chenille bottom with protective brass feet. fabric: chenille, wood, goldtone metal noteworthy: clean with compressed air repairs: none condition: deadstock with original tags measurements: width: 7” at narrowest, 9 ½” at widest height: 7” depth: 4” bottom gusset; expands to about 6” when filled mouth: opens to 8” handle: 4” drop label: Walborg (made in Japan by...
$795
H 8.25 in W 5.25 in D 3 in
New Tyrolean Brown Suede Mini Steamer Trunk 24-Karat Gold Plate Filigree, 1940s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Hands-down the most clever, unusual and sculptural evening bag we’ve seen, this extremely collectable handbag resembles a miniature 1930s steamer trunk—if steamer trunks had been surrounded by 24-karat gold plate filigree, that is. This incredible bag’s front face unlatches and lays flat to reveal a mirror on its interior face, an elastic band to hold its original comb and comb sleeve, and a series of padded silk moiré interior drawers and compartments. A handbag worthy of a trip on the Queen Mary...
Rialto Large Needlepoint Handbag 1960s
By Rialto
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous large needlepoint handbag in a green, yellow and red abstract pattern on a black background. It has a shapely black Lucite frame, doubl...
Chanel Small Pink Trendy CC Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stylish pink Chanel Small Trendy CC Flap Bag. The exterior of this Trendy is crafted with pink lambskin leather in the signature diamond style stitchi...
Hermès Birkin 35cm Gris Etain Togo PHW
By Hermès
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A classic Hermès 35cm Birkin bag. The exterior of this Birkin is in Etoupe Togo leather with tonal stitching. It features palladium hardware and two top handles with a front toggle c...
1980s Handbag One Of A Kind Record Album Crocodile Embossed Vintage Purse Bag
Located in San Diego, CA
Extraordinary vintage 80s black vinyl record album two sided crocodile / alligator embossed handbag! One side features a Jennifer Holliday record, ...
New in Box Hermès Rare Blue Paon Picnic Clutch Bag
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hermès natural wicker Picnic clutch with palladium hardware, blue paon swift leather trim, single flat shoulder strap, tonal leather lining, dual interior compartments, dual slit poc...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2003 Brown Leather Crocodile Embossed Buckle Box Handbag
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2003 Brown Leather Crocodile Embossed Buckle Box Handbag Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Circa: 2003 Designer: Ale...
French Sequin Black Linen Bag
Located in New York, NY
Chic Sequin French Bag on black linen base. Elegant and timeless detailing with even seed bead borders on the interiors and edges of strap. Moire taffeta...
Sold
H 6.5 in W 8 in D 0.6 in
Versus Versace Blue All Over Silver Logo Embellishments Clutch Leather M Bag
By Atelier Versace
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Versus Versace Blue All Over Silver Logo Embellishments Clutch Leather M Bag Additional Information: Material: 100% Leather and metal Color: Multicolor Style: Clutch Dimension: 8 W ...
Versace Multicolor Leather Bag
By Atelier Versace
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Versace satchel crafted in multicolored leather with golden hardware. Equipped with double leather handle and removable shoulder strap. Zip closure. Co...
Gianni Versace Couture 90's Medusa Pochette
By Gianni Versace Couture, Atelier Versace
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Amazing rare Gianni Versace pochette Gianni Versace Couture Vintage 90s period Satin Blue color Golden central medusa Golden, amber and black rhinestones Golden chain Zip closure Int...
Gianni Versace Blue China Leather Baroque Bag
By Atelier Versace, Gianni Versace
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
As new, fantastic Versace bag Matelassé leather Baroque pattern Blue China Golden chain CButton closure with frings Double internal pockets (one with zip) Cm 28 x 22 x 10 (11 x 8.6...