Iconic 90s Vintage Versace at Auction

On September 21, the auction event The Genius of Gianni Versace: A Collection of His Iconic 90s Designs will be conducted by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers and include over 350 vintage Versace items from some of the designers’ most recognized work.

This single-owner collection was carefully curated in the 1990s by a gentleman who recognized the artistry, fearlessness and talent of Gianni Versace. The trend setting designs, paying homage to Versace’s classical European roots, struck a chord with the collector who would go on to explore the many facets of the fashion house. Assembling a thoughtful representation of Versace became his passion, as is evident by this superb and rare collection of both couture and accessories, which he stored meticulously for the past twenty years. Items from Versace’s Baroque, Teatro, Bondage, Animal Print, Miss S&M, Punk and Miami collections are all represented.

Lot 317, A Gianni Versace Red Silk Bondage Harness Bodice; Estimate $2,500 - $3,500 | Lot 318, A Gianni Versace Black Silk Bondage Harness Bodice;Estimate $2,500 - $3,500

Versace is credited with creating some of the 1990’s most iconic fashion moments and inventing the supermodel. Many highlights of the sale come from important runway collections and ad campaigns, modeled by some of fashion’s most seminal faces.

Examples from the sale include a Gianni Versace gold leather gown design as seen on the Autumn/Winter 1994 Milan runway and worn by Claudia Schiffer. It has a presale estimate of $5,000 to 7,000. From the Autumn/Winter 1991 Milan runway is the printed silk velvet “Canova” skirt suit, similar to the vintage Versace one in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute collection. It will be offered with an estimate of $6,000 to 8,000. Other runway highlights include a leather embellished vest with silk tie design modeled by Naomi Campbell on the Spring 1993 Milan runway and estimated at $2,000 to 3,000.

The Fall 1992 runway collection, aptly titled ‘Miss S & M’, combined skintight leather and fetish elements. The result is one of Versace’s most renowned collections. From the collection is a black wool bondage dress that carries a presale estimate of $3,000 to 4,000.

Lot 76, A Gianni Versace Silk Print Tie Front Blouse; Estimate $1,000 - $1,500

Gianni Versace discovered Miami while visiting in 1992 and fell in love with the vibrancy of the people and fashion on Ocean Boulevard. As Miami became a destination for the “it” crowd, an inspired Versace designed for the frenzy of beautiful people flocking to South Beach.  In the Spring of 1992, he dedicated a collection to his new hometown. The auction includes a number of the multicolor floral belts, necklaces and bracelets that accessorized the collection as well as iconic silk shirts such as the “Miami” print from the Spring 1993 ad campaign, which carries a presale estimate of $700 to 900.

In addition to women’s fashion, the sale also includes important vintage Versace menswear with a particularly robust selection of men’s silk shirts, also from the runway and ad campaigns. A Gianni Versace black leather men’s vest from the Spring/Summer 1993 season and featured in the 1993 ad campaign carries a presale estimate of $1,000 to 1,500, and a silk print pant from the Spring 1993 ad campaign carries a presale estimate of $1,000 to 1,500.

Lot 252, A Gianni Versace Silk Print Shirt; Estimate $600 - $800

Described as part theater and part rock n ’roll, Versace expressed his sense of freedom and artistry through design. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is pleased to bring some of his most iconic collections to auction and offer other Versace admirers the chance to own something truly special.

The exhibition for the September 21 auction, The Genius of Gianni Versace: A Collection of his Iconic 90s Designs, opens Saturday, September 15 in the firm’s Chicago saleroom. The online catalogue will be available online mid-July. More information at lesliehindman.com.

Register today to bid live, online with Bidsquare in Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, The Genius of Gianni Versace: A Collection of His Iconic 90s Designs on September 21st.