The 90s
With silhouettes moving towards minimalism, Gianni Versace takes part in the Italian fashion boom of the early 90s. After the overload of the 80s, a new unisex wave arrives, the ‘preppy-look’ resurfaces and ‘grunge’ appears in Vogue. Belgium and Japan emerged as alternative references and American fashion proposed a functional style. From now on, the Internet and globalisation accelerate the pace of the industry in all areas
The dress we are looking at is part of one of Gianni’s last collections, presented at the Ritz Hotel in Paris in July 1996, just a year before his assassination.
This dress also appears in one of the most iconic photos of this fashion show, in which the models are arranged on the stairs of the Ritz Hotel in Paris with Carolyn Murphy in the centre.
Gianni Versace (1946-1997) was an Italian fashion designer, known worldwide for his bold and provocative style. Beginning his professional career in 1978, Versace revolutionised the industry by fusing high fashion with pop culture and art, introducing vibrant colours, bold prints and a sensual aesthetic that broke with the conventions of traditional fashion. His innovative approach and creative vision made his brand a symbol of luxury and glamour.
Throughout his career, Versace dressed renowned celebrities such as Madonna, Princess Diana and Elton John, and expanded his empire into other products such as perfumes, accessories and furniture. Tragically, his life was taken in 1997 outside his Miami mansion, a crime that shocked the fashion world. Despite his early death, Gianni Versace’s legacy lives on, and his brand remains one of the most influential and prestigious in the fashion industry.
