Leslie Hindman Auctioneers to sell Versace designs Sept. 21
Gianni Versace silk shell print ornate shoulder bag, Spring/Summer 1992, design featured on the Milan Spring 1992 runway, stamped: ‘Gianni Versace Couture,’ 9.25 x 6.5 x 2.75in. Estimate $1,000-$1,500. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers image
CHICAGO – Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will conduct the auction event The Genius of Gianni Versace: A Collection of His Iconic 90s Designs on Friday, Sept. 21. The sale will consist of over 350 vintage Versace items from some of the designer’s most recognized work. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.
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 collection of both couture and accessories, which he stored meticulously for the past 20 years. Items from Versace’s Baroque, Teatro, Bondage, Animal Print, Miss S&M, Punk and Miami collections are all represented.
Versace is credited with creating some of the 1990s 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 (below) 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.
Gianni Versace gold leather cut out gown, featured on Claudia Schiffer on the Fall 1994 Milan runway. Estimate $5,000-$7,000. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers image
From the Autumn/Winter 1991 Milan runway is the printed silk velvet Canova skirt suit, similar to the vintage Versace one in the collection of the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It will be offered with an estimate of $6,000 to $8,000.
Gianni Versace printed silk velvet ‘Canova’ skirt suit, design featured on the Fall 1991 Milan runway (Look 34), size 38. Estimate $6,000-$8,000. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers image
Other runway highlights include a leather embellished vest (below) with silk tie design modeled by Naomi Campbell on the Spring 1993 Milan runway and estimated at $2,000 to $3,000.
Gianni Versace leather embellished vest with silk tie front, design featured on Naomi Campbell on the Spring 1993 Milan runway and ad campaign, size 40. Estimate $2,000-$3,000. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers image
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 an estimate of $3,000 to $4,000.
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 1993 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 an estimate of $700 to $900.
Gianni Versace silk print tie front blouse, featured in the Spring 1993 ad campaign and Milan runway, labeled: ‘Gianni Versace Couture,’ size 38. Estimate $1,000-$1,500. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers image
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.
Gianni Versace silk print shirt, 1995, ‘Masks’ print, labeled: ‘Gianni Versace,’ size 34. Estimate $600-$800. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers image
Described as part theater and part rock ’n’ roll, Versace expressed his sense of freedom and artistry through design. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is bringing some of his most iconic collections to auction.
