APPLIED ART : COSTUME

Object Name: Jacket, shorts and top
Maker: Versace, Gianni (Primary maker)
Versace, Gianni (maker)
Date Made: 1991
1998
1991
Description: Jacket, shorts and sleeveless top of brightly printed faille. Outfit comprising shorts, sleeveless top and jacket in bright red/blue/black/yellow print, abstract shapes and images from fashion magazines. Jacket corded 55% silk, 25% rayon, 20% cotton, collarless with one red topstitched faux cuff with black and red plastic button set with white paste. Six similar but larger (3.8 cm diameter) buttons fasten front, bound buttonholes. Two set in chest pockets and two set in hip pockets all have topstitched silk band with appliqued and beaded scroll designs in red, yellow, green and blue paste and beads. Lining printed as top fabric. Label woven white on black 'Gianni Versace/couture' 8.6 x 5 cms Shorts C/B zip, turn-ups at trouser edge, belt loops on waistband balck plastic button on waistband. Hanging loops, size 40 label. Corded 55% rayon rayon 45% cotton. Label woven white on black 'Gianni Versace/couture' 4.8 x 2.4 cm. Slanted set in pockets front hips, stitched down crease at C/F each leg. Top fabric as shorts, V neck front, sleeveless C/B zip with hook at neck self bound neck and arm edges, machine stitched hem. From exhibition label, early 2000s Suit of printed and beaded silk, 1991 Gianni Versace This suit shows the late Itialian designer at his most exuberant, using images from fashion magazines for the boldly printed fabric. The outfit's lack of subtlety is typical both of the designer and the consumer society he served. It is, however, made-to-measure to haute couture standards. From exhibition label 'Grand Designers' Gianni Versace opened his first boutique in Milan in 1978 which quickly became one of the world's leading fashion houses. His gift for innovation and his undertsnading of popular culture made each of his collections an immediate success. This outfit incorporates contemporary fashion prints and the beaded details typical of his tsyle. After his murder in 1997, his sister Donatella took over the directorship of Versace and the couture clothing is worn by celebrities such as Madonna and Elton John.
Catalogue Number: BELUM.T3987
Copyright: National Museums NI

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