Gianni Versace

• Post-modernist 
• helped cement Italian fashion, setting trends in 1980s  

"An extremely simplified definition of post-modernism as the combination of several looks, ideas, philosophies or aesthetic qualities to form a whole new product" —Versace

"A knowledge of history makes you see things as they are" —Versace

• Versace - did so by combining historical periods, materials, fabrications, shapes and silhouettes together w/ moral and social ideas plus his love of pop culture, art and rock and roll 

Experimenting w/ Symbols and Fabrics

• For Versace, best way of understanding contemporary society was through the lends of history
• Formed basis for experimentation 
• Playing historical references to communicate a message all the more strongly about the present 
• Ex: Using crosses, Byzantium and the Crusades, calling attention to the duality of the iconic vision of women as the contrasting virgin/whore —and the ability of contemporary women to take control of their own sexuality and not be embarrassed or castigated 

Love of All Things Italian 

• Inspired by nation's rich history, culture and art 
• Italy known for exquisite printed silks, expensive textiles -> shows in his richly colored animal prints, florals, geometric shapes, lace, beading, embroidery 

"Fashion has be free to express personality and individuality. I always look for people who are out of the crowd, who are individuals, who are free, who have a real sense of style, which means their own sense of style". 

Designers influenced by Versace

• Alexander Wang 2009 downtown wrap dress reminiscence of Versace bondage dress 
• Dolce's brazen sexuality - metallics, animal prints, bold colors all signatures of Versace aesthetic 
• Dsquared - sexy hard-glam look 
• Tom Ford references Versace as source of potent sexuality and glamour 

Notoriously sexy — Fall 1992 that helped cement Versace's reputation as highly sexualized, allowing women to flaunt their bodies as a way of owning the constant male gaze as inevitable objectification that comes with it