Versace Istante Spring 1993 Skirt Suit & Belt
Istante was created by Gianni Versace in 1985 and was designed to bring in a younger, more dynamic clientele without sacrificing the quality Versace was renowned for. Istante formed a sizable part of the Versace company and even had its own dedicated boutiques. This skirt suit and belt ensemble is a highly collectable piece of Versace history and would form a highlight in the wardrobe of a collector of rare Gianni-era Versace. The print is instantly recognisable; opulent baroque flourishes swirled decadently across animal prints and detailed with golden Medusas. This “Barocco” (Italian for baroque) pattern is the most identifiable code of the House of Versace, first introduced as part of Versace's Spring 1992 mainline collection.
The jacket is tailored to a boxy, lightly cropped silhouette and has shoulder pads to hold its shape. Tonal buttons run the length of the front, crowned by a single gold button embossed with the Istante line’s logo, a ram head. These embossed logo buttons also feature at each cuff. The jacket is trimmed in black which frames the print and adds drama. The skirt falls to the knee in a pencil style and it is fastened at the rear with a hidden tonal zip. Both the skirt and jacket are lined in bright mustard yellow satin. The crowning glory of this skirt suit set is the heavy gold-tone chain belt - a signature creation from the designer during this time. It is formed from four weighty medallions engraved with geometric patterns and featuring large ram head logos. A double chain links these and it fastens with a hidden hook. The end of chain has a smaller ram head medallion which hangs down the skirt.
• Istante by Versace Spring 1993 • Iconic Versace “Barocco” print • Skirt suit • Boxy jacket • Pencil skirt • Logo chain belt
Fabric: 100% Cotton
Lining: 100% Rayon
Size on Label: Italian 44, UK 12, US 8
Stretch: No
Care: Dry clean only
Condition: Mint condition
Jacket
Shoulder to shoulder: 40.5 cm (16 inch)
Armpit to armpit: 42 cm (16.5 inch)
Bottom hem width: 40.5 cm (16 inch)
Length (shoulder to bottom hem): 43 cm (17 inch)
Sleeve (shoulder to cuff): 60 cm (23.5 inch)
Skirt
Waist: 76 cm (30 inch)
Hip: 101.5 cm (40 inch)
Length: 56 cm (22 inch)