Gianni Versace 1980s "Favourite Button" Skirt Suit

“My favourite button I ever designed” - Gianni Versace

This skirt-suit was designed in the 1980s by Gianni Versace. The ensemble consists of a fitted short-sleeve jacket and mini skirt, both crafted from crisp black linen. Its focal point is a sculptural gold button with an organic, abstract surface. The jacket has long, curved lapels and short-sleeves with turned-up cuffs. The skirt is a high-waist pencil skirt which fastens at the back with a hidden tonal zip. It has a small slit at the rear. Both pieces are lined with black satin. Versace designed many black skirt suits during this decade - many appearing in campaign imagery - and a short-sleeved version was photographed on the Spring 1983 catwalk.

The previous owner wore this suit to the Rhythm of Life Ball at the Grosvenor House Hotel in 1991 wherre she was seated at a table with Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Eric Clapton and Sting. Today, the images of this ball - namely Naomi and Carla in their Versace baroque print jumpsuits smoking at the table - are pinned to moodboards across the globe. At some point in the evening, Gianni Versace himself came over to their table, spotted the ensemble, and told her that this was his favourite button he had ever designed.

• Gianni Versace 1980s • Black linen • Skirt-suit • Short-sleeves • Sculptural gold-tone button • Pencil skirt • Satin lining • Made in Italy

Fabric: 91% Linen, 9% Polyester
Lining: 100% Cupro
Stretch: No
Size on Label: French 40, UK 12, US 8 (measures small)
Care: Dry clean only
Condition: Very good - small bit of wear to the plating on the button

Jacket
Bust: 35 inch
Waist: 28 inch
Length: 21 inch

Skirt
Waist: 26 inch
Hips: 36 inch
Length: 22 inch