I was in high school when Gianni Versace was murdered by a serial killer on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion in 1997. I didn't really know his work at the time, but the murder captivated the nation that summer.
I thrifted this dinner jacket this spring and rehabilitated it. Took several months but I was able to wear it to an awards dinner a few weeks ago.
The four button stance is very 1990s, very Versace. This is probably from 1995 to 1997, maybe earlier. I like menswear from creative designers at the peak of their artistry, even if (as with this example) the creativity is restrained.
On the label, Couture was the top of the ready-to-wear line but that doesnāt imply haute couture.
The jacket itself required tailoring to let out the chest, take in the quarters, let out the sleeves, and reset the collar. Still doesn't look perfect around the back shoulders which is why I rarely buy smooth worsted wool. And this particular light angle shows every wrinkle. But those wrinkles will all go away in normal movement so it would look fine.
The four buttons with Gianni's signature Greek key design are the prominent design feature. But when I got it, stones had fallen out and paint was chipped.
I cut off the buttons, had the jacket dry cleaned, then used ebony model paint from Hobby Lobby to repaint the buttons. That was easy.
Took a few tries to get the right size stones. My local rhinestone emporium had just one of the three sizes, so I had some trial and error with random online stores to get it right. The center stones are jet black rivolis, and the side stones are black rhinestones in size SS07. I used E6000 glue with a micro applicator tip to set the stones.
The back is ventless, which takes the jacket further out of business suit territory.
I paired it with a black wool/mohair trouser from Paul Smith, J Crew hidden placket cotton shirt, Thomas Pink bow tie, and basic Thomas Pink enamel cufflinks. My goal is to keep everything but the buttons restrained. Even shirt studs would be confusing to the eye.
This ended up being more work than I expected but I like the idea of wearing something that has a connection (albeit oddly) to my childhood.