1990s Gianni Versace for Genny Black Jacket with Oversized Crystal Buttons

This jacket was designed by Gianni Versace and created by Italian ready-to-wear manufacturer Genny during the early 1990s. Versace got his big break designing for Genny back in 1973 and remained as a creative director for nearly 20 years. Genny is typical of a number of Italian fashion companies manufacturing high quality ready to wear lines designed for them by leading names in the industry, yet launched under the company's own label.

Made in Italy, this double-breasted blazer jacket is tailored from pure wool. True to Gianni’s penchant for decadent detailing, the six brooch-like buttons that close the jacket are crafted from an assortment of large glittering rhinestones which form a central flower inside a teardrop shape. There are three smaller rhinestone brooches glistening at each cuff. Having reviewed many of the runway collections from this period, I did not find these exact buttons; however, the jacket is almost a runway twin of designs from the Fall 1992 Collection. Extravagant buttons were a theme for virtually all the runway campaigns from 1991 through to the last collection Gianni Versace created for Genny in the spring of 1993. The jacket has a wide lapel and looser, straight fit. It is finished with a top faux-welt pocket and two faux-slit pockets at the hips. There is one black plastic button inside to secure the fit. This jacket is fully lined in black satin.

The jacket is in very good vintage condition; there is a small, repaired hole on the crease of the right shoulder which is very difficult to spot when worn. We only noticed with the jacket in hand during our studio shoot. The size label states that this is an Italian size 40, a UK size 8 or US 4. Our model is a UK 8-10, US 4-6 and 5ft 11in. (180cm) and this was quite tight fit without moving the buttons so we are going with true to size on this one. There is always the option to play around with the buttons if you need a bit of extra space. The composition label states that this is 100% Wool with a lining of 100% Cupro. The fabric has no stretch.

MEASUREMENTS:

Bust - 36 in. (81 cm)

Waist - 32 in. (91 cm)

Hip - 38 in. (142 cm)

Shoulders - 17 in. (43 cm)

Length - 28.5 in. (140 cm)