Gianni Versace S.r.l., usually referred to as Versace , is an Italian luxury elite fashion company founded by Gianni Versace in 1978.[7] It produces Italian-made ready-to-wear and accessories, as well as haute couture under its Atelier Versace brand[8] and licenses its name and branding to Luxottica for eyewear.[9]
Gianni Versace being a native of Calabria, in the ancient Magna Graecia (Greater Greece), the company logo is inspired by Medusa, a figure from Greek mythology.[10]
The brand was founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace and run after his death by his family: his brother Santo Versace and sister Donatella Versace while Donatella's daughter, Allegra Versace Beck, became the controlling shareholder having inherited her uncle Gianni's share. Her brother Daniel inherited much of his uncle's art collection.
In January 2019, four months after being sold to the Michael Kors Limited group, Gianni Versace S.r.l. became part of the Capri Holdings group for $2.12 billion, creating a new luxury group together with Kors and Jimmy Choo, keeping Donatella Versace as head of creative design.[11]
On December 2, 2025, the Prada group completed the acquisition of the Italian firm for US$1.375 billion.[12]
In February 2026, Pieter Mulier, formerly creative director of Alaïa, was announced as the chief creative officer of Versace.[13][14][15]
History and operations
Gianni Versace, the beginning
Gianni Versace worked from an early age alongside his mother in the family tailor's shop until 5 February 1972. On that day, he left Reggio Calabria to move to Milan, where he initially designed collections for Florentine Flowers. Later that year, he collaborated with De Parisini di Santa Margherita, and his name began to circulate in fashion circles.
In 1976, Gianni's older brother, Santo Versace, who had an economics and business degree and an office in Messina, joined him in Milan. Together with Claudio Luti, they decided to open a company bearing Gianni's name. By March 1978, the first Versace collection was showcased at La Permanente in Milan, garnering great appreciation.
Gianni Versace, 1978–1997
In 1972, Gianni Versace designed his first collections for Callaghan, Genny, and Complice.
In 1978, the company launched under the name "Gianni Versace Donna"[16]
Brands
Atelier Versace
As an Italian house, Versace is a correspondent member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.[51]
In 2004, the brand decided to pull couture off the runway for the first time and, for several years, invited only editors to see the clothes on racks. In 2012, Versace returned to the couture schedule,[52] only to halt its couture shows again from 2017,[51][53] announcing their couture collections only through photo books posted on their website.[54]
Collaborations
- In 2006, Gianni Versace S.r.l. collaborated with Lamborghini to produce the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Versace. The car included a Versace-designed white satin interior with Versace's logo embroidered into the seats. The car was available in black or white and came with a luggage set, driving shoes, and driving gloves. Only ten units were produced.[60]
- In 2008, Versace collaborated with AgustaWestland to create the AgustaWestland AW109 Grand Versace VIP luxury helicopter, including a Versace leather interior and Versace-designed exterior.[61][62]
- In 2009, Versace and H&M released a new line for H&M's stores, including men's and women's clothing and home items, such as pillows and blankets.[63]
Testimonials
Celebrity endorsements
Versace has always counted important public figures and celebrities among its clients. Between 1980 and 1983, Loretta Goggi was the first Italian artist to flaunt outfits signed by Gianni Versace, which she wore on many public and television occasions.[76] Elton John, who has a strong connection to the Versace family, has consistently worn Versace, just as Lady Diana often wore the designer's clothing after her separation from Prince Charles. Lady Diana shared a close friendship with Gianni Versace and relied on him for various events.[77] The same goes for Naomi Campbell, whose friendship with Versace began in the '90s when he spotlighted her as part of the "supermodel vogue" movement, alongside Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington.[78][79] Other celebrities who have worn Versace at public events include
Other activities
Interior design
Versace was one of the first fashion houses to launch home interiors in 1992, first focused on textiles and later porcelain tableware collections in collaboration with Rosenthal.[102] After having previously manufactured internally, Versace entered into an licensing agreement in 2020 with Lifestyle Design Group, the Italian home design division of Haworth Group, to produce and distribute the Versace Home furniture.[102]
Palazzo Versace
Soheil Abedian, of Sunland Group, approached Versace in 1997, proposing a luxury hotel built for the Versace brand. The first Palazzo Versace opened on Australia's Gold Coast on 15 September 2000.[103]
Operations
As of 2016, more than 1500 boutiques operate worldwide; the first boutique outside of Italy opened in the Italian Centre, Glasgow, Scotland, in 1991.[116]
Controversy
In August 2019, Versace produced a range of tops suggesting Hong Kong and Macau were separate countries. Versace apologized, saying it made a mistake in the design and would destroy the offending clothing.[117] In response to the controversy, Yang Mi ended her relationship as brand ambassador for Versace.[118]
External links
References
- Bloomberg Bloomberg News, retrieved 20 March 2015^
- Emmanuel Gintzburger, Capri Holdings Ltd: Profile and Biography Bloomberg.com, retrieved 2023-11-19^
- Manuela Mesco. Gianni Versace profit rose 17% in 2015, lifted by soaring sales Il Corriere della Sera, 25 April 2016, retrieved 2017-05-25