Gianni Versace is a well known Italian fashion label. You have to admit, Italy is no slouch in the area of producing fashion designers and clothiers. Italy has produced some of the biggest names in fashion from Dior to Fendi. Versace is no different. Giani Versace, born in 1946, was an Italian fashion designer and founder of Gianni Versace S.p.A., an international fashion house, which produced accessories, fragrances, makeup and home furnishings as well as clothes. He designed costumes for the theatre and films and was a friend of Elton John, long known for wearing his Gianni Versace sunglasses, Sting and Princess Diana among others.
Versace began his apprenticeship at a young age, helping his mother find precious stones and gold braid with which to embroider dresses. He studied architecture before moving to Milan at the age of 26 to work in fashion design. In the mid 1970’s, Versace’s knits drew the attention of head hunters at Genny and Callaghan. Complice hired him to design their leather and suede collections, and a few years later, encouraged by his success, Gianni Versace couture flourished and he presented his first signature collection for women at the Palazzo della Permanente At Museum of Milan.
Men’s clothing by Gianni Versace was also started during this period. After presenting his menswear collection he joined Jorge Saud, who would later also become a partner with Giorgio Armani. The first boutique was opened in Milan’s Via della Spiga in 1978. He was influenced by Andy Warhol as well as Ancient Roman and Greek art. At the time of his death in 1997, Gianni Versace had a well established and well known reputation for his fashion house. Becoming one of the world’s elite designers, his 1982 collection introduced metallic garments that would become his trademark and his elaborate state costumes for Elton John in the late 1980’s helped cement his reputation as one of the beautiful people. Gianni Versace handbags were not the only thing that he is remembered for.
Well known for his perfume collection, Versace saw that being versatile was vital to remaining relevant in such a cut throat industry. The Gianni Versace perfume is one of the mainstays of the Versace empire and continues to be a hot seller world wide. Versace’s former companion, Antonio D’Amico, who now runs his own company, was instrumental in the creation of many of the Gianni Versace watches collection. Versace’s niece, Allegra, now has full control of the Versace empire. From Gianni Versace cologne to sporty menswear to women’s evening gowns, Versace remains a viable house in the fashion industry. Let go of your Halston and Dior for just a minute and check out Versace! Happy shopping!
