Birth Name: Gianni Maria Versace
Born: December 2, 1946 in Reggio di Calabria, Italy of Italian descent
*Mother owned a dress shop, which Versace worked at after graduating high school
*In 1972 moved to Milan at 25 yrs. and became a freelance designer for Italian labels Genny, Callaghan & and Complice
*In 1978 launched his first women’s line under his own company called Gianni Versace SpA
-enlisted his older brother, Santo as Co -Chief Executive Officer and youger sister Donatella as Vice President
*Becomes known for his artistic use of metal mesh, plastic, aluminum, rubber in his lines
*By 1985, Versace receives the Silver Mask Award for his contribution to theatre
*First Couture collection opens in Paris in 1989
*In 1992 designs stage costumes for Elton John’s world tour and album cover
*Model Elizabeth Hurley becomes famous after wearing a black dress held together by gold safety pins by Versace to a movie premier in 1994
*Versace killed in 1997 by a gunman outside his Miami, FL home
-Donatella becomes Chief Designer and Santo becomes CEO
*In 2000 Versace 6 star resort on Australian Gold Coast opens (a second in Dubai would follow)
*Donatella receives Bambi for Fashion Award in 2004
*She becomes the face for the Breast Health Institute Int’l advertising campaign to promote breast health and cancer prevention
*In 2006 Versace brand begins interior designing for private jets and helicopters
*In 2007 both Gianni and Donatella are awarded the Rodeo Dr. Walk of Style Award for contributions to fashion & entertainment by the city of Beverly Hills and Rodeo Dr. Committee
*Today Versace CEO is Giangiacomo Ferraris and the brand has a networth of nearly $800 million
– The brand houses clothes for men and women, shoes, accessories, handbags, fragrance and home decor and tableware
Did You Know?
*Versace designed for the production of Bejart’s Chaka Zulu in 1989
*Donatella daughter, Allegra owns 50% of company given to her by uncle in his will
*Donatella has her own line within the company called Versus, given to her by Gianni Versace in 1989
*In regards to using the Medusa logo, Versace thought that “whoever falls in love with the Medusa can’t flee from her.”
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