46-577: Giovanni Maria " Gianni " Versace ( Italian: [dʒoˈvanni maˈriːa ˈdʒanni verˈsaːtʃe] ; 2 December 1946 – 15 July 1997) was an Italian fashion designer, socialite and businessman. He was the founder of Versace , an international luxury-fashion house that produces accessories, fragrances, make-up, home furnishings and clothes. He also designed costumes for theatre and films. As a friend of Eric Clapton , Princess Diana , Whitney Houston , Naomi Campbell , Kate Moss , Madonna , Elton John , Tupac Shakur , Joan Collins and many other celebrities, he
92-524: A 20 percent stake in Versace for € 210 million . In September 2018, Michael Kors offered to buy Versace for two billion euros. Versace announced all Blackstone and Versace family shares were sold to Michael Kors Limited. The acquisition was completed in December 2018, with Donatella Versace remaining head of creative design. In January 2019, Gianni Versace S.r.l. joined Capri Holdings , forming
138-472: A company bearing Gianni's name. By March 1978, the first Versace collection was showcased at La Permanente in Milan, garnering great appreciation. In 1972, Gianni Versace designed his first collections for Callaghan, Genny, and Complice. In 1978, the company launched under the name "Gianni Versace Donna” and opened its first boutique in Milan's Via della Spiga . Gianni independently controlled much of
184-484: A design may also be called the Greek fret or Greek key design, although these terms are modern designations; this decorative motif appears thousands of years before that culture, thousands of miles away from Greece, and among cultures that are continents away from it. Usually the term is used for motifs with straight lines and right angles and the many versions with rounded shapes are called running scrolls or, following
230-549: A long history in China in motifs more than 2,000 years earlier, extending back to Zhukaigou Culture ( c. 2000 BC – c. 1400 BC ) and Xiajiadian Culture ( c. 2200 BC – c. 1600 BC and c. 1000 BC – c. 600 BC ), frequently there is speculation that meanders of Greek origin may have come to China during the time of the Han dynasty ( c. 202 BC ) by way of trade with
276-546: A luxury hotel built for the Versace brand. The first Palazzo Versace opened on Australia's Gold Coast on 15 September 2000. The hotel was sold to a Chinese consortium in December 2012. The second Palazzo, the Palazzo Versace Dubai , was completed in December 2015 and is located on the foreshore of Dubai Creek. A third Palazzo, the Palazzo Versace Macau , is under construction as part of
322-402: A mistake in the design and would destroy the offending clothing. In response to the controversy, Yang Mi ended her relationship as brand ambassador for Versace. Greek key (art) A meander or meandros ( Greek : Μαίανδρος ) is a decorative border constructed from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif . Among some Italians, these patterns are known as "Greek Lines". Such
368-510: A native of Calabria , in the ancient Magna Grecia (Greater Greece), the company logo is inspired by Medusa , a figure from Greek mythology. 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 Uncles Art Collection. In September 2018,
414-487: A new global fashion luxury group alongside Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo . In 2018, Versace stopped using fur in its products and in 2020 announced it would stop using kangaroo leather. In October 2018, Versace announced its first Pre-Fall season show in New York, scheduled on Gianni Versace's 2 December birthdate. In 2021, Versace opened its first SoHo, New York boutique. In 2004, Versace – which as an Italian house
460-507: A partnership with Macau's largest casino operator SJM Holdings . The Palazzo Versace hotels are the world's first fashion-branded hotels. In 2015, Versace partnered with Mind Group. The companies designed luxury residential towers in China called the Versace Residencies. The goal of the creators was to combine Versace's luxury home elements with elements of traditional Chinese culture. Also in 2015, Versace partnered with
506-435: 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. Other celebrities who have worn Versace at public events include Beyoncé , Cindy Crawford (who famously wore the red dress in 1991), Elizabeth Hurley (who wore
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#1732798718777552-558: Is a correspondent member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture – 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, only to halt its couture shows again from 2017. From 1990, Versace held a majority stake in VeZe, a joint venture company with Ermenegildo Zegna . From 1996, VeZe manufactured
598-408: Is quoted as saying, "I don't believe in good taste", which was reflected in his "brazen defiance of the rules of fashion". A saying referencing Versace's rivalry with Giorgio Armani was: "Armani dresses the wife, Versace dresses the mistress." From 1978, Versace built the company with the support of his family, employing his sister Donatella as vice president and his brother Santo as president of
644-662: The pottery of ancient Greece from the Geometric period onward. The design is common to the present-day in classicizing architecture, and is adopted frequently as a decorative motif for borders for many modern printed materials. The meander is a fundamental design motif in regions far from a Hellenic orbit: labyrinthine meanders ("thunder" pattern ) appear in bands and as infill on Shang bronzes ( c. 1600 BC – c. 1045 BC ), and many traditional buildings in and around China still bear geometric designs almost identical to meanders. Although space-filling curves have
690-762: The ABIL Group in India to develop another luxury residential project, located in South Mumbai. Further developments include designing interiors for the Damac Tower in Vauxhall, London In 2004, Versace sold its Swiss watch subsidiary Versace SA for an undisclosed price to Timex . The subsidiary was renamed Vertime SA and initially held an eight-year license to produce Versace-brand watches, jewelry and writing instruments. Since 2003, Versace has been licensing
736-724: The Palazzo Della Permanente Art Museum of Milan. His first fashion show followed in September of the same year. His first boutique was opened in Milan's Via della Spiga in 1978. After opening his Milan boutique in 1978, Versace quickly became a sensation on the international fashion scene. His designs employed vivid colors, bold prints and sexy cuts, which were a refreshing contrast to the prevailing taste for muted colors and simplicity. His aesthetic, which "combined luxurious classicism with overt sexuality", attracted much criticism in addition to praise. He
782-592: The Versace Classic V2 men’s and women’s wear diffusion lines . In 2004, the company decided to cancel the Versace Classic women’s collection and replace the men’s line with a higher-positioned brand known as Versace Collezioni. In 2009, Versace entered into a licensing agreement with Gruppo Facchini for the young line Versace Jeans Couture starting with the spring/summer 2010 season. Under the agreement, Gruppo Facchini manufactured and distributed
828-472: The art of Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol . In 1982, Versace expanded the business into jewelry and housewares, designing luxury furnishings, china and textiles for the home. He was unusual in retaining complete creative control over all aspects of his company. In 1984 and '85, he contributed a specially appointed Gianni Versace Edition to the Mark VII line of American luxury automaker Lincoln . In 1989,
874-648: The brand gained international coverage from the black Versace dress of Elizabeth Hurley , referred in the media as "that dress". Versace has designed for various music artists, including stage and album cover costumes for Elton John in 1992 and outfits for Michael Jackson . Versace also designed clothing for the Princess of Wales and Princess Caroline of Monaco . After the murder of Gianni Versace in 1997, his sister Donatella, formerly vice-president, took over as creative director, and his older brother Santo Versace became CEO. Donatella's daughter Allegra Versace
920-526: The brand, from designing to retailing. In 1981, the House of Versace released their first-ever fragrance, Gianni Versace for Women. In 1982, the company expanded its offerings to include accessories, jewelry, home furnishings, and china. In 1993, Donatella Versace added the Young Versace and Versus lines, and from 1994 the company began referring to her as co-designer for Gianni Versace. Also in 1994,
966-590: The brand’s apparel and accessories collections for men and women. Donatella Versace enlisted music from South African gqom duo, FAKA's " Amaqhawe " extended play as the runway soundtrack for the Versace Men's Spring-Summer 2019 , collection. 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. Elton John , who has
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#17327987187771012-519: The city of Reggio Calabria on 2 December 1946 and grew up with his elder brother Santo Versace and younger sister Donatella Versace , along with their father and dressmaker mother, Francesca. An older sister, Tina, died at age 12 because of an improperly treated tetanus infection. Versace was strongly influenced by ancient Greek history, which dominates the historical landscape of his birthplace. He attended Liceo Classico Tommaso Campanella, where he studied Latin and ancient Greek, without completing
1058-1164: The company was sold to the Michael Kors group Michael Kors Limited and in January 2019, Gianni Versace S.r.l. became part of the Capri Holdings Limited group for $ 2.12 billion, creating a new luxury group together with Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo , keeping Donatella Versace as head of Creative Design . 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
1104-563: The company's profits in decline in the early 2000s, Fabio Massimo Cacciatori was hired as interim CEO to reorganise and restructure Versace Group in 2003. Cacciatori resigned in December 2003 due to "disputes with the Versace family". In 2004, Giancarlo di Risio from IT Holding became CEO, until he resigned in 2009 due to disagreements with Donatella. In May 2016, the Versace Group appointed Jonathan Akeroyd as CEO and board member. In February 2014, The Blackstone Group purchased
1150-516: The company. Donatella's purview extended to creative oversight, where she acted as a key consultant to Versace. Gianni would also come to employ Donatella's husband, Paul Beck, as menswear director. Among Versace's most famous innovations was his 1982 invention of a type of super-light chainmail called 'Oroton', which became a signature material in his outfits. His suits were inspired more by his experience in female tailoring, departing from masculine Savile Row models by crafting suits that accentuated
1196-508: The costumes for the San Francisco Opera 's production of Capriccio . Versace designed Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney on their 1983 " Say Say Say " video and Elton John 's costumes for his The One Tour . Versace met his partner Antonio D'Amico , a model, in 1982. Their relationship lasted until Versace's murder. During this time, Versace was diagnosed with ear cancer . He was declared cancer free six months before he
1242-558: The course. He was also influenced by Andy Warhol . Versace began his apprenticeship at a young age at his mother's sewing business, which employed up to a dozen seamstresses . He became interested in architecture before moving to Milan at the age of 26 to work in fashion design. In 1973, he became the designer of "Byblos", a successful Genny 's youthful line, and in 1977, he designed Complice, another, more experimental, line for Genny. A few years later, encouraged by his success, Versace presented his first signature collection for women at
1288-497: The development, production and worldwide distribution of sunglasses and prescription frames under its Versace brand to Luxottica . As of 2016 , more than 1500 boutiques operate worldwide; the first boutique outside of Italy opened in the Italian Centre, Glasgow , Scotland, in 1991. In August 2019, Versace produced a range of tops suggesting Hong Kong and Macau were separate countries. Versace apologized, saying it made
1334-628: The etymological origin of the term, may be identified as water wave motifs. On one hand, the name "meander" recalls the twisting and turning path of the Maeander River in Asia Minor (present day Turkey ) that is typical of river pathways. On another hand, as Karl Kerenyi pointed out, "the meander is the figure of a labyrinth in linear form". Meanders are common decorative elements in Greek and Roman art . In ancient Greece they appear in many architectural friezes , and in bands on
1380-462: The famous Safety Pin Dress in 1994 to the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral), and Jennifer Lopez (who wore the iconic Jungle Dress in 2000) and she often chooses the fashion house for her social engagements. In July 2011, Lady Gaga exclusively wore vintage outfits, garments from the latest collection, and accessories from the brand for an entire month. She also donned a Versace ensemble in
1426-448: The firm expanded into haute couture with the launch of Atelier Versace. Versace became known for employing celebrities in his marketing campaigns and seating them in the front rows of his fashion shows, the first to do so. He is also credited with inventing the supermodel vogue of the 1990s, by discovering and featuring major supermodels such as Naomi Campbell , Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista , all of whom he featured both on
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1472-487: The male form and "insisted on men as sex objects". Versace was very proud of his southern Italian heritage and infused his designs with motifs inspired by historical fashion and art movements, especially Graeco-Roman art. This is evident in the company's logo, the Medusa Head, and recurring motifs such as the Greek key . He also allowed his love for contemporary art to inspire his work, creating graphic prints based on
1518-1008: The music video for "The Edge of Glory". In 2020, the singer Elodie showcased the Versace brand at the 2020 Sanremo Music Festival, wearing it on the red carpet and for all four of her performances. She also wore Versace on the red carpet of the Venice Film Festival. She continued to wear Versace and was invited to the Versace FW2020 event. Versace's brand ambassadors have included Hyunjin (since 2023) Zhao Lusi (since 2023), Ningning (since 2024), Cillian Murphy (2024), Anne Hathaway , Cai Xukun (2024), Rosy Zhao (2023). Notable figures who have lent their image to Versace's advertising campaigns include Madonna (in 1995 and 2005), Ashton Kutcher , Kevin Richardson , Demi Moore , Britney Spears , Christina Aguilera , Patrick Dempsey , Jonathan Rhys Meyers ,
1564-569: The musical group The Corrs , Halle Berry , Lady Gaga (in 2014), and Channing Tatum (in 2024). The has been working with several high-profile photographers for its advertisement campaigns, including Richard Avedon , Steven Meisel (1995), Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott (2011, 2014) and Bruce Weber (2016). Among the models who have walked the runway for Versace are Carolyn Murphy , Angela Lindvall , Daria Werbowy , Miriam Escott IV, Christy Turlington , Gisele Bündchen , Kate Moss , Tuki Brando, Graham Love, and Joel West . Versace
1610-460: The runway and in advertisement campaigns. At the time of his death, Versace's empire was valued at $ 807 million and included 130 boutiques across the world. Throughout his career, Versace was a prolific costume designer for stage productions and performing artists. He stated, "for me the theatre is liberation", and his designs were well served by his penchant for bold colors, drapery, embellishment, and an encyclopedic knowledge of fashion history. He
1656-408: The two ever met. Police have said that they do not know why Versace was killed. "I don't know that we are ever going to know the answers", said Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Barreto. Versace's body was cremated and his ashes returned to the family's estate near Cernobbio and buried in the family vault at Moltrasio cemetery near Lake Como . Versace's funeral liturgy, held at Milan Cathedral ,
1702-643: Was a collaborator at the La Scala Theatre Ballet in Milan and designed the costumes for the Strauss ballet Josephslegende in 1982 and Donizetti 's Don Pasquale . He also designed the costumes for five Béjart Ballet productions: Dionysos (1984), Leda and the Swan (1987), Malraux ou la Métamorphoses des Dieux (1986), Chaka Zulu (1989) and the Ballet du XXme Siècle . In 1990, he designed
1748-678: Was attended by over 2,000 people, including Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy , Naomi Campbell , Elton John , and Diana, Princess of Wales , who was killed in a car accident a little over a month later. In September 1997, the estate announced that Versace's brother, Santo , would serve as the new CEO of Gianni Versace S.p.A. while Versace's sister, Donatella , would become the new head of design. In his will, Versace left 50% of his fashion empire to his niece, Allegra Versace . She and her younger brother, Daniel Beck, inherited Versace's rare artwork collection. Allegra inherited her stake, worth approximately $ 500 million, when she turned 18 in 2004. Versace
1794-484: Was climbing the steps of his Miami Beach mansion when a man dressed in a gray T-shirt, black shorts, a white hat, and carrying a backpack shot him in the head at point-blank range with a .40 caliber Taurus PT100 . Versace was pronounced dead at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami , at 9:21 a.m. He was 50 years old at the time of his death. Versace's murder was witnessed by his former UK senior stylist, Dean Aslett, who
1840-514: Was involved in numerous film projects. Versace Gianni Versace S.r.l. ( Italian: [ˈdʒanni verˈsaːtʃe] ), usually referred to as Versace ( / v ər ˈ s ɑː tʃ eɪ / vər- SAH -chay ), is an Italian luxury fashion company founded by Gianni Versace in 1978. The company produces Italian-made ready-to-wear and accessories, as well as haute couture under its Atelier Versace brand and licenses its name and branding to Luxottica for eyewear. Gianni Versace being
1886-592: Was left a 50 percent stake in the company, which she assumed control of on her eighteenth birthday. In 2000, the green Versace dress worn by Jennifer Lopez at the Grammy Awards gained extensive media attention. The dress was voted the fifth most iconic dress of all time and Elizabeth Hurley's black Versace dress was voted most iconic dress of all time, according to a 2008 Daily Telegraph poll. In 2000, Versace began its effort to take control of all aspects of producing and selling its merchandise. With
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1932-478: Was murdered. Versace was known for adoration towards his nieces and nephews: Santo's two children, Francesca and Antonio, and Donatella's two children, Allegra and Daniel. On the morning of 15 July 1997, Versace exited his mansion and walked on Ocean Drive to retrieve his morning magazines. Usually, Versace would have an assistant walk from his home to the nearby News Cafe to get his magazines, but on this occasion he decided to go himself. Versace had returned and
1978-494: Was on vacation in South Beach, Miami, and had partied with Versace a few days prior. Versace was the last victim of Andrew Cunanan , a serial killer who had earlier murdered four other men (including real estate developer Lee Miglin ). Cunanan died by suicide on a houseboat eight days after Versace's murder. Cunanan was obsessed with the designer and often bragged about his close "friendship" with Versace, although this
2024-404: Was one of the first designers to link fashion to the music world. He and his partner Antonio D'Amico were regulars on the international party scene. The place where he was born and raised, Reggio di Calabria , greatly influenced his career. On 15 July 1997, he was murdered outside his Miami Beach mansion, Casa Casuarina , by serial killer Andrew Cunanan . Giovanni Maria Versace was born in
2070-601: 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. 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. Soheil Abedian, of Sunland Group , approached Versace in 1997, proposing
2116-822: Was symptomatic of Cunanan's delusions of grandeur : he often falsely claimed to have met celebrities. However, FBI agents firmly believe that Versace and Cunanan had previously met in San Francisco, although what their relationship entailed is still a mystery. Maureen Orth published a 2008 article in Vanity Fair reporting that Cunanan and Versace had met briefly at a San Francisco nightclub in 1990 (according to several eyewitness claims) and that they could have interacted on further occasions because both were involved in sex-for-hire circles in Miami and San Francisco. However, Versace's family has always steadfastly denied that
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