Information On Versace

Gianni Versace was one of the most significant fashion innovators of the latter half of the 20th Century. As well as starting a fashion empire that on his death in 1997 was valued at £500 million Versace is credited with creating the phenomenon of the supermodel and for dressing some of the world's most beautiful and famous women in his time.

Versace was born in 1946 to humble beginnings in Reggio Calabria, Southern Italy Versace was first introduced to the world of fashion by his dressmaker mother from whom Versace learned tailoring skills and designed his first dress at the age of nine. Versace moved to Milan at the age of 25 and without formal training designed ready-to-wear collections for Genny, Complice and Callaghan before presenting his first womenswear collection under his own name in March 1978.

The Versace label grew to contain eight lines including home furnishings, sportswear and a childrens' line. Versace's dream was to completely furnish his clients' glamorous lifestyles. It was a dream Versace lived and the luxury of his own lifestyle was testament to it.

Versace was a dedicated fan of the arts. Versace's work was by no means limited to the catwalk. Versace designed costumes for theatre, ballet and opera throughout his creative life and this coupled with his love of music led naturally to his forging friendships with some of the world's biggest stars.

Versace was widely credited for making the supermodels of the Eighties. Versace caused a sensation by agreeing to pay Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington up to $30,000 each to appear in his shows creating a new hierarchy in fashion.

Despite much talk of selling up just prior to Gianni's death Versace has remained a family-run label. Donatella, sister of Versace who succeeded him in 1997 began her own fashion career designing accessories and in 1993 became creative director of the childrens' line. She also assisted Versace in supervising the advertising campaigns but it was her role as muse for which she was most famous. Having taken over as creative director after her brother's death she has brought the house into the new millennium to continued critical acclaim.

Gianni Versace's murder on July 15 1997 rocked the fashion world and photographs of international royalty, superstars and fellow designers attending his funeral were broadcast around the world. Versace is remembered as a pioneer of sexy, impeccably constructed garments which led a new wave of confident, almost aggressively glamorous dressing for women.