VERSACE

Gianni Versace was born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, on December 2, 1946, where he grew up with his older brother Santo and younger sister Donatella, along with their father and dressmaker mother, Francesca.

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-1970s, his 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, Versace presented his first signature collection for women at the Palazzo della Permanente Art Museum of Milan. His first menswear collection followed in September of the same year. 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.

EARLY VERSACE CAMPAIGNS

The Gianni Versace advertisments of the 1980's show the general tone and style of the collections, and what it encapsulated; a young, sexy, bold confidence.

STYLE SENSATION

The Versace Jeans Couture line was and still is a very popular line from the House of Versace. The bold, bright, baroque influenced prints were an immediate sensation and saw many immitations. As is always the case the style trickled into the high street and luckily a member of the A4 blog has a 1980's Marks and Spencer shirt (known then as St. Micheals) with Gianni Versace style print.

The impact of this style saw the high street replicate and mass produce it meaning that it was accessible to those who could not afford the real thing. The style which is synonymous with the 1980's and early 90's.

THE VERSACE WOMAN

Self assured, Confident, Luxurious, wealthy, Jet setter.

 MOTIFS

Gianni took inspiration from his Italian heritage, especially the Baroque period.

The ornate, detailed and incredibly rich motifs and patterns in the Baroque style were interpreted by Gianni Versace into his colourful prints. The curved gold leaves, emblems and goddesses found in Italian Baroque and Neo Classicism are evident in Gianni Versace's prints. The Versace Emblem(Logo) is of a representation of Medusa's head, a nod to the myths and legends of ancient Greece; a theme which Gianni was interested in.

Gold and marble Italian Baroque table



Italian Baroque architecture



VERSACE WITHOUT GIANNI



Princess Diana, Elton John, and David Furnish at Gianni Versace's funeral

 Gianni Versace was shot dead on July 15, 1997, aged 50, on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion as he returned from a morning walk on Ocean Drive. It was his custom to take a stroll to a coffee shop that received international periodicals, to read the Italian-language newspapers. He was murdered by Andrew Cunanan, who used the same gun to commit suicide on a boat several days later.Versace's body was cremated and his ashes returned to the family's estate near Cernobbio, Italy.
In September 1997, it was announced Versace's brother, Santo, and Jorge Saud would serve as the new CEOs of Gianni Versace S.P.A. Versace's sister, Donatella, became the new head of design.
In his will, Gianni Versace left 50 percent of his fashion empire to his niece Allegra Versace, daughter of Donatella. Her younger brother, Daniel, inherited Versace's rare artwork collection.

Donatella Versace

 There are several lines which make up Versace: Versace Couture, Versace Jeans Couture, Versace Home Collection, Versus, and Versace Collection. In addition to clothing and accessories, it also operates a hotel, the Palazzo Versace.
Versace Couture,contains high-end, often handmade garments, jewelry, watches, fragrances, cosmetics, handbags, shoes, and home furnishings. It is the house's main line. Traditionally, this is the only line presented on the runway which is shown during Milan's fashion week, but this has not been strictly the case in recent years.Couture dresses in this line may cost about £10,000 and suits cost approximately £5,000. Donatella Versace directly heads this line and designs a vast amount of the items. The other Versace label named Versace Collection is the second high-end line of the group and is designed toward younger style concious people.

VERSACE NOW

SPRING SUMMER 2010





Spring/Summer 2011

ATELIER VERSACE SPRING 2011



 Under the direction of Donatella Versace the company is still a major brand, although financially it is not as strong as it was in the 1990's . The collections are feminine, strong and keep Gianni Versace's original style intact, with rich textures and bold prints.

CATWALK SHOW FOR VERSACE SPRING SUMMER 2010



CATWALK SHOW FOR VERSACE SPRING SUMMER 2011