More on the Great - Gianni Versace
Gianni Versace, Italian born and eponymous to his luxury brand Versace. Known for his bold, innovative designs, and his influence on the fashion industry which continues to this day. Let's dive deeper into his life and his legacy as one of the greatest designers of our time.
The Early Years
The youngest of four children he was raised in a family of dressmakers where he showed an interest in fashion and design very early, and began working in his mother's dressmaking shop. He went on to study architecture in Milan, but his passion led him to drop out of school and pursue a career in design.
The Early Years
The youngest of four children he was raised in a family of dressmakers where he showed an interest in fashion and design very early, and began working in his mother's dressmaking shop. He went on to study architecture in Milan, but his passion led him to drop out of school and pursue a career in design.
Versace began working for various fashion houses in Italy in the early 1970s and soon started designing his own collections, gaining recognition for his bold, colorful designs. In 1978, he founded his own company, Gianni Versace S.r.l., which later became known as Versace.
The Versace Brand
Versace quickly gained a reputation for its innovative designs, luxurious fabrics, and bold prints. The brand's signature look was a combination of classic Italian style and modern, edgy elements, unlike anything else in the fashion industry at the time. He became a favorite of celebrities and fashion icons, including Madonna, Princess Diana, and Elton John early in his career and this helped the brand's popularity grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s, where Versace opened boutiques in major cities around the world.
A Great Legacy
Gianni Versace's life was cut short on July 15, 1997, when he was shot and killed outside his Miami Beach mansion by Andrew Cunanan. The fashion world was stunned by his death, and tributes poured in from around the world.
The Versace Brand
Versace quickly gained a reputation for its innovative designs, luxurious fabrics, and bold prints. The brand's signature look was a combination of classic Italian style and modern, edgy elements, unlike anything else in the fashion industry at the time. He became a favorite of celebrities and fashion icons, including Madonna, Princess Diana, and Elton John early in his career and this helped the brand's popularity grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s, where Versace opened boutiques in major cities around the world.
A Great Legacy
Gianni Versace's life was cut short on July 15, 1997, when he was shot and killed outside his Miami Beach mansion by Andrew Cunanan. The fashion world was stunned by his death, and tributes poured in from around the world.
Gianni Versace was also known for his philanthropy, and supported a number of causes throughout his life, including AIDS research and education. The Gianni Versace Scholarship, which provides financial support to fashion students, was established in his memory.
Despite his untimely death, Gianni Versace's legacy lives on. The Versace brand continues to be a major player in the fashion industry. With his sister, and longtime collaborator, Donatella Versace taking over as creative director, the brand has expanded to include fragrances, home goods, and accessories, remaining a favorite of celebrities and fashion-forward individuals. He is one of many influential designers and artists who's influence on the fashion world will never be forgotten.
