Gianni Versace
Born: 1946, Reggio Calabria, Italy

 

Fashion Designer Gianni Versace was born in 1946 in Reggio Calabria, Italy, he became victim of a cold-blooded murder on the 16th July, 1997. In the early days, his mother supported the family with her small tailor-shop. There, Versace learned everything about making clothes and soon he designed apparel himself, which was sold in his mother's shop. Then, Versace acquired additional skills working in fabric procurement positions. He got his first chance to show his skills when designing a collection for Fiori Fiorentini, a Lucca, Italy based company in 1972.

In the following, Versace designed for the Italian fashion labels De Parisi, Genny (for whom he would later be working again), Callaghan, Alma, and then for Complice in 1974. The work for Complice, which he fully conceived himself marked the first occasion where his own name was included in the brand name.

In 1978, Versace opened his first boutique in Milan's Via della Spiga, still selling other labels to complement his own collections. Soon, with the growing popularity of the Versace style, boutiques started to spread across the globe.


Born: 1946, Reggio Calabria, Italy

First break: Gianni started as a freelance designer for Genny, Complice and Callaghan.

Company founded: 1978 (menswear, 1979)

Based in: Milan

Men’s lines: Versus, Versace Jeans

Selected awards: Occhio d'Oro Award, Milan (1982, 1984, 1990, 1991), CFDA International Award (1993)

Worn by: Bono, Michael Douglas, 50 Cent, Jeff Bridges, Jay-Z, Elton John

Authentic Versace Jeans Shirt Tops Dress Skirt and Clothing are available from a select number of websites.