Gianni Versace was born in 1946 in Reggio Clabria (in
Italy). Thanks to his mother, who was seamstress, young Gianni started to
design. His mother was teaching him and letting him taking pieces of materials
laying in workshop to let him sew rag dolls. When he was 9 he designed his
first dress, 8 years later he sold first model, when he was 22 he created his
own collection of woman clothing. He offen had "business trips" to Paris
and London in order to look at known designers or buy new fabrics with varied
patterns.
From 1972 Gianni's life has started to change. He moved to Milan and
created collection for Ezio Nicos(owner of textilies company Florentine
Flowers). He aimed into a perfect moment when italian products started to take
international markets. After stopping his work in Florentine Flowers he was
working as a freelancer for a lot of companies.
The year 1976 should be
considered as the date of opening the Versace fashion house, when Gianni's
brother - Santo comes to Milan. First collection with Versace label was
presented in March 1978.
Nowadays Versace is not only clothes. It is galsses,
handbags, perfumes, accesories for home, oridinary stuff and china...
Gianni's projects are very orginal interpretation of prevailing trends. They
are perfect mix of intensive colours, life but clarity as well. According to
him, art and fashion are connected with each other.
In the summer 1997, Versace
was coming bach from walk on the Ocean Drive to his palace in Miami Beach.
Suddenly "bang" and the limp Gianni's body touched hot pavement.
Andrew Cunanan killed one of the greatest fashion designers in history.
Nowadays boss of Versace together with Santo is Giani's nice - Allegra. The
most important part of the company, Design Center, is driven by Donatella
Versace - the art director and main designer. To sum up - Versace is the family business.
