Gianni Versace Biography

1968

Gianni decides to work as a freelance fashion designer after the trained architect began his design career in his mother's tailoring business and worked for the family business as a fabric buyer.

1972

Versace starts working for Callaghan and the up-and-coming Genny brand, whose fame was due in no small part to him.

1975

First leather collection released in the USA for Complice.

In 1978 Gianni Versace finally set up his own company. His sister Donatella becomes his muse, and his brother Santo takes care of the finances.

In 1979 Versace has his first prêt-à-porter show and opens the first fashion boutique in Milan.

1980s

Versace achieves his international breakthrough as a fashion designer. The image of Medusa, which he used for many creations at the time and which would later be found in the company logo, also dates from this time.

1982

Versace designes costumes for prestigious ballet, theater, and opera performances.

The designer presents for the first time the "Oroton dress" — a light chainmail top, which since then has been considered one of the well-known symbols of sex, money and jet-set lifestyle of the eighties.

1985

In Versace became the first fashion designer ever to be allowed to exhibit creations at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

1989

The designer created his second line Versus, which will be seen at New York Fashion Week in 1995. The designs are essentially taken over by his sister Donatella. Other second lines follow with Instante, Signature and Versace Jeans.

1991

Versace has Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington walk down the runway to George Michael's "Freedom" and establishing the "age of the supermodel."

July 15, 1997

Versace is shot dead outside his South Beach Miami Beach home by callboy and serial killer Andrew Cunanan. After the assassination of Gianni Versace, the Versace fashion empire, worth around 720 million euros, passes to his siblings Santo (management) and Donatella (creative direction). Donatella succeeds in turning the brand into a global lifestyle brand.

1998

Gianni's partner D'Amico leaves the company to build his own fashion brand.

2018

The company is acquired by Michael Kors (now operating as Capri Holdings).