Versace: myths and realities

A brand with history, mystery and legacy in international fashion.

In the history of modern fashion, there are firms that in recent decades have placed themselves not only in the market, but in the minds of popular culture. Versace is one of them; a luxury firm charged with emotions, success and even deep sadness.

Learn more about its history.

The founder

Italian, young and with big dreams in his mind, this architect began designing clothes for his little sister Donatella. This was the beginning of Gianni Versace. In his twenties, the designer moved to the city of Milan to found the Versace firm in 1976.

The flagship symbol

Medusa is the face of the brand. This logotype is present in the company's communication tools, from its beginnings to the present day. It is said that its founder chose it because of his constant interest in art and because he found myths of beauty in the mythology of ancient Greece. Both the name of the brand and its logo and main symbol today represent total luxury for men and women.

History changed

In 1997, at the height of the music, design and fashion shows that marked that era, Gianni died. The designer was found dead in his Miami home, serial killer Andrew Cunanan was responsible for a crime that, to this day, remains shrouded in mystery.

Donatella Versace takes over the leadership of the firm. In her own words, the entire world looked back at those years with doubts and uncertainty.

The media echo

From its early years to the present, Versace has been characterised by its nods to the pop world. A contrast between the elegance of its forms, its artistic DNA and the mainstream. It was Gianni himself who catapulted various supermodels who became icons of the catwalk (from Naomi Campbell to Cindy Crawford).

On the other hand, who can forget the seductive green V-neck dress that Jennifer Lopez wore to the Grammy Awards in 2000? The photos went around the world and the image catapulted to become one of the most downloaded in history; this prompted Google to create Google Images to make it easier to search for photographs.

20 years later, a recreation of the dress on the same singer became another media craze.

Versace today

Although the creative direction is still in the hands of Donatella, the brand is now owned by Michael Kors. This historic purchase took place in 2018.

Versace today continues to create fashion and lifestyle products including haute couture, high fashion, accessories, jewelry, watches, eyewear, fragrances and exclusive home pieces.