Versace facts for kids
Logo since 1997
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Versace store in Berlin
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 1978, as Gianni Versace Donna |
| Founder | Gianni Maria Versace |
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Key people
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| Products |
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| Revenue |
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Number of employees
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1500 |
| Parent | Prada |
Versace is a famous Italian fashion company. It was started by Gianni Versace in 1978. The company makes fancy clothes, accessories like bags and shoes, and even high-fashion items called haute couture. Versace also makes eyewear through a partnership with Luxottica. The company's well-known logo is inspired by Medusa, a figure from ancient Greek stories. This is because Gianni Versace grew up in a part of Italy that was once a Greek colony.
After Gianni Versace passed away, his family continued to run the company. His brother, Santo Versace, and his sister, Donatella Versace, took over. Donatella's daughter, Allegra Versace Beck, later became a main owner. In 2019, Versace became part of the Capri Holdings Limited group, which also owns other big fashion brands like Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. Donatella Versace remained in charge of the creative designs for the brand.
Contents
History of Versace
How Versace Started
Gianni Versace began working in his family's tailor shop when he was young. In 1972, he moved to Milan, Italy, a big fashion city. There, he started designing clothes for other companies. His name quickly became known in the fashion world.
In 1976, Gianni's older brother, Santo Versace, who studied business, joined him in Milan. They decided to open a company with Gianni's name. In March 1978, the very first Versace collection was shown in Milan. People loved it!
Versace's Early Years (1978–1997)
The company officially launched in 1978 as "Gianni Versace Donna." Its first store opened in Milan. Gianni was very involved in every part of the brand, from designing to selling. In 1981, Versace released its first perfume for women. By 1982, the company started making other items like jewelry, home decor, and even dishes.
In 1993, Donatella Versace, Gianni's sister, helped create new clothing lines called Young Versace and Versus. In 1994, a black dress worn by Elizabeth Hurley became super famous and brought a lot of attention to the brand. Versace also designed outfits for many music stars, including Elton John and Michael Jackson. They also made clothes for important people like Princess Diana and Princess Caroline of Monaco.
Donatella Versace's Leadership (1997–2025)
After Gianni Versace's death in 1997, his sister Donatella became the main creative designer. His brother Santo became the CEO. Donatella's daughter, Allegra, inherited a large part of the company.
In 2000, a green Versace dress worn by Jennifer Lopez at the Grammy Awards became incredibly famous. It was even voted one of the most iconic dresses ever!
Over the years, Versace made changes to how it was run. In 2014, a company called The Blackstone Group bought a part of Versace. Then, in September 2018, the company was sold to Michael Kors Limited. By January 2019, Versace officially joined Capri Holdings, a new group that includes Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. Donatella Versace continued to lead the creative design. In 2018, Versace stopped using fur in its products, and in 2020, they stopped using kangaroo leather.
New Creative Leadership (2025–Present)
In March 2025, Versace announced that Dario Vitale became the new Chief Creative Officer. Donatella Versace took on a new role as Chief Brand Ambassador, focusing on promoting the brand. Around the same time, it was reported that Prada was interested in buying Versace. By April 2025, Prada announced it was buying Versace from Capri Holdings.
Versace Brands and Collections
Atelier Versace
Atelier Versace is the brand's special haute couture line. This means it creates very unique, custom-made, high-fashion clothing. Versace has shown these collections at special fashion events in Paris.
Versace Jeans Couture
Versace Jeans Couture is a more casual and youthful line of clothing and accessories. It's designed for everyday wear but still has that Versace style. Since 2014, this has been the main casual line for the brand.
Cool Collaborations
Versace has teamed up with many different companies and artists to create unique products:
- In 2006, Versace worked with Lamborghini to make a special car called the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Versace. It had a Versace-designed interior! Only ten of these cars were made.
- In 2008, they partnered with AgustaWestland to create a luxury helicopter, the AW109 Grand Versace VIP, with a Versace leather interior.
- In 2009, Versace and H&M released a special clothing line for H&M stores. It included clothes for men and women, plus home items like pillows.
- In 2015, Versace worked with dancer Lil Buck to create a line of sneakers.
- In 2019, Versace teamed up with Turkish Airlines to provide fancy amenity kits for business class passengers on long flights.
- The Versace Men's Fall 2019 collection featured items with the Ford Motor Company logo, celebrating the excitement of getting your first car.
- In September 2021, Versace and Fendi held a unique joint fashion show called "The Swap." Each brand's creative director designed a collection for the other brand.
- In 2021, Versace collaborated with Lady Gaga to celebrate the tenth anniversary of her album Born This Way. They created a special collection, and some of the money went to Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation.
- In 2023, Versace and singer Dua Lipa worked together on a women's collection called 'La Vacanza,' which featured beachwear designs.
Famous Faces of Versace
Celebrity Fans
Versace has always been popular with famous people.
- Between 1980 and 1983, Loretta Goggi was the first Italian artist to wear Gianni Versace's designs on TV.
- Elton John has a strong connection to the Versace family and often wears their clothes.
- Lady Diana also wore Versace often after her separation from Prince Charles and was good friends with Gianni Versace.
- Supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington became famous wearing Versace in the 1990s.
- Other celebrities who have worn Versace at big events include Beyoncé, Cindy Crawford (who wore a famous red dress in 1991), Elizabeth Hurley (who wore the famous Safety Pin Dress in 1994), and Jennifer Lopez (who wore the iconic Jungle Dress in 2000).
In July 2011, Lady Gaga wore only Versace outfits for a whole month, including in her music video for "The Edge of Glory."
Brand Ambassadors
Versace chooses certain celebrities to represent their brand. Some of these ambassadors have included Hyunjin (since 2023), Zhao Lusi (since 2023), Ningning (since 2024), Cillian Murphy (since 2024), Anne Hathaway, and Cai Xukun (since 2024).
Advertising Campaigns
Many famous people have appeared in Versace's advertisements, including Madonna (in 1995 and 2005), Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga (in 2014), and Channing Tatum (in 2024).
Other Cool Things Versace Does
Home Design
Versace was one of the first fashion companies to create home interior items, starting in 1992. They first made textiles and later porcelain dishes with Rosenthal. Now, they partner with Lifestyle Design Group to make and sell Versace Home furniture.
Palazzo Versace Hotels
In 1997, a company called Sunland Group suggested building luxury hotels for the Versace brand.
- The first Palazzo Versace hotel opened in Australia in 2000.
- The second, the Palazzo Versace Dubai, was finished in Dubai in 2015.
- A third Palazzo Versace hotel is being built in Macau.
These hotels are special because they are the world's first hotels designed entirely by a fashion brand!
Real Estate
Versace has also partnered with other companies to design luxury homes.
- In 2015, they worked with Mind Group to design luxury apartment towers in China called the Versace Residencies. They wanted to mix Versace's luxury style with traditional Chinese culture.
- Also in 2015, Versace partnered with ABIL Group in India for another luxury home project.
- They also designed the interiors for the Damac Tower in London.
Watches and Sunglasses
Versace also makes watches and jewelry. Since 2003, they have partnered with Luxottica to create and sell Versace sunglasses and eyeglasses around the world.
Versace Stores Around the World
As of 2016, there are more than 1500 Versace stores all over the world. The first store outside of Italy opened in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1991.
Images for kids
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Versace store in Berlin
az:Gianni Versace
See also
In Spanish: Versace para niños
