Gianni Versace was born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, on December 2, 1946. After school at his mother’s dressmaking business, he thought about designers work and began working as a freelance designer.
At age 25, Versace was creating collections for top fashion houses. In 1978, with the support of his brother, Santo, he founded the Gianni Versace company. Later that year, the first Gianni Versace collection for women was shown in Milan. Gianni was the challenge of the fashion industry. He was very popular with crowds. For his cuts, prints, brilliant performance and high art culture he quickly earned international praise. In 1982 Gianni won the Cutty Sark and Golden Eye awards for his 1982-1983 Winter women’s collection – in which he presented his famous metal chain-mail dress. Versace also received the Golden Eye in 1984, ’90, and ’91. Also in 1982, Versace began work for Teatro della Scala, designing fashionable costumes for Veronesi’s production. Gianni became a professional designer. Moreover he was member of the international artistic community. Gianni Versace realized that there is no limit for perfection. Versace’s spectacular costumes were featured worldwide. In 1985 Versace was awarded the Silver Mask award for his contribution to the theater. In 1988 the jury of the Cutty Sark Award named Versace “the most innovative and creative designer in the world.” In 1993, the Council of Fashion Designers of America awarded the American Fashion Oscar to Versace, and he was honored by the Italian and French presidents. In 1994 he get started the Versace boutique in the prestigious Berlin. In September, the “Versace Signatures” exhibition opened at the Kunstgewerbe museum. Gianni Versace proved that he is the most successful designer in the world. Also in 1994, Versace published “Designs” the English version of his book. Working with publisher Leonardo Arte, photographers Richard Avedon, Bruce Weber and others, Versace produced three more highly-acclaimed volumes: “Men Without Ties” (1994), “Do Not Disturb” (1995) and “Rock and Royalty” (1996). In 1995 the first Versus fashion show was held in New York. That year, Versace gave support to the Haute Couture exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Gianni Versace died on July 15, 1997 in Miami, Florida. He was a great man and did very big job in fashion world. I think he will stay in people’s hearts forever.