The Versace Fashion House is now an international fashion company that deals in not only clothing, but also fragances and fine jewellery and accessories and more!
Gianna Maria Versace opened his first boutiqe in Milan's Via della Spiga in 1978, and IT WAS A HIT! Versace quickly became a sensation on the international fashion scene. His designs employed vivid colors, bold prints, and sexy cuts! Later on in 1982, Versace expanded the business into jewelry and housewares, designing luxury furnishings, china, and textiles for the home.
Versace was very proud of his southern Italian heritage, so his designs incorporated motifs inspired by historical fashion and art movements, especially Graeco-Roman art. This is shown in the company's logo, the Medusa Head. He also loved contemporary art. Therefore, he created graphic prints based on the art of Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.
Versace had many innovations for the wearer. One of them being, a type of super-light chainmail called 'Oroton', which became a signature material in his outfits. Versace also had a different thinking method when it came to men suits, as Versace accentuated the male form and "insisted on men as sex objects."
Versace was competing with the Armani Fashion House. In fact, Gianna Versace once said, "Armani dresses the wife, Versace dresses the mistress."
Versace the designer received the American Fashion Oscar. However since his passing, the America Award was given in his memory and a whole ballet was even performed for his memory as well, since while Versace was alive, he designed many stage costumes for Maurice Béjart.