Founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace in Milan, Italy, Versace is an iconic luxury fashion house renowned for its bold, opulent, and seductive designs. Built on the principle of freedom and fearless self-expression, the brand is recognized globally for its distinctive Mediterranean values and high-status aesthetic. In late 2025, the Prada Group completed a US$1.375 billion acquisition of the firm, marking a new era for the brand under Italian ownership.
Core Business & Product Lines
Versace operates as a designer, manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of high-end fashion and lifestyle products.
Ready-to-Wear:
Luxury clothing for men and women, often featuring vibrant colors and bold patterns.
Atelier Versace:
The house’s haute couture line, which debuted in 1989.
Accessories & Beauty:
Includes leather goods (bags, belts, shoes), fine jewelry, Swiss-made watches (licensed to Timex), and fragrances.
Lifestyle & Interiors:
One of the first fashion houses to expand into home interiors (1992), offering furniture, porcelain tableware, and textiles.
Versace Jeans Couture:
Currently the brand's primary diffusion line following a consolidation of various sub-brands in 2014.
Brand Identity & Cultural Influence
The Medusa Logo:
Inspired by Greek mythology and the founder's Southern Italian heritage, the Medusa head symbolizes captivating power and is the brand's most recognizable motif.
"Rock n' Roll" Design:
Versace became synonymous with the intersection of high fashion and pop culture, designing for icons like Elton John, Michael Jackson, Princess Diana, and Jennifer Lopez.
The Supermodel Era:
Gianni Versace is credited with inventing the 1990s supermodel phenomenon by featuring stars like Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista prominently in campaigns.
Corporate Ownership & Leadership
Current Leadership:
Chief Creative Officer Dario Vitale leads creative direction, while Donatella Versace remains head of creative design.
Parent Company:
Owned by the Prada Group as of December 2025. It was previously owned by Capri Holdings (2019–2025) and the Versace family prior to that.
Global Presence:
Headquartered in Milan, the company employs approximately 9,000 people and operates a network of boutiques across more than 80 countries.
Sustainability & Responsible Sourcing
Versace has implemented a holistic approach to responsible sourcing, focusing on biodiversity and the lifecycle of raw materials.
Material Standards:
Prioritizes materials with third-party certifications like GOTS (organic), GRS (recycled), and the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).
Ethical Policies:
The brand has banned the use of animal fur and tracks the percentage of "responsibly-sourced styles" within its collections.
Hospitality & Real Estate
Versace pioneered fashion-branded hospitality through Palazzo Versace hotels, with locations in the Gold Coast (Australia) and Dubai. The brand also designs luxury residential interiors, such as the Versace Residencies in China and India.