Editing Versace (section)

==History and operations==
[[File:Gianni Versace evening dress vintage.jpg|thumb|upright|left|A dress by Gianni Versace]]

=== Gianni Versace, the beginning ===
Gianni Versace worked from an early age alongside his mother in the family tailor's shop until 5 February 1972. On that day, he left [[Reggio Calabria]] to move to [[Milan]], where he initially designed collections for Florentine Flowers. Later that year, he collaborated with De Parisini di Santa Margherita, and his name began to circulate in fashion circles.

In 1976, Gianni's older brother, [[Santo Versace]], who had an economics and business degree and an office in [[Messina]], joined him in [[Milan]]. Together with Claudio Luti, they decided to open a company bearing Gianni's name. By March 1978, the first Versace collection was showcased at La Permanente in Milan, garnering great appreciation.

===Gianni Versace, 1978–1997===
In 1972, [[Gianni Versace]] designed his first collections for Callaghan, Genny, and Complice.

In 1978, the company launched under the name "Gianni Versace Donna"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.versace.com/us/en-us/about-us/company-profile.html|title=Brand History|website=Versace|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203005509/https://www.versace.com/us/en-us/about-us/company-profile.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and opened its first boutique in Milan's [[Via della Spiga]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fashionintime.org/history-of-versace/ |title=History of Versace |publisher=Fashion in Time |date=28 January 2011 |access-date=2014-08-14 |author=Matthew |archive-date=14 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814190433/http://www.fashionintime.org/history-of-versace/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/g/gianni-versace/ |title=Gianni Versace profile |publisher=[[Victoria and Albert Museum]] |date=12 January 2003 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026191321/http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/g/gianni-versace/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Gianni independently controlled much of the brand, from designing to retailing.<ref name=":2" /> In 1981, the House of Versace released their first-ever fragrance, Gianni Versace for Women. In 1982, the company expanded its offerings to include accessories, jewelry, home furnishings, and china.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://made-in-italy.com/italian-fashion/designers-and-brands/versace|title=Versace|website=Made-In-Italy.com|access-date=26 March 2016|archive-date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322164835/http://www.made-in-italy.com/italian-fashion/designers-and-brands/versace|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1993, Donatella Versace added the Young Versace and Versus lines,<ref name=":0" /> and from 1994 the company began referring to her as co-designer for Gianni Versace.<ref>Constance C.R. White (30 October 1995), [https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-990CE7D71639F933A05753C1A963958260.html A 2d Versace in the Spotlight] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314235857/https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-990CE7D71639F933A05753C1A963958260.html |date=14 March 2024 }} ''[[New York Times]]''</ref> Also in 1994, the brand gained international coverage from the [[black Versace dress of Elizabeth Hurley]], referred in the media as "that dress".<ref name=":3">{{cite web |url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG9583568/Not-That-dress-again-Lady-Gaga-wears-Liz-Hurleys-Versace-safety-pin-gown.html |title=Not 'That dress' again? Lady Gaga wears Liz Hurley's Versace safety pin gown |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |first=Belinda |last=White |date=3 October 2012 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=12 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912171635/http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG9583568/Not-That-dress-again-Lady-Gaga-wears-Liz-Hurleys-Versace-safety-pin-gown.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Gundle2008">{{cite book|last=Gundle|first=Stephen|title=Glamour: a history|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jc3fAAAAMAAJ|access-date=1 May 2011|year=2008|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-921098-5}}</ref><ref name="telegraph1">{{cite web|last=Khan |first=Urmee |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3167702/Liz-Hurley-safety-pin-dress-voted-the-greatest-dress.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3167702/Liz-Hurley-safety-pin-dress-voted-the-greatest-dress.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Liz Hurley 'safety pin' dress voted the greatest dress |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=9 October 2008 |access-date=2014-08-14}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Versace has designed for various music artists, including stage and album cover costumes for [[Elton John]] in 1992 and outfits for [[Michael Jackson]]. Versace also designed clothing for the [[Diana, Princess of Wales|Princess of Wales]] and [[Princess Caroline of Monaco]].<ref name=":1" />

===Donatella Versace, 1997–2025===
After the murder of Gianni Versace in 1997, his sister Donatella, formerly vice-president, took over as creative director, and his older brother [[Santo Versace]] became CEO.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/15/newsid_2503000/2503757.stm |title=1997: Versace murdered on his doorstep |publisher=BBC News |date=15 July 1997 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=11 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511004945/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/15/newsid_2503000/2503757.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Donatella's daughter [[Allegra Versace]] was left a 50 percent stake in the company, which she assumed control of on her eighteenth birthday.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |first=Cathy |last=Horyn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/15/nyregion/a-new-half-owner-for-versace-and-she-s-almost-18.html |title=A New Half-Owner for Versace, and She's Almost 18 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=15 June 2004 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018023007/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/15/nyregion/a-new-half-owner-for-versace-and-she-s-almost-18.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/01/1088488097542.html?from=storyrhs |title=Versace niece's $700m birthday gift |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=2 July 2004 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=6 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906222045/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/01/1088488097542.html?from=storyrhs |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/allegra%20inherits%20versace.s%20fortune |title=Allegra Inherits Versace's Fortune |publisher=[[Contactmusic.com]] |work=[[World Entertainment News Network|WENN]] |date=30 June 2004 |access-date=2014-08-15 |archive-date=16 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416234346/http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/allegra%20inherits%20versace.s%20fortune |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2000 the [[Green Versace dress of Jennifer Lopez|green Versace dress]] worn by [[Jennifer Lopez]] at the [[42nd Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]] gained extensive media attention. The dress was voted the fifth most iconic dress of all time and Elizabeth Hurley's [[Black Versace dress of Elizabeth Hurley|black Versace dress]] was voted most iconic dress of all time, according to a 2008 ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' poll.<ref name="telegraph1" />

In 2000 Versace began its effort to take control of all aspects of producing and selling its merchandise.<ref>Leslie Kaufman and Andrew Ross Sorkin (16 April 2002), [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/16/business/versace-family-seeks-partners-to-regain-control-of-stores.html Versace Family Seeks Partners to Regain Control of Stores] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313225034/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/16/business/versace-family-seeks-partners-to-regain-control-of-stores.html |date=13 March 2024 }} ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref> With the company's profits in decline in the early 2000s,<ref name="nytimes" /><ref>{{cite web |first=Hadley |last=Freeman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/oct/04/fashion.italy |title=Versace struggles to regain its touch |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 October 2004 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106184733/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/oct/04/fashion.italy |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Fabio Massimo Cacciatori]] was hired as interim CEO to reorganise and restructure Versace Group in 2003.<ref name="designtaxi">{{cite web |author=Valerie |url=http://designtaxi.com/news/139/Fabio-Massimo-Cacciatori-quits-Versace-CEO/?interstital_shown=1 |title=Fabio Massimo Cacciatori quits Versace CEO |publisher=DesignTAXI.com |date=18 December 2003 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423034143/https://designtaxi.com/news/139/Fabio-Massimo-Cacciatori-quits-Versace-CEO/?interstital_shown=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cacciatori resigned in December 2003 due to "disputes with the Versace family".<ref name="designtaxi" /> In 2004, Giancarlo di Risio from IT Holding became CEO, until he resigned in 2009 due to disagreements with Donatella.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-121351723.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921122358/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-121351723.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 September 2014 |title=Versace Names Di Risio as Ceo and Strengthens Board |publisher=[[HighBeam Research]] |work=[[Women's Wear Daily]] |date=27 August 2004 |access-date=2014-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Meichtry |first=Stacy |url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB124424386979190431 |title=Versace CEO Di Risio Resigns |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |date=6 June 2009 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726201441/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124424386979190431 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Meichtry |first=Stacy |url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB124290568243542989 |title=Bucked by Designer, Versace CEO Eyes Exit |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |date=22 May 2009 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726201427/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124290568243542989 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2016, the Versace Group appointed Jonathan Akeroyd as CEO and board member.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.versace.com/us/en-us/about-us/company-profile.html|title=Company Profile {{!}} Versace US|website=Versace|language=en|access-date=2019-03-14|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203005509/https://www.versace.com/us/en-us/about-us/company-profile.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2014 [[The Blackstone Group]] purchased a 20 percent stake in Versace for {{€|210&nbsp;million|link=yes}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Binnie |first=Isla |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-versace-blackstone-idUSBREA1Q0KE20140227 |title=Fashion house Versace sells stake to Blackstone to fund growth |work=Reuters |date=27 February 2014 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=18 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118051044/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/27/us-versace-blackstone-idUSBREA1Q0KE20140227 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="wwdBlackstone">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwd.com/business-news/financial/versace-sells-minority-stake-to-blackstone-7516741?src=n/newsAlert/20140227-1 |title=Versace Sells Minority Stake to Blackstone |date=27 February 2014 |access-date=27 February 2014 |last=Binnie |first=Isla |archive-date=9 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409124211/http://www.wwd.com/business-news/financial/versace-sells-minority-stake-to-blackstone-7516741?src=n%2FnewsAlert%2F20140227-1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mesco |first=Manuela |url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304709904579408542652711148 |title=Versace Sells Minority Stake to Blackstone |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |date=27 February 2014 |access-date=2014-08-14 |archive-date=14 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914062237/http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304709904579408542652711148 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2018 [[Michael Kors]] offered to buy Versace for two billion euros.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/michael-kors-near-deal-to-buy-versace-for-around-2-35-billion-1537790108|title=Michael Kors Woos Versace in Push for Foothold in High Fashion|last1=Dalton|first1=Matthew|date=24 September 2018|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=2018-09-25|last2=Kapner|first2=Suzanne|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040757/https://www.wsj.com/articles/michael-kors-near-deal-to-buy-versace-for-around-2-35-billion-1537790108|url-status=live}}</ref> Versace announced all Blackstone and Versace family shares were sold to Michael Kors Limited.<ref name="versace.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.versace.com/gb/en-gb/about-us/company-profile.html|title=Versace Company Profile {{!}} UK Online Store|website=Versace|language=en|access-date=2019-03-14|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017234023/https://www.versace.com/gb/en-gb/about-us/company-profile.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The acquisition was completed in December 2018, with [[Donatella Versace]] remaining head of creative design.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.capriholdings.com/news-releases/news-releases-details/2018/Capri-Holdings-Limited-Completes-Acquisition-of-Versace/default.aspx |title=Capri Holdings press release |access-date=12 February 2019 |archive-date=13 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213124759/http://www.capriholdings.com/news-releases/news-releases-details/2018/Capri-Holdings-Limited-Completes-Acquisition-of-Versace/default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2019, Gianni Versace S.r.l. joined [[Capri Holdings]], forming a new global fashion luxury group alongside Michael Kors and [[Jimmy Choo (fashion house)|Jimmy Choo]].<ref name="versace.com" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2018 |title=Michael Kors Buys Fashion Label Versace for $2.2 Billion |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-25/michael-kors-buys-high-fashion-label-versace-for-2-2-billion |access-date=2020-08-06 |website=Bloomberg.com |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109022209/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-25/michael-kors-buys-high-fashion-label-versace-for-2-2-billion |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2018 Versace stopped using fur in its products and in 2020 announced it would stop using kangaroo leather.<ref>Jack Dutton, "[https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion/versace-bans-kangaroo-skin-following-pressure-from-activists-1.965247 Versace bans kangaroo skin following pressure from activists] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925143507/https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion/versace-bans-kangaroo-skin-following-pressure-from-activists-1.965247 |date=25 September 2020 }}," ''The National'' 16 January 2020.</ref> In October 2018, Versace announced its first Pre-Fall season show in New York, scheduled on Gianni Versace's 2 December birthdate.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 October 2018 |title=Versace To Host First Pre-Fall Show In New York |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/versace-pre-fall-fashion-show-new-york |access-date=14 October 2018 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918114136/https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/versace-pre-fall-fashion-show-new-york |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Versace opened its first [[SoHo, Manhattan|SoHo, New York]] boutique.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Turra|first=Alessandra|date=26 July 2021|title=Versace Makes Retail Push in the U.S.|url=https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/versace-makes-retail-push-in-the-u-s-1234887431/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=WWD|language=en-US|archive-date=9 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809085054/https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/versace-makes-retail-push-in-the-u-s-1234887431/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Dario Vitale, 2025–present ===
In March 2025, Versace announced the appointment of [[Dario Vitale]] to Chief Creative Officer.<ref name=":4" /> Donatella Versace will remain with the brand, as Chief Brand Ambassador.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guilbault |first=Laure |date=2025-03-13 |title=Who is Dario Vitale? |url=https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/fashion/who-is-dario-vitale |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Vogue Business |language=en-US}}</ref>

Around the time of Vitale's appointment, ''[[Il Sole 24 Ore]]'' and ''[[Reuters]]'' reported that Capri Holdings had put Versace up for sale and given [[Prada]] preferential access, ahead of other potential suitors, to the company's financial data.<ref>Elisa Anzolin (20 February 2025), [https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/prada-gets-exclusive-four-week-access-versace-financial-data-source-says-2025-02-20/ Prada gets exclusive four week access to Versace financial data, source says] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> By April 2025, Prada announced it was buying Versace for 1.25 billion euros ($1.38 billion) from Capri.<ref>[[Vanessa Friedman]] (10 April 2025), [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/style/prada-versace-deal.html Prada to Buy Versace for Nearly $1.4 Billion] ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref>