For more than 20 years, Gianni Versace's sexy, outrageous, theatrical Couture has captured the hearts -- and the purse strings -- of fashion-followers around the globe. Versace used fashion to reshape public opinion about exhibitionism, sensuality, and taste. His style was...
[more]For more than 20 years, Gianni Versace's sexy, outrageous, theatrical Couture has captured the hearts -- and the purse strings -- of fashion-followers around the globe. Versace used fashion to reshape public opinion about exhibitionism, sensuality, and taste. His style was influenced in equal parts by Andy Warhol, ancient Rome, black leather, and white lace.
Much of Versace's work was done specifically for the theater, opera, and ballet. In the 1980s, he designed costumes for "Don Pasquale," "Salome," and "Joseph Legende" at the Scala in Milan. He traveled to Russia to design costumes for "Ballet du XX Siecle" and to Paris for the premiere of "Chaka Zulu." In the United States, Versace designed costumes for the San Francisco Opera, the American Ballet Theatre, and the New York City Ballet. His designs for pop legend Elton John, as well as his collaboration with photographer Richard Avedon, helped to push him into the next level: designer for the stars.
Versace Couture is by no means less theatrical than his stage costumes. The clothes are playful, colorful, and showy -- almost extreme. He borrowed from Italian classicism, eighteenth-century royal luxury, and rock 'n' roll. In the '80s Versace designed clothes for other labels, but over the past ten years the Versace Group has expanded worldwide. The Versace Jeans Couture, Istante, and Versace Sport offshoot labels are more affordable and appropriate for day-to-day wear. The latest label, Versus, is completely designed by Donatella Versace, Gianni's sister, partner, and muse. Versus offers chic, cutting-edge designs at affordable prices, and are marketed to the young and trendy crowd.
Although critics and naysayers questioned whether the Versace empire could survive the death of its founder, the Versace Group -- now in the hands of sister Donatella and brother Santo -- has remained in the vanguard of the fashion industry. The world was shocked and horrified by Gianni Versace's brutal murder in 1997, but fans can take some comfort in his ever-expanding, ever-creative legacy.
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