Gianni Versace was born in Reggio Calabria on December 2nd, 1946.
In 1972, at the age of 25, he decides to move to Milan and works as a fashion designer.
In 1975 he presents his first leather collection.
In the year of 1979 Versace starts a fortunate collaboration with the American photographer Richard Avedon.
He creates the costumes for Gustav Mahler´s ballett "Lieb und Leid" in 1983 and in 1984 the costumes for the Donizelli´s "Don Pasquale".
The year 1986 was a year in which awards and shows intertwine; on January 24th , the President of the Italian Republic confers the decoration of "commendatore della Republica Italiana" upon him.
In 1987 Bob Wilson stages Richard Strauss’ "Salome" for the Scala and asks Versace to design the costumes. After this, he was asked to create costumes for more Scala productions.
In 1988 Versace goes to Paris to design the stage costumes for Zizi Jeanmarie´s last recital at the "Bouffes du Nord"; and on January 25th, 1989 the "Atelier Versace" was opening a workshop where high fashion models are created – this was announced at a soiree held at the Gare d´Orsay, attended by Madame Mitterand.
In the year of 1990 his "Atelier" collection is presented in a fashion show in Paris, in the early part of the year Versace opens the second boutique in New York in April.
On January 7th, 1991, Versace presents his show "Versace Teatro" which is inaugurated at the Royal Collage of Art in London. In this year Versace also attends the presentation of his book "Vanitas, lo stile dei sensi" in Milan.
In 1992 the second volume of "Versace Teatro" comes out, published by Franco Maria Ricci; and the fragrance "Versus Donna" is presented at the Versus boutique in Milan.
On February 1st, 1993 the "Council of Fashion Designers of America" assigns the highly respected American Fashion Oscar award to Versace.
In 1994 Versace is in Berlin where he opens a 600 sqm showroom on the famous Kurfurstendamm.
And at last, in January 1995, Gianni Versace inaugurates Richard Avedon´s exhibition:
"Richard Averdon " sponsored by Versace and officially hosted by the Milan City Council in the Palazzo Reale.

Gianni Versace -The story

At the age of 25 Gianni Versace operated his first workshop and clothing store with his mother in Reggio Calabria.
In 1973 he worked with Callaghan (Novara) and Genny (Ahona).
Gianni designed a collection for Alma (a firm located in Bareggio, near Milan).
1974 was an important year for Gianni Versace: the young designer worked under his own name, he already had his own label, he marks the birth of Complice.
In 1976 he moved to Milan to join his brother.
In March 1978 he presented his collection at the Permanent Art Gallery in Milan.
In September 1978 he showed his first mens wear collection. The first shop was in Via Spiga, Milan.
Later he had shops in Paris, London, New York, Madrid, Milan etc..
You can find Versace fashion shops around the world.
A part from fashion he designed, perfumes, small leather goods, lingerie, umbrellas, tiles and other items.
In 1993 a new line designed by G.V. "Home signature".

Gianni said: "I've always said that I would like to mix rock and simplicity because this is fashion, they are the extremes chic and shock."
He had international success with his work for Prada, Jil Sander and Helmut Lang.

Vocabulary

award Preis
collaboration Zusammenarbeit
inauguration - feierliche Eröffnung
label Marke
lingerie - Unterwäsche
recital Konzert
soiree Abendgesellschaft
to announce - ankündigen
to assign - zuteilen
to attend - teilnehmen
to confer sth. (mit etwas) beauftragen
to host (eine Ausstellung etc.) ausrichten
to intertwine sich verflechten
to publish - veröffentlichen
umbrellas Regenschirme

By Dorothee and Anja

Sources

http://194.244.15.18/stilisti/versace/e/default.htm

Timeline Fashion

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