In what year was Versace founded?

Versace was founded in 1978.

The fashion house began in Milan under the name Gianni Versace Donna. Gianni Versace had already built experience designing for labels such as Callaghan, Genny and Complice after moving from Reggio Calabria to Milan in 1972. His first signature womenswear collection was presented at Milan’s Palazzo della Permanente in March 1978.

That same year, Versace opened its first boutique on Via della Spiga, one of Milan’s leading luxury shopping streets. The combination of an identifiable designer name, direct retail presence and Gianni’s daring aesthetic helped the label establish itself quickly. His brother Santo contributed business expertise, and Donatella later became an important creative force within the family enterprise.

The year 1978 refers to the founding of the fashion company, not to Gianni’s birth or the later dates of major Versace milestones. The house expanded into fragrances in 1981, accessories and home furnishings in 1982, and haute couture through Atelier Versace in 1989. These later developments are sometimes mistaken for the brand’s founding date.