Which designer founded the Italian fashion house Versace in Milan in 1978?

Gianni Versace founded the Italian fashion house Versace in Milan in 1978.

Gianni Versace presented his first collection under his own name in Milan in 1978 and quickly developed a distinctive style built around vivid color, body-conscious silhouettes, bold prints, and theatrical references. His designs helped connect high fashion with popular culture, music, and celebrity imagery during the 1980s and 1990s.

The Medusa head became a major Versace symbol, while the house also became known for exuberant patterns and metalwork. Gianni worked closely with his siblings Donatella and Santo, who were important figures in the company’s growth.

Versace is sometimes confused with Giorgio Armani because both houses are major Milanese fashion brands founded in the same period. Armani established his company in 1975; Versace’s own fashion house began in 1978.