Who founded the fashion house Versace?

Gianni Versace founded the fashion house Versace.

Born in Reggio Calabria in 1946, Gianni Versace learned about clothing while working in his mother Francesca’s dressmaking business. He moved to Milan in 1972 and designed collections for established labels including Callaghan, Genny and Complice before creating a company under his own name with support from his family.

The business launched in 1978 as Gianni Versace Donna. Its first boutique opened on Milan’s Via della Spiga, and the label soon became known for vivid colors, elaborate prints, body-conscious silhouettes and an unusually theatrical approach to fashion. His brother Santo handled important business responsibilities, while his sister Donatella became a major creative adviser and later succeeded him as creative director.

The question can be confused because Santo and Donatella were central to the company’s development and leadership, but they did not found the fashion house in place of Gianni. After Gianni’s death in 1997, the family continued managing the brand. The company later joined Capri Holdings in 2019 and was acquired by Prada in 2025.