Donatella Versace: A Chip Off the Old Block
By: Boyd Davis

When Gianni Versace was still alive, Donatella Versace was known to the world as Gianni's younger sister.

Born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, in 1959, Donatella is 13 years younger than Gianni.

Despite their age difference, the siblings had a very close relationship and Gianni considered Donatella as his muse.

Donatella started as an accessories designer at the House of Versace. Later on, she would start designing the children's line (Versace Young) and then Versus, a fashion-forward line where Donatella was named Head Designer.

After Gianni's death in 1997, Donatella became the Vice Chairman and Style & Image Director of the House of Versace.

On her first runway show, a lot of designers, including Giorgio Armani showed up to show their support.

Although the fashion world accepted her as a full-pledged designer, the House of Versace experienced sagging sales for two years, while the whole world mourned the death of its founder.

In 2000, the Versace Group finally experience a resurgence in their sales as Donatella bloosomed and became known as Donatella, the fashion designer and not just Gianni's younger sister.

The House of Versace shows its menswear and womenswear line in Milan, and shows its haute couture collection in Paris.

(Donatella Versace on the runway Paris Haute Couture Spring 2004)

Menswear Spring 2007 (Photo by: Giovanni Pucci)

Fall 2007 (Photo by: Giovanni Pucci)

Website: www.versace.com

Press Contact for
VERSUS
Isabel CLAVARINO
Tel: +39 02 76 09 31
Fax: +39 02 76 00 26 35

Press Contact for:
GIANNI VERSACE
Isabel CLAVARINO
Tel: +39 02 76 09 31
Fax: +39 02 76 00 26 35

Address:
VERSACE S.p.A
Headquarters
Via Manzoni 38
20121 Milan, Italy
Tel: +39 02 76 09 31
Fax: +39 02 76 00 41 22

Showroom:
Via Senato, 28
20121 Milan, Italy
Tel: +39 02 76 01 38 71
Fax: +39 02 76 02 13 21
Website: www.versace.com