Versus Versace is a popular Italian fashion brand that is known for its bold and edgy designs. The brand was founded in 1989 by Gianni Versace, who was one of the most influential designers of his time. However, after Gianni’s tragic death in 1997, the ownership of the brand changed hands, and it has gone through several transformations since then.
Who owns Versus Versace now?
Currently, Versus Versace is owned by Capri Holdings Limited. Capri Holdings is a global fashion luxury group that also owns other well-known brands such as Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. The acquisition of Versus Versace by Capri Holdings took place in 2018 for a reported sum of $205 million.
Previous Owners
Before being acquired by Capri Holdings, Versus Versace went through several ownership changes. After Gianni’s death in 1997, his sister Donatella took over the creative direction of the brand.
In 2009, Donatella sold a 20% stake in the company to an Italian fashion company called Euroitalia. However, in 2012, Donatella bought back this stake and regained full control of the brand.
In 2016, Donatella announced that she would be relaunching Versus as a separate brand under the umbrella of the main label. This decision was made to give more freedom to young designers who were interested in creating edgy and provocative designs. The first collection under this new structure was presented at London Fashion Week in September 2016.
The History of Versus Versace
Versus Versace was originally launched as a diffusion line for the main label with an aim to Target younger customers who were looking for more affordable versions of high-end designs. The first collection was presented at Milan Fashion Week in September 1989. The brand quickly gained popularity for its bold and daring designs that were inspired by the street style of London.
Versus Versace was known for its collaborations with emerging artists and designers, which helped to keep the brand fresh and relevant. Some of the most notable collaborations include those with Christopher Kane, J.W.
Anderson, and Anthony Vaccarello. The brand also collaborated with musicians such as M.I.A., Zayn Malik, and Jorja Smith to create limited edition collections.
The Future of Versus Versace
Since being acquired by Capri Holdings, Versus Versace has undergone several changes in terms of creative direction and strategy. In 2019, Donatella announced that she would be stepping down from her role as creative director of the brand and would be replaced by a team of young designers.
The new design team aims to bring a fresh perspective to the brand while staying true to its roots. They plan to focus on sustainability and inclusivity while continuing to collaborate with emerging artists and musicians.
In conclusion, Versus Versace has had a tumultuous past in terms of ownership changes. However, under the current ownership of Capri Holdings Limited, the brand seems to be on stable ground. With a renewed focus on sustainability and inclusivity, it will be interesting to see how Versus Versace evolves in the coming years.