If you’re a fashion enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of the brand Versace, known for their luxury clothing and accessories. But have you ever wondered if the brand Versus is owned by Versace? Let’s dive into the history of these two fashion brands and find out.
The Birth of Versace
Versace is an Italian luxury fashion company founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace. The brand quickly became famous for its bold designs and use of vibrant colors. Over the years, Versace has expanded to include multiple product lines such as home decor, fragrances, and eyewear.
Introducing Versus
Versus was launched in 1989 as a diffusion line by Gianni Versace. The aim was to create a more affordable line that still maintained the signature style of the main brand. The collection included ready-to-wear clothing and accessories for men and women.
The Separation
In 1997, Gianni Versace was tragically murdered, leaving his sister Donatella to take over as creative director of the main brand. Around this time, it was decided that Versus would become its own independent brand, separate from the main company.
The Sale of Versus
In 2009, Versace sold 20% of its stake in Versus to the Italian fashion company Swinger International. Then in 2016, it was announced that Versus had been sold to American fashion company Capri Holdings Limited (formerly known as Michael Kors Holdings Limited).
So Is Versus Owned by Versace?
The short answer is no – while they were once connected through their shared founder Gianni Versace and ownership by the main company, they are now separate entities. However, it’s important to note that there is still some overlap between the two brands. Donatella Versace, the current creative director of the main brand, has collaborated with Versus on several collections in recent years.
In Conclusion
While Versus was once a diffusion line created by the main brand Versace, it has since become its own separate entity. However, there is still some connection through collaborations and the shared history of their founder. Regardless of their ownership status, both brands continue to be influential players in the fashion industry today.
- Key Takeaways:
- Versace is an Italian luxury fashion company founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace
- Versus was launched in 1989 as a diffusion line by Gianni Versace
- In 1997, Versus became its own independent brand separate from Versace
- Versus was sold to Capri Holdings Limited in 2016
- Donatella Versace has collaborated with Versus on several collections in recent years