Gianni Versace

For his incredible originality and fearless the late Gianni Versace is my number 4 innovator designer. Born December 2, 1946, in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. In 1972, Versace moved to Milan, where he began freelance designing for the Italian labels Genny, Callaghan, and Complice before launching his own ready-to-wear collection for women in 1978. Until Versace, fashion was an art only targeted to a more discrete clientele. With everyone accustomed to Armani’s tailored distinct suits, Valentino’s sumptuous and glamorous nightgowns, no one would ever conceive dresses and gowns made of innovative materials such as aluminum mesh or techniques such as laser technology to fuse leather and rubber.  Whether we would have worn his first creations or not, his style has become a trademark. His collections were invaded with marked colors, materials, and cuts, with such a sexual approach to the point of vulgarity. For many his design was a discussion about good or bad taste. His versatility and imagination were always in pursuit of new and unexpected ideas making his signature a synopsis of the 80’s and 90’s. His clothes have been worn by icons such as the late Princess Diana, Elton John, and many others.

An intrepid designer, Versace brought energy and art to an industry considered disconnected from the mainstream.  In less than ten years, he built an empire worth $807 million.