Few luxury houses possess a group of symbols as immediately identifiable as Versace.

The Medusa has become the most famous of them. Its mythological presence connects naturally with the House’s fascination with Greco-Roman classicism, while the geometric Greca border provides another recurring architectural element. Versace continues to reinterpret these codes rather than treating them simply as historical decoration. The contemporary Medusa ’95 hardware, for example, develops a motif originally seen in collections of the mid-1990s and combines a smaller Medusa with Grecian-inspired metalwork. Gold, elaborate prints, sculptural hardware and intense colour have similarly become associated with the House, but Versace’s identity has always depended on construction as much as surface decoration.

Gianni’s work with metal mesh is an important example. Pieces preserved by The Metropolitan Museum of Art demonstrate how he used metal with a fluidity more commonly associated with fabric. An early circa-1980 dress combines chainmail-like material with silk, while later designs transformed metallic mesh into draped, classically informed eveningwear. The result was an intriguing contradiction that became distinctly Versace: hard material appearing soft, ancient forms appearing modern and powerful clothing remaining closely connected to the movement of the body. Supermodels and Popular Culture

Versace’s influence extends well beyond the construction of clothes because the House understood early that fashion exists within a wider cultural conversation.

One of its defining moments came at the Fall 1991 show. Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington appeared together for the finale, walking arm in arm while lip-syncing to George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90.” Vogue has described the show as a moment that crystallised the supermodel era. By bringing already recognisable personalities into the theatre of the runway, Versace helped make the fashion show a cultural event with an impact far beyond the traditional fashion audience. ship between fashion and mass culture continued under Donatella Versace.

Perhaps no example is more widely documented than Jennifer Lopez’s appearance at the Grammy Awards in February 2000 wearing Donatella’s green jungle-print Versace dress. Google has repeatedly confirmed that the enormous number of people searching for photographs of the dress helped inspire the creation of Google Images, launched in 2001. It remains an unusual example of a fashion design influencing not only popular culture but also the development of a major internet product. Versace and a New Generation of the House

Following Gianni Versace’s death in 1997, Donatella Versace assumed responsibility for the House’s creative vision. Over almost three decades, she preserved fundamental Versace signatures while developing an identity recognisably her own.

Her Versace remained unapologetically glamorous, but it was also strongly connected to ideas of confidence, individuality and contemporary celebrity. Music, film and performance continued to form part of the House’s creative universe, while Atelier Versace became particularly visible through bespoke work for major international cultural occasions.

Donatella also repeatedly engaged with the archive rather than allowing it to become static. The celebrated Spring 2018 collection, for example, revisited important Gianni-era prints and ideas before concluding with a gathering of supermodels associated with the history of the House. The presentation demonstrated one of Donatella’s greatest strengths: treating Versace heritage as material that could continue to live in the present. , Versace and its then-parent company Capri Holdings announced an important evolution in her role. Effective 1 April 2025, Donatella became Chief Brand Ambassador, focusing particularly on representing Versace globally and supporting its philanthropic and charitable activities. Dario Vitale was appointed Chief Creative Officer at the same time. Capri’s announcement noted that Donatella had led the House’s creative vision since 1997. Holdings to Prada Group

Versace’s corporate history has developed alongside its creative story.

On 31 December 2018, Capri Holdings Limited, formerly Michael Kors Holdings Limited, completed the acquisition of Versace at an enterprise value of €1.83 billion. At closing, members of the Versace family collectively reinvested €150 million into Capri Holdings in exchange for 2,395,170 ordinary shares. The transaction placed Versace alongside Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo within the international luxury group. chapter began on 10 April 2025, when Prada Group announced an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of Versace for an enterprise value of €1.25 billion, equivalent at the announced exchange rate to $1.375 billion. Prada described Versace as a highly complementary addition to its portfolio and emphasised a long-term approach to developing the House while respecting the strength of its heritage. The transaction was completed on 2 December 2025 following the necessary regulatory clearances. Versace consequently joined a Prada Group portfolio that includes Prada, Miu Miu, Church’s, Car Shoe and other businesses. Lorenzo Bertelli, an executive director of Prada Group and the son of Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, became Executive Chairman of Versace. Luxury, the combination is particularly significant. Prada, Miu Miu and Versace possess markedly different identities, allowing the Group to bring together several interpretations of Italian fashion rather than imposing one aesthetic vocabulary across its houses.