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 sibling 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 a 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.
