Versace Logo And Its Golden History: Everything You Need To Know | LOGO.com (2024)

Gianni Versace started the design house that would come to be Versace in 1978. Over the design house's history, it would receive several branding changes with according logos to match. Initially, the brand was named "Gianni Versace," named directly from its founder. Several font changes were made in 1980 and 1990, respectively, predominantly due to consumers' changing design preferences.

If you are finding this to be the case in your company, and are looking to reinvent your logo, check out LOGO.com's AI-powered logo generator for awesome templates and customizable features. Gianni's talent for design and an eye for trends made Versace one of the forefront design houses in the industry. Gianni's connections within the music and film industries helped propel the brand into the spotlight.

Versace was founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace and has been focused on premium clothing and luxury items with a focus on Italian design ques. Throughout this article, we will be looking at the original design of the Versace logo, along with the development and history of the logo.

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Who Designed The Versace Logo?

Who made the Versace logo? Gianni Versace was responsible for designing the Versace Logo. It was in 1993 when he came up with the idea of having the Medusa's head as the main focus of the logo.

While the Versace brand started in 1978, Gianni did not release a logo for the company until 1980, at the time only featuring the name Gianni Versace. During this time, the brand (then named Gianni Versace) released their first full collection, Haute Couture, in 1989.

It was not until 1993, over a decade after the first logo was debuted, that the now famed Medusa's head was introduced as a staple of the brand.

The selection of the Gorgon Medusa is one that drew many questions. However, the choice of such a notable emblem doubtlessly assisted in the propulsion of the brand to international acclaim.

In 1997 Versace underwent yet another logo change, finally dropping the Gianni portion of the name, officially taking on the famed name Versace. The Medusa's head was kept from the 1993 logo change. However, the font was changed to be a bold font to match the brand's new name and look.

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Tragically, in 1997, tragedy struck both Versace as a brand and Gianni Versace personally. On July 15, 1997, Gianni was shot and killed outside his Miami home by Andrew Cunnan.

Conspiracy and questions surround the motive of Cunnan along with the connection between him and Versace. However, Cunnan was obsessed with Gianni Versace.

After Gianni's premature death, the brand was taken over by his two siblings, Donatella and Santo Versace.

Santo became the new CEO while Donatella became the brand's new creative director. During this time, the brand declined in popularity, and profits soon followed, resulting in CEOs' rotation over several years. Ultimately, all CEO's who departed the company cites disagreements between them and the Versace family as the reason for departure.

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In 2008, Versace underwent yet another logo change, switching the layout of the logo, now with the "Versace" name on top, with the Medusa head emblem below, inverted from previous iterations.

This would be the most recent change to the Versace logo (as of the publication of this article). However, the colouring and layout would continue to vary from product to product.

What Does Versace Logo Mean?

The Versace logo is the head of Medusa, a Greek mythological figure. The logo came from the floor of ruins in the area of Reggio Calabria that the Versace siblings played in as children.

Gianni Versace chose Medusa as the logo because she made people fall in love with her and they had no way back.

What Does Medusa Stand For?

The origin of the Medusa image in Greek mythology, Medusa is a monster created by the Goddess Athena. In Greek mythology, Medusa, also called Gorgo, was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, generally described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Those who gazed into her eyes would turn to stone.

Supposedly, Gianni wanted his designs to emulate the shock and beauty that one feels when seeing Medusa's head for the first time.

While others have made additional parallels between the mythology of Medusa and the Versace brand, Versace themselves have given little backstory regarding the origin of the emblem.

Some have highlighted the irony behind using Medusa's head in the logo of a fashion house, as the myth of Medusa serves as a warning against vanity and lust, with some connecting "fashion" as a genre with those character traits.

Versace would move to diversify their offerings, including the release of Versace editions of Lamborghini cars and AgustaWestland helicopters. They also partnered with investors to launch a series of Versace Palazzo hotels. All these offshoots of the primary Versace design house would carry on the Versace logo and Medusa emblem, furthering the design's popularity.

Initially, the design for the Versace logo dictated the emblem be black with a white background, however, the logo changes colour with a notable frequency between product lines, showing up as colour matched with clothing, or as silver or gold on jewelry and other accessories. While traditionally inadvisable for a brand, this trait could be regarded as a testament to the logo retention of the Medusa emblem.

The brand has often been described as the "rock and roll designer," referencing its extensive roster of celebrity clientele. These customers often flaunted their latest purchases on the red carpet, on social media, and in music videos, propelling the Medusa Head logo into a level of a cultural phenom.

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Versace has fully embraced the Medusa symbol as part of their brand identity, encouraging designs that evoke emotion similar to those found when confronted by Medusa. They welcome the paradoxical nature of the character, boasting indescribable beauty while radiating a (literally) petrifying fear.

At the same time, the Versace logo emanates simplicity. It is styled with inspiration from ancient greek design, invoking a timeless and graceful design similar to the garments worn by those featured in Greek mythology.

The storied and intricate past of the Versace brand (and by extension, their logo) details an inspired artist who was able to leverage a brand to become an international fashion and design icon.

The growth of the brand beyond Gianni Versace is a testament to the resilience of Versace's identity. Donatella Versace said her brother's reasoning for using Medusa's head was "whoever falls in love with Medusa can't flee from her," and it is clear that today many have fallen for the brand.

Best Gianni Versace Quotes

  • "Decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live."
  • "Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are."
  • "In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do."
  • "I am not interested in the past, except as the road to the future."
  • "Do not go into trends. Do not allow fashion take you over, choose who you want to be and what do you want to show with your clothes and lifestyle."
  • "That is the key of this collection, being yourself. Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live."
  • "Glamour is back, but with a minimalist touch."
  • "I think it's the responsibility of a designer to try to break rules and barriers."
  • "Fashion goes with the feeling of the moment. It's related to movies, to art, to young people's taste."
  • "I never fall down. I always fight."
  • "I have a fantastic relationship with money. I use it to buy my freedom."
  • "It is nice to have valid competition; it pushes you to do better."
  • "I want to be the joy to people through my work."

5 Facts About Versace That You Didn't Know

1. In 2000, Donatella Versace sent Jennifer Lopez a dress for her appearance at the Grammy Awards, the dress received such a huge media coverage that Google registered the user behavior as a sign to introduce the ‘Google image’ as an option when people search for something visually and find the desired pictures.

2. Versace is the main line that is often seen on the runway, whereas Versace Collection is a licenced diffusion line that only includes specific elements of the Gianni Versace brand with a younger and quirkier spin. What’s more, Versace Collection uses less expensive materials so it’s generally more affordable.

3. Before being murdered, Versace presented his final collection at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Fifteen years after his death, Donatella hosted a fashion show at the Ritz Hotel in honour of her brother before the hotel closed for renovations.

4. It won't be a lie to say that Versace created supermodels by paying them enormous amounts of money for each fashion show. It is a popular fact that Gianni Versace was a close friend with many celebrities and royalties, including Princess Diana, Elton John, Cher, Michael Jackson and Madonna.

5. No matter how surprising it may be for a person that runs a world-wide fashion empire, Donatella Versace cannot sew and has never made a garment on her own.

Versace Logo And Its Golden History: Everything You Need To Know | LOGO.com (2024)

FAQs

What's the story behind Versace logo? ›

The Versace logo is the head of Medusa, a Greek mythological figure. The logo came from the floor of ruins in the area of Reggio Calabria that the Versace siblings played in as children. Gianni Versace chose Medusa as the logo because she made people fall in love with her and they had no way back.

Who created the Versace logo? ›

Gianni Versace was responsible for designing the Versace Logo. It was in 1993 when he came up with the idea of having the Medusa's head as the main focus of the logo.

Is Versace Italian or Greek? ›

Gianni Versace S.r.l., usually referred to simply as Versace, is an Italian luxury fashion company and trade name founded by Gianni Versace in 1978. The company produces upmarket Italian-made ready-to-wear and accessories, as well as haute couture pieces under the Atelier Versace brand.

What are Versace colors? ›

Meaning of Versace logo

Like most iconic fashion brands in the world, Versace chose black and white color schemes to portray elegance, purity, and substance; however, Gianni changed the wordmarks for the dynamic Medusa logo.

What is the meaning of the word Versace? ›

Definitions of Versace. Italian fashion designer (1946-1997) synonyms: Gianni Versace. example of: clothes designer, couturier, designer, fashion designer. someone who designs clothing.

What is so special about Versace? ›

The eponymous brand, created and envisioned by fashion designer Gianni Maria Versace (December 2 1946 – July 15 1997), is known for its lavish and exuberant style. The main theme behind Versace is the captivating power of women, making the Medusa emblem a flawless representation of the fashion house.

Is Versace logo a lion? ›

The brand was established five years ago, but the lion's head motif is hundreds, if not thousands, of years old.

Who wears Versace? ›

“We see Gen X and older Millennials—who grew up with Versace on icons of the time, from '90s supermodels to J. Lo at the 2000 Grammys—hunting for vintage Versace,” she says. “At the same time, we have Gen Z and younger Millennials, who've been exposed to Versace through current celebrities like Bella Hadid and Lizzo.”

Where does the word Versace come from? ›

Italian (Sicily): from the medieval Greek personal name Bersakios Latinized as Bersacius of unexplained etymology.

Who was the first Versace? ›

Giovanni Maria "Gianni" Versace (Italian: [dʒoˈvanni maˈriːa verˈsaːtʃe]; 2 December 1946 – 15 July 1997) was an Italian fashion designer, socialite and businessman. He was the founder of Versace, an international luxury-fashion house that produces accessories, fragrances, make-up, home furnishings and clothes.

What type of style is Versace? ›

Versace became internationally renowned for ultra-glamorous creations as well as spectacular theatrical costumes and innovative menswear design. Versace's style combined luxurious classicism with overt sexuality. His sensational advertising campaigns featured supermodels such as Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell.

What are luxury Colours? ›

The gold and burnt orange colors are most frequently found in luxury brands that endear their customers with respect, security and quality. The idea of “high class” is more often associated with this color palette, as both colors are known to be rich and luxurious.

Is Versace ring gold? ›

between the classic and the modern. strong lines and elegant shapes are combined with precious materials - 18k gold, diamonds and precious stones that were handled with the most exquisite craftsmanship. the designs of Versace fine jewelry provide a definite expression of the glamour intrinsic to the brand.

When did Versace use Medusa? ›

Meaning of the Versace Logo. When Gianni Versace founded his fashion label in 1978, he simply used his name in large-print as the brand logo. Versace's penchant for antiquity grew stronger over the years, and so in 1993 he chose a Medusa head as its trademark.

What language is Versace? ›

ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD VERSACE

Italian.

Which Versace is the most popular? ›

Versace Bright Crystal Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3 Ounce – The most popular and quite possibly one of the best Versace fragrances, depending on your tastes. It is a juicy mix of fruits and florals that is bright and energetic.

Is Versace better than Gucci? ›

Gucci's brand is ranked #52 in the list of Global Top 100 Brands, as rated by customers of Gucci. Versace's brand is ranked #64 in the list of Global Top 100 Brands, as rated by customers of Versace.

What does lion in a logo symbolize? ›

The lion is a common charge in heraldry. It traditionally symbolises courage, nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness and valour, because historically the lion has been regarded as the "king of beasts". The lion also carries Judeo-Christian symbolism.

Which logo is a lion? ›

MGM has probably one of the most recognizable and famous logos to date - Leo The Lion. The art director of Paramount Studios at the time, Lionel S. Reiss, created the logo in 1917. Originally a real lion was used to create the logo, however, the company has since switched to CGI.

What luxury brand has a lion? ›

Portraying strength, courage, power, wisdom and nobility, the Lion Head has consistently featured in numerous Gucci collections, be it prints for ready-to-wear, Gucci décor or incorporated into the house's initial jewellery designs as fashion pieces in silver.

Does Versace have a dress code? ›

No beach or tourist wear, no ripped jeans or flip-flops. Men do not have to wear jackets. There are 10 suites upstairs all designed with themes.

Who is Versace's favorite model? ›

Naomi Campbell can be considered Gianni Versace's greatest muse. The two had a special relationship beyond a professional aspect.

What rank is Versace? ›

Versace is ranked #64 in Global Top 100 Brands.

Is Versace a last name? ›

The surname Versace was first found in Burgundy (French: Bourgogne), an administrative and historical region of east-central France where the family has been a prominent family for centuries, and held a family seat with lands and manor.

Is Gucci and Versace the same? ›

As Gucci is very popular right now, it's also slightly more expensive than Versace. However, both brands use equally great production methods, luxurious fabrics, and unique design elements in every piece.

Who is the real Versace? ›

In 1978, Gianni Versace had a vision for a new fashion line and opened his first boutique in Milan. By 1997, he had 130 high-end boutiques around the world — and was a global fashion titan worth $807 million.

Who wore the green Versace dress first? ›

One of the most iconic dresses —if not the most—is Jennifer Lopez's jungle green Versace dress with a never-ending neckline from 2000. But before going viral at the Grammys a year before, Donatella Versace wore it to the 1999 MET Gala.

What is Versace Classic? ›

Versace Classic V2 was created as a break-away line of the Versace Couture Uomo collection. More commercially viable than its couture line, V2 designs and manufactures high-quality, timeless menswear at an accessible price for wider distribution.

What are the 5 types of style? ›

Learn about the major writing styles: narrative, descriptive, persuasive, expository, and creative, and read examples of each.

What does Versace smell like? ›

Versace Eros is a fragrance for a strong, passionate man, who is master of himself. Eros interprets the sublime masculine through a luminous aura with an intense, vibrant, and glowing combination of fresh mint leaves, Italian lemon zest, and green apple.

What is Versace values? ›

A WINNING FORMULA FOR A MODERN GENERATION, THE VERSACE VALUES PROCLAIM VICTORY, CONSCIOUSNESS, UNITY, POSITIVITY, DIVERSITY, ADVENTURE AND INTEGRITY - IDEALS AT THE HEART OF VERSACE.

What is the richest color? ›

The color purple has been associated with royalty, power and wealth for centuries.

What are the top 3 best colors? ›

The most popular color in the world is blue. The second favorite colors are red and green, followed by orange, brown and purple. Yellow is the least favorite color, preferred by only five percent of people.

What is warmest color? ›

Absolutely warm and cool colors can be found at 0 (red – the warmest color) and 180 (cyan – the coolest color) degrees. Determining whether one color is warmer or cooler than another can be measured by their proximities to these poles.

How can you tell if a Versace ring is real? ›

To make sure that you can easily verify the authenticity of Versace items we have developed an online authentication system. You may authenticate each item you have purchased through its product label by tapping the NFC tag with your phone.

Which gold is best for diamond? ›

If having a colorless, bright white diamond is very important to you, choose a yellow gold ring with white gold prongs. Otherwise, save some money and get a diamond with a lower color grade. This D color oval-cut diamond is set in white gold prongs to make the most of its bright-white color.

Which color gold is best? ›

There is no technical answer to which color gold is the best (yellow, rose or white). If you're wondering, “Is platinum better than gold?,” the short answer to that is “No.” Visually, platinum is virtually identical to white gold. Check out this elegant 14kt white gold setting from Blue Nile for $390 (setting only).

Who is the face of Versace? ›

Maluma Named Versace Man for 2022 Campaign: See the Photos – Billboard.

Who is the face of Versace 2022? ›

Lily James stars in Versace's Fall Winter 2022 Campaign

The Versace Fall Winter 2022 campaign sees Lily James with the new Greca Goddess bag; the actress interpreting a Versace goddess in images from well-renowned photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.

Who is the real owner of Versace? ›

Blackstone owns 20 percent of the company; while the Versace family remains at its heart, with Ms. Allegra Versace Beck, Ms. Donatella Versace and Mr. Santo Versace all playing important roles in the company.

Who is the face of Versace woman? ›

GIGI, BELLA, DONATELLA: Who can epitomize the Versace attitude better than Donatella Versace herself? The brand's chief creative officer stars in the women's spring 2022 advertising campaign alongside Gigi and Bella Hadid, both regulars at the label's fashion shows.

Is Versace bigger than Gucci? ›

Gucci's brand is ranked #52 in the list of Global Top 100 Brands, as rated by customers of Gucci. Versace's brand is ranked #64 in the list of Global Top 100 Brands, as rated by customers of Versace.

Who is Versace's biggest competitor? ›

Versace competitors include TomboyX, canada goose, Gucci, louis vuittion and Armani.

Does Michael Kors own Versace? ›

As part of the deal between Michael Kors Holdings and the famed Italian luxury brand, the Versace family shall receive €150 million of the purchase price in shares of Capri Holdings Limited. Donatella Versace, sister of late Versace founder Gianni Versace, shall stay on as the brand's Chief Creative Officer.

What religion is Versace? ›

Of course he knew how important Catholicism was to people – we grew up religious too.” The Versace clan – Gianni, Donatella and brother Santo, who founded the label – was raised in Reggio Calabria, just across the water from Sicily. “We didn't go to church every week, but our mother believed.

Is Versace inspired by Medusa? ›

Being Gianni Versace a native of Calabria, in the ancient Magna Grecia (Greater Greece), the company logo is inspired by Medusa, a figure from Greek mythology. Gianni Versace S.r.l.

Is Zendaya wearing Versace? ›

Zendaya is bowing down to the queen. The Euphoria star and Emmy winner is attending the 2021 BET Awards tonight wearing an archival Versace look that pays homage to the dress Beyoncé wore to the 2003 ceremony.

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