Versace
Versace is a high end fashion designer out of Milan, Itlay. The brand was founded by Gianni Versace in 1978, and started out as a small boutique located at Milan's Via della Spiga. Today the company has over 50 boutique retailers located all over the world. In addition Versace sells through higher end department stores such as Saks Fifth, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstroms.
Versace offers much more than just clothing for men and women but also fragrances, jewelry, and home furnishing. Versace's designs for their mens collections has often times been criticized for a 'futuristic look' of big shoulders and technological detailing.
Gianni Versace was killed in 1997 in front of his house in Miami. His sister Donatella Versace and his brother Santo Versace took leadership of the brand. Versace's marketing has a strong focus on celebrity endorsements. Madonna for example was paid over $10 Million and given 2 years of 'Free" Versace clothing for her contribution in the 2005 advertising campaign. Since then other celebrities such as Demi Moore, Kevin Richardson, and Britney Spears have also joined in on Versace's advertising campaigns. The brand continues to grow and the company's earnings are in excess of $300 million.
