Name a more iconic designer... we'll wait... No matter if you're in Canada, North America or Europe, everywhere in the World you will find Versace. Gianni Versace was born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, in 1946. After an apprenticeship at his mother's dressmaking business (she totally embraced him for this), he began working as a freelance designer, and by age 25, Versace was creating prêt-à-porter collections for top fashion houses of the time, including Genny, Complice, and Callaghan (a HUGE deal back then). Like Picasso, he was not just 'born with it'. Versace worked effortlessly and in 1978, with the help of his brother, he founded his own company, and only a few years later, following on the heels of a successful fashion collection for women, the first Versace fragrances were released, expanding the luxury associated with his clothing to a whole new realm. Versace has since been a pop-culture reference appearing in and on everything from Kanye West song lyrics to the bodies of almost everyone on the red carpet.