Donatella Versace
Born 1955 · Age 70
Italian fashion designer, businesswoman and longtime creative director (and later chief brand ambassador) of Versace; sister of founder Gianni Versace.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth
Donatella Francesca Versace born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, youngest of four children.
Dyed her hair blonde (early trademark look)
At age 11 Donatella dyed her hair blonde at Gianni's persuasion, beginning the platinum-blonde signature look.
Began university studies in Florence
Began studying foreign languages and literature in Florence (Britannica: began 1973); commuted to Milan on weekends to work with brother Gianni.
Moved to Milan to join Gianni
Donatella and brother Santo joined Gianni in Milan to work on the business.
U.S. buyer and press tour
Three-week United States tour to find press and overseas buyers in anticipation of launching the Versace brand.
Versace brand founded; named Vice President
Gianni Versace founded the Versace fashion house in Milan; Donatella assumed the role of vice president and creative partner.
Worked with Richard Avedon on advertising
Collaborated with photographer Richard Avedon on the Spring–Summer 1980 campaign (Avedon's first for Versace).
Won bid for Palazzo at Via Gesù 12 (Versace HQ)
Placed the winning bid at auction for the palazzo at Via Gesù 12 in Milan that became Versace's headquarters and showroom.
Marriage to Paul Beck (reported—source conflict)
Reported marriage to American model Paul Beck; some sources report 1983 (Wikipedia) and others 1986 (Biography.com). Event included here with noted source conflict.
Birth of daughter Allegra Versace Beck
Allegra Versace Beck, Donatella's daughter with Paul Beck, born 30 June 1986; later inheritor of 50% of Versace.
Birth of son Daniel Versace Beck
Son Daniel Versace Beck born in 1989 (exact day/month not provided in texts).
Entrusted with Versus diffusion line; perfume dedicated
Gianni dedicated the new Blonde perfume to Donatella and entrusted her with the Versus diffusion line; he gifted her a yellow diamond ring (sources differ on exact year of 'Blonde' release).
Art-directed Spring–Summer ad campaign
Art-directed the Spring–Summer 1993 campaign for Versace (worked with Avedon previously in 1980).
Published 'South Beach Stories' and donated proceeds
Donatella and Gianni published South Beach Stories and donated all proceeds to ANLAIDS.
Took greater decision-making role during Gianni's illness
With Gianni recovering from cancer of the left ear, Donatella managed much of Versace's decision-making (1996–early 1997).
Named Creative Director and Vice President of Versace
Following Gianni's death Donatella emerged as the house's creative director and vice president of the board; she inherited a stake (Britannica: ~20%) while Allegra was bequeathed 50% and Santo 30%.
Family temporarily relocated to Caribbean
In the immediate aftermath of the murder the Versace family moved to a secluded private resort in the Caribbean.
Gianni Versace murdered
Gianni Versace was shot and killed outside Casa Casuarina (Versace Mansion) in Miami; triggered major family/legal succession events.
Charity shows: Nelson Mandela Children's Fund & Fire & Ice Ball
Organized a benefit show with Naomi Campbell for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund; staged a Fire & Ice Ball show raising $1.8M for Revlon/UCLA Women's Cancer Research.
First haute couture show as head: Ritz Paris (see-through pool runway)
Mounted her first Atelier Versace haute couture show at Hôtel Ritz Paris, building a runway over the pool with glass, echoing Gianni's signature presentation.
Designed the green 'Jungle' dress worn by Jennifer Lopez
Designed the plunging green Versace dress Jennifer Lopez wore to the 42nd Grammys (2000); the image drove huge global attention and is credited with inspiring Google Images.
Divorce from Paul Beck finalized
Donatella and Paul Beck's marriage ended in 2000 (per Wikipedia/Biography accounts).
Palazzo Versace Australia opened
Designed Palazzo Versace Australia on the Gold Coast, which opened in September 2000 — Versace's first hotel project.
Cameo appearance in film 'Zoolander'
Made a cameo in the fashion film comedy Zoolander (film released 2001).
Victoria & Albert Museum Versace retrospective exhibit
Versace clothing by Gianni and Donatella was displayed in a special exhibit at the V&A (Oct 2002–Jan 2003).
Marriage to Manuel Dallori (brief)
Married Italian businessman Manuel Dallori in 2004; couple divorced in 2005 (short-lived marriage noted in sources).
Underwent treatment for drug addiction
After struggling with cocaine addiction for many years, Donatella sought treatment around 2004 (sources say addicted for ~18 years until 2005).
Allegra turns 18 and receives 50% of Versace (inheritance takes effect)
Donatella's daughter Allegra inherited 50% of Versace upon turning 18, per Gianni's will; some reports estimated Allegra's stake at ~$500M in value at time of inheritance.
End of long cocaine addiction (reported timeline)
Sources state she had an 18-year cocaine addiction that ended circa 2005; other sources note treatment in 2004—event included with moderate confidence.
Versus diffusion line dropped (later revived)
Versus was dropped in 2005 (per Britannica) but later revived in 2010 and became a key diffusion/collaboration outlet.
Collaboration begins with Lamborghini (business partnership)
Versace began a collaboration/partnership with Lamborghini to pursue new markets and co-branded projects.
Rodeo Drive Walk of Style honour
Honored along with Gianni Versace by the City of Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive Committee with a Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award.
Appointed Honorary Chairman of Fashion Fringe; FGI Superstar Award
Named honorary chairman of Fashion Fringe (2008–2009) and received the FGI Superstar Award in 2008.
Versace China charity show for Jet Li One Foundation
Staged its first fashion show in China as a charity fundraiser to aid Jet Li's One Foundation after the Sichuan earthquake; designed a Versace/One Foundation logo and limited merchandise.
Donatella named honorary chair of Fashion Fringe (continued involvement)
Active role in Fashion Fringe, continuing to champion emerging designers (honorary chairman in 2008–2009).
Jonathan Anderson & Anthony Vaccarello collaborations for Versus
Under Donatella's stewardship Versus engaged guest designers: Jonathan Anderson (capsule, 2012) and Anthony Vaccarello (capsule in 2013, later permanent leading to revenue growth in 2014).
Christopher Kane appointed to revive Versus
Donatella appointed Christopher Kane to design for Versus in 2009, part of a repositioning effort for the diffusion label.
Donated to Central Saint Martins; Versus revived
Contributed £20,000 to Central Saint Martins' 20:20 Fashion Fund; Versus was relaunched around this period (Versus revival cited 2010).
H&M collaboration with Versace (brand collaboration)
Versace engaged in a high-profile collaboration with H&M in 2011 (per Britannica mentions a 2011 retail collab).
Speaker at Oxford Union
Spoke at the Oxford Union in 2012, reflecting cultural influence beyond fashion design.
Portrayed (and subject of) 'House of Versace' TV film; Lady Gaga song 'Donatella'
Gina Gershon portrayed Donatella in Lifetime's House of Versace (2013); Lady Gaga wrote the song 'Donatella' (Artpop, 2013) inspired by her.
Blackstone purchased 20% of Versace (change in ownership)
Private equity firm Blackstone acquired a 20% stake in Versace in 2014, reducing family control (exact deal terms not provided in text).
Quit heavy smoking
Reportedly quit a heavy smoking habit in 2014.
Appeared in Givenchy AW15 ad campaign
Appeared in Givenchy's Autumn–Winter 2015 advertising campaign, a notable cross-brand appearance.
Major role in design of Palazzo Versace Dubai (completion cited)
Played a major role in designing the Palazzo Versace Dubai; sources cite completion/opening varying between 2015–2016.
Jonathan Akeroyd appointed CEO of Versace (management change)
Jonathan Akeroyd was appointed CEO (Britannica notes managerial changes around 2016), marking further professionalization of the company.
Palazzo Versace Dubai opened
Palazzo Versace Dubai officially opened in November 2016 (Wikipedia); Donatella involved in design decisions.
Tribute show and major 20th anniversary events
Staged a tribute show dedicated to Gianni (Sept 2017) and enlisted iconic '90s supermodels to celebrate his work on the 20th anniversary of his death.
Fashion Icon of the Year (British Fashion Council)
Awarded 'Fashion Icon of the Year' by the British Fashion Council in 2017.
Michael Kors/Capri Holdings acquires Versace (~$2.1B)
Michael Kors Holdings (later Capri Holdings) acquired Versace for about $2.1 billion in 2018; Donatella remained creative leader; family reportedly retained ~€150M (~$176M) in group stock after sale.
Multiple 2018 awards (GQ, CFDA, GQ Berlin)
Named Designer of the Year by GQ UK and GQ China; received the International CFDA Award and Fashion Icon award at GQ Awards Berlin in 2018.
Versace forecasted to hit ~$850M revenue (industry forecast)
Business of Fashion reported Versace group forecast to hit $850M in revenue in 2018, reflecting the size of the business under Donatella's creative leadership.
Jennifer Lopez re-wears the 'Jungle' dress (Versace show)
Jennifer Lopez wore the iconic green Versace dress again for the Versace Milan Fashion Show (first time since 2001), reviving global media attention for the archive piece.
Donated £200,000 to San Raffaele Hospital for COVID-19 relief
Donatella and her daughter Allegra donated £200,000 to support San Raffaele Hospital's intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Versace team assists on Cardi B Met Gala outfit
Donatella's team assisted in creating Cardi B's shiny gold chain look for the Met Gala; involved extensive hand embroidery and craftsmanship.
Onstage Grammys skit with Dua Lipa & Megan Thee Stallion
Took part in a live skit tribute onstage at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards with Dua Lipa and Megan Thee Stallion, celebrating 1990s fashion moments.
Designed Anne Hathaway Met Gala dress
Designed a strapless safety-pin/tweed/pearl-accented Versace gown worn by Anne Hathaway at the 2023 Met Gala.
Humanitarian Award (CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards)
Received the Humanitarian Award for Equity and Inclusivity at the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italia Sustainable Fashion Awards in 2023.
Game Changer Honor at Green Carpet Fashion Awards
Awarded the Game Changer Honor at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards (GCFA) in 2024.
Announced stepping down as Creative Director (transition)
After nearly 28 years as creative director, Donatella announced her departure on 12–13 March 2025; will assume the honorary role of chief brand ambassador and transition to Dario Vitale as creative head (effective April 1/summer 2025 per sources).
Becomes Chief Brand Ambassador (effective April 1, 2025)
Announced to assume the new role of chief brand ambassador beginning April 1, 2025, while Dario Vitale takes over creative duties.
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