Alfredo Versace
Designer
The Brand
Alfredo Versace’s rise in the fashion world began when he opened his first store at just 20 years old on 4th Avenue and Sackett Street in Brooklyn. The AV Store quickly gained a reputation for its unique luxury brand clothing, fashion pieces, drawing in customers from across the city. By the mid-1960s, his growing success led to the opening of a second store on Crescent Street and Liberty Avenue, focusing on private garment sales and women's fashion, including tops, pants, and skirts.
In 1975, Alfredo's brand expanded further with a showroom on Broadway and 29th Street in Manhattan, in partnership with John Choi. This marked the start of international sales, especially in jeans production.
As the A.Versace brand continued to thrive, another showroom opened on 39th Street and Fifth Avenue, where men’s clothing was introduced. The 1980s saw even more growth, with new stores opening in Brooklyn and Manhattan. By 1987, the Versace Boutique launched, offering rare perfumes, women’s gloves, scarves, and elegant clothing, solidifying the AV brand as a symbol of luxury.
Paolo Gucci and Alfredo Versace
The late, Paolo Gucci was famously known for once being at the helm of the Gucci Fashion House and making the iconic "GG" world renowned. Paolo Later started the Paolo Gucci Label.
Alfredo Versace's career took a pivotal turn in 1988, when he was approached by the Paolo Gucci Organization. This collaboration marked the beginning of Alfredo's role in designing, manufacturing, and producing for the Paolo Gucci label while continuing to promote his personal brand. Throughout the early 1990s, Alfredo served as the head of the Paolo Gucci label, during which time he also began trademarking the Alfredo Versace brand.
This period saw the AV brand diversify its offerings, producing sportswear, women's garments, cosmetics, perfumes, and men's colognes. The brand's rapid growth led to significant success, including gross sales of $10 million in its first year and $15 million in its second. Additionally, 16 new Alfredo Versace clothing stores were opened throughout South Korea, and partnerships with major companies in Japan, such as Sui Kim Buson, further expanded the brand's reach. By 1995, Alfredo Versace had ventured into sneaker production under both the Paolo Gucci and Alfredo Versace labels, with Foot Locker as a primary distributor.
Present
Today, Alfredo Versace has won numerous awards and the Alfredo Versace legacy lives on through the Alfredo V label, which continues to embody his vision of luxury and innovation. The brand focuses on producing high-end fashion items, including exquisite pocketbooks crafted from exotic materials such as alligator, ostrich, python, and stingray. In addition to these luxurious accessories, the Alfredo V label offers a range of wallets and checkbook covers.
For men, the brand produces designer luxury such as, finely tailored suits, sportswear, wallets, belts, and toiletry cases. The Alfredo V label stands as a symbol of elegance and quality, carrying forward the tradition of excellence that Alfredo Versace has established throughout his illustrious career.
In addition Alfredo Versace has partnered with entrepreneur, Jaian Cuttari, to revitalize and develop the heritage brands with cutting-edge technologies and new perspectives.