Gianni Versace Retrospective

Fashion designer Gianni Versace was a true pioneer who at the end of the 20th century challenged the fashion industry with his cross-border design. Welcome to an emotional journey into Gianni’s world and his design philosophy that still influences the fashion scene today.

Gianni Versace (1946-1997) became one of the world’s most important fashion designers in the 1980s and 90s. His creativity knew no bounds, but he mixed fresh fashion and art, antique and modern, masculine and feminine. He linked fashion with music, photography and graphic design and was at the forefront of transforming fashion shows and advertising campaigns into pop cultural multi-art works.

Versace’s design was characterized i.a. of challenging cuts and strong patterns for both men and women. His collections questioned sexuality and power and went against the traditional presentation of male and female. He was open about his homosexuality and became an important person in the LGBTQ movement.

‘Gianni Versace Retrospective’ shows about 70 selected outfits for both men and women from Gianni Versace’s glory days between 1989-1997, borrowed from some of the world’s foremost collectors of Gianni Versace’s designs. The main collector is Antonio Caravano from Italy. The exhibition has previously been shown at the Crown Prince’s Palace in Berlin, where it was arranged by Versace expert Karl Von Der Ahé, who also curates the exhibition in Borås in collaboration with the Textile Museum. The exhibition at the Textile Museum is designed by Aia Jüdes.

Gianni Versace Retrospective is a continued investment in the Textile Museum’s vision to be the Nordic region’s leading museum in textiles with a focus on the textile industry, fashion, design, art and innovative textiles. A warm welcome during the exhibition period 30 November – 16 August.

The exhibition is presented in collaboration with Borås TME.