SimplyAbuDhabi XII

3 7 6 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I I taly is ably represented in fashion and interiors by a raft of capable companies bearing the county’s standard. Versace is among the best known – and most classically elegant. Fashionista or not, it’s a name you will know. The company was established in 1978 in Milan by Gianni. When he passed away in 1997, his sister Donatella took over the reins and has continued to drive the company from strength to strength. The brand is associated with luxury, lifestyle and excellence throughout the world, and that is through a carefully curated series of expansions into other fields. Five-star high-end resorts, private jets, helicopters and supercars. Life is art and so Versace intended to bring art to all areas of even everyday life. From the beginning, Gianni embraced design in its broadest sense. Living is seen as an essential art and Versace products as part of bringing that art to life. As such, he drew inspiration from all forms of art, from theatre to dance, painting and sculpture. The homeware collection was a natural move. In 1992 Versace added a Home Collection, created originally to bring a fabrics collection of sheets, duvets and pillows to the discerning market. Later, landmark porcelain dinner sets were added – created in collaboration with Rosenthal – evocative of a bygone era, stately homes and the wealthy workshy. Medusa, Meandre, Marco Polo, Baracco, Les Tresors De La Mer, Le Jardin De Versace are dinner services with decorative themes that are now accepted as design classics. V E R S A C E H O M E