Versace Handbags

Thought to be one of the most innovative designers of the 20th century, Gianni Versace was born in 1946, in Southern Italy. Versace spent the majority of his time as a child in him mother's care. A seamstress by trade, Versace spent hours observing her making clothes and at a young age, he had already decided to become a fashion designer.

Versace's first foray into fashion design was through the theater and ballet for which he created awe-inspiring costumes made of metal, plastic and leather.

Thanks to his many years designing for theater, Versace gained renowned popularity in the fashion industry, and gained the attention of American photographer Richard Avedon. Avedon collaborated with Versace and sent him on to be considered one of the world's most exquisite designers.

Even though many of Versace's fashion shows were elaborate to say the least, for example his famous 1982 collection of metallic garments, or the glam stage costumes he designed for Elton John in the late 1980s, many Hollywood stars considered Gianni Versace a friend and wore his expensively eccentric clothing with pride.

However, even more shocking then his designs was Versace's murder, which occurred outside his Miami Beach mansion in 1997. At the time of his shooting death, Versace included an extensive collection of boutiques, fragrances and household products. Versace's sister, Donatella, acts as head of the Versace fashion house to this day.

Versace YOOX Collection Handbag - This sexy calfskin leather bag comes in black or white and is shaped like a brassiere. It has stud detailing and an embossed Versace logo for approximately $350 online.

Versace Sedona Large Tote - from Versace's Spring/Summer 2005 collection. It is black or cream Italian leather with double doctor-style handles, a metal buckle closure and silver hardware accents. It retails for approximately $1,500 online.

Versace YOOX Roll Bag - from the YOOX collection, is made of textured, multicolor leather and plastic. This light-stopping bag is of long, cylindrical tube design and is covered with vivid fuchsia, blue and violet leather and trimmed in brown leather with stud detailing, for approximately $400 online.