Quote Of The Day By Gianni Versace: 'Don't Be Into Trends. Don't Make Fashion...'

Italian designer Gianni Versace ruled the fashion industry of the 1980s and 1990s. Not only was he a gifted fashion designer, but an innovator too; Versace created unique materials (like oroton mesh chainmail) and new fabric-fusing technology, going further than any other brand at the time had attempted. Versace was born in Reggio di Calabria, Italy, in 1946, to a mother who owned a dressmaking business, foreshadowing his career path. 

After finishing high school, Versace worked as an apprentice for his mother before stepping out on his own. He teamed up with his brother Santo and sister Donatella after years of freelance designing to create the Versace brand. In 1978, Versace opened his first store in Milan and debuted his first women's ready-to-wear collection — from there, the brand became a massive success. Over the years, Versace would dress A-list celebrities such as Madonna, Princess Diana, Tina Turner, Elton John, and Naomi Campbell. He is credited with being one of the first designers to collaborate with celebrities as a way to further elevate his brand, solidifying his status as one of the most influential figures in the industry. Though Versace's life was cut short in 1997 when he was murdered at the age of 50, what he managed to achieve in just a few decades is awe-inspiring. Versace's legend status makes him the perfect person for today's quote of the day. 

Gianni Versace was a trend setter, not a trend follower. After presenting his fall 1997 line, Versace told reporters, "Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live." Versace's take on fashion is especially important for us to keep in mind today, as social media has made us more trend-minded than ever before. 

Gianni Versace's quote of the day is more relevant than ever. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Versace refused to follow trends or create garments according to anything other than his vision of what would flatter women. In his journey to do just that, he would invent new materials and devise design techniques totally different from what any other designer had done before. His quote reflects how he lived his life as a creative — by not buying into any leading trends and style conventions and instead following his instincts to create something entirely new. 

As social media encourages an ultra-rapid trend cycle, our urge is often to ignore what we enjoy in order to fit in. Take Versace's words to heart and free yourself from said cycle. Instead of living your life according to others (whether it is online or in real life), decide who you want to become and carry yourself accordingly. Versace's quote wasn't just about fashion — style is a major outlet for self-expression, and it shouldn't be undermined as a superficial varnish. Fashion can be empowering if you choose to ignore popular trends in favor of expressing your inner self authentically and unapologetically.

• "I don't believe in good taste."
• "It's like I'm already living in the next century. I like to live in the future without forgetting the past. I don't know if my fashion has a philosophical or intellectual meaning, it has to do with people. Stupid or smart, chic or vulgar. What interests me is their stories."
• "You have to break a barrier every day. Fashion, to me, is born and dies every day."
• "In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do."
• "I think it's the responsibility of a designer to try to break rules and barriers."
• "I am not interested in the past, except as the road to the future."