Versus is making a comeback as an accessories brand. The label, which has been out of play for the past two years, will return in August as a men's and women's accessories brand with the launch of a co-branded portable phone-MP3 player with Samsung. “While relying on Versus' brand awareness, which is still very strong, we're starting on a blank sheet…clothing is not a priority for us now,� Giancarlo Di Risio, chief executive of Versace Group, told WWD. “This is an atypical project, which we are kicking off in an innovative way.� In September, a watch collection, produced by Vertime, will be launched and in October an eyewear collection licensed to Luxottica will be introduced. There will also be a handbag and footwear line produced by Italian company Works. These will also launch this fall. Halfway through next year a fragrance will debut. “In accordance with the sense of the name and the origins of the brand, Versus will go against the rules,� said Di Risio, who was chief executive of Ittierre, the company that originally produced Versus under license. According to WWD, Di Risio was considered responsible for the company's success and was regarded as a pioneer in launching designer jeans wear collections in the late Eighties and Nineties. Di Risio was the one who approached Versace with the idea for Versus. However, when he joined Versace two years ago, he removed Versus from the market in an effort to stem the fashion house's debt.

“Versus was always about innovation and research, always ahead, aiming at what customers wanted,� Di Risio said. The new Versus is once again aimed at consumers who are “young in spirit�. The focus is on technology, “which rules our lives…These are items that are fun to buy and gratifying.� He added that the brand will be owned by the Versace Group, but will be independent with its “own development�. There will be a showroom for the line in Milan and it will be positioned in the high-end market range, with sales by 2007 estimated at €35 million. In 2008 the company will roll out Versus boutiques.