Back in January, Versace CEO Giancarlo Di Risio emphatically stated that Versace would not be dropping prices in response to economic pressure. It seems now that he has found another method of courting the consumer with less to spend. Versace is relaunching its second line Versus. The bridge line was originally created by Gianni Versace in 1989 as a project for his sister Donatella.

Versace has signed a deal with Italian company Gruppo Facchini to create clothing and accessories lines for men and women which will be ready for Spring/Summer 2010. A new company, VSV, will be created and Gruppo Facchini's Mathias Facchini will be chief executive. The company predicts turnover of more than 700 million euros in the first five years. The Versus line offers luxury that Di Risio told Reuters is more "aspirational, more accessible."

Versus will open 20 boutiques by 2011. Fashion Week Daily reports that a preview of the line is scheduled for March 1 in Milan.