Ocimar Versolato was born to parents of Italian origin near Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1961.
Deprived of an income following the death of his father, an industrialist, his mother opened a sewing workshop which grew into a couture salon. Ocimar was the only one out of six brothers and sisters, who actually enjoyed making clothes for the cream of Sao Paolo society ladies who patronized the salon.
First Ocimar studied architecture but dropped out and started a successful business making accessories. He left for Paris in 1987 and joined the prestigious Bercot Fashion Design School.
After graduating, the young Brazilian joined the Paris couturier Herve Leger, after which he spent two years with the house of Lanvin. He launched his own ready-to-wear line in 1993.
He set up a salon on the Place Vendome in Paris, and presented his first haute couture collection in 1998. His label is now also found on jeans, ready-to-wear garments and lingerie.
In 1996 Ocimar Versolato created a unique collection of 20 costumes for Sonia Braga as Tieta. This was his first commission for the cinema.

Glamour (W)