(1946-1997)

Who Was Gianni Versace?

Gianni Versace was one of the top fashion designers of the 1980s and ’90s. He launched his first clothing line in Milan, Italy, in 1978. In 1989, Versace debuted his first couture collection. He continued to add to his fashion empire, expanding into home furnishings and perfumes. Throughout his career, Versace designed for such high-profile figures as Madonna, Princess Diana, Elton John and Tina Turner. He was shot and killed outside his home in South Beach, Florida, in 1997.

Early Life and Career

Versace was born on December 2, 1946, in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. He was raised in the world of design, learning his trade at the hands of a mother who ran her own dressmaking business. Versace went to work for his mother after completing high school.

In 1972, Versace moved to Milan, where he began freelance designing for Italian labels Genny, Callaghan and Complice. Versace launched his own ready-to-wear collection for women in 1978. The business was always a family affair, with his brother Santo and sister Donatella working for him.

The Versace Style

Versace became known for his glamorous styles, producing a range of siren dresses that became his trademark. He often used innovative materials such as aluminum mesh or cutting-edge techniques like “neo-couture” laser technology to fuse leather and rubber. The head of Medusa was also a recurring image on many of his clothing items and accessories. He launched his first couture collection in 1989 and added two clothing lines, Versus and Instante, to his business in the ’90s.

Elizabeth Hurley Versace Dress

One of his most famous creations was a black dress held together at the sides by gold safety pins; worn by Elizabeth Hurley at a movie premiere in 1994; the dress helped make the actress a star. Versace developed strong relationships with a number of stars and supermodels, including Elton John, Madonna and Naomi Campbell. As Anna Wintour told The New York Times, Versace “was the first to realize the value of celebrity in the front row, and the value of the supermodel, and put fashion on an international media platform.” He was also one of the foremost designers who showed the power of bringing the fashion and music world together.

Versace’s illustrious career was decorated with numerous awards, including four L’Occhio d’Oros and an American Fashion Oscar in 1993. Some of his most imaginative creations could be found in theaters; the designer was often applauded for his costume designs for such ballets as Richard Strauss’ Josephlegende in 1982, Gustav Mahler’s Lieb und Leid in 1983 and Bejart’s Chaka Zulu in 1989. In 1987, Versace was awarded the Maschera D’Argento prize for his contributions to theater. He also created stage costumes for such pop performers as John, Madonna and Turner.

Expanding the Versace Empire

Versace’s designs have been showcased in several museums, including Chicago’s National Field Museum, London’s Royal College of Art, Japan’s Kobe City Museum and Germany’s Kunstgewerbemuseum. In addition to clothing, the designer expanded his brand in other directions. He launched his classic Signature fragrance line in 1991 and his line of furniture and home goods in 1993. Versace also published numerous books, including Rock and Royalty, The Art of Being You and Men Without Ties.

Death

Versace was only 50 years old when he was murdered outside his South Beach home in Miami, Florida, on July 15, 1997. The beloved fashion designer was gunned down by 27-year-old spree killer Andrew Cunanan, who was found dead in a Miami Beach boathouse eight days later. Versace was survived by his longtime partner Antonio D’Amico. The couple even worked together, with D’Amico designing for the Versace Sport line.

Funeral

Several services were held for Versace, including one at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. A who’s who of the fashion world — from Anna Wintour and Ralph Lauren to Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs — turned out to bid farewell to Versace. Whitney Houston, Jon Bon Jovi and John were among the performers at the memorial.

A designer to celebrities and royalty such as Princess Diana, Versace is remembered for bringing vitality and art to an industry considered out of touch with street culture. In less than 10 years, he built an empire worth $807 million. His sister took over the creative reigns of the company after his death, serving as head of design, while his brother Santo became CEO.

‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace’

The Assassination of Gianni Versace, a 2018 series that focused on the murder of Versace, starredEdgar Ramirez as Versace, Penelope Cruz as sister Donatella and Darren Criss as Cunanan. Executive produced by Ryan Murphy, the series is based partly on the 1999 bestseller by Maureen Orth: Vulgar Favors: Andrew Cunanan, Gianni Versace, and the Largest Failed Manhunt in US History.

In anticipation of the new season’s January 17, 2018 premiere date, Versace’s family released an official statement:

“The Versace family has neither authorized nor had any involvement whatsoever in the forthcoming TV series about the death of Mr. Gianni Versace,” the family said in a statement via the fashion house. “Since Versace did not authorize the book on which it is partly based nor has it taken part in the writing of the screenplay, this TV series should only be considered as a work of fiction.”

FX responded with its own statement:

“Like the original American Crime Story series The People vs O.J. Simpson, which was based on Jeffrey Toobin’s non-fiction bestseller The Run of His Life, FX’s follow-up The Assassination Of Gianni Versace is based on Maureen Orth’s heavily researched and authenticated non-fiction best-seller Vulgar Favors which examined the true life crime spree of Andrew Cunanan. We stand by the meticulous reporting of Ms. Orth.”

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QUICK FACTS

• Name: Gianni Versace
• Birth Year: 1946
• Birth date: December 2, 1946
• Birth City: Reggio di Calabria
• Birth Country: Italy
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: A designer to celebrities and royalty such as Princess Diana, Gianni Versace brought vitality and art to an industry considered out of touch with street culture.
• Industries
• Business and Industry
• Astrological Sign: Sagittarius
• Nacionalities
• Italian
• Death Year: 1997
• Death date: July 15, 1997
• Death State: Florida
• Death City: Miami
• Death Country: United States

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CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: Gianni Versace Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/history-culture/gianni-versace
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: July 1, 2020
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

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QUOTES

• I hate designers who live in an ivory tower. I think you have to be part of this culture, of this music, of our time. If you understand your time, you are a good designer.
• I’m trying to break the border between chic and shock.
• Sexy is honesty. I think directness is sexy, saying what you think, being who you are, not being hypocritical.
• I don’t believe in good taste. I don’t believe in bad taste. I believe in quality and in fun, in things that make our life better or happier.