Gianni Versace

Gianni Versace, Italian fashion designer known for his daring fashions and glamorous lifestyle. He designed throughout the 1980s and ’9s and built a fashion empire by producing ensembles that oozed sensuality and sexuality. His most famous designs included sophisticated bondage gear, polyvinyl chloride baby-doll dresses, and silver-mesh togas. Versace’s detractors considered his flashy designs vulgar. Unfazed by such criticism, Versace staged his seasonal fashion shows like rock concerts at his lavish design headquarters in Milan, with groupies and paparazzi awaiting the arrival of both his celebrity friends, such as Elton John and Madonna, and he was also one of the foremost designers who showed the power of bringing the fashion and music world together. ### Early Life and Career Versace was born on December 2, 1946, in Reggio Calabria, Italy, he became victim of a cold blooded murder on the 16th July, 1997. In the early days, his mother supported the family with her small tailor shop. There, Versace learned everything about making clothes and soon he designed apparel himself, which was sold in his mother’s shop. Then, Versace acquired additional skills working in fabric procurement positions. He got his first chance to show his skills when designing a collection for Fiori Fiorentini, a Lucca, Italy based company in 1972. ### 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. His designs weren’t merely clothes; they were statements, imbued with a confidence and sensuality rarely seen before. Versace drew inspiration from the grandeur of ancient Greek art, the opulent mosaics of the Byzantine era, and the decadent glamour of the 1920s and 30s. This eclectic mix resulted in collections that felt both timeless and utterly modern. Perhaps the most iconic symbol of the brand – the Medusa head – embodies this fusion of classical mythology and contemporary allure. ### 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. ### Gianni Versace’s Legacy Gianni Versace created a fashion dynasty imprinted with a Versace vision. Every inch of his home, Casa Casuarina, an opulent, ocean-fronted Miami mansion, was covered in the Versace Medusa head. He designed throughout the 1980s and ’9s and built a fashion empire by producing ensembles that oozed sensuality and sexuality. His most famous designs included sophisticated bondage gear, polyvinyl chloride baby-doll dresses, and silver-mesh togas. Versace’s detractors considered his flashy designs vulgar. Unfazed by such criticism, Versace staged his seasonal fashion shows like rock concerts at his lavish design headquarters in Milan, with groupies and paparazzi awaiting the arrival of both his celebrity friends, such as Elton John and Madonna, and he was also one of the foremost designers who showed the power of bringing the fashion and music world together. He died tragically on July 15, 1997, in Miami Beach, Florida. Versace’s killer is allegedly a serial killer, who committed suicide in Miami short after Versace’s murder. In September 1997, Gianni Versace’s brother Santo Versace was announced the new CEO of the Versace holding. Gianni’s sister Donatella Versace is the new head of design. Donatella was already in a creative position, designing for the Versus label. Sole heiress of Gianni Versace is Donatella’s eleven year old daughter Allegra. Her son Daniel inherits Gianni”s collection of paintings. Part of Gianni Versace”s heritage are his lucious mansions at Lake Como, Italy, in Milan, Italy, and the mansion in Miami were Versace was killed.