Gianni Versace (December 2, 1946 – July 15, 1997) was an accomplished Italian designer of both clothing and theater costumes. He was influenced by Andy Warhol, Ancient Roman and Greek art as well as modern abstract art; he is considered one of the most colorful and talented designers of the late 20th century.
Gianni Versace | |
|---|---|
| File:Gianni.jpg | |
| Born | December 2, 1946 |
| Died | July 15, 1997 (aged 50) |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Label | Versace |
Biography
Early life
Gianni Versace was born in Reggio di Calabria, Italy, where he grew up with his older siblings Santo and Donatella, along with their father and dressmaker mother, Francesca.
Gianni began his apprenticeship at a young age, helping his mother find precious stones and gold braid with which to embroider dresses. He studied architecture before moving to Milan at the age of 25 to work in fashion design.
In the mid-Seventies, his knits drew the attention of head-hunters at Genny and Callaghan. Complice hired him to design their leather and suede collections, and a few years later, encouraged by his success, Versace presented his first signature collection for women at the Palazzo della Permanente Art Museum of Milan. His first menswear collection followed in September of the same year. After presenting his menswear collection he joined Jorge Saud, who would become later, also partner with Giorgio Armani.
Personal Life
Gianni Versace met a model Antonio D'Amico (born 1959 in southern Italy, raised in Milan) in 1982. The couple embarked on a long-term relationship that lasted 11 years, until Versace's untimely death. During that time Antonio worked as designer for the Versace sports line.
Versace's will left D'Amico with a pension of 50 million lire a month for life, and the right to live in any of Versace's homes in Italy and the United States. D'Amico now runs his own fashion design company.
Death
One July morning in the summer of 1997, returning from his customary walk on Ocean Drive, he was gunned down outside his ocean-front mansion in Miami Beach, Florida. He was murdered by spree killer Andrew Cunanan, who committed suicide shortly after the murder. Police reported that Andrew Cunanan had committed suicide using the same handgun that had been used to murder Gianni Versace.[1]
Versace was buried in Lake Como, Italy.
In September 1997, Versace's brother Santo Versace, together with Jorge Saud were announced as the new CEOs of the Versace holding. Gianni's sister, Donatella Versace, is the new head of design. Elton John dedicated his 1997 album The Big Picture to Versace.
Filmography
Costume designer
- Ballet for tino (1997)
- Judge Dredd (1995)
- Shakespeare Shorts (1996, TV series)
- Showgirls (1995)
- Kika (1993)
- Vacanze di Natale (also known as Christmas Vacations, 1991)
- Cin cin (also known as A Fine Romance, 1991)
- As Long as It's Love (1989)
- Miami Vice (1989, TV series)
Actor
- Catwalk (1996)
- Spiceworld (film) (1997) - Scenes were deleted because of his death before the movie premiered.
Awards
- Versace was awarded the coveted American Fashion Oscar on February 1, 1993.
- President of the Italian Republic Francesco Cossiga, confers the decoration of "Commendatore della Repubblica Italiana" on him on January 24, 1986.
Notes
External links
- Official Versace Website
- Versace House on Ocean Drive
- South Beach Magazine Article on Gianni Versace's life in Miami Beach with photos.
- Versace House on Ocean Drive (via Google Maps Street View) Gianni Versace's house as seen from Ocean Drive.
- The bulgarian artist Ilian Rachov for Versace[1]
- The Widower Versace Article on his lover Antonio D'Amico from Out (magazine)