History

4/30/18

Gianni Versace

Gianni Versace was one of the most famous fashion designers who brought fashion to the music world. He was an Italian fashion designer and the founder of the “Versace” fashion company. His bold fashion statements allowed him to build a fashion empire that is still known today. 

Gianni Versace was born in Italy and grew up learning about fashion from his mother who was a dressmaker. He began working at a young age at his mother’s sewing business. He gained an education in architecture before working in fashion. 

 In 1972, at the age of 26, Gianni moved to Milan in order to work in fashion. In 1973, he became the designer of “Byblos”, a division of the company “Genny SpA” and in 1977, designed another clothing line for the “Genny” company. Gianni Versace’s success with these clothing lines inspired him to establish his own company.

 In 1978, Gianni established his own company, Gianni Versace SpA, with the help of an italian fashion family named the Girombellis. Gianni Versace made his first presentation of his collection at the Palazzo della Permanente Art Museum of Milan. His first fashion show came later that year. Soon after this, he opened his first boutique and became a fashion icon all over the world.

Gianni Versace became well known all over the word for his unique clothing. He gained inspiration from abstract, Greek and Ancient Roman art. His company soon expanded into Jewellery and homeware as well. Versace became known for working with many celebrities such as Princess Diana and Naomi Campbell. 

Gianni had a love for theater and was an actor as well. Throughout his career, Versace designed costumes for performing artists and stage productions as well. He acted in many films. At the peak of his career, Gianni was shot and killed at the age of 50. His death was a shock to all.

In 1997, at the age of 50, Gianni Versace was shot and killed by a serial killer named Andrew Cunanan. He was taking a morning walk when he was shot on the steps of his home. Gianni’s murderer, Andrew Cunanan, had already killed four people in the U.S before killing Versace. Nine days after murdering Gianni, Andrew was found having killed himself on a houseboat. The police could not find a connection between Versace and Cunanan. They also could not identify a motive for this crime. The reason for Versace’s death is still a mystery to this day.

 Gianni Versace’s funeral was attended by over 2,000 people including many public figures such as Princess Diana. After his assassination, Gianni was survived by his longtime partner Antonio D'Amico. His niece, Allegra, was given 50% of his company. Versace’s siblings, Donatella and Santo took over his company after his death.Gianni’s murder attracted a lot of attention from authors, filmmakers, and other creators.

Gianni Versace created an empire worth 807 million dollars in less than ten years. In this short period of time he became a fashion icon still known today. His company is still active today.

History 

4/30/18

The death of Gianni Versace

Gianni Versace was tragically murdered in 1997, at the age of 50. He was at the peak of his career as a fashion designer. He was shot and killed by a serial killer, Andrew Cunanan. The motive of his death is still unknown. Gianni’s murder attracted a lot of attention from authors, filmmakers, and other creators.

On July 15, 1997, Versace was taking a morning walk alone. He was on the front doorsteps of his home in South Beach, Florida when Andrew Cunanan shot and killed him. Versace would usually go on a walk with his assistant but this time he decided to walk alone. Andrew Cunanan was found dead on a boathouse nine days after murdering Versace.

Andrew Cunanan had killed four other people before killing Gianni Versace. Andrew took the truck of one of the people he killed and used it to drive to Miami. He left no clues as to why he killed Gianni. Three hours after Gianni’s murder, police discovered that Andrew had committed the crime. The search for Andrew lasted nine days until he was found dead. He shot himself with the same gun he used to kill Versace. The police could not find a connection between Versace and Cunanan. They also could not identify a motive for this crime.

Many claims say that Andrew may have met Gianni at San Francisco nightspot Colossus in 1990. Even though this claim could be accurate, the claim has been denied by Gianni’s family. Gianni’s murder attracted a lot of attention from authors, filmmakers, and other creators. There were many shows and documentaries created about Versace’s murder. His mysterious murder interests creators to this day.

His funeral was attended by over 2,000 people. Many important figures such as princess Diana attended his funeral. He created an empire worth 807 million dollars in less than ten years. Gianni was survived by his longtime partner Antonio D'Amico. 

Gianni’s sister, Donatella, took over the Versace label after his death. His niece, Allegra, was given 50% of the versace company as Gianni wrote in his will that she would receive this.

Gianni Versace’s sudden death was a shock to all. People from all over the world are inspired even today from his amazing work. His unique sense of style and his perseverance still lives on today.

History Timeline

December 1946- Gianni Versace is born in Reggio Calabria, Italy. His mother is a dressmaker and he has two siblings named Donatella and Santo. 

1972- Moves to milan to start his career as a fashion designer

Mid 1970’s- Works for many well known designers and starts to become known around Milan

1978- Launches first ready-to-wear collection in Milan, Italy. He stages his first fashion show under his name.

1987- He is awarded the Maschera D'Argento prize for his contributions to theater

1989- He debuts his first couture collection. He creates costumes for the San Fransisco opera. 

1980’s-1990’s- He becomes one of the most famous fashion designers of the 80’s and 90’s. 

1991- He expands his clothing line into a fragrance line as well

1993- He also expands into a home furnishings line. He wins an American Fashion Oscar. He is diagnosed with cancer in his ear and battled the cancer sucssesfully.

1994-One of his most famous creations is worn by Elizabeth Hurley at a movie premiere. He was selected for acting in Look, a television show.

1990’s- He adds two clothing lines, Versus and Instante to his company. 

July 15, 1997- He is shot and killed outside of his home in South Beach, Miami by serial killer, Andrew Cunanan. Police could not find a motive for his murder.

Roschke, Ryan. “American Crime Story: What You Need to Know About Gianni Versace's Tragic Murder.” POPSUGAR Entertainment, 30 Jan. 2018, www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Gianni-Versace-Murder-Facts-43649074. Gianni versace’s killer, Andrew Cunanan, killed 4 other people in the two weeks leading up to Gianni’s murder. Andrew took the truck of one of the people he killed and used it to drive to Miami. Gianni was on a morning walk when he was shot twice. The police found out that Andrew commited the crime three hours after Versace was killed. The search for Andrew lasted nine days until he was found dead. He shot himself with the same gun he used to kill Versace. The police could not find a connection between Versace and Cunanan. They also could not identify a motive for this crime.