Life Imitates Art: Gianni Versace

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Jack McCord

July 15, 1997: At age 50, Giovanni “Gianni” Versace took his last breath in Jackson Memorial Hospital, in Miami, Florida. 

On December 2  in 1946, in the picturesque city of Reggio Calabria, the figurehead for one of the leading names in haute couture fashion was born. Giovanni Maria Versace, also known as Gianni, grew up in the quiet parts of Reggio Calabria, a coastal city on the Southern tip of Italy. In his youth, he spent his time watching his mother create and form stunning dresses for her boutique. After his high school career he went on to work with his mother in said boutique, as his debut into what would be his fashion empire. 

After working in many fashion workshops or ateliers, most notably Callaghan, Complice, and for Mario Valentino, he set off to start his own brand. In 1978, Gianni established Gianni Versace SpA. With his brother Santo as CEO, his sister Dontatella as company vice-president and co-designer, and Gianni as the head designer. That year, in Milan, Italy, he had his first ever show, presenting a ready-to-wear women's collection.

Sensual, vulgar, flashy, revolutionary. These are the types of words used by his critics to best describe his work. He was like no other designer before. Instead of focusing on classic leathers, gender-formed styles, and the ever famous styles of haute couture, Gianni used new fabrics, new colors, and new designs. From chainmail incorporations to vinyl jackets, baroque mid-century patterns mixed with vibrant colors, the Versace brand established itself as the kingpin of fashion meets pop-culture. 

Staging his shows more like concerts, Versace's image oozed with pop, attracting the likes of stars like Madonna and Elton John, who aided him in his ever growing popularity. His models were paid exorbitant prices, making for a new job description: supermodels.

Versace didn't stop at just rock inspired clothing, his side projects included perfumes, home decor, and lines of costumes for ballets and operas. In 1989, he dipped back into the roots of the fashion industry, releasing his own line of haute couture, but with his own floral flourish to it. 

As Versace grew older and his health declined, he began passing business responsibilities onto his family members. This was escalated when in 1993, he was diagnosed with inner ear cancer. Though the cancer did not kill him, his life came to an abrupt end when the jealousy-fueled spree killer, Andrew Cunanan, shot him in his Miami home, which he shared with his partner and model, Antonio D’Amico. The reason behind the murder is still largely unknown and debated to this day.

For more than 20 years Gianni Versace graced the markets with abstract art in the form of clothing. He revolutionized the fashion industry, and left a legacy like no other. Today the brand is run by Dario Vitale, who succeeded Donatella Versace as of March 13, 2025 when she stepped down to be the chief brand ambassador. The brand continues to thrive under the ownership of the Prada Group and Capri Holdings.

References

Capri Holdings Enters Into Definitive Agreement to Sell Versace to Prada S.p.A. (2025, April 10). Capri Holdings Limited. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://www.capriholdings.com/news-releases/news-releases-details/2025/Capri-Holdings-Enters-Into-Definitive-Agreement-to-Sell-Versace-to-Prada-S-p-A-/default.aspx

Kautz, J. (2025, August 21). Gianni Versace | Death, House, Partner, Killer, Biography, Fashion Designs, & Facts. Britannica. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gianni-Versace

Lavietes, M. (2025, March 13). Donatella Versace steps down as head of Versace. NBC News. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/donatella-versace-steps-head-versace-rcna196196

Medium. (2023, July 5th). What Makes Versace Unique? Medium. https://medium.com/@storealimie/what-makes-versace-unique-35daa201cb7d

Ross, R. L. (n.d.). Murder of Gianni Versace | Research Starters. EBSCO. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/murder-gianni-versace