Theater, Opera and Ballet was incomplete without him!

Gianni Versace was born on December 2 in Reggie Calabria’s, 1946. He was a magnetic and proficient Italian designer for all kinds of clothing. He was influenced by modern abstract art. He was highly regarded as one of the greatly vibrant and gifted designers belonging to the second half of the twentieth century.

Gianni was brought up along with his siblings Montello and Santo by their parents. Their mother Francesca was herself a dressmaker. He started to learn the art from his childhood days itself. He helped his mother to get gold braid and precious stones to be embroidered to dresses. When he was 25, he finished studying architecture and moved on to Milan to work as a fashion designer.

Versace, the Designer

Versace could draw the attention of the head-hunters at Callaghan and Gunny with his knits in the seventies. He was hired by Complice and asked to create designs for their suede and leather collections. In 975, he presented his first collection on leather. After he tasted success he presented his first collection for the ladies at the Palazzo Della Permanente Art Museum in Milan in 1978 and was signed with his own name. In September the same year, he presented a collection for men as well.

He felt that he was more of a tailor than a designer. He was a specialist in cutting and sewing the clothes the way he wanted. He personally tried the men’s collection and made his sister Daniela try the women’s clothes that he made. His clothing imparted a sexy, aggressive and young look to the women folk who wore them. He wanted women to look like that as well. He also created sexy and skin-tight clothes with high slits and low cuts on skirts. He revived the cat suit and brought to light again the mini skirt and tights to be worn as trousers. Versace paid great attention to his own image. In the year 1979, he went into favotrable collaboration with Richard Avalon, an American photographer. His metal mesh dresses made with fine metal in 1982 were an instant hit.

In the same year, Versace won the first award that was to elevate his carrier. It was the “L'Occhio d'Oro" for 1982-83 for the winter/fall collection for women. In the same year he went into contract with a famous ballet troupe and designed clothes for them.

In about 10 years, an empire worth $808 was built by him. He made use of celebrities like Jon Bon Jovi, Madonna, Naomi Campbell, Tina Turner and Tupac Shakur as models for his print and runway ads. He was the first Italian designer to actually hire world-class photographer like Richard Avedon and photograph his advertising campaigns. Being also referred to as a rock-and-roll designer, his clients included Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, George Michael, Eric Clapton and Elton John. Princess of Wales, Diana also got clothes made for herself. Princess of Hanover, Caroline also followed suit.

Unlike other designers, in 1982, he found a new passion in designing clothes for opera, theater and ballet. He began to work in close association with Maurice Bejart, a famous choreographer. He designed jewelry, accessories, china and furnishings as well. He was the costume designer for the TV series called Miami Vice. For this he moved on to Miami.

He created costumes for another ballet called "Lieb und Leid" in 1983. By this time he was able to display his fusion that came about due to his technological research. An art show pertaining to the current day fashion was organized in Paris in 1985. This show brought together the works of many renowned artists on Versace’s fashion. Versace was greatly inspired by youngsters. He was invited by a large group of students in London to lecture on his works and describe his show called ‘Arte e moda’ at the Victoria & Albert Museum. This was followed by a series of awards and shows under his name.

Awards and Shows

In1986: A year with lots of shows and awards. The decoration called "Commendatore della Repubblica Italiana" was conferred on him by president of Italy. He was also assigned the "Grande Medaille de Vermeil de la Ville de Paris" by Jacques Chirac.

In 1987: Versace designs the costumes for a stage show called ‘Salome,’ "Leda and the Swan" etc. A book was published in the same year called "Versace Teatro". He also designs for a Russian ballet that drew a lot of attention in that country.

In 1988: He designs stage costumes for various shows in Paris. The same year he was nominated for the most innovative and creative designer for men.

In 1989: ‘Atelier Versace’ was opened which was to be the workshop from where greatest fashion models were to be created. An exhibition displaying works for over 25 years of theater and stage costumes was held in Milan. In Milan, the same year saw the new line for youngsters by Versace known as the ‘Versus.’

In 1990: A fashion show was organized in Hotel Ritz, Paris. He also opened a second boutique in New York. It was also the eleventh one in the US Madison Avenue.

In 1991: A show called the ‘Versace Teatro’ was organized at the Royal College of Art, London. He launched a fragrance called ‘Versus’ in the same year. He also opened two fashion stores in Milan. The same year also saw the launch of his classic collection ‘Signature.’ For the fourth time he received the "L'Occhio d'Oro" proclaiming him as the most creative designer of the year.

In1992: Another fragrance “Versus Donna" was presented at a boutique in Munich. His showroom opened in a five storey building at the Old Bond Street. The boutique had a unique collection displaying every kind of modern clothing. It was in this year that Elton John, an ardent fan of Versace asked him to design his clothes for him. His other famous celebrity clients include Sting, Jeremy Irons, Jeff bridges, Mickey Rourke and k. d. lang.

Unfortunate End

He was afflicted by cancer in the inner ear. His health was on the decline. Though not in good health, he would take his regular walks by the Ocean Drive. In 1997, one July morning, he was shot dead just outside his manor in Miami Beach. The killer was later identified as Andrew Cunanan, a spree killer who had committed suicide after the murder. He had used the same gun which he used to kill Versace.

After Versace’s death, Santo Versace, his brother became the next CEO of the Versace assets. Gianni's sister Donatella Versace was named the new head of design and a year later she organized her first fashion show for the Atelier. At present she looks after the production of various collections every year. The name Donatella is synonymous to any celebrity when it comes to glamour and parties. Their regular guests include Liz Hurley, Kate Moss, Sir Elton John, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Prince Charles. Elton John is said to have dedicated his album the ‘The Big Picture’ to Versace in1997.

When fashion is a passion, it could be expressed in many ways, as Versace did!