Gianni Versace (December 2, 1946– July 15, 1997) was an 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 was the founder of the Italian clothier Versace. The first boutique was opened in Milan's Via della Spiga in 1978, and its popularity was immediate. Gianni Versace S.p.A. is one of the world's leading international fashion houses. Versace designs, markets and distributes luxury clothing, accessories, fragrances, makeup and home furnishings under the various brands of the Versace Group.

Versace was murdered in 1997.

Early life

Gianni Versace was born in Reggio di Calabria, Italy, where he grew up with his older brother Santo and younger sister Donatella, along with their father and dressmaker mother, Francesca. An older sister, Tina, died at the age of 12 from an improperly treated tetanus infection.

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 later also become a partner with Giorgio Armani.

Personal life

Gianni Versace was openly gay. He met Antonio D'Amico, a model, 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 his male partner D'Amico with a pension of 50 million lire (about $26,000) 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

On the morning of July 15, 1997, returning from his customary walk on Ocean Drive, Versace was shot to death, at the age of 50, on the front steps of his ocean-front mansion in Miami Beach, Florida. He was murdered by spree killer Andrew Cunanan, who committed suicide shortly after the murder and his body was found on a boat. Police reported that Andrew Cunanan had committed suicide using the same handgun that had been used to murder Gianni Versace. 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.

In his will, Gianni Versace left 50 percent of his fashion empire to Allegra Versace his niece, Donatella Versace's daughter. Allegra inherited approximately half a billion dollars (50% of the company) from the Versace fashion empire when she turned 18 in 2004. She has the last say of the sale and other important details in the Versace clothing line.