Fashion designer, born in Reggio di Calabria, S Italy. He moved to Milan, and in 1973 began freelance designing for the Italian labels Genny, Callaghan, and Complice, before launching his own ready-to-wear collection in 1978. He became known for his glamorous styles, producing a range of siren dresses that became his trademark, and often using innovative materials and techniques, such as his use of aluminium mesh, or of neo-couture laser technology to fuse leather and rubber. He worked with the top supermodels, and his designs had enormous appeal among the stars of film and pop music. He was shot dead by an assassin outside his home in Miami Beach, Florida.
Giovanni "Gianni" Versace (Reggio Calabria, December 2, 1946 – Miami Beach, July 15, 1997) was a charismatic and accomplished Italian designer of clothing and theater costumes.
Early life
Gianni, Santo and Donatella Versace were brought up in Reggio Calabria, by their father and dressmaker mother, Francesca. 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.
Life and career
Versace considered himself a tailor, rather than a designer. The Versace look of the young, aggressive and sexy woman is well-known. Versace was among the first to revive the cat suit, to bring back the mini skirt, to show tights worn as trousers, to bring the bustier out at night and bead it.
In less than 10 years, Versace built an empire worth $808 million. He was one of the first Italian designers to hire world-class photographers such as Richard Avedon to photograph his advertising campaigns, also using the top fashion models for these ads. Versace has been referred to as the rock-and-roll designer and clients include Phil Collins, Bruce Springsteen, George Michael, Eric Clapton, Elton John, and Michael Jackson.
In 1982, Versace opened a new chapter in his career, making costumes for the theatre, opera and ballet.
Some of Gianni Versace's best known clients included: Jeremy Irons, Sting, Mickey Rourke, Jeff Bridges, and k.
Death
The designer battled with a rare cancer of the inner ear. Police reported that Andrew Cunanan had committed suicide using the same handgun that had been used to murder Gianni Versace.
In September 1997, Versace's brother Santo Versace was announced as the new CEO 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.
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