27 Years Without Gianni Versace

BY Beatriz Leal

July 15, 2024

A brilliant designer we will never forget.

This Monday (July 15) marks 27 years since we lost Gianni Versace in a brutal murder outside his Miami Beach mansion. The iconic Italian designer was born in 1946 in Italy.

Gianni Versace founded his namesake fashion house in 1978, instantly making it a symbol of luxury and boldness. His innovative style, known for vibrant colors, daring cuts, and the fusion of unconventional materials, set a new standard in high fashion – heralding the start of a revolutionary era.

Gianni Versace at his studio in 1985
Photo credit: Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Images

Versace played a crucial role in the rise of the supermodel phenomenon in the early 1990s. His runway shows and campaigns featured top models like Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, and Christy Turlington. These supermodels, often seen together in Versace’s creations, became the epitome of glamour and style, defining a generation.

LONDON – MARCH 26: Models Carla Bruni and Naomi Campbell pose with designer Gianni Versace at the Save the Rain Forest Gala dinner at the Grovesnor House Hotel hosted by Sting on March 26, 1992 in London, England.
Photo by Dave M. Bennett/Getty Images
Naomi Campbell, Gianni Versace, and Christy Turlington
Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage
Naomi Campbell, Carla Bruni, Karen Mulder, Christy Turlington and Gianni Versace at the Versace Spring/Summer 1992 show in Paris
Photo credit: Getty Images
Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Gianni Versace, Claudia Schiffer and Carla Bruni at the Versace haute couture Fall/Winter 1991/1992 show in Paris
Photo credit: Getty Images

In 1982, Versace presented mesh “Oroton” for the first time in the fall-winter collection, later being awarded as the best designer at L’Occhio D’Oro. In 1993, he received the Best Fashion Designer Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Gianni Versace” Autumn Winter 1982 1983 Milan 2 of 2 Pret a Porter Woman by Canale Moda
Elizabeth Hurley wearin the safety pin dress at the “Four Weddings and  a Funeral” premiere in 1994
Photo credit: Alpha Photo Press Agency
Donatella wearing the iconic bondage dress and Gianni Versace in 1993
Photo credit: Donatella Ron Galella/Getty Images

The Italian brand’s influence on red carpet fashion is undeniable. Celebrities consistently choose Versace gowns for important events, often ending up on best-dressed lists and capturing media attention with their striking and elegant looks. His legacy lives on in these moments of red carpet glamour.

After Gianni’s death, his sister Donatella Versace took the creative director’s chair, honoring his legacy while steering the brand into the future. Today, Versace remains synonymous with luxury, innovation, and bold design, continuing to inspire and shape the fashion landscape.