Gianni Versace: A Tribute

The year 1997 was a memorable one, not least because the world’s most famous woman, Diana Princess of Wales was killed in a car crash in Paris. But she was not the only iconic figure to die that year.

Just a few weeks earlier the Princess had been one of 2000 mourners at the funeral in Milan Cathedral of her friend, Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace. Shot by a lone gunman Andrew Cunanan while returning from his regular morning walk along Miami’s Ocean Drive, Versace died on the steps of his mansion at Miami Beach, which he shared with his partner of 15 years Antonio D’Amico. To this day no-one knows why Cunanan did it and the truth will probably never come out as the killer committed suicide a few days after the murder. Like Diana, Gianni Versace died before his time, he was just 50 years old.

It is hard to over-estimate the effect in Italy of the unexpected loss of one of its favorite sons. Gianni Versace was not just the founder of the legendary fashion house that bore his name, but he was a vibrant and creative genius whose talent and legacy lives on through his family. He left a 50% share of the Versace empire to his niece Allegra. His sister Donatella is the Versace Group’s chief designer and creative director, while his brother Santo is CEO.

On the following pages we take you back to the time of Gianni Versace’s death, related by the people closest to him. Made-in-Italy’s own Logan Bentley Lessona was in Rome preparing for the famous fashion show Donna Sotto le Stelle (Woman Under the Stars) when she got the news and relates first hand how it affected the family and friends of the designer, people she knew well.

Time has moved on and 1997 seems a long way off now. But we hope these pages will ensure that the world does not forget what a legend it lost when Gianni Versace died.

Testimonial by Logan Bentley Lessona ›

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