Interview with Nicola Trussardi
Trussardi: We Started Together With Gloves
The Designer: “I called Berlusconi for his jet and the brothers could
fly to Miami.” Memories of Milan beginnings, then friendship.
“I would like my children to be united like these three siblings.”
“I spoke to Santo by phone, he seemed to be actually angry, for this incredulous news.” With great reluctance and only after repeated insistence, Nicola Trussardi reveals his conversation by phone with the designer’s brother shortly after the terrible event. “Through a mutual friend who called me while trying to find a plane so Versace’s family could fly to Miami I spoke to Santo and told him my personal plane was available. I don’t realy want to talk about such a private thing. I don’t want a friendly gesture to be misunderstood, there are too many vultures who take advantage of situations like this. The problem is that journalists must do their jobs.”
And so, Mr. Trussardi, can you tell us something else? How was Santo Versace?
I thought he was really aghast, almost angry, furious. He could not accept what had happened. I told him my plane was at his disposal. But since it is a small aircraft that would have had to make four stops in a transatlantic flight, I thought of asking (former Italian Prime Minister Silvio) Berlusconi, the only person in Italy with a jet capable of making a direct flight. But when I called back the Versaces had already spoken to Berlusconi and were leaving.
As Vice President of the Italian Fashion Designers Association did you take any initiatives regarding the big show at Trinita’ dei Monti?
Of course. I phoned president Giuseppe della Schiava to ask him to cancel it. Als because I believe that Santo would have appreciated such a step. Meanwhile I also received requests from the Ronchis of Erreuno and Laura Biagiotti to cancel the show. So we sent a fax to della Schiava and he decided in favor even though he was worried about reactions from the program’s sponsors.
What do you like in particular about Versace’s style?
The capacity to integrate in a wonderful way art, music, theater and culture, in a fashion full of references. Furthermore, as the father of vour children to whom my business will go one day, I hope that they will be as unified as Gianni, Santo, and Donatella. Who, also thanks to their extraordinary cohesion, managed to construct that empire.
Copyright © L’Unita’, July 16th, 1997
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