Gianni Versace's Passion for Fashion

Gianni Versace, known for his glamorous style and fashion designs, produced a range of siren dresses that became his trademark. He was born on December 2, 1946 in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. Gianni Versace grew up with his older brother Santo and younger sister Donatella, along with their father and mother, Francesca, a dressmaker.

Gianni Versace began his apprenticeship at a young age, helping his mother find precious stones and gold braid to embroider dresses. He studied architecture before moving to Milan at the age of 26 to work in fashion design.

In the mid-1970s, Gianni Versace’s knits drew the attention of headunters at Genny and Callaghan. Complice hired him to design their suede and leather collections. A few years later, encouraged by his success, Gianni 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 Gianni Versace’s menswear collection he joined Jorge Saud, who would later also become a partner with Giorgio Armani. The first boutique was opened in Milan's Via della Spiga in 1978.

Gianni Versace's illustrious career was decorated with numerous awards, including four L'Occhio d'Oros and an American Fashion Oscar in 1993. Some of his most imaginative creations could be found in theaters; the designer was often applauded for his costume designs for ballets like Richard Strauss' Josephlegende in 1982, Gustav Mahler's Lieb und Leid in 1983 and Bejart's Chaka Zulu in 1989. In 1987, Gianni Versace was awarded with theater's Maschera D'Argento prize. He has also created stage costumes for pop performers like Elton John, Madonna and Tina Turner.

Gianni Versace had an eye for talent and worked with top photographers such as Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, Bruce Weber and Steven Meisel, and his favourite - Richard Avedon.

Gianni Versace was shot dead on July 15, 1997, at the age of 50, on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion as he returned from a morning walk on Ocean Drive.  He was murdered by Andrew Cunanan, who used the same gun to commit suicide on a boat several days later. His body was cremated and his ashes returned to the family's estate near Cernobbio, Italy. Antonio D'Amico, a model and his partner, worked as designer for the Versace sports line. In September 1997, it was announced that Gianni Versace's brother, Santo, and Jorge Saud would serve as the new CEOs of Gianni Versace S.P.A. His sister, Donatella, became the new head of design

A designer to celebrities and royalty such as Princess Diana, Gianni Versace brought vitality and art to an industry considered out of touch with the street. In October 2002, he was honored with a retrospective of his work at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The exhibition featured 138 of his most famous designs, as well as five others by his sister Donatella.

Follow zigo8 on Twitter. Receive the latest news by joining us on Facebook. And be sure to give us plus one on Google Plus.