Gianni Versace was born on December 2, 1946, in Reggio Calabria, southern Italy. He passed away on July 15, 1997. His mother ran a boutique, which sparked his interest in the fashion industry. After working for her, he moved to Milan, where he gained experience at brands like Callaghan and Mario Valentino. In 1978, he went independent and launched his own collection. He gained popularity for his high-end fashion using natural materials and skillful cuts, and opened his first store in Milan. At this time, he founded Versace with his brother, Santo, who has served as CEO of Versace ever since. His talent as a designer was recognized worldwide, winning the Golden Eye Award, Italy's highest honor for womenswear designers, in 1982, and the Cutty Sark Award in New York in 1983. Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, and Gianfranco Ferre, known as the "3G," led Italian fashion in the late 1980s.
In 1990, he presented his first haute couture collection in Paris. He subsequently expanded his business by launching ready-to-wear, jeans, sports, business, children's, and cosmetics lines.
In July 1997, he was shot and killed in his Miami villa by male prostitute Andrew Cunanan. It's believed he was Gianni's lover, but this has not been confirmed. Cunanan was cornered by police and committed suicide a week later.
Then, from Spring/Summer 1998, his sister Donatella Versace took over both ready-to-wear and haute couture.