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Italian author Mario Biondi interviews famous stylist Gianni Versace in his house. Milano 1990. Photo by Unknown author on

Top 10 Unknown Facts about Gianni Versace

Giovanni Maria 鈥淕ianni鈥� Versace was an Italian fashion designer, socialite and businessman. Versace was born on 2nd December 1946 in the city of Reggio Calabria.

He grew up with his elder brother, Santo Versace and younger sister Donatella Versace. Versace also lived with his father and mother who was a dressmaker known as Francesca.

The older sister of Versace, Tina died at the age of twelve due to improper treatment of a tetanus infection. Versace was strongly influenced by ancient Greek history.

Versace attended Liceo Classico Tommaso Campanella where he studied Latin and ancient Greek. Giovanni was the founder of Versace which is an international luxury-fashion house that produces accessories, fragrances, make-up, home furnishings and clothes.

Versace was also a designer of costumes for theatre and films. He was a friend of Eric Clapton, Princess Diana, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Madonna, Elton John, Tupac Shakur and several other celebrities.

One of his major achievements of Versace was he was one of the first designers who linked fashion to the music world. Together with his partner Antonio D鈥橝mico, they were always regulars on international parts scenes.

Versace lived a good life and gained more popularity across the world. However, his death was unexpected as he was murdered by his stalker who later on committed suicide.

Here are the top 10 Unknown Facts about Gianni Versace:

1. Versace鈥檚 Sister Passed on due to Untreated Infection

Versace was born in a family of four children who grew up together with their parents in the city of Reggio Calabria. He had two elder siblings, an elder brother known as Santo Versace and a sister Tina as well as a younger sister known as Donatella Versace.

An unfortunate situation happened to their family as they grew up. At the age of 12, Versace鈥檚 elder sister passed on.

She had been diagnosed with tetanus at her tender age. However, she never made it because the tetanus infection was not treated well.

2. He was Influenced by Ancient Greek which he Studied

Gianni Versace grew up in a historical landscape that was greatly influenced by the ancient Greeks. The ancient Greeks also had a strong influence on Gianni Versace.

He enrolled on Liceo Classico Tommaso Campanella where studied Latin as well as ancient Greek. However, he never completed the course on ancient Greek and Latin.

3. Versace began his Apprenticeship at his Mother鈥檚 Sewing Business

Clothing designed by Gianni Versace is on display in the “Gianni Versace – Magna Grecia Tribute” exhibition up to September 20, 2017, at the Archaeological Museum of Naples. Photo by Carlo Raso on

Francesca, the mother of Gianni Versace was a dressmaker who had a huge business. Gianni Versace began his apprenticeship at a very tender age due to the influence of his mother鈥檚 sewing business.

He spent much of his team among the dozen seamstresses who worked for his family. As he grew, his interest switched to architecture but he later moved to Milan to work as a fashion designer.

At the age of 27, Versace became the designer of Byblos which was a successful Genny youthful line. He later on designed Complice which was another experiment for Genny.

Versace was encouraged by his success and presented his signature collection for women at the Palazzo Della Permanente Art Museum of Milan.

4. He Opened his First Boutique in Milan

Versace was not afraid of venturing more into the fashion and design world. His successful work in producing Genny and Complice designs made him expand more.

After presenting his first signature collection for women at the Palazzo Della Permanente Art Museum, Versace鈥檚 first fashion show followed a few months later. At the of 32, Versace opened his first boutique in Milan鈥檚 Via dDellaSpiga.

5. Versace Built his Company with the Help and Support of His Family

Santo Versace. Photo by Vincenzo Iaconianni on

After his first boutique, Versace expanded his business as he opened his company. In 1978, Versace built his company with the help and support of his family.

He employed his sister Donatella as the vice president and his brother Santo as the president of his company. Donatella鈥檚 main role was extended to creative oversight and acted as a key consultant to her brother Versace.

Versace, later on, employed the husband of Donatella, Paul Beck as the menswear director.

6. Some Cloth lines of Versace were Inspired by his Experience in Female Tailoring

Gianni Versace designed Stage Suit. Photo by Diedre Woollard on

Gianni Versace grew up in the dressmaking company of his mother. This is where he developed the art of fashion and design which he later on included in some of his clothes.

Some of his collections of Versace were criticised but he knew where he got the inspiration from. The suits he made were inspired by his experience in female tailoring. The designs departed from masculine Savile Row models by knowing suits that accentuated the male form.

7. He was Amonesigners whobyked Fashion to the Music World

Fashion has been a major influence in the music world as musicians want to be seen in the best outfits. The linking of fashion to the music world started earlier in the 19th century.

Gianni Versace was among the top designers who linked fashion to the music world. He was a prolific costume designer for stage products and performing artists.

Versace once stated, 鈥渇or me, the theatre is liberation.鈥� This was clear through the bold colours, drapery, and embellishment in fashion. He was a collaborator at the La Scala Theatre Ballet and designed the costumes for several artists. Versace has more influence in the current music world too.

8. Versace was a Friend to Several Prominent and Renowned People in the World

Jennifer Lopez and Donatella Versace at the Spring-Summer 2020 Runway Show in 2019. Photo by Salvatore Delle Femmine on

Gianni Versace was an influential figure who was popular in every way across the world. His influence was clear in the people he used to interact with.

Versace interacted with royal people as well as top music celebrities. He was a friend of Eric Clapton, Princess Diana, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Madonna, Elton John, Tupac Shakur and several other celebrities.

9. He was a Regular on International Party Scenes

With his fame and popularity status soaring across the world, Versace enjoyed a fantastic life across the world. As he connected with several celebrities across the world, he attended several functions.

Together with his partner Antonio D鈥橝mico, Versace was regular on the international party scenes. He was a great party guy he enjoyed entertainment of all kinds.

10. Versace鈥檚 Murder was Witnessed by his Former UK Senior Stylist

On 15th July 1997, Versace was murdered by a gunman. On the morning of his death, he had gone to retrieve his morning magazines.

Versace used to retrieve them with his assistant but this time he took them alone. His murder took place at his Miami Beach mansion.

The former UK senior stylist of Versace, Dean Aslett witnessed the whole murder incident. Dean was on vacation in South Beach Miami and had partied with Versace a few days earlier.

Versace might have faced an unfortunate ending in his prime but he will never be forgotten. His influence in every scene is still felt even though he was murdered several years ago.