By Angelina Harrison
Gianni Versace was born December 2, 1946. Growing up, Gianni watched his mother a dressmaker work on different designs. He helped her in her boutique after graduating high school. In 1972, he moved to Milan. In Milan, he worked for several Italian ateliers. He was able to establish his own company entitled “Gianni Versace Spa”, with the help of the Girombellis family. He established his company in 1978 and soon after, he revealed his first ready-to-wear show. His brother, Santo, was the CEO while his sister, Donatella, was a designer and vice president. In the 1980s and 1990s, Versace built his fashion empire. He produced ensembles that oozed sensuality and sexuality. Versace was credited with turning the fashion world into the high-powered celebrity-besotted industry that remains to the present day. He designed haute couture for the first time in 1989. In 1993, Versace was diagnosed with a rare cancer in his inner ear. He successfully battled this cancer. Due to this scare he began to pass more of the business responsibilities onto his family. When returning to his Miami Beach home after a morning walk on July 15, 1997, Versace was shot and killed on his front steps. The serial killer, Andrew Cunanan, was the shooter. After his death, his sister Donatella took over the Versace label. Donatella has seen growth in Versace’s luxury line. The business expanded into more than just clothing. In 2018 the company was acquired by Michael Kors.
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