11. Milan – Gianni Versace
Giovanni Maria “Gianni” Versace was an Italian fashion designer, socialite and businessman. He was
the founder of Versace, an international luxury-fashion house that produces accessories, fragrances,
make-up, home furnishings and clothes. He also designed costumes for theatre and films.
12. • Born in Giovanni Versace, 2 December 1946, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
• Versace was awarded the American Fashion Oscar on 1 February 1993.
• President of the Italian Republic Francesco Cossiga conferred the decoration
of Commendatore della Repubblica Italiana on him on 24 January 1986.
• Elton John dedicated his 1997 album The Big Picture to Versace.
• In July 2007, a specially written ballet was performed in La Scala, Milan to mark
the 10th anniversary of the fashion designer’s death. Thanks Gianni, With Love
was put together by French choreographer Maurice Béjart, for whom Versace
designed many stage costumes.
• In 2009 the Russian Versace fan club was founded. There are 1,500 members
(July 2012). The fan club is known for its lectures, excursions and actions
dedicated to Gianni Versace. The staff of the club is situated in St. Petersburg,
Russia.
