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Princess Diana's Reaction to Designer Gianni Versace's Murder Was Heartbreaking—and Chilling
Princess Diana's Reaction to Designer Gianni Versace's Murder Was Heartbreaking—and Chilling

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Princess Diana's Reaction to Designer Gianni Versace's Murder Was Heartbreaking—and Chilling

The former Princess of Wales had no idea at his July 22, 1997 funeral that she, too, would be mourned that same Gist On July 22, 1997—28 years ago this week—Princess Diana flew to Milan, Italy to attend the funeral of designer Gianni Versace along with around 2,000 other mourners. In a poignant and heartbreaking image, Diana can be seen comforting friend Elton John at Versace's funeral, no one knowing that within six weeks, he'd be performing 'Candle in the Wind' at her own funeral after she was killed in a car accident on August 31 at just 36 years old. Diana wore a black Versace dress to the designer's funeral, held one week after he was tragically killed on the front steps of his Miami Beach is a sobering image—a mourning Princess Diana comforting a weeping Elton John at the funeral of their mutual friend Gianni Versace on July 22, 1997, no one, of course, knowing that just six weeks later, Diana too would be dead following an August 31 car crash in Paris. The former Princess of Wales naturally wore Versace to the designer's funeral in Milan, attended by not just Diana and John but Naomi Campbell, Karl Lagerfeld, and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who herself would meet a tragic, untimely end in a plane crash just two years from the time of the funeral. Versace was murdered outside of his Miami Beach mansion on July 15, and in the immediate aftermath, 'Diana was in tears and looked very distressed,' her former bodyguard Lee Sansum wrote in his 2022 book Protecting Diana about her reaction when told of Versace's death. The Princess of Wales found out about her friend's assassination while aboard the Jonikal yacht while having breakfast, and after learning of his fate asked Sansum, 'Do you think they'll do that to me?' It was a question 'that always stayed with me,' Sansum wrote, adding that Diana 'was shaking' at the news. Diana had developed an affinity for Versace's designs towards the end of her life, and she and the designer would dine with John when they all found themselves in London. Diana was first introduced to Versace by Anna Harvey, an editor at British Vogue who was Diana's fashion mentor throughout her life as a royal. After seeing supermodel Campbell in a Versace creation, 'Over the next several years, Gianni gradually became one of her favorite designers, although she often made him remove the gaudy medusas and overwrought details he piled on his clothes,' Deborah Ball wrote in her book House of Versace. 'He gave her first pick of his couture collection and designed pieces exclusively for her that were classic but had a pinch of glamour.' Diana was on the cover of the July 1997 issue of Vanity Fair, and inside the magazine's pages, Versace said of the Princess of Wales, 'I had a fitting with her last week for new suits and clothing for spring, and she is so serene. It is a moment in her life, I think, when she's found herself—the way she wants to live.' Neither Diana nor Versace would see spring 1998. 'Gianna loved his London connections,' Sakai Lubnow, co-curator of the Gianni Versace Retrospective at The Arches in London Bridge, told Vogue. 'And, I mean, there was no higher compliment in fashion than Princess Diana wearing your clothes.' Lubnow said that Diana and Versace originally met in 1985 in Milan, 'But it wasn't until she was freed from royal protocol [after her separation from Prince Charles in 1992 and eventual divorce in 1996] that Gianni could begin shaping her image in earnest.' Harvey, writing in an October 1997 commemorative British Vogue issue dedicated to Diana, said that the looks Versace designed for her were some of 'her most successful looks to date.' To his funeral nearly 28 years ago to the day, Diana wore a black Versace fall 1997 shift dress, pearls, and the so-called Diana handbag Versace made, a lesser-known counterbalance to the Lady Dior, also named in her honor. 'It's interesting,' Lubnow said. 'That bag was never called the Diana bag by Gianni. The same with the so-called Bondage collection; Gianni called it Miss S&M. But these names come from collectors, fans, people who wear and love the pieces. That's where the connection sticks.' Following Diana's appearance at the Milan Cathedral on July 22, she traveled to Bosnia, where she continued to bring attention to her fight against landmines—a cause her son Prince Harry has supported as recently as this week in Angola—in a private visit on August 10. By the end of the summer, Diana and Dodi Al Fayed were on a cruise of the Mediterranean on his yacht; they traveled from the South of France to Sardinia before heading to Paris on August 30. Just after midnight, the two—along with chauffeur Henri Paul—were killed after a crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel; Diana was just 36. Suddenly, Diana went from being the mourner at Versace's funeral to the mourned at her own September 6 funeral at Westminster Abbey—two lives cut far too short, forever united through fashion and the unbelievably tragic circumstances of their deaths 28 summers ago. Read the original article on InStyle

Donatella Versace's bold vision kept brand in the limelight after Gianni's murder
Donatella Versace's bold vision kept brand in the limelight after Gianni's murder

Yahoo

time13-03-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Donatella Versace's bold vision kept brand in the limelight after Gianni's murder

By Elisa Anzolin and Keith Weir MILAN (Reuters) - Donatella Versace, who helped to ensure the survival of the family fashion empire after the killing of her brother Gianni almost three decades ago, is to step down as the brand's chief designer, its owner announced on Thursday. Donatella took on the role of chief creative officer after Gianni, who founded the company, was shot dead outside his Miami Beach mansion by serial killer Andrew Cunanan in 1997. "Since 1997, Donatella has led the creative vision for the House of Versace and played an integral role in the company's global success," said John D. Idol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capri Holdings, which now owns the brand. Donatella stepped up to maintain and revive a brand that had been synonymous with daring designs for actress Elizabeth Hurley and supermodels including Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell. Instantly recognisable for her striking outfits and blonde hair, she brought a bold and provocative aesthetic. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on my brother Gianni's legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity," said Donatella, 69, who will move to the role of chief brand ambassador next month. In her personal life she overcame cocaine addiction, and with the help of outside managers helped to turn around the business so that it was back in the black by 2011. Donatella's designs remained popular with celebrities including Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, who famously wore a striking green Versace dress to the Grammys in 2000, as well as Lady Gaga. Versace, known for its Medusa head logo, expanded to serve a wider luxury market in areas such as home decor and also began to design jet and yacht interiors. Her move comes amid talk of a possible takeover of Versace, which has been going through a lean period financially, by fellow Italian fashion brand Prada. In a recent interview with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Donatella expressed her weariness with the fashion industry's current upheaval. "Being told what to do, being told what's going to sell… I think fashion is creativity and creativity is instinct. If you try to please too many people, too many managers, creativity is gone," she said. FAMILY TIES Donatella enjoys a strong following on social media, with more than 12 million followers on Instagram. She is a long-standing supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, working with groups such as Stonewall and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Born the youngest of four children in a family from the southern Italian city of Reggio Calabria, she had an elder sister who died at the age of 12, as well as two older brothers, Gianni and Santo. Her mother was a dressmaker and Donatella was allowed to play with fabric offcuts as a young child. She moved to Florence to study languages but spent increasing amounts of time in Milan where Gianni, eight years her senior, was setting up his fashion business in the late 1970s. Donatella was influential in the expansion of the business and Gianni gave her the Versus fragrances and accessories arm to run by herself. After Gianni's killing, the company was split between Donatella, who got a 20% stake, her brother Santo who received 30%, while Donatella's daughter Allegra was allocated the remaining 50%. Allegra was only 11 at the time of the killing and inherited when she turned 18. She has largely remained out of the public eye. The business initially struggled to regain momentum after the killing of Gianni but it attracted outside investment after returning to profit. U.S. private equity firm Blackstone bought a 20% stake in 2014. The company was then bought out by U.S. group Michael Kors, later renamed Capri Holdings, for 1.8 billion euros in 2018. The Versace family received 150 million euros of the purchase price in Capri shares. (Writing by Keith Weir; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) Sign in to access your portfolio

Donatella Versace's bold vision kept brand in the limelight after Gianni's murder
Donatella Versace's bold vision kept brand in the limelight after Gianni's murder

Yahoo

time13-03-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Donatella Versace's bold vision kept brand in the limelight after Gianni's murder

By Elisa Anzolin and Keith Weir MILAN (Reuters) - Donatella Versace, who helped to ensure the survival of the family fashion empire after the killing of her brother Gianni almost three decades ago, is to step down as the brand's chief designer, its owner announced on Thursday. Donatella took on the role of chief creative officer after Gianni, who founded the company, was shot dead outside his Miami Beach mansion by serial killer Andrew Cunanan in 1997. "Since 1997, Donatella has led the creative vision for the House of Versace and played an integral role in the company's global success," said John D. Idol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capri Holdings, which now owns the brand. Donatella stepped up to maintain and revive a brand that had been synonymous with daring designs for actress Elizabeth Hurley and supermodels including Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell. Instantly recognisable for her striking outfits and blonde hair, she brought a bold and provocative aesthetic. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on my brother Gianni's legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity," said Donatella, 69, who will move to the role of chief brand ambassador next month. In her personal life she overcame cocaine addiction, and with the help of outside managers helped to turn around the business so that it was back in the black by 2011. Donatella's designs remained popular with celebrities including Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, who famously wore a striking green Versace dress to the Grammys in 2000, as well as Lady Gaga. Versace, known for its Medusa head logo, expanded to serve a wider luxury market in areas such as home decor and also began to design jet and yacht interiors. Her move comes amid talk of a possible takeover of Versace, which has been going through a lean period financially, by fellow Italian fashion brand Prada. In a recent interview with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Donatella expressed her weariness with the fashion industry's current upheaval. "Being told what to do, being told what's going to sell… I think fashion is creativity and creativity is instinct. If you try to please too many people, too many managers, creativity is gone," she said. FAMILY TIES Donatella enjoys a strong following on social media, with more than 12 million followers on Instagram. She is a long-standing supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, working with groups such as Stonewall and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Born the youngest of four children in a family from the southern Italian city of Reggio Calabria, she had an elder sister who died at the age of 12, as well as two older brothers, Gianni and Santo. Her mother was a dressmaker and Donatella was allowed to play with fabric offcuts as a young child. She moved to Florence to study languages but spent increasing amounts of time in Milan where Gianni, eight years her senior, was setting up his fashion business in the late 1970s. Donatella was influential in the expansion of the business and Gianni gave her the Versus fragrances and accessories arm to run by herself. After Gianni's killing, the company was split between Donatella, who got a 20% stake, her brother Santo who received 30%, while Donatella's daughter Allegra was allocated the remaining 50%. Allegra was only 11 at the time of the killing and inherited when she turned 18. She has largely remained out of the public eye. The business initially struggled to regain momentum after the killing of Gianni but it attracted outside investment after returning to profit. U.S. private equity firm Blackstone bought a 20% stake in 2014. The company was then bought out by U.S. group Michael Kors, later renamed Capri Holdings, for 1.8 billion euros in 2018. The Versace family received 150 million euros of the purchase price in Capri shares. (Writing by Keith Weir; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

Donatella Versace's bold vision kept brand in the limelight after Gianni's murder
Donatella Versace's bold vision kept brand in the limelight after Gianni's murder

Reuters

time13-03-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Reuters

Donatella Versace's bold vision kept brand in the limelight after Gianni's murder

MILAN, March 13 (Reuters) - Donatella Versace, who helped to ensure the survival of the family fashion empire after the killing of her brother Gianni almost three decades ago, is to step down as the brand's chief designer, its owner announced on Thursday. Donatella took on the role of chief creative officer after Gianni, who founded the company, was shot dead outside his Miami Beach mansion by serial killer Andrew Cunanan in 1997. "Since 1997, Donatella has led the creative vision for the House of Versace and played an integral role in the company's global success," said John D. Idol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capri Holdings (CPRI.N), opens new tab, which now owns the brand. Donatella stepped up to maintain and revive a brand that had been synonymous with daring designs for actress Elizabeth Hurley and supermodels including Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell. Instantly recognisable for her striking outfits and blonde hair, she brought a bold and provocative aesthetic. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on my brother Gianni's legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity," said Donatella, 69, who will move to the role of chief brand ambassador next month. In her personal life she overcame cocaine addiction, and with the help of outside managers helped to turn around the business so that it was back in the black by 2011. Donatella's designs remained popular with celebrities including Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, who famously wore a striking green Versace dress to the Grammys in 2000, as well as Lady Gaga. Versace, known for its Medusa head logo, expanded to serve a wider luxury market in areas such as home decor and also began to design jet and yacht interiors. Her move comes amid talk of a possible takeover of Versace, which has been going through a lean period financially, by fellow Italian fashion brand Prada. In a recent interview with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Donatella expressed her weariness with the fashion industry's current upheaval. "Being told what to do, being told what's going to sell… I think fashion is creativity and creativity is instinct. If you try to please too many people, too many managers, creativity is gone," she said. FAMILY TIES Donatella enjoys a strong following on social media, with more than 12 million followers on Instagram. She is a long-standing supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, working with groups such as Stonewall and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Born the youngest of four children in a family from the southern Italian city of Reggio Calabria, she had an elder sister who died at the age of 12, as well as two older brothers, Gianni and Santo. Her mother was a dressmaker and Donatella was allowed to play with fabric offcuts as a young child. She moved to Florence to study languages but spent increasing amounts of time in Milan where Gianni, eight years her senior, was setting up his fashion business in the late 1970s. Donatella was influential in the expansion of the business and Gianni gave her the Versus fragrances and accessories arm to run by herself. After Gianni's killing, the company was split between Donatella, who got a 20% stake, her brother Santo who received 30%, while Donatella's daughter Allegra was allocated the remaining 50%. Allegra was only 11 at the time of the killing and inherited when she turned 18. She has largely remained out of the public eye. The business initially struggled to regain momentum after the killing of Gianni but it attracted outside investment after returning to profit. U.S. private equity firm Blackstone bought a 20% stake in 2014. The company was then bought out by U.S. group Michael Kors, later renamed Capri Holdings, for 1.8 billion euros in 2018. The Versace family received 150 million euros of the purchase price in Capri shares.

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