20 Years After Versace's Murder, His Impact on Fashion Endures
July
15, 1997 marks the 20th anniversary of fashion designer Gianni
Versace's murder. But even his untimely death could not put an end to
his sartorial vision, which continues to reverberate in all facets of
the fashion and entertainment industry.
The Backdrop
On the morning of July 15, 1997, Gianni Versace was opening the gate to his mansion in Miami Beach when Andrew Cunanan , a 27-year-old male prostitute, shot him to death. The 50-year-old fashion designer died instantly. He did not know the perpetrator and was allegedly Cunanan's fifth victim in a cross-country murder spree. Cunanan would meet his own demise shortly after from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, leaving no explanation about what motivated his senseless acts.
Versace's death devastated the fashion community, and as with all untimely passings that carried the weight of his fame and talents, his contributions to the industry were immersed in retrospective contemplation that was loud, colorful and profound — just like his work.
After all Versace was known for revolutionizing the catwalk with his brash use of color and sexuality. Inspired by the punk era, he incorporated neon colors, graffiti and metal mesh into his sartorial showcases and ushered in the concept of "street-style" haute couture and glamor, now a garden variety on the red carpet.
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