On the day of the great designer’s death, we remember his famous friends

On July 15, 1997, Gianni Versace, one of the greatest designers of his time, who founded a fashion house that became a symbol of glamour and luxury, was shot dead on the threshold of his own villa in Miami. In the fashion industry, his name is known to everyone, as well as his collections celebrating female beauty. A lover of loud parties, Versace was constantly surrounded by his star friends and fans. Some of them are in our review.

Elton John

The cover of Elton John’s album «The big picture»

One of Gianni Versace’s closest friends was singer Elton John. He not only went on stage in Versace costumes, but also spent time with him, organized charity events and consulted on creative issues. Gianni designed his album especially for Elton, and after the fashion designer’s death, the musician dedicated the record «The big picture» to a friend.

Naomi Campbell

Gianni Versace with Naomi Campbell and Carla Bruni

Gianni Versace and Naomi Campbell

Gianni Versace adored his models – he was one of those designers who opened the era of supermodels. Gianni invited 15-16 leading industry figures to his shows at once and paid them triple fees. Claudia Schiffer, Nadia Auermann, Gia Karangi, Janice Dickinson, Linda Evangelista, Polina Porizkova, Brooke Shields, Cindy Crawford – these are just a few names that shone even brighter thanks to him. But the main favorite of Versace has always been Naomi Campbell.

Princess Diana

Barely freed from the hateful marriage and the obligation to observe a strict court dress code, Princess Diana finally began to show her own taste in choosing outfits. As it turned out, the aesthetics of the Italian designer was closest to her. She was happy to wear pastel-colored suits created especially for her, and luxurious evening dresses.

Sylvester Stallone

Versace Home Collection advertisement with Sylvester Stallone and Claudia Schiffer

It would seem that what could Gianni Versace and the action hero Sylvester Stallone have in common? It turns out they were connected by a strong male friendship. Sylvester was a regular guest of the Italian fashion house shows, chose Versace suits for important events and even became the face of the brand. In 1993, he co-starred with Claudia Schiffer in an advertisement for the Versace Home Collection. Celebrities tried on the images of Adam and Eve.

Elizabeth Taylor

Gianni Versace and Elizabeth Taylor

In addition, the designer’s close friends were Hugh Grant, Luciano Pavarotti, Cher, Madonna, Tina Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda and others.

Photo: Getty Images

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