It's been 20 years since the death of Gianni Versace. In 1997, the designer was tragically murdered on the steps of his Miami mansion, and the fashion world, in which sister Donatella upholds the temple of his legacy, has never been the same. Arguably one of the most famous designers in history, Versace is one of the few industry legends who passed before their time, making their absence from the runway felt for decades to come, if not forever. And, just as they do every year, fashion veterans and confidants are remembering his legacy.
A, if not the, muse of Versace, the great Naomi Campbell, remembered the visionary in an interview for Vogue Italia, which provides insight into their close friendship. For Campbell, the ready-to-wear and couturier served not only as a best friend, but her protector, a guardian that always pushed her to be a larger-than-life version of herself. For the two, the sky — not the end of the runway — truly was the limit. Asked if Versace had ever saved her life, Campbell revealed: "So many times. I can hear him in my mind, telling me don’t do this, get out of this situation. And I obey. I owe it to him that I am still alive."
Versace was a star of the generation of designers who were more provocateurs than businessmen, often sending the supermodels of the era down the runway in three to — in Campbell's case — ten looks at a time that weren't simply outfits, but armour that blended aesthetics such as glamour, androgyny, camp — and even BDSM — seamlessly. It's no secret that fashion shows back then felt more like art, or theatre, as opposed to the homogenous, furiously hashtagged lineups of today. For Versace, famous or not — if you sat front row, you were family.
Because he was so revered in the industry, that meant he withheld the power to change (and improve) the lives of the women around him. "He was the first to recognise our individuality and to pay us accordingly," Campbell told Vogue. "He was also the first to introduce the concept of exclusivity: you flew to Milan or Paris, and you would walk only for him." This, plus several other tributes from 'Gianni's Girls' ahead, show just how deeply Versace touched the hearts of those around him, and why he is still missed so genuinely by the fashion industry today. To think it's only been 20 years...
Cindy Crawford
In 1991, Gianni Versace designed the famous, plunging red dress worn by Cindy Crawford for her first public appearance with then-boyfriend Richard Gere at the 63rd annual Academy Awards. The dress is so iconic, actually, that it has its own Wikipedia page. Apart from walking the storied autumn 1991 Versace catwalk to the tune of 'Freedom! '90' (which is cemented in fashion history, at this point), Crawford starred in most of the label's most iconic campaigns and editorials.
Naomi Campbell
Also in the interview, Campbell reveals every time a butterfly flies close to her, she thinks of Versace. "In September 1997, the first runway show after his death was organised, at his home in Milan, in Via del Gesù. Just before starting, however, the curtains got stuck, and there was no way to open them, with all the staff plunged into panic. A little butterfly flew close to my face, and I don’t know why, I whispered to it 'Gianni, come on, open them!' And suddenly, they thrust open."
Claudia Schiffer
Known as the model with the most magazine covers (but really, it's a Guinness World Record), Claudia Schiffer didn't miss a Versace catwalk. Oh, and who could forget the advertisement with Sylvester Stallone that left practically nothing to the imagination.
Veronica Webb
Webb, who now pens her own fashion blog, walked more Versace shows than most models today can say. And her walk was not one to miss.
Christy Turlington
One-fourth of what they call 'The Big 4' (that's Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Christy Turlington), the latter met Versace when she was just a teenager. The rest of their working relationship, which has been preserved in old backstage videos and editorials the world over, is a colourful, unforgettable history.
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