House of Versace : The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival

Versace. The very name conjures up images of outrageous glamour and bold sexuality, opulence and daring. Versace was also a great creative genius from a poor, backward part of southern Italy who transformed the fashion world through his intuitive understanding of women. This is the first book in English about the legendary designer, and shows how Gianni Versace, with his flamboyant sister Donatella at his side, combined his virtuosic talent and extraordinary ambition to create one of the great fashion houses. Versace was at the height of his creative powers when he was murdered in Miami Beach. The story was front page news around the world and the manhunt for his killer a media obsession. Donatella demanded no less than a funeral befitting a head-of-state be held in Milan’s magnificent cathedral, attended by the likes of Princess Diana, Elton John and Carla Bruni. Deborah Ball has conducted hundreds of interviews with Versace family members, Gianni Versace’s lovers and business rivals, models such as Naomi Campbell and Anna Wintour, the legendary editor of Vogue, for this book. Ball vividly recounts the behind-the scenes struggles – both creative and business – of Donatella to take control of the House of Versace. She offers the first inside look at the enormous challenges Donatella faced in living up to Gianni’s genius, her struggle with a drug habit, her battles with her brother Santo and the mystery of why Gianni left control of his house to Donatella’s young daughter, Allegra. House of Versace is a compelling, highly readable tale bringing together fashion, celebrity, business drama, jet-set lifestyles, and a notorious crime.

Paperback, 352 Pages, Published 2010