Versace Hardcover – October 28, 2002

Great

Versace (2000) by Catherine McDermott & Nicola White is a vibrant and stylish book and therefore a wonderfully perfect tribute to the late fashion legend Gianni Versace.This is a short and compact book which tells Gianni’s story inbetween photographs of his many iconic looks throughout his years at the top of his game. His story is very interesting and the pictures are arranged stunningly. Each of the two elements really help bring the opposite element alive and work brilliantly together. The book tells of his early childhood in Reggio Calabria in Italy with his mother who was a dressmaker and very encouraging to his dreams, his father, his two older sisters Donatella and Tina who died at 12 and his older brother Santo. He worked in his mother’s sewing business until he left for Milan at the age of 26. He eventually found both success and love after meeting model Antonio D’Amico in 1982. Reading how this talented man was also introverted shows that introverted ain’t the terrible barrier to success many would have you believe. He comes across as a nice man with much determination and a great work ethic who deserved all the success and happiness he got in life. It’s just so very sad that his life was cut so cruelly short.The pictures are wonderful and detail various aspects of his career from the many runways and collections he did featuring a host of the super chic 1990s supermodels, Liz Hurley’s Safety Pin dress as well as many photographs with celebrity friends like the late Princess Diana. The style of the book is part coffee table glam with the pictures and part nerdy fashion history searching with the written pieces. Pretty perfect combination! There’s something in this book for everyone whether it’s the style you’re interested in or Gianni’s life and rise to success.There is also many quotes throughout this book from Gianni which add to the book showing much of the story from his aspect in a small way. There isn’t much new here for anyone who knows a lot about Gianni’s life and career but it is a great trip down memory lane for those who do and a great introduction for those who don’t. A very interesting short read with excellent and well-captured photographs.The book speaks about his murder in 1997 in Miami and no matter how many times you hear the story of how he died, it always makes me feel sad as a fellow person and a fan. His life being took away like that so senselessly is horrible and must have been so difficult for Antonio and the rest of his family to bear at the time. That part of the book was emotional to read.However his legacy lives on through his shining talent and wonderful personality. This book is for fashion fans and non-fashion fans alike which shows the way he crossed many fields and touched many peoples’ lives whether that was through his creativity, his personality or his ability to merge the fields of fashion and celebrity so well. He deserved all the success and good things he got in life.A fantastic read about a great designer and a great man.