Family is a thread that’s run through the Versace label since Donatella took over design following the death of her brother, Gianni Versace, in 1997 when he was shot by serial killer Andrew Cunanan on the steps of his Miami home.
His death forms the basis of this season’s American Crime Story. Produced by Ryan Murphy (who won a BAFTA for season one’s The People Vs OJ Simpson) and written by Tom Rob Smith (best known for the very good London Spy), it follows Andrew Cunanan on the path of destruction that leads him to the murder of the iconic designer.
The Versace family have essentially called the series a work of fiction and there is, inevitably, a lot of poetic license. But there’s a lot to take from the show too — not least the inspired casting of Penelope Cruz as Donatella herself.
Towards the end of the first episode, Penelope as Donatella says: “This company was [Gianni’s] life. When he was sad, it made him happy. When he was sick, it kept him alive. And my brother is still alive, as long as Versace is alive. I will not let that man — that nobody — kill my brother twice.”
And that’s what the show is about, right? Whatever poetic license has been taken, it’s about reminding the world of the genius of Gianni Versace. And that’s what it does.
So, in this episode of Fash-ON Fash-OFF we’re talking Milan Fashion Week. We’re ruminating on the week’s best fashions, taking a deep dive into the latest Versace show and talking through episode one of American Crime Story Season 2: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, as we attempt to answer the question — how did we get here?
This week, I’m joined by i-D Junior Fashion Editor Bojana Kozarevic and i-D Contributing Editor Douglas Greenwood, while i-D Fashion Features Editor Steve Salter reports from the ground.
Every Thursday. Fash-ON Fash-OFF.
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