The late Gianni Versace had the kind of life that Baz Luhrmann would make a biopic about one day. Born to a dressmaker in Italy's Southern city of Regiio Calabria, Mr. Versace's legacy of pioneering the world of modern fashion ended abruptly when he was murdered on the steps of his Miami home in 1997. 25 years on, the prolific designer's life and work will be the focus of an upcoming retrospective titled Gianni Versace Retrospective, at the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands, and claims to be one of the largest exhibitions of the Italian fashion designer’s work.

Gianni Versace's legacy was a revolutionary moment in fashion history, as a purveyor of S&M, the designer's famed flirtations with his infamous metal mesh, Rococo prints, and show pieces influenced by pop-art and culture set him apart from any other designer of his time, causing an existential shift in the fashion paradigm. Now, the Groninger is bringing together his life's work from 1989 to 1997 to showcase his most infamous runway looks, sketches, and interior designs in the travelling exhibition which has already hit Berlin and Borås.

The myth of his career and life is traced over the decade, with the retrospective displaying archival footage, rare imagery, and pieces that will be forever remembered since hanging off the likes of Elizabeth Hurley, Naomi Campbell, Madonna, and more.

“Gianni Versace understood the power of the media better than anyone. He laid the groundwork for the influencers of today. Versace seated celebrities rather than fashion journalists in the front rows at his shows,” the museum said in a statement.

“He also dressed them for red carpet appearances and performances. The rapper 2Pac often wore the designer’s silk shirts on stage and performed at a 1996 Versace show in Milan. Versace’s strategy was hugely effective at reaching a mass audience,” it added.

The Gianni Versace Retrospective will be available to view at the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands from December 3 until May 7, 2023.

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