The Tragic and Final Work of Gianni Versace

Gianni Versace’s brutal murder at the steps of his Miami home shocked the fashion world and the thousands of other fashion fans. Today we’re looking at Gianni Versace's final runway show, a show that highlighted the very public tension between him and his sister Donatella that somehow made it into the clothing of their Atelier Versace Fall 1997 Couture collection. If you're passionate about fashion and intrigued by the inner workings of the fashion industry, this is a story you won't want to miss. If you’re a true crime buff, you may want to look into the dozens of other videos covering this topic.
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[@specteramber]

I have often wondered how you can be so chill, so hinged, and so understanding. Chill parents have chill children, figures

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

wow what a video. didn't know they were having arguments. but i think naomi in the mariée look was the right call. and i think i read somewhere that it was gianni who encouraged donatella to embrace the vampy makeup. lotsa love! thankyou!

[@mqua4610]

I started binge watching some of your vids. I just had to subscribe! Love all your insight. This vid is particularly disturbing for me as I used to live in Miami and remember the mansion. Knowing what’s happened to the Versace mansion is absolutely sad.

[@hadleysamantar5238]

Was about to do my fashion school work then saw bliss posted a video …

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@aaaaisling]

Gianni VERSACE💜

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@JaesadaSrisuk]

Great video; I’ve always thought that Donatella doesn’t get enough credit for the design body of work that she’s produced over the years. She certainly has a specific point of view that is influenced by her brother’s aesthetic but also innovates, evolves, reinterprets and decontextualizes it so it becomes its own thing. Edit: also, I’ve talked to people in the industry who have interacted with Donatella in person and apparently she’s a surprisingly nice and approachable to work with. That’s a rare quality indeed for an incredibly rich and famous creative director of an iconic fashion brand and socialite who hobnobs with some of the biggest celebrities on earth. I’ve also always found a lot of the jokes about Donatella’s appearance to be in bad taste; she’s an older woman with extensive plastic surgery who has lived a long life marked by tragedy, eating disorders and substance abuse issues - making fun of the way she looks just seems like a low blow.

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@dorotaisqueen3650]

Definitely, and I love the way she genuinely established relationships with the celebrities that have helped keep her in the cultural zeitgeist, so many pop stars and such have said that she's just an incredible person which is so cool

[@stevezytveld6585]

I'm starting to think the real loss is the collaboration between brother and sister. They never got to harmonize into a cohesive vision. Instead we have two solo performances from the same family. The siblings were already pushing each other farther forward; makes you long for what could have been. Thank you for the reivew. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@BEe-hi4my]

I Actually think that, in regards to creative output, there’s actually something immensely poetic and human in their separation. Like I think the brand was kind of a finger up to the establishment, it’s very confrontational, very “ i do it my way”, very polarizing. And so it makes sense that at the heart it was these two creatives that diverged from each other too. The tension propulsed it forward.

[@stevezytveld6585]

@@BEe-hi4my I love the poetry of the two in opposition. I agree, immensely and beautifully, messily human. But all fights end. Eventually. It's the 'what comes after detent' that we'll never get to see. That's the beat that's missing from the final composition of his career.

[@dorotaisqueen3650]

I totally agree, can you imagine the power of their combined talent?! It would've been amazing

[@fashiondolldreamer]

I do remember reading somewhere at the time (just before Gianni was murdered) that he and Donatella did fight over the makeup and hair for that last show. Donatella was being interviewed and mentioned that Gianni wasn't really a fan of the makeup and hair so much, so that was her idea. She also mentioned the grungy, stringy hair of a collection from a few years before that, (I think around Spring 1994?) which they fought over. I remember she also mentioned that Gianni hated that whole 'heroin chic' thing that was happening at the time, which was not surprising. But I remember she also mentioned that it was that tension between her ideas and his that usually made the whole thing work, (some seasons more so than others, admittedly....) I was working in fashion at the time and I remember this final couture collection being lauded as quite adventurous in the styling for him at the time ... (even though he had been quite adventurous with his use of materials etc. ...but yes, quite a few designers that season were revisiting very sharp, 80's inflected tailoring, which Versace definitely owned during the 80's... I remember even seeing it in New York that season, as well as with the likely suspects like McQueen.) With hindsight, it was also quite prescient as to what was to come, with all the crucifixes and religious motifs embedded in the collection. Great channel... so refreshing to see some knowledgeable talk about fashion!

[@cinemaocd1752]

I never paid any attention to Versace, he was one of my least favorite designers, but weirdly the mini series about his murder actually gave me way more appreciation for him as a designer and for Donatella as a designer and brand owner and I started actually looking at his clothes for the first time. Can thank my obsession with true crime for that at least. :D His work did not really vibe with my aesthetics in the 90s (Donatella was absolutely right about where things were headed for better or worse).

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@marzblaq7267]

This is the designer that made me love fashion and want to learn more about designing. Gianni is my favorite designer of all time, I love Donatella but Gianni’s Versace definitely hit different. I hope when I graduate I can work for Versace if I don’t launch my brand immediately. 🙏🏾

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@xxhai7212]

BYEEEEEEEE

[@OGseoulite]

@@xxhai7212Don’t be lame.

[@brunixot1]

8:45 i remember, there's a video where Gianni says something like "we have created this material and you can sew it" or something like that

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@sarishalekhi7986]

It's so beautiful how easily you can tell the difference between who was behind which outfit

[@rubinarana4996]

Hey Bliss could you please do an in depth video series on yohji Yamamoto just like you did for Margeila. Highly appreciate your hard work very educational for people like us who do not have the access to pricy institutes.

[@BlissFoster]

As far as I can tell, Yohji’s symbolism and storytelling doesn’t work the same as Martin’s. I don’t think we could do a whole series on it BUT there’s definitely going to be more content on him coming 💫💫

[@dominik1037]

my man your videos are motivating me to pursue a career in fashion

[@BlissFoster]

Hell yea 🦾 go crush it 💫💫

[@DumiNihi]

Same, they're the only thing that stopped me from hating my design course

[@danielcater8069]

Great video! FYI: Oroton mesh is so called because Australian luxury brand Oroton devolped the linked mesh material in the 1950s and was its signature. 😊

[@gaelle4328]

Beautiful run through of this and respectfully done Thank You.

[@BlissFoster]

Glad you enjoyed it, homie 💫💫

[@BEe-hi4my]

Joined the Patreon this week (back again) because I’m back in a phase of wanting deep, specific thoughts around art and I know I can always count on this channel for that!

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@JoAlpzino]

You are able to connect the current events with the shows so well it's amazing, thank you for your work!

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@BEe-hi4my]

It’s so interesting how the silhouettes of the black structured, strong shoulder look recreate the lines of the byzantine cross, with the neck and head of the models making the vertical line. Really cool way to subtly continue the motif, with added edginess and s^x appeal. Loved Versace as a young girl and I mean like 9 yrs old ish because of the obvious irreverence of the looks. I didn’t know this collection though, at least not the black looks. Will defs look at it again.

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@sinuheguzman9404]

Personally i have always thought Gianni was just a decorator of clothes, someone that just threw everything into a simple garment to make it look flashy but no substance. while Donatella is a designer, the decorations on her clothes are the seams and cuts and the way she manipulates visually the construction patterns and then... embellishments. She is the best thing ever happened to the brand, sadly it wasn't the best way for getting him out. When you go to Miami all the locals will tell you it was the mafia, and if you think about it, it did look like a public execution.

[@dorotaisqueen3650]

oh wow that's so crazy to think that there were probably people who actually witnessed it firthand, it must have been so traumatising

[@EricaMeriggi]

Have you ever talked about the fact that fashion work environments are one of the most toxic ones? I feel conflicted myself in saying this I do hope that I am wrong.

[@darkovinster2754]

Gianni was clearly very talented! After Gianni past away, i was not sure about Donatella taking creative control… but i must admit she’s good! It’s a different vision but she’s doing a great job! Not my style, but well done.

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@karlenglewood8940]

Small bit of correction. The straight crosses with the flared ends are actually Venetian.

[@ktothev2333]

my mom was not a fan of dontella taking over the brand when gianni died because she was in love with his work with the brand and did not like where donatella was taking it. she has only recently came around to her work because I showed her some of the new shows and she likes donatellas designs now yippie!

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@Ocerry1]

love the dad cameo

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@grandisDom]

I love how pure and informative your fashion journalism is and hiiiiii Bliss’s dad! Great cameo lol

[@tzegoh333]

That title makes no sense: his life was tragic, but his final show certainly wasn't.

[@Bayoooooooooo]

Glorious metallic high poinTS

[@michelangelo315]

"barocco" is just the Italian word for baroque :)

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@velvet_jade]

Love you Bliss!! 💗

[@Gian_Valkiri]

i love my brother with all my forces, see Gianni and Donatella work together with such a diferent language was very meaninful and kind sad for the loss

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@tranghanguyenn]

Hi, i just subscribed your patreon but couldn’t find a way to access discord. Can you help me???

[@BlissFoster]

Hey! Firstly, thanks so much for the support! 🙏 message me on Patreon and we’ll get you sorted 💫💫

[@realmccoy18]

Gianni had HIV not ear cancer...that was just the family spin

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@bouncecat]

Thank you for the nuanced way of approaching such a tragic event ❤ Maria, NL

[@BlissFoster]

Ayyyyy thank you so much!!

[@pollysshore2539]

I started watching your Paris Fashion Week video from 5 mo last night and you attended 100% heroin chic shows. I don’t think you realized it though because you didn’t get all of the references due to your age. Henri Alexander Leavy, Enfants Riches Deprimes… that was pretty dang heroin chic. Most of the models were thin, gaunt, pale, sunken. Of course this doesn’t mean that they are actual heroin addicts, just as many of the alleged heroin chic models of the 1990s were not heroin addicts and addiction alone did not make them heroin chic models. (The Basketball Diaries is a heart wrenching movie from the 1990s about teens getting addicted to heroin, something that was happening often at the time and again today.)

[@glacierboi3902]

🥰

[@janusconner3710]

I can't.

[@janusconner3710]

Hi, Mr. Foster!🙃

[@devincristopher3]

i love versace🌈🌞 i love loud prints🦋❤️🦋 bright happy colors are my favorite and also black🦋🖤🦋 So horrible what happened to him.

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@sebastianzafrapayan1]

I looooooved this video. Made me understand Versace’s aesthetic, both donatellas and giannis very well. I’m joining the Patreon after seeing this. The amount of analysis is just right. ❤

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@pacificrules]

1:16... I was just on Zam Barrett's website checking out his fashion collection, and omg, they were all quite hideous. It was like reviewing something out of Edward Scissorhands' Haute Couture 🧟‍♂🧟‍♂🧟‍♀🧟‍♀🧟🧟🦇🦇👹👹👾👾☠☠👻👻👺👺🤖🤖👽👽💀💀

[@wy4tt52]

I never knew I would truly enjoy watching a KZbinr as much as you Bliss. Thank you.

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@wy4tt52]

@@BlissFoster ???

[@cicaedia]

I own one of the black with white piped strap dresses (they fell off the shoulder on the runway), still wear it 20+ years later and it’s a timeless piece.

[@garywright4495]

My Gooodness! you should be a model, you have a such a presence. The camera loves your face.

[@locadventure6434]

Bliss Foster you made me fall in love with Fashion, and now I feel like a kid again. ❤

[@sarahwatts7152]

Commenting for the 0s and 1s

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@michaelofparadise]

REST IN PEACE MR . VERSACE

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE 💜

[@odessarepresentative]

thank you for being intelligent and thoughtful and kind.

[@fridarizo9807]

Hey! What collection is the one with the wide shoulders?

[@alexanderpons9246]

What a great and insightful video Bliss Foster, thank you for all the facts you shared with us all! True although Gianni Versace had a strong point of view there is no doubt that He did appreciated Donatella's point of view especially since it was She whom from the start brought to life many of his creations.

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@roryalexanderm]

died on the day i was born

[@BlissFoster]

Oh damn, that’s wild

[@ethnasanmartin]

I loved this video! Thanx! 💜✨

[@swordguy1243]

Barocco is Baroque in italian and spanish lol

[@vitoriar1403]

can i still get Donatella VERSACE'd? 😞😞😞

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@피라-e1s]

As always a great video. Thank you, Bliss!

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@aldogoegan3091]

Thank you for bringing more about this genius and some of his fascinating history

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@dalecaldwell]

off topic, but that is one great shirt you're wearing.

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@BlissFoster]

Also, thanks Dale!

[@zackashton6890]

forever gonna watch your videos❤

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@avalinah]

Loved the video!

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@foxtrot1278]

Donatella VERSACE 💜

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@fatimawajid4011]

Donatella VERSACE 💜

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@tytustuecki8616]

Incredible video… also i want a heart from ms versace ❤

[@BlissFoster]

lol wat?

[@BlissFoster]

SIKE Donatella VERSACE💜

[@tytustuecki8616]

@@BlissFoster 😂😂😂

[@Luke-vg2tg]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@BlissFoster]

And a very Donatella VERSACE💜 to you too

[@bbberke]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@BlissFoster]

And a very Donatella VERSACE💜 to you also 💫💫

[@rickonions]

DONATELLA VERSACE 💜💜

[@BlissFoster]

And a very happy Donatella VERSACE💜 to you too

[@implicitnoir]

Great video!

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@danielhidalgo4055]

Versace? >:3

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@Dannnniel]

boop

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@jamilcoward]

why is his dad so cool tho 😎

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@flazeda8743]

​@@BlissFoster😂

[@dorotaisqueen3650]

This is random but if anyone wants it Lady Gaga's song Donatella is an absolute masterpiece and they should listen to it right now if they haven't already

[@kanika192]

I don't know much about versace BUT i think Donatella was never trained only to overtake versace but to become a fashion designer... not a family member who will just have to continue a family business but to become an individual as one should be ....but as they had to have someone to continue the business too so they would have decided to slowly present Donatella's work to prevent business from the disaster that can occur from sudden change ...

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@supermani967]

This is just outstanding content, everything is there. Truly excellent. Also, we stan Donatella VERSACE💜

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@sarang8585]

Donatella?

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@casinohabibi]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜

[@ragingwitch8875]

[@BlissFoster]

Donatella VERSACE💜