Until his death in 1997, Gianni Versace seemed to be everywhere. His fabulous homes—in Milan, Miami, on Lake Como—were featured in magazines, often with celebrated guests like Elton John, Madonna and Prince. Versace couldn’t get enough of the gold medusas and ornate classical prints, and the public couldn’t get enough of Gianni. Another indelible image is of a smiling Versace on the runway surrounded by supermodels. The era of Christy, Naomi and Linda seemed to begin with him. And there were the couture shows in Paris, when he covered over the pool at the Ritz and the girls swept down the staircase in their drop-dead gowns.

His sister Donatella did her best to continue his vision. Indeed, in time, she became a beloved figure in fashion, known for her sense of humor. (She once appeared in

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