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Gianni Versace’s Legendary Looks On Show in London Exhibition

  • Writer: Rhianna Dankwa
    Rhianna Dankwa
  • Jul 24
  • 3 min read

Updated: Sep 12

Gianni Versace with grey hair, wearing a dark V-neck sweater, stands with his arms raised in triumph on a stage, with Naomi Campbell with dark hair and a black dress smiling behind him to his left, and other figures in the background.
Gianni Versace was the Father of the Supermodel. Photo: Britannica

A Gianni Versace Exhibition has opened in London, featuring the Italian designer’s most glamorous and provocative styles, in what organisers call a ‘kaleidoscopic view of the 90s’.


Over 450 original vintage pieces are on show in the Arches London Bridge, the largest collection of vintage designs ever to be displayed in the UK, according to organisers.


This one-of-a-kind retrospective showcase gives young and old the chance to relive some of the house’s legendary pieces: Elizabeth Hurley’s black safety pin dress, Jennifer Lopez’s green silk chiffon dress and Madonna’s white silk 1995 Brit Awards dress.


A wide shot of a museum exhibit space with brick walls and arched ceilings. Mannequins display colorful, patterned clothing on elevated circular platforms. Large banners featuring famous individuals hang from the ceiling. Text on one of the platforms reads "ELTON JOHN".
Looks worn by supermodel and celeb royalty can be seen in the Gianni Versace Exhibition. Photo: Arches London Bridge
Elton John smiling with glasses and brown hair, wearing a brown jacket, is embraced from behind by Gianni Versace smiling with grey hair.
Versace forged a close relationship with Sir Elton John, leading to a fashion and music collaboration. Photo: Elton John/Facebook

Liz Koravos, managing director of Arches London Bridge, described Versace as “a genius of his time.”


She said: “Gianni Versace ties to so much in modern culture and his legacy is enduring, a mark of a talented designer.”


The exhibition - running until March 2026 - rewinds the clocks to the 80s and spans the course of Versace’s career up to his murder in 1997.


A display of numerous long-sleeved button-up shirts, each featuring intricate and colorful Baroque-style patterns in shades of gold, blue, purple, and black, hanging on a dark wall.
Versace was infamous for prints, colour and flare. Photo: Arches London Bridge

Curator Karl von der Ahe, curator of the Gianni Versace Retrospective told The Express: “The sheer number of original looks brings the era of Gianni Versace’s reign to life like never before.


“Versace presented himself as constantly surprising, a creative spirit and a resurrected Renaissance prince.”


Born 2 December 1946 in Reggio Calabria, Italy, Versace learnt his trade from his mother’s dressmaking business. 


Three people stand together and smile at the camera. Santo Versace with short grey hair stands on the left, Donatella Versace with long blonde hair and dark clothing is in the centre, and Gianni Versace with short grey hair and a beard stands on the right.
Gianni Versace (right) with his brother Santo (left) and sister Donatella (centre). Photo: Italian.it

He moved to Milan in 1972 and worked freelance for several Italian labels before founding his eponymous fashion house in 1978 with his siblings Santo and Donatella.


His risqué, flamboyant and ambitious designs were a first of its kind, blending luxurious high fashion with pop culture and ancient Greek history - notably the infamous Medusa logo.


The Italian designer pioneered the supermodel phenomenon, birthing household names like Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Linda Evangelista.


Versace supermodel Marcus Schenkenberg told Mark Heyes on Lorraine that ‘all the models wanted to work with [Gianni Versace]’.


Naomi Campbell’s dress featuring Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe and Jamea Dean pop art is the epitome of Versace’s distinctive collaborations between fashion, music and celebrity culture. Its bold prints, vibrant colours and classical motifs are now the trademark style of the fashion house.

Several mannequins wearing brightly colored and boldly patterned clothing are displayed in the Gianni Versace Exhibition London at Arches London Bridge. The clothing features graphic designs and pop art elements.
Naomi Campbell's Andy Warhol print dress is one of Versace's career-defining creations. Photo: Arches London Bridge

Naomi Campbell with dark hair, wearing a vibrant, embellished dress featuring pop art-style portraits of Marilyn Monroe, poses against a dark blue background.
Naomi Campbell during Gianni Versace's Spring/Summer Ready-to-Wear 1991 fashion show. Photo: ghadeers_alsh/Instagram

Besides creating A-listers, the fashion visionary also rubbed shoulders with them. British royalty such as Sir Elton John, Madonna and the actual royal, Princess Diana turned the runway into a red carpet in a move that redefined the industry.


The Princess of Wales became the unexpected poster girl for the fashion house. The Gianni Versace “Diana” bag - a Hermès Kelly style bag with an embossed crocodile patent leather and gold hardware - was christened in her honour after she wore it at Versace’s funeral. 


Princess Diana with short blonde hair, wearing a black sleeveless dress, pearl necklace, and holding a black crocodile-embossed handbag, stands on stone steps.
Princess Diana flew to Milan, Italy to attend her friend Gianni Versace's funeral. Photo: 1stDibs/Pinterest

Versace was murdered in Miami on 15 July 1997 after serial killer Andrew Cunanan shot him in the back of the head.


His sister Donatella Versace took over as creative director until March 2025.


The fashion mogul’s legacy rests with his unending creative prowess and unapologetic defiance of the status quo, producing unimaginative fashion masterpieces that send ripples across the industry today.

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