GOLDEN AGE OF VERSACE

HELLO! talks to the curators of a new exhibition showcasing the extraordinary impact of the era-defining Italian designer Gianni Versace

- MIRANDA THOMPSON

The relationship between Diana, Princess of Wales and Gianni Versace has an intriguing legacy that survives to the present day. Introduced by their mutual friend Sir Elton John, the ‘people’s princess’ and the Italian designer formed a special bond that fascinated the world.

“He became her favourite fashion designer after her divorce, when she was allowed to not just wear British fashion but international fashion,” curator Karl von der Ahé tells HELLO!.

Now, the special relationship between Diana and Versace features in an exhibition curated by Karl and fellow Versace expert Saskia Lubnow at Arches London Bridge, where visitors are promised a “kaleidoscopic view of the Nineties”.

Gianni Versace Retrospective showcases 21 seasons of Versace’s designs with more than 450 original pieces, including items worn by Diana and Versace’s other close friends, such as Sir Elton, models Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, and singer George Michael.

A DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Sadly the friendship between the princess and the designer spanned only a couple of years until their untimely deaths in 1997, when Versace was assassinated at the age of 50 by a gunman in Miami and just over a month later Diana died in a car accident in Paris. But, says Karl: “It was a very strong relationship, very close emotionally.”