In July of 1997, he was gunned down in his South Beach home in Miami, Florida. A designer whos fashions were as different as he was. He was known for his futuristic look in his clothes. On July 23, 1997, the prime suspect for his killing was found dead in a Miami Beach boathouse. In 1994 he was in Berlin where he opened a 600 sqm. showroom on the famous Kurfurstendamm.

In New York, on March 30th he presented the book "Designs", an abridged English edition of " Vanitas, Ricami e Decori Decori e Ricami", at Bergdorf Goodman's. Worldwide launch of the 2 new Versace fragrances: RED & JEANS. Berlin, On September 15th, the opening of the of travelling exhibition "VERSACE SIGNATURES" at the Kunstgewerbemuseum that was held till November 25, 1994. This year the exhibition includes a new section dedicated to the "Home" line, in addition to those regarding embroideries, timeless fashion, prints, leather, and the theater costumes. October 1994 - the book "L'UOMO SENZA CRAVATTA"(the man without tie) by him comes out. It's the fourth volume of the Vanitas series , published by Leonardo Arte.

In 1988 he went to Paris to design the stage costumes for Zizi Jeanmaire's last recital at the Bouffes du Nord; on March 30, in Brussels, alongside Maurice Bejart, he presents the costumes for the ballet inspired by Evita Peron in an absolute premiere at the Theatre Royal de la Monnaie. On June 8, the jury of the "Cutty Sark" nominates him the most creative and innovative fashion designer for men; in September he opened a 600 sqm. showroom in Madrid, his first boutique in Spain. On December 20 he was once again in Paris to design the costumes for the ballet "Java Forever", with Zizi Jenamaire, presented at the Opera.In 1982, he won the first of a series of awards that will crown his career: "L'Occhio d'Oro" for the best fashion designer of the 1982/83 Fall/Winter collection for women; in this collection he displayed the famous metal garments, now a classic feature of his fashion.

The same year, he began a collaboration with the Teatro alla Scala and designs costumes for the Richard Strauss' ballet "Josephlegende"; the stage design was by the painter, Luigi Veronesi. He was a very good man, who tried to survive in this world filled with critics, and biasts. Theses are just two of his great achievements. He got so far in his life, for it to end like this. But its not over. His siter is now in charge of keeping his spirit alive, she does that through her designs that were as creative and unususal as his original designs were, we will remember him always