Colourful shirts and waistcoats worn by the late Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace are to be sold off at a charity auction marking the 10th anniversary of his death.
The sale is being organised by Antonio D'Amico, the man who had been Versace's partner and business associate for 11 years when the stylist was murdered in front of his Miami mansion in 1997.
"They are coloured shirts with baroque or Miami-style prints, leather and silk waistcoats that we used to give each other when we were on holiday," D'Amico said.
The proceeds from the auction, to be held on June 14 in the Adriatic resort of Riccione, will go to a home for abandoned children in Milan to which D'Amico has personal connections.
D'Amico said the auction would be the highlight of a glamorous gala evening designed to remember and "celebrate" Gianni Versace ten years after his death.
On July 15, the actual anniversary of Versace's slaying by a serial killer, D'Amico said he would prefer to "be alone" with his memories.
Born in Reggio Calabria on the toe of Italy, Versace founded the world famous fashion house in 1978 and within 10 years had made it a name which rivaled that of fellow Italians Armani, Valentino and Gucci.
Versace has been referred to as the 'rock-and-roll designer' and his clients included Madonna, Phil Collins, Bruce Springsteen, George Michael, Eric Clapton, Elton John, and Michael Jackson.
He also made clothes for Diana, Princess of Wales and Princess Caroline of Monaco.
Gianni Versace was renowned not only for his lavish tailoring but also for his exuberant personal taste.
He owned homes in Milan, Lake Como, Italy, New York, and Miami. They were filled with antiques which inspired the prints on his fashions and his homeware collections.
Versace was often in the public eye and never hid his homosexuality. He lived openly D'Amico, who was also the designer of the Versace sport line.
D'Amico, who now has another partner, lives on Lake Garda where he runs a restaurant. He also continues to design stage costumes and to devise stage shows and TV programmes.
He says he realises his decision to sell Gianni's clothes could be viewed negatively by the designer's family, with which he has no contact. But he insists it is a good idea.
"All I have left now are sweet memories and I want to celebrate Gianni in a way that he would have liked," he said.
