Tensions between Gianni Versace's former companion and the late designer's family flared on Friday after the eleventh-hour cancellation of an auction of shirts belonging to the stylist.
Colourful shirts and waistcoats worn by Versace were to have been sold for charity in a nightclub near Rimini on Thursday night as part of an event marking the 10th anniversary of the designer's death.
The sale was organised by Antonio D'Amico, the man who was Versace's partner and business associate right up until the legendary designer was murdered in front of his Miami mansion in 1997.
But shortly after midnight, when star guests were assembled and ready, organisers announced that the auction was being cancelled because lawyers for the Versace family had sent a fax warning them not to go ahead.
"I'm sorry, especially for the home for abandoned children. We'll no longer be able to donate the proceeds of this auction," said D'Amico, whose relationship with Versace lasted over 11 years.
The auction was to be the highlight of a glamorous gala evening with which D'Amico intended to remember and "celebrate" Versace.
"We're not honouring Gianni in this way. Once again his family has shown its true colours. I'd be ashamed in their place," he said.
DENIAL FROM VERSACE.
But on Friday the Versace group, which is run by Gianni's brother Santo and his sister Donatella, issued a statement contradicting D'Amico's explanation of why the auction had been shelved.
"We didn't oppose it, not as a company and not as a family," the terse statement said.
The maison noted that, with the cooperation of Milan city hall, a series of initiatives had been organised to mark the anniversary of Versace's death.
These included the performance of a special ballet by French choreographer Maurice Bejart at La Scala on July 15, the date of Versace's death.
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.
When he announced the sale of Gianni's clothes last month, he said it might be viewed negatively by the designer's family, with which he has no contact.
But he insisted it was 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.
