At a time when many of his peers preferred an austere minimalism, Gianni Versace stayed true to himself. The brilliant designer’s flashy signature looks set him apart from anyone else in the fashion world. With bondage-inspired gowns, brilliant prints, and metallic mini-skirts, Gianni and his namesake label pushed the boundaries of fashion.

An innovator of design, when a technique or fabric that he wanted did not exist, he made it. He also changed the fashion landscape–he helped launch the supermodel and, by dressing famous musicians, became one of the first designers to really blend the music and fashion worlds.