Gianni Versace was one of the world’s leading fashion designers before his death in 1997. Along with his family, he created the Versace fashion empire that continues to dominate the industry today. Gianni's murder at the hands of serial killer Andrew Cunanan is the focus of the second season of American Crime Story. Refresh your memory of the late designer with these must-know facts before The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story premieres on January 17 on FX.

Before he became one of the biggest designers in the world, Versace grew up in the city of Reggio Calabria in Italy, where he learned how to design dresses from his mother. According to the New York Times, Versace’s mother was a dressmaker and he would learn new things when he visited her in her workshop. He eventually moved to Milan, where he established the Versace brand.