Donatella Versace Slams Namesake Hotel Near Designer Brother's Murder Scene

Donatella Versace does not like this new venture and their crafty ideas!

The former chief creative officer of Versace has reacted to a new restaurant recently opened in Miami that was named after her, and she is not impressed.

Donatella Versace shocked the world when she stepped down as CCO of the designing giant in March. Before his death, she worked alongside the creator of Versace, her brother Gianni Versace, as vice president of the company.

Donatella has expressed her disapproval of a new restaurant and hotel venture in Miami that bears her name. Following her recent departure as the chief creative officer of Versace, a role she held for nearly 30 years, she is unhappy with the efforts to profit from her family's past tragedy. 

The establishment, named the Donatella Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, is located near the site of the family's former residence and is being opened by the Nakash and Vida & Estilo Hospitality groups. 

In a statement shared via Instagram, Donatella clarified, "The hotel and restaurant named Donatella… will never have anything to do with me or my family." 

She condemned the project for trying to capitalize on her family's grief, particularly given the history surrounding her brother, Gianni, who was tragically murdered outside the property in 1997. "To try to capitalize on our tragedy and my name for profit is disgraceful," the designer concluded.

Despite the feature in Ocean Drive magazine and the anticipation surrounding the 170-seat restaurant and six-room hotel, Donatella wants the public to understand that she is not associated with the venture. 

According to Page Six, the property, initially purchased by Gianni in 1992, has had a fascinating history, including operating as a private club and boutique hotel before being sold by the family.

According to PEOPLE, Gianni was born on December 2, 1946, in Reggio di Calabria, Southern Italy, into a humble family. His mother worked as a seamstress, while his father sold appliances. 

Surrounded by sewing machines and fabrics from a young age, Gianni developed a passion for fashion, creating his first dress at nine years old. He faced early skepticism when a fifth-grade teacher criticized his artistic inclinations, but his mother defended his love for clothing. 

After obtaining a draftsman's degree, Gianni began working alongside his mother before moving to Milan in 1972. There, he honed his skills as a stylist for other design firms, eventually gaining enough recognition to launch his own fashion house, co-founded with his brother Santo and sister Donatella in 1978. 

Family was always paramount for the designer; he once described himself as a typical Italian who cherished his family and clan. In 1989, he introduced Atelier Versace, his first couture collection, which showcased his bold designs that often danced between opulence and camp. 

Drawing inspiration from Hollywood, art, architecture, and contemporary culture, Versace became known for his innovative approach to fashion. Tragically, his life was cut short when he was murdered on July 15, 1997, a loss that deeply affected both his loved ones and the fashion world.

Gianni was known for his vibrant and audacious designs, often seen as the antithesis to Giorgio Armani's more restrained, classic style. 

He embraced a playful approach to fashion, famously stating in 1993, "I prefer a happy vulgar person to an unhappy chic person," reflecting his belief that an upbeat personality outweighs mere style. 

Gianni's iconic "bondage dresses" showcased his flair for the provocative, capturing the attention of a broad audience. He was also a shrewd marketer, leveraging the star power of supermodels like Naomi Campbell and celebrities such as Madonna and Lisa Marie Presley to elevate his brand. 

His front-row shows attracted a mix of high-profile figures, including Vogue's Anna Wintour and even controversial personalities like Woody Allen. 

Despite some criticism labeling his designs as cartoonish or vulgar, they resonated deeply with consumers, particularly after he dressed the "Miami Vice" cast, further solidifying his influence in the fashion world.

On July 15, 1997, Gianni was enjoying time at his luxurious Miami villa, Casa Casuarina, following unveiling a new couture collection in Paris. As he returned from a stroll to a nearby café and prepared to open the gates of his home, he encountered Andrew Cunanan.

Cunanan was a serial killer already on the FBI's 10 most-wanted list for a string of murders across the country. The criminal opened fire on Gianni, shooting him twice in what was described as an execution-style attack, leaving him gravely wounded on his doorstep.

The moment was brief yet devastating. Berta Valdez, a crime scene technician who processed the scene, remarked on the rapidity of the tragedy, noting that Gianni was killed almost instantly. 

Jaime Alberto Cardona, a friend and model, was among the first on the scene and expressed his shock and sorrow, reflecting on the loss. He lamented that in an instant, someone had destroyed what took Gianni a lifetime to build, not just his legacy in Miami Beach but his entire empire.

In the aftermath of Gianni's tragic murder, his family and friends were left in deep mourning, with notable figures like Princess Diana and Elton John attending his lavish funeral.

A family friend shared in 2017 that his relatives were still struggling to cope with the loss, which affected them both personally and professionally.

The Versace mansion, known as Casa Casuarina, became a site of grief, drawing a steady stream of visitors who paid their respects where Gianni had been shot.

Gianni's death marked a significant loss not just of a beloved family member but also of the visionary leader of the Versace empire. His family was exceptionally tight-knit, especially Donatella and Gianni, making the impact of his passing profoundly painful. 

Following his death, Donatella stepped up as the chief creative voice of the brand, with her daughter, Allegra, inheriting half of the firm and brother Santo assuming the role of CEO.

Hal Rubenstein, a friend of the Versace family, noted the immense pressure on Donatella, stating that she had to hold up the family legacy amid overwhelming grief.

Less than six months after Gianni's death, Donatella presented her first collection as the chief designer at Milan Fashion Week, though she admitted to struggling with his absence. 

Today, Casa Casuarina is celebrated as the third-most photographed residence in the U.S., with visitors remembering Gianni's vibrant life rather than the circumstances of his untimely death.

Donatella Versace has proven her worth as a great ambassador of the Versace family!