Major Gianni Versace exhibition to open in Bermondsey

Hailed Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace will be the focus of a major new exhibition coming to Bermondsey this summer.

The show will feature more than 450 original pieces, including outfits worn by Princess Diana, Kate Moss, Sir Elton John, Naomi Campbell and George Michael.

Gianni Versace Retrospective will open at Arches London Bridge on July 16, almost 30 years after his death.

Honouring the legacy of a designer who transformed the fashion world, the exhibition will feature the largest collection of vintage Gianni Versace designs ever to be displayed in the UK.

Gianni Versace’s designs are showcased in the exhibition through a vibrant chronology of looks on display from 21 collections dating from Spring/Summer 1988  through to Autumn/Winter 1997-98. 

Original runway show footage, videos, magazines and photographs displayed alongside, underscore the rapid changes in aesthetics during these years.

Liz Koravos, Managing Director of Arches London Bridge said: “As a genius of his time, it’s fascinating to see these incredible collections assembled under the curved arches of the venue. 

“Gianni Versace ties to so much in modern culture and his legacy is enduring, a mark of a talented designer.

“The crossover between fashion, music, pop culture, fine art, antiquities, sculpture and the rise of the supermodel is all encapsulated in his work.”

As the exhibition looks back, it considers how the nostalgic appeal of the ’90s Versace aesthetic underpins our current understanding of identity, fame, and consumption today. 

From social media influencers to the resurgence of ’90s-inspired aesthetics, the obsession with personal reinvention and excess remains ever-present, where trends are rapidly recycled and reinterpreted.

Curator Karl von der Ahe from Dreamrealizer said: “Bringing this retrospective to London feels especially meaningful. 

“Gianni Versace’s bold, unapologetic vision revolutionised fashion, and this city—so rich in creativity and cultural influence—provides the perfect stage to celebrate his legacy. We’re thrilled to share these iconic pieces in one of the world’s fashion capitals.”

Pictured top: Gianni Versace Runway Milan 1990 (Picture: Paolo Castaldi)