House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival, Ball Deborah

Gianni Versace was at the height of his creative powers when he was murdered in Miami Beach. The story was front page news around the world and the manhunt for his killer a media obsession. His beloved sister Donatella demanded no less than a funeral befitting an assassinated head-of-state to be held in Milans magnificent cathedral. In what was the ultimate fashion show, the worlds rich and beautiful - Princess Dianna, Elton John, Carla Bruni, Naomi Campbell, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Anna Wintour and others - gathered to mourn a man already considered one of fashions great pioneers.

Deborah Ball, a long-time Milan correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, conducted hundreds of interviews with Versace family members, Gianni Versaces lovers and business rivals, models such as Naomi Campbell whom he helped shoot to international stardom and fashion industry icons, including Anna Wintour, the legendary editor of Vogue.

Ball vividly recounts the behind-the scenes struggles - both creative and business - of Donatella as she stepped out of her brothers long shadow and took control of the House of Versace. The book offers the first inside look at the enormous challenges Donatella faced in living up to Giannis genius, her struggle with a drug habit, her battles with her brother Santo and the mystery of why Gianni left control of his house to Donatellas young daughter, Allegra. House of Versace is a compelling, highly readable tale of rise from obscurity, a painful fall and ultimate redemption as the Versace empire returned to health - for now.

Bringing together fashion, celebrity, business drama, jet-set lifestyles, and a notorious crime, House of Versace is an old-fashioned page-turner about a subject of enduring fascination.