Everything changed, though, in 1997, when Gianni was shot dead in Miami by Andrew Cunanan, a gay prostitute and serial killer. The Versace empire was divided between Santo, who became CEO, and Gianni's younger sister, Donatella, who became creative director.

Gianni left 30% of the company to Santo and 20% to Donatella . . . but bequeathed 50% to Donatella's oldest child, Allegra, which she would inherit in 2004, when she turned 18.

On hearing the terms of her uncle's will, Allegra is said to have asked, aghast: "Why did Uncle Gianni choose me?" She inherited an estimated 184m, a villa on Lake Como and a Manhattan townhouse, while her younger brother Daniel (16) inherited Gianni's art collection, which fetched around 7.5m at auction in 2001.

Since Gianni's murder, the family has faced further crises.

The Versace label has struggled financially, Donatella has admitted to an addiction to cocaine and Allegra has undergone a public struggle with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa.