Monday September 1, 2008

The home where famed late fashion designer GIANNI VERSACE was shot dead has been opened for tours over 10 years after his tragic death.

The Italian fashion icon – credited with creating the supermodel by agreeing to pay high sums to Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington – was murdered on the steps of his Miami home in 1997 at the age of 50.

The estate’s current owner, Peter Loftin, made Versace’s Casa Casuarina a private club, then rented rooms for overnight stays and events.

And now tourists can pay $50 (GBP27) to take a look at the infamous South Beach, Miami mansion, on tours running through September (08).

Loftin says, “It’s too magical a place not to share with a wider audience.”