MILAN, Italy (AP) -- Milan is paying tribute to Gianni Versace on the 10th anniversary of his murder, hosting a star-studded ballet performance at La Scala on Sunday night.

The two-part ballet "Thank you, Gianni, with love," was written by Maurice Bejart, a choreographer for whom Versace designed stage costumes and a close friend of the late fashion designer.

The event was expected to draw celebrities including supermodels Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer and British actress Elizabeth Hurley.

Versace was gunned down at age 50 outside his oceanfront mansion in Miami Beach, Fla., on July 15, 1997, by Andrew Cunanan, who killed himself a few days later.

Until his death, Versace's sexy and daring style had made him a favorite of rock singers, Hollywood stars and other celebrities.

Upon Versace's death, his sister, Donatella, took over design, with brother Santo running the business.

Other events to commemorate Versace's death include an exhibit of his sketches and theater costumes installed on Milan streets, and the establishment of a scholarship in Versace's honor at the European Institute of Design in Milan.

A native of Reggio Calabria in southern Italy, Versace began designing ready-to-wear for other firms in 1972 in Milan. He launched the Gianni Versace label with an autumn-winter collection in 1978.

In the 1980s, he gained fame with a flamboyant, glitzy style for both men and women. He often staged his fashion shows with blaring rock music and giant screens reproducing what was going on the runway.