Lady Gaga will play Donatella Versace in 'American Crime Story'

Donatella took over the fashion empire following Gianni's death and is the current Vice President of the Versace Group, which Gaga has appeared in fashion campaigns for.

Meanwhile, the 10-episode series, which begins filming next year, is not the only project about Gianni which is being planned.

Antonio Banderas was recently cast as the late designer in an upcoming movie directed by Danish film director Bille August.

However, the designer brand insisted they have not "authorised" the upcoming project and do not have any involvement in the production.

The Italian fashion group said: "[We] have neither authorised nor had any involvement whatsoever in the forthcoming movie about Versace. The movie should only be seen as a work of fiction."

It is believed filming will take place in the Italian city of Milan before moving to Reggio Calabria situated in the south of the island, which is where the creative mastermind was born, and then on to Miami, America, where the founder of the luxury label was murdered in 1997 aged 50.