Artworks belonging to the late Gianni Versace sold at a London auction for more than twice the presale estimate, the second time in a month the public sale of a famed fashion designer’s items had defied the economic slump.

The 545-lot sale of the contents of Villa Fontanelle, Versace’s early 19th-century mansion on the shores of Lake Como, fetched 7.4 million pounds ($10.5 million) last night, against a presale top estimate of 2.8 million pounds.

Like the Saint Laurent sale, the Versace sale was a chance to pick up pieces personally selected by a man of great taste.

David Beckham is borrowing George Clooney’s Italian mansion ‘to unwind’ as the transfer battle to secure his footballing talents continues.

A source in Italy had reportedly told Hello! Magazine that “George has really taken David under his wing since the transfer trouble started. At the house, David is able to get away from everything, relax and switch off in private.”

The luxurious $8million lakeside retreat, on Lake Como, is just half an hour from Beckham’s Milan base.

The single-owner sale of property from the designer’s Lake Como (Italy) residence including furniture, paintings and works of art takes place March 18 at Sotheby’s London.

The 550 lots are expected to fetch in excess of £2 million. Prior to the sale Sotheby’s will recreate highlights of certain rooms of the villa in its New Bond Street galleries.

Gianni Versace’s discerning approach to furnishing his home resulted in the impressive collection of continental furniture, sculpture and silver works and 18th and 19th century paintings to be offered in this sale.