The Versace fashion house has been in the creative hands of the family from the beginning. First, Gianni created his bold, baroque and sensual designs. After his death, his sister and muse took over his legacy, and though it was difficult, she built and created her own vision for the brand for thirty years. Today, Donatella Versace has passed away. What’s next for the brand and which direction will its development take?
Donatella Versace is leaving
Is the fashion world ready for Versace Without Donatella? It’s a question that until recently seemed absurd. For nearly three decades, she was not only the face of the brand, but also its soul – continuing Gianni’s legacy while making Versace even more bold, iconic and sexy. She created moments that have gone down in history – from J.Lo’s iconic jungle dress to the spectacular comebacks of supermodels. And now… she’s gone. Why?
Is this decision the result of a need to rest, a desire to hand over the reins to a younger generation, or perhaps upcoming changes in the brand structure itself? One thing is certain – the era of baroque glamour, golden jellyfish and Donatella’s undeniable feminine power is coming to an end. What will the new era of Versace bring? Will Dario Vitale lift the legend, or will he write his own history?
Who will be the new creative director of the Versace fashion house?
The new era of Versace will be opened by Dario Vitale, a designer who has so far been associated with Miu Miu, Bottega Veneta and Dsquared2. Does this mean that the fashion house is in for a revolution? Or perhaps a subtle evolution, in which Versace’s baroque glamour, sensuality and predatory femininity will be reinterpreted? Donatella Versace is leaving – who will take over the reins?
Vitale has experience in creating luxury and distinctive silhouettes, but will he manage to preserve the essence of the brand that Donatella Versace brought to its peak? It’s a moment of big questions and even bigger expectations – will the new creative director lift the legend and ensure that Versace continues to be synonymous with boldness, extravagance and undeniable power?
The most important achievements of the designer – what creations will we remember Donatelle Versace for?
Donatella Versace is gone, but her creations will remain forever in fashion history. Who doesn’t remember the iconic Jungle Dress in which Jennifer Lopez made history at the Grammy Awards in 2000? It was this dress – deep-cut, tropical, phenomenal – that contributed to the creation of Google Images. All because millions of people wanted to see it. And what about Versace’s spring 2018 show, when Donatella brought the supermodels of the 1990s back to the runway? Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Carla Bruni and Helena Christensen were like goddesses in gold gowns, paying homage to Gianni.
But that’s not all. Donatella made Versace synonymous with sensuality and power – her designs have been worn by Beyoncé, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Rihanna. It was she who created epoch-making gowns for the red carpet, from Blake Lively’s golden column creation at the MET Gala to the leather, sexy silhouettes for Gigi Hadid. Versace under her direction is also about masculine elegance with a modern twist – like Timaothée Chalamet’s iconic pink suit.
Donatella not only continued her brother’s work, but also boldly created a new Versace narrative. At once full of glamour, extravagance, but also strength and independence. Will anyone manage to reflect this energy in the new era of the brand?
Luxury News Editor
Joanna Baran
Brand name: versace
