fashionologie

Allegra Versace Beck Gives Rare Interview, Has Started Working on Designing Versace

fashionologie — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:28:22 PDT

>> After many years of reluctance, Allegra Versace Beck - the majority shareholder with a 50 percent stake in Versace - has started collaborating on the brand's collections, taking her first steps into the design studio, she tells La Repubblica (translated from Italian): "I have asked my mother - I was reluctant at first, because I know little of finance - but then I realized that it was necessary for me to understand, participate, learn of this world."

She continued: "The idea made me very uncomfortable, then I calmed down. I have already started working in the office - they are all boys of my age, and I managed to convince them that I am not a mistress, but like them in that I have the ability to do this creative work ... I am the only unpaid one, that's the one difference. We became friends, often we go out together. "

Further highlights, below.

On going to the United States to study and recover from anorexia: "I call this my period of absence, I was lost in other thoughts and couldn't confront reality, with my eyes shielded from everything. Above all, I wanted one thing - to be no one, to not be recognized, not be hunted down. I studied theater, and it pleased me greatly to play parts in little independent films that perhaps no one went to see. For example, I really loved Little Miss Sunshine. Still, anywhere I went, I was a Versace. I couldn't escape, and it did me harm. I hated Los Angeles. However I did have beautiful moments. For example, when I was in New York, Rupert Everett played in Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, and I, behind the scenes, acted invisibly as a dresser."

On whether she's reconciled with being a Versace: "Definitely, I still prefer the anonymity. I've spent some time working with a non-Italian designer, I've been helping him organize fashion shows, the advertising, also helping with the creative part. But the great part about this work is that I am no one! They pay me, also, of course - for now not enough to live without worries - but I think you can get used to everything, if you feel free, if you are yourself and not what others want you to be, if you don't see a photographer around every corner, if you do not bury yourself in cruel gossip that does so much harm."

On the differences between herself and her mother, Donatella Versace: "We are so close even if she is different from me - she is impetuous and determined, I am reflective and quiet. She uses celebrity in the service of work; I hate that celebrity."

fashionologie — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:14:02 PDT

>> Versace Currently on Track For Profitability by 2011-Two months ago, Versace announced it was eliminating 26 percent of its workforce in an effort to regain profitability by 2011. Now, company CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris says the brand is on track with its goal - boutique sales are up 10 percent since January, the Fall 2010 collection is nearly entirely pre-sold to wholesalers, and revenue is now about 10 percent of Gucci and slightly higher than Yves Saint Laurent. And although it's been suggested that majority holder Allegra Beck Versace might sell her stake in the company, Ferraris says not so: "With this plan, there is no urgency (for any family members to sell). This plan will guarantee the cashflow to run the business without any interference." [Reuters]

Would Allegra Beck Sell Her Stake to Help Restore Versace?

fashionologie — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:51:57 PST

>> In 2004, Wall Street Journal's Deborah Ball reports in her just-published book House of Versace, Donatella Versace told her daughter Allegra Versace Beck she has until she is 24 to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. If Allegra didn't succeed by then, she had to come work for Versace. Allegra, who owns a majority stake in the company, turns 24 in June of this year.

The declaration could have changed by now - although in media interviews, Donatella still expresses hope that Allegra will join the company at some point. Allegra lives in New York and attends Versace board meetings; she was involved in replacing Versace's chief executive last May with current chief executive Gian Giacomo Ferraris. And at the beginning of 2009, she began spending more time in Milan and now has a desk in Donatella's atelier.

But not so fast »

Should Donatella Move On from Versace?

fashionologie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:30:11 PST

>> After Dana Thomas's best-selling book Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster came out in August 2007, she wasn't invited to Louis Vuitton's show the following October - Vuitton chief executive Yves Carcelle was unhappy with how she had portrayed LVMH head Bernard Arnault. Given the article she just wrote for Newsweek, "The Tragic Decline of the House of Versace," she may be uninvited from Versace's show next.

Just last week, Donatella expressed that she expected Versace to weather the economy, despite having to lay off a quarter of its workforce. Thomas doesn't seem as convinced, suggesting that perhaps it's time for Versace to move past its family-centric setup:

"Many in the fashion industry believe it's time for the brand to continue without Versace family involvement - and some suggest that the family is starting to accept this idea too. Last year, Santo [Versace, Donatella's brother and former CEO of the company] was elected to the Italian Parliament. Allegra [Beck Versace, Donatella's daughter and 50 percent company heir] has been attending Brown University and has said her dream is to become an actress. And will Donatella remain at the helm? 'Maybe,' says [an anonymous] former Versace executive. 'Then again, maybe not.' Which, after a decade of turmoil, may be the best thing for the company after all."

Gianni Versace wanted the brand out of the family hands »

Christopher Kane Sends Out Gingham Girls for Spring 2010

fashionologie — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:23:38 PDT

>> A few days ago, Christopher Kane dropped an image of a doll he did over the summer as a hint at his Spring 2010 collection, adding that he channeled it "not in the literal sense, but more of a feeling." To a front row of Natalia Vodianova with Anna Wintour and Topshop's Sir Philip Green squeezed between Donatella Versace and Allegra Beck Versace, the end product came out all gauzy gingham in black and pastel colors, symmetrical front slits up to there, and Swarovski embellished floral brocade.

Jenny Shimizu walked in a tailored suit apparently made in collaboration with Savile Row tailors Norton & Sons; Lara Stone, who skipped New York Fashion Week altogether, made her first runway appearance of the day - her second was at Jaeger. And Kane, a self-professed fan of television, sent everyone home with a Gossip Girl season two DVD in their gift bags.

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Allegra Beck Versace Styles, Interviews for the New Issue of LOVE

fashionologie — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:42:28 PDT

>> Allegra Beck Versace usually stays pretty low profile despite her marquee name and majority stake in the Versace brand, but she pitched in for the second issue of LOVE, styling and interviewing Gossip Girl's Taylor Momsen, who was captured by Collier Schorr. The two must be friends - Taylor attended Allegra's intimate 23rd birthday party a couple of months ago. Another little tidbit about the new LOVE - the two cover stars were booked by none other than The Misshapes' Greg Krelenstein.

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LOVE Goes for "The Young and the Reckless," Two Covers with Second Issue

fashionologie — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:56:45 PDT

>> Turns out the preview that hit the web early this month featuring a David Sims shot of Alex Hartley, a bass player from Birmingham, England, who Katie Grand "found on the Internet," is one of LOVE's two covers for its second issue, after all. The second cover comes courtesy of Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, who did cover honors for LOVE the first time around, and features Coco Sumner, burgeoning it-girl and daughter of Sting.

Both cover stars are 18; in fact, most of the issue, which hits newsstands Aug. 24, is full of emerging celebrities and unknowns who are mostly under 21 - Allegra Beck Versace, Miley Cyrus, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Momsen among them. “The whole issue’s full of these kids, really, who are at that turning point of life when you’ve got no responsibilities, you’re quite free and everything’s exciting,” Grand told WWD.

Grand added "more words" to the issue, bringing on Isaac Lock as deputy editor because: “I always think visually, so it was really important that the words team was strengthened." As for how the magazine's holding up on the business end, there are 106 ad pages from advertisers like Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Chanel in the 296-page magazine. The magazine had 116 ad pages for its debut issue, but Grand said the issue had “exceeded the targets set” for advertising.

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fashionologie — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:17:13 PDT

>> More September Issue Dish: A New LOVE Preview and a Whole Muse Devoted to Natasha Poly -LOVE just released a new preview featuring 13-year-old blogger Tavi of Style Rookie in addition to the first one from earlier this week . Add Twilight's Taylor Lautner, Taylor Swift, and the Willis Sisters - who were photographed back in May - to the list of "New Blood" featured; so far, the only fashion kids listed are Alexander Wang and Allegra Versace. Meanwhile, it the spirit of the recent influx of model-dedicated issues, Muse is devoting their entire Fall/Winter 2009 issue to Natasha Poly: among the contributors are Richard Phillips, and if it coincides with a clue on The Imagist, Craig McDean and Terry Richardson, as well. [The Moment, The Imagist]

Donatella Throws Intimate Party for Allegra Beck Versace's 23rd Birthday

fashionologie — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:44:12 PDT

>> After showing her Spring 2010 Versace men's collection in Milan last week, Donatella Versace touched down in Manhattan to celebrate daughter Allegra Beck Versace's 23rd birthday today with an intimate gathering last night at the Gramercy Park Hotel. Close family friend Rupert Everett was there, as well as Alek Wek, Leigh Lezark, and to add a little of Donatella's much-loved celebrity factor, Rihanna and Taylor Momsen.
*image: Bauer-Griffin Online

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Anna Wintour Makes It Back for A Night of Stars

fashionologie — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:07:15 PDT

>> After missing out on the Chanel Mobile Art opening and the Versace-hosted Whitney gala earlier this week, Anna Wintour was back in fine form - with Karl Lagerfeld at her side and Chanel on her person - at the Fashion Group International's Night of Stars last night. It was a night of family - Donatella Versace picked up the Superstar Award as Allegra Beck Versace looked on, Franca Sozzani was honored with her son Francesco Carrozzini in attendance - and friends - honorees Christopher Bailey and Francisco Costa brought Kate Bosworth and Ashley Olsen, respectively. Host Simon Doonan kept it light, at one point joking that Carla Sozzani had to make it back to the Marriott Marquis in time for a speed-dating session.
*image: source, source

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