fashionologie

Should Donatella Move On from Versace?

fashionologie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:30:11 -0800

>> 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 »

Donatella: I Handled Versace While Under Influence of Cocaine, Will Weather Economy, Too

fashionologie — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:52:41 -0800

>> Versace is definitely feeling the economic crunch, completely pulling out of Japan, where it's had a presence since 1981, and announcing impending layoffs of over a quarter of its current workforce. But Donatella Versace aims to keep up appearances - she sponsored the Whitney Museum Art Gala in New York two weeks ago, jetted off days later to Rio de Janeiro for a Fashion Rocks event, and has just named Georgia May Jagger, Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger's 17-year-old daughter, the face of her Spring 2010 campaign, as photographed by Mario Testino. She also refuses to take off her stilettos, except for at the gym.

The New York Times's Eric Wilson caught up with her when she was in New York, staying under the name "Mrs. Montez" in a suite at the Waldorf Towers. When she first took over Versace, she says, “it was not easy to believe in myself or the future. Everyone was looking at me like a savior, and I had to have this image of this powerful strong woman, which I am not.”

"You have to face the truth" »

fashionologie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:24:04 -0700

>> Versace Layoffs Coming to Help House Gain Back Profitability -Ever since former Versace CEO Giancarlo di Risio left the brand in June after clashing repeatedly with Donatella Versace, repositioning has been the order. Versace announced earlier this month that it would close all stores in Japan, and now comes news that the brand will cut 350 jobs worldwide by the middle of next year after forecasting a loss in 2009 and a flat 2010. The layoffs aim to help the house ensure profitability by 2011. [WWD]

Donatella Brings that Versace Glamour to the Whitney Museum Art Gala

fashionologie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:35:06 -0700

>> For the second year running, the Whitney Art Musem Gala was Donatella Versace's party. Editors - Olivier Zahm, Lauren Santo Domingo, Glenda Bailey - commingled with designers - Peter Som, Moises de la Renta, Ruffian's Claude Morais and Brian Wolk - and a smattering of models like Chanel Iman and Hana Soukupova. Christopher Kane's Versus designs even made an appearance - the Fall 2009 crystal shoes were on Byrdie Bell's feet, and Taylor Momsen - who seems to be close with the Versaces, particularly Allegra, changed into a black Spring 2010 Versus frock for the Studio Party post-Gala Dinner.

Donatella was fashionably late to the party - two hours in, she was nowhere to be found; perhaps she was still upstairs tending to VIPs - as was Lindsay Lohan, who swept in, all blonde hair and gold dress - earning comparisons to Donatella's trademark look. Lohan said she came "for Donatella" before beelining to Brian Atwood for a chat. Keeping with the "art chic" theme, the walls of one whole room at the party downstairs was covered in paper for guests to scribble on.

Christopher Kane Sends Out Gingham Girls for Spring 2010

fashionologie — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:23:38 -0700

>> 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.

Donatella Versace Relaunching Versus Ready-to-Wear In Time for Milan Fashion Week

fashionologie — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:39:57 -0700

>> Versus, the young Versace line originally launched in 1989 and designed by Donatella Versace under her brother Gianni's supervision before it was discontinued in 2005, is being revived - no surprises here, considering that Donatella said in March of the line: "It was the first collection that my brother Gianni let me work on, on my own, so it's very precious to me."

She asked Christopher Kane to produce a capsule collection of crystal-studded Versus shoes and bags, which was rolled out in February, and for Spring 2010, the brand is on track for a full-fledged "dynamic presentation" of Versus ready-to-wear during Milan Fashion Week, according to a spokeswoman.

The line, which targets "Young Hollywood," or women between 20 and 30, is currently being sold in the new Versus showroom in Milan. “It’s very rock ’n’ roll and sexy,” Donatella Versace told WWD. “The collection reflects Versus’ DNA and is aimed at young people who want to dress with their own style but like to evolve and break new ground.”

fashionologie — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:07:41 -0700

>> Donatella Versace Admits She Loves Playing the Diva - Christopher Kane, in the midst of interviewing Donatella Versace, asks her if she enjoys the celebrity-driven aspect of fashion: "It’s a love-hate relationship. I would definitely prefer not to be obliged to attend certain events and parties, but I must . . . On the other hand, I have to admit that I do actually enjoy acting up to the 'diva' role that I have been allotted: after all, I am a bit of a diva, aren’t I?" [Times UK]

fashionologie — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:11:06 -0700

>> First Look: Atelier Versace Fall 2009 -Donatella Versace showed her Fall 2009 Atelier Versace couture collection by private appointment during couture week in July - and Style.com's Derek Blasberg reported of the line's latest edition: "[It's] all focused on the (super tiny) waist, handmade beadery. Really fancy that big blue one, a steal at 100k EUROS." Last night, Diane Kruger wore a Fall 2009 Atelier Versace dress to the Los Angeles premiere of Inglourious Basterds, giving us a first glimpse of the collection; Versace's sketch of the dress is at Red Carpet Fashion Awards. [Red Carpet Fashion Awards]

Donatella Versace Receives a Model Makeover in V#60

fashionologie — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:43:10 -0700

>> Donatella Versace's persona has been mimicked a number of times - most notably by Maya Rudolph on Saturday Night Live - but in the new issue of V#60, Sharif Hamza gives Donatella the model treatment. Valeria Dmitrienko pays tribute to the designer by donning long straight blonde locks, pouty lips, and of course, lots of Versace.

fashionologie — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:52 -0700

>> Donatella Versace Likes Shopping at Anthropologie and Abercrombie & Fitch -Donatella Versace is currently in New York to celebrate daughter Allegra's birthday and, as she blogged, "I need[ed] a change of scenery - somewhere to get some inspiration by taking in a wholly different culture." Furthermore, she writes, "I stay in the same suite in the same hotel every time I visit, and customize it with some Versace home cushions and scented candles and lots of flowers . . . I like to indulge myself at . . . Anthropologie at 375 West Broadway, which has an eclectic, vintage feel that is very different than what we have in Milan. I will also buy my son Daniel some jeans at Abercrombie & Fitch on Fifth Avenue and visit Barneys, which I like because it is just what a Manhattan department store should be." [The Moment]