A tribute to Gianni Versace: Supermodels of the 90s once again stars of the catwalk!
Twenty years have already passed since the death of Gianni Versace, the famous brother of Donatella Versace who the chief designer for the luxury brand. An array of beautiful models from the 90s paid tribute to the influential designer on 22 September, accompanying Donatella on the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week.
Gianni, this is for you!
The words: “Gianni, this is for you!” rang out loud in the luxury building of La Triennale Museum in Milan which Donatella chose for her unique show. At that moment, the curtain was raised and a group of sophisticated supermodels from the 80s and 90s appeared on stage.
Móda proti proudu
Názor PROTI PROUDU: Eva Ledecká
Dazzling in long golden dresses on the catwalk, we saw the still beautiful Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen. They sparkled together with Donatella Versace to the accompaniment of Freedom by George Michael, thus paying tribute to the unforgettable and unique designer Gianni Versace.
A celebration of the life and work of the famous designer
Gianni Versace founded his fashion house in 1978 and was shot on the stairs of his Miami Beach home in 1997. A day after Andrew Cunanan having killed five people, including the famous designer, the murderer also shot himself. His sister Donatella Versace thus took the reins of the luxury fashion empire.
“I am happy that after 20 years I can finally do this with a smile on my face.” declared Donatella at the press conference before the actual fashion show.
Versace Spring/Summer 2018
At the celebration of her famous brother’s work, Donatella used bold prints which were introduced between 1991 and 1995, including the legendary leopard print from the Animalia collection from 1992 and the Andy Warhol screen print with a Marilyn Monroe motif from 1991. We also saw prints from the My Friend Elton, Baroque, Icons, Metal Mesh, Native American and Butterflies collections.
Donatella took print motifs from each of these collections and reworked them into new designs: luxury blouses, trouser suits, corsets, capes and skirts. On the 20th anniversary of Gianni’s death, Donatella did not want to focus on his unfortunate and brutal end, but on his life and the eternal significance of his luxury designs.
“We pay homage not only to your artistic genius, but also to who you were as a man and above all as a brother. It would be impossible to commemorate Gianni’s entire world in a single collection. Therefore, I have decided to honour his legacy with his beloved prints and dazzling metal mesh. This collection is for you, Gianni!”
Názor PROTI PROUDU: Ornella Koktová
I have had a connection with Versace since childhood. For already as a small schoolgirl I wore one of my first dresses by this label in the first grade. Back in the 1990's this was not really de rigueur for small children in the Czech Republic, so in the end I was probably the only one who knew what a jewel I actually got.
But back to the annual show devoted to Gianni Versace. The moment I saw the famous supermodels of the past era reunited on the catwalk, the word “FABULOUS” sprang to my mind! It would be practically impossible to see a better cast show virtually anywhere, even though probably only a few wished to see the excessive botox of Carla Bruni…
And what actually is the current position of Versace in the Czech Republic? Beautiful and sometimes extravagant dresses of this label can be seen most notably in Karlovy Vary. The local glitterati there are not shy and like to showcase ostentatious luxury. That is why I say to all the others: Be done with fear! Feel free to be different. Relax!
