Star-Strucking! Elegant!
As the Versace Spring-Summer 2024 collection shines upon us in a manner undoubtedly no less than significant, it's underrated prior fall-Winter collection ought to be deserving of praise for its overall masterpiece before being outshined by the brand's newest collection.
Though it might seem counterintuitive to do a review of this show months after it took place, there's more than meets the eye when it comes to how these reviews are conducted. By deliberately delaying this review, I wanted to not only provide a more nuanced critique of the show but also to provide readers with a unique and well-considered perspective that emerges after the initial buzz - that often clouds judgment - of the show has settled.
From an impeccable guest list with jaw-dropping celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, Dua Lipa, Elton John, and Anne Hathaway, to a beautiful casting with supermodels from the likes of Mariacarla Boscono, to Naomi Campbell and Liue wen, it goes without saying that Versace did not disappoint with its Fall-Winter 2023 collection!
Setting
"Los Angeles is famous for bold dreams, creative expression and limitless possibilities- this week has been all of that and more." - Donatella Versace.
In stark contrast to its typical venue in Milan, Versace held its fall-winter 2023 collection in sunny, breezy Los Angeles on March 9, 2023, for the first time in over 20 years. This is a special irony, considering the show was pushed back a day because of rainy weather.
Despite the weatherly inconvenience, the setting and timing of this collection were purposeful; it took place during the week of the Oscars to produce a cinematic "Oscar moment."
Taking place on top of the Pacific Design Center, overviewing an extremely beautiful evening view of Los Angeles, Versace in its simplistic state was already able to provoke a sense of an implicit glamor that seeped through the rich meaning of Los Angeles in the contribution to the mood that Versace has always tried to emphasize: powerful, bold and confident entities.
The Collection
There were a total of 78 looks in this collection. Often a Versace motif to start off its collections with "business" styled looks, Gigi Hadid opened the Fall-Winter 2023 collection in an elegant all-black outfit wearing an hourglass suit coupled with a pencil skirt, leather gloves, and bag. Accentuated to Gigi's body proportions, this initial look emphasized the immense craft skills and perfection of detail that went into the customization of the outfits, which would follow with the coming outfits.
With sharp precision and sophistication, this collection saw a wide array of relaxed silk and leather gloves making an appearance, as well as glamorous statement-making jewelry. Color choices began with black, including caramel, chocolate, apricot, turquoise, and pink. Animal prints and falling flower motifs were also evident within the collection.
Dresses with padded shoulders and fluted necklines paid homage to Gianni Versace's Atelier Versace collections of the 1990s. The Men's looks with defined silhouette volumes, riding boots, and detailed belts and buckles referenced the brand's 1993 collection with the Medusa hardware of 1995 being incorporated throughout the collection.
"This collection starts from the understanding and appreciation of the body that we have always had in our hearts at Versace. We applied the lessons learned at the Atelier to ready-to-wear: the construction, the tailoring, the beauty of fabric." - Donatella Versace.
Importance
In correspondence with a breezy LA aesthetic and the glamour of the approaching Oscars, Donatella Versace inspired her collection by the L.A. nightlife and Hollywood aesthetics that is often bred from energetic and powerful entities.
Through her carefully curated pieces, Donatella wanted to portray the timelessness that is the essence of Hollywood and the red carpet but with a modernistic spin.
"This is a celebration of our craftsmanship and understanding of true luxury to create a wardrobe for the innovators and changers of the world and the people who champion them. For me, Los Angeles is a natural home for us because we share the DNA of energy, power, creativity, and imagination. Together at this show we share those values around the globe." - Donatella Versace.
"This collection starts from the understanding and appreciation of the body that we have always had in our hearts at Versace. We applied the lessons learned in the Atelier to ready-to-wear: the construction, the tailoring, the beauty of fabric." -Donatella Versace.
This collection not only embodied the captivating spirit of Versace, but propelled its intricacies of Hollywood glamour to ensure the timeless allure and relevance that is Versace.
