May 2nd. Happy birthday to Versace Queen! Which photo if not this to best represent the one and only Donatella Versace, body by Atelier Versace (of course!) embellished with a green skirt hand-embroidered with the word ‘DIVINE’ in Swarovski, worn at the Met Gala 2019. What can I say, iconic! But let’s see her story.
First of all, it’s Versace not Versaci!
Donatella was born in 1955 in Reggio Calabria, fourth daughter of the Versace family. Since she was a child, the young girl loves walking through the streets of Calabria with eccentric outfits: colourful skirts and high boots matched with her super blonde hair who dyed at the age of only 11 years old, under the advice of her beloved brother Gianni.
Donatella grows up and graduates in literature and foreign languages in Florence, while her brother Gianni gives birth to the brand, Versace, with his first fashion show at Palazzo della Permanente in 1978. The sister then starts to take care of the brand communication and has the brilliant idea of merging music together with fashion, associating the name Versace to the different celebrities including Madonna, Courtney Love, Elton John and many others.
Over the years, the jellyfish brand has become increasingly successful and Donatella also takes the reins as creative director of the second lines, Versace Young and Versus, addressed to a more young target.
Just when everything is going for the best, on July 15th 1997 Donatella’s life suddenly changes, Gianni Versace is killed in Miami. In addition to the endless pain and suffering because of the brother loss, she has to roll up her sleeves and run the great maison, just as Gianni would have wanted. One year later, in 1998, she presents her first collection with the support of Miuccia Prada, Giorgio Armani and Carla Fendi.
“Farò di tutto perché la Medusa resti nella storia.” (“I will do anything to keep the Medusa in history”) These are the words of Donatella during an interview. Today the brand is luxury, femininity, safety and energy and is worn by the coolest celebrities. Well done Donatella.
