Donatella Versace originated from a traditional Italian family cultivating style and talent in elegent fashion. Donatella was born in Calabria, Italy being the youngest of three siblings. Her mother was a couture dressmaker and her brother Gianni was a talented young designer. Despite the 10-year age difference, Donatella and Gianni had a close relationship with each other as brother and sister. At a young age, Gianni would make outfits for her beginning to create the inspiring look for Verscace (Britannica.com).
"i was the baby in the family, i was so spoiled...i was the best dressed little girl in the city"
― Donatella Versace
Donatella began inventing her trademark look as a teenager with her platinum blonde hair and thick dark eyeliner (Bio.com). When Gianni moved to Florence to start his career as a designer, Donatella followed with to study in Italian literature at the University of Florence. She eventually decided to join her brother supporting his business as a mentor and muse. When Gianni's company started in 1978, Donatella was by his side to help him launch his first collection. Donatella assisted with the designs and advertising for the company as well as directing many of Gianni's fashion shows (Stegemeyer 384).
After Gianni Versace’s devastating murder in 1997, days later Donatella was appointed the new chief director of the brand. She has transformed the business into an iconic fashion label with ready-to-wear and haute couture fashion. Versace continues to stay successful with a variety of their products from home goods, clothing, accessories and fragrances (Bio.com).
After Gianni Versace’s devastating murder in 1997, days later Donatella was appointed the new chief director of the brand. She has transformed the business into an iconic fashion label with ready-to-wear and haute couture fashion. Versace continues to stay successful with a variety of their products from home goods, clothing, accessories and fragrances (Bio.com).
Critical ANALYSIS
Donatella Versace reflects the zeitgeist of the time by her elegant Italian fashion. The admiration for her brother’s dream revamped the company’s success with her own creative styles of sensual and sexual attire (Encyclopedia Britannica Online). Donatella Versace still incorporates most of her brother’s original work focusing on couture fashion of Italian culture. Bondage, togas, meshes, and polyvinyl are Gianni most identifying aspects of his designs that Donatella still uses in her collections.
The Italian lifestyle of glamorous fashion, extravagant parties, and elegance, are the fundamental themes of Donatella’s collections. After the death of her brother, Donatella continued to run the business as the chief designer for Versace maintaining the reputation of the brand. When put into the position, she never wanted to loose touch of her brother’s vision. In her recent collections, Donatella has brought back the original bondage looks from Gianni’s 1992 collection (Vogue UK).
The brand Versace has dominated the fashion industry for decades with Donatella’s inspiration to keep the family business alive. Donatella has become and iconic designer for keeping the essence of the brand and building an empire. Today, Versace is worn by many celebrates and commonly seen in pop culture making this brand a staple to high fashion luxury.
The Italian lifestyle of glamorous fashion, extravagant parties, and elegance, are the fundamental themes of Donatella’s collections. After the death of her brother, Donatella continued to run the business as the chief designer for Versace maintaining the reputation of the brand. When put into the position, she never wanted to loose touch of her brother’s vision. In her recent collections, Donatella has brought back the original bondage looks from Gianni’s 1992 collection (Vogue UK).
The brand Versace has dominated the fashion industry for decades with Donatella’s inspiration to keep the family business alive. Donatella has become and iconic designer for keeping the essence of the brand and building an empire. Today, Versace is worn by many celebrates and commonly seen in pop culture making this brand a staple to high fashion luxury.
Influences
"Fashion is about dreaming and making other people dream."
Donatella has shown the industry what she is made of and how hard women can work. As a female designer, its not easy to get the public to see you as a designer in fashion and to be seen as style icon. When the business was passed on to Donatella, she was given the responsibility to keep the brand Verscae alive.
Donatella is a true icon to fashion because she is fearless. In her work, you can see that she is daring and always pushing the boundaries. Her work has inspired many young and upcoming fashion designers like Anthony Vaccarello, to recreate timeless couture Italian fashion. The two have worked with each other collaborating on Donatella's own line Versus (style.com). Donatella has taught Vaccarello the rules of the industry and how to be aggressive and bold. Donatella's inspiring courage and nobility will forever be recognized as she continues to always outdo herself in designing the next big thing for Versace.
Donatella is a true icon to fashion because she is fearless. In her work, you can see that she is daring and always pushing the boundaries. Her work has inspired many young and upcoming fashion designers like Anthony Vaccarello, to recreate timeless couture Italian fashion. The two have worked with each other collaborating on Donatella's own line Versus (style.com). Donatella has taught Vaccarello the rules of the industry and how to be aggressive and bold. Donatella's inspiring courage and nobility will forever be recognized as she continues to always outdo herself in designing the next big thing for Versace.
Works Cited
"Gianni Versace (Italian Fashion Designer)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/626453/Gianni-Versace>.
"Donatella Versace – Fashion, Interview, Quotes & Biography." Vogue UK. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.vogue.co.uk/person/donatella-versace>.
Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.biography.com/people/donatella-versace-21330707>.
Davis, Daniel K., and Gianni Versace. Versace. New York, NY: Chelsea House, 2011. Print.
"When Anthony Met Donatella." Style.com. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. <http://www.style.com/trends/fashion/2014/donatella-versace-anthony-vaccarello-talk-versus>.
Images
"Donatella Versace." Vogue English. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://en.vogue.fr/thevoguelist/donatella-versace-1/474>.
"Versace Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2014." WGSN. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/catwalk_gallery/#gender=2&season=0&city=0&show=13046>.
"Versace Spring/Summer 2015." WGSN. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/catwalk_gallery/#gender=1&season=0&city=0&show=12361>.
"These '90's Fashion Ads Are So Major." Harper's BAZAAR. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-photography/90s-ad-campaigns#slide-12>.
"Versace Spring/Summer 2014 Couture." Vogue UK. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2014/couture/versace/full-length-photos/gallery/1099062>.
"Anthony Vaccarello Vai Assinar Uma Coleção Cápsula Para a Versus." Vogue.globo.com. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. <http://vogue.globo.com/moda/moda-news/noticia/2013/12/anthony-vaccarello-vai-assinar-uma-colecao-capsula-para-versus.html>.
"Donatella Versace – Fashion, Interview, Quotes & Biography." Vogue UK. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.vogue.co.uk/person/donatella-versace>.
Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.biography.com/people/donatella-versace-21330707>.
Davis, Daniel K., and Gianni Versace. Versace. New York, NY: Chelsea House, 2011. Print.
"When Anthony Met Donatella." Style.com. Web. 10 Dec. 2014. <http://www.style.com/trends/fashion/2014/donatella-versace-anthony-vaccarello-talk-versus>.
Images
"Donatella Versace." Vogue English. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://en.vogue.fr/thevoguelist/donatella-versace-1/474>.
"Versace Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2014." WGSN. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/catwalk_gallery/#gender=2&season=0&city=0&show=13046>.
"Versace Spring/Summer 2015." WGSN. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2014. <http://www.wgsn.com.subscriptions.fidm.com/catwalk_gallery/#gender=1&season=0&city=0&show=12361>.
"These '90's Fashion Ads Are So Major." Harper's BAZAAR. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-photography/90s-ad-campaigns#slide-12>.
"Versace Spring/Summer 2014 Couture." Vogue UK. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2014/couture/versace/full-length-photos/gallery/1099062>.
"Anthony Vaccarello Vai Assinar Uma Coleção Cápsula Para a Versus." Vogue.globo.com. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. <http://vogue.globo.com/moda/moda-news/noticia/2013/12/anthony-vaccarello-vai-assinar-uma-colecao-capsula-para-versus.html>.