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Donatella Versace

Donatella Francesca Versace (born 1955, age 66) is an Italian fashion designer known for her fashion company Versace recognized by the infamous medusa logo print and gold elements within the designs.

Early Life and Education

Donatella Versace was born and raised in Reggio, di Calabria, Italy. Versace’s father Antonio was a salesman and her mother Francesca made dresses. Versace studied at the University of Florence where she wanted to pursue a degree in foreign languages. Although she entered the fashion industry thanks to her brother Gianni Versace who saw Donatella as a muse for his work and valued her opinions and decision-making skills.

Work

Following in her brother’s footsteps Donatella took over the company he built after his assassination on July 15, 1997. She became the chief artistic director that same year and came back in 1998 to launch her first Haute Couture show at the ‘Hotel Ritz’ where she built the runway over the hotels swimming pool. Her company Versace turned into a lifestyle brand with incorporating not only designing clothes but having accessories for the home while running two hotels. Donatella reinvented the brand and turned the creative vision around gaining a reputation for being sophisticated in designing women’s fashion. An example being the 2000 Grammy dress for Jennifer Lopez that goes down in fashion history as one of the most iconic dresses. Alongside her various fashion shows and collections, Donatella has worked with Lady Gaga, Gigi Hadid, Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, and many other models and celebrities.

Collections (Most Recent)

Fall 2021 Ready-to-Wear Pre-Fall 2021 Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear Spring 2021 Men’s Wear Resort 2021 Fall 2020 Men’s Wear Fall 2020 Ready-to-Wear Pre-Fall 2020 Spring 2020 Ready-to-Wear Resort 2020 Spring 2020 Men’s-Wear

Awards & Memorable Moments

1.	In 1998 Versace launched her first Haute Couture show at the ‘Hotel Ritz Paris’ making the pool her runway.

2.	In 2007 pop star Prince presented Versace with the ‘Fashion Group International Superstar Award’

3.	In 2010 Versace was nominated for the VH1 Do Something with Style Award for providing art supplies to children. She made a tote bag designed for the cause and all proceeds went to helping foundations.

4.	‘Glamour’ magazine named Versace ‘Fashion Designer of the Year’ in 2012 and 2016.

5.	In 2018 Versace played homage to her late brother when having a runway show in remembrance of his designs and collections, articles say it’s hands down one of the best shows Versace’s had.

6.	Versace’s latest Collection for Fall 2021 introduced a new signature print with geometric lines and sharp angles representing power and self-confidence

References

Hengel, Livia. “A Style Guide To Donatella Versace.” Culture Trip, 12 Oct. 2016, theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/a-style-guide-to-donatella-versace. Hyland, Véronique. “Donatella Versace Is Not Who You Think She Is.” ELLE, 21 Feb. 2020, www.elle.com/fashion/a30796914/donatella-versace-interview-2020 Levine, Joshua. “Donatella Versace’s 2020 Vision.” WSJ, 18 Jan. 2018, www.wsj.com/articles/donatella-versaces-2020-vision-1516279929 Yotka, Steff. “Donatella Versace’s Best Moments in.” Vogue, 6 Aug. 2019, www.vogue.com/slideshow/donatella-versace-best-moments-in-vogue Young, Molly. “The Excessive Vision of Donatella Versace.” GQ, 22 Mar. 2018, www.gq.com/story/donatella-versace-and-her-excessive-vision