Versace is conventionally linked with Milan, which is understandable given that the label’s inception, headquarters, and regular appearances at Milan Fashion Week all hail from the Italian city. However, there’s another place that inherently embodies Versace’s core principles: Los Angeles. While many leading fashion labels today feature famous figures as ambassadors and campaign stars, there exists an intrinsic connection between Versace and celebrities that outshines the star-studded promotions of any other brand. This connection can be traced back to Versace’s roots when, in the 1980s, Gianni Versace dressed iconic figures like Madonna, Prince, and Elton John. Even for the most prominent rock stars, standing in front of a vast audience, there’s nothing more empowering and reassuring than stepping onstage in a resplendent Versace gown that accentuates all the right features.
Therefore, when Versace disclosed that their autumn 2023 show would coincide with Oscars weekend in Los Angeles, the alignment of the fashion label, the American city, and the timing felt perfectly logical. It appeared as if it had been destined: a front row adorned with celebrities, a splendid Los Angeles evening, and a runway graced with corseted mini dresses that revealed ample skin through their vibrant fabrics.
The front row was a gathering of top-tier celebrities, featuring the usual Versace enthusiasts who turned up to celebrate Donatella’s momentous evening. Among them were Dua Lipa, Lil Nas X, Paris Hilton, and Anne Hathaway. Cher made a dramatic entrance with her blue hair and accompanied by her boyfriend, while Miley Cyrus discreetly slipped in, just ahead of her album release. Elton John made a grand entrance, arriving on a golf cart. The star-studded allure continued onto the runway, with luminaries like Gigi Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Kendall Jenner, Naomi Campbell, and many more gracing the show with their presence.
The collection, predominantly characterized by shades of black, caramel, and chocolate, with occasional bursts of pink, apricot, and blue, stood out as one of the designer’s most refined creations to date. Appropriately, Versace drew inspiration from the cinematic starlets of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the iconic spring 1995 Versace collection and the subsequent campaign shots featuring supermodels. The fusion of these two distinct eras gave rise to a sophisticated array of empire waist baby doll dresses, wool housecoats, and an abundance of gloves.
Devotees of Versace will find their desires more than fulfilled by the turquoise mini dresses, meticulously crafted from draped techno twill, or the coordinated sets featuring bustier tops. Those with a penchant for understated elegance will surely be drawn to the array of little black dresses. Each of these dresses subtly exudes attitude, thanks to the inclusion of padded shoulders, peplums, buttons, and belts adorned with the iconic Medusa emblem, reminiscent of the brand’s 1995 campaign. And for those who relish drama in their attire, there was no shortage of options: opulent opera coats, suit jackets embellished to perfection with matching culottes, and luxurious faux fur stoles. Men, too, found their place in ’90s-style double-breasted jackets, caramel-hued crocodile-embossed shirts, and crackle-textured leather suits, available in a spectrum of colors.
In essence, Versace continues to captivate the fashion world with its unyielding commitment to elegance and innovation. This Fall 2023 collection is a testament to the brand’s enduring legacy and its ability to merge the timeless with the contemporary, ensuring that every fashion lover finds their own distinctive piece of Versace allure.
