A new campaign from Versace shows that every muse hides a Medusa. With creative direction by Ferdinando Verderi and photography by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, the Spring 2021 campaign combines bombastic blasts of color with a stone-cold focus.

In classic Versace maximalist fashion, the collection fuses prints and patterns with bold stings of solid color. Stripes and even polka dots clash symphonically on frilled and tight-fitting tops. Busts are accentuated. An aquatic theme plays out as well, with colorful undersea creatures forming patterns that feel almost floral. Leather bags are treated to chunky and colorful chains and charms. Amidst all this color, Kendall Jenner appears in an all-black look that emphasizes the luxurious craftsmanship of her many pieces of gold jewelry.

Smartly opting for high contrast, Mert and Marcus capture their models in simple studio portraiture. Before this gray background, the looks feel even more eye-popping. Hairstylist Paul Hanlon deserves commendation for nailing an impressive wet-hair look, which conjures up a sexy athleticism while also echoing the snakey tresses of the brand’s Medusa logo.

The creative team behind the campaign impresses us with their ability to capture the spirit of such a visually elaborate collection with such intention and focus.

This balance of maximalism and minimalism is dangerous and delicate, yet they strike it with utter finesse. One look into the deadly gaze of these colorful, powerful muses, and we turn to stone.

In other news, Proenza Schouler Pre-Fall 2021. In a normal year, these dresses would be destined for summer weddings and other special occasions. Nobody knows if those dates will hold, if the vaccine will be widely available by then or if we’ll still be waiting.

Review of Versace Spring 2021 Ad Campaign by Donatella Versace and Creative Director Ferdinando Verderi with Photographers Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott.

The pantheon of Versace muses is a rather crowded one: Actresses and models and pop stars have all become part of the Versace family, fronting advertising campaigns and filling the front rows at the brand’s fashion shows. A celebrity herself, Donatella Versace knows well enough how to work the power of fame to get her message across. But the pandemic has her switching gears. What she had in mind for pre-fall weren’t the superstar regulars usually embodying the label’s high-octane glamour.

“The collection is dedicated to all those men and women who are self-confident, aware of who they are, authentic,” she said via email. “It’s a celebration of individual identity and personality. Fashion and style become even more a way to express one’s own ideas. In fact, I believe that today, it’s not just about a fashion show or a campaign, but the extent to which fashion is shaping the way people dress and interact with one another by expressing their own ideas and values.” Then she concluded, “In a world that has gone through a drastic change, desires and needs have changed along with us and this collection is Versace’s answer.”

Addressing a changed landscape with an eye to IRL needs, the collection was focused on dressing a broader spectrum of people with different personalities and characters. That said, Versace kept things simpler and cleaner here; after an energized, color-fueled outing for spring, she toned down her register a notch. Shot against a stark white background, the lookbook images signaled a cohesive, streamlined approach for both the men’s and women’s offerings. Although silhouettes exuded a strong and assertive appeal—tailored broad shoulders, precise yet sensual contours, powerful proportions—their design seemed to highlight a more considerate focus on comfort. Prints were scaled back, with only the Barocco-flage motif making a flamboyant appearance; the color palette was quieter, centering on black and caramel with pops of brights; and the use of logo was decidedly more restrained. Individual items looked smart and wearable, while retaining that powerful fizz of Versace glam.

According to the studio design team, Donatella wanted to infuse pre-fall with a joyous spirit and a sense of warmth; she felt the need of a more tactile approach, which was in evidence in the choice of sensible fabrics—knitted textures, cashmeres, recycled and eco-sustainable light wools. “The gloss often looks untouchable,” she apparently said. Which sounds utterly spot-on in our present situation. These days, the luxuries we crave are definitely closeness and heart-warming human connection.

In other news, Proenza Schouler Resort 2021 RTW Collection - Fashion Show photos from New York Fashion Week (Dec, 2020).

“The collection is dedicated to all those men and women who are self-confident, aware of who they are, authentic."

The campaign’s visual impact arises from its commitment to a color scheme of grayscale and deep blue. Jacobs captures her models in black and white from a variety of energetic angles. The rest of each photograph is painted over by hand in shades of indigo, giving us the sense that these figures are floating untethered among an artist’s brushstrokes. Interestingly, the models still cast shadows, and this painted world both affirms and contradicts our expectations of space.

The campaign is straightforward and uniform, but it doesn’t need to be anything else: its single artistic idea is intriguing and well executed.

Versace doubles down on denim in a simple yet striking new campaign by photographer Carlijn Jacobs.

VERSACE JEANS COUTURE FALL 2020 AD CAMPAIGN

As there can be no re-emergence without prior submergence, Versace seemingly staged her live-streamed show—closed to the public and attended by staff only—in the imagined ruins of Atlantis, water currents streaming down its projected walls. This was the remnants of an old world long gone, its mythical citizens rising from the deep blue in an oceanic make-do and mend of starfish, coral, and seashell motifs from Gianni Versace’s ‘trésor de la mer’ collection for Spring 1992. They were ready to take on a new reality like the Rebirth of Venus herself (starring Adut Akech in the title role, of course). Versace, who described the collection as having “an upbeat soul,” said her challenge was to give fashion meaning in a historical moment like this.

“I wanted to do something disruptive and to break the rules because I think that, what worked a few months ago, does not make any sense today. Creatively, that meant finding a way to bring the DNA of Versace to a new reality and to people who have undergone a deep change.” Under the archival sea, she found her ideal metaphor for a new world of diverse wonders, bringing them to life in a powerful co-ed cast that boosted her ongoing messages of body positivity and gender-nonconformity. Asked how she envisions Versace’s role in the post-pandemic landscape, she said as “an example of inclusion, of mutual support, and acceptance of what is different from us.”

Sometimes, of course, you’ve got to be seen to be heard. Versace’s collection did that, and some, in a pumped-up zingy-colored mix of Malibu Barbie’s summer wardrobe and that of the Little Mermaid if only Prince Eric had bought them a house in Miami. It was, on the women’s as well as the men’s side, high-octane sporty cocktail-wear for an optimistic future—hopefully only a few nautical miles away now. In all its sea-centric detailing, it also had its moments of ingenuity: micro-pleated dresses trimmed with twirly ruffles, which bounced like jellyfish in the waves walking down the runway; crazy cascading skirts layered like the lips of shells; and a bag constructed like a big fortune cookie. We could all do with some good luck these days.

“The world has changed and we have changed. We have been repeating this almost as a mantra for months, but at the end of the day, for a designer this means to start all over again.”

On July 15th, 1997, on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion, Gianni Versace was shot execution-style with a.40 caliber Taurus PT100 as he returned from a morning walk on Ocean Drive. He was later declared dead at Jackson Memorial Hospital, at 9:21 a.m. Versace was 50 at the time of his death. Normally he would have an assistant walk to get his morning press from his home to the coffee shop, but on this occasion, he wanted to go himself. 

Versace was killed by a serial murderer, Andrew Cunanan, who had killed four other people earlier (including real estate investor Lee Miglin). Cunanan committed suicide eight days after the murder of Versace, on a houseboat. 

Cunanan was obsessed with the designer and often boasted about his close "friendship" with Versace, although this was symptomatic of Cunanan's grandeur delusions: he often claimed to have met celebrities in a false manner. Nevertheless, FBI agents assume that Versace and Cunanan had previously met in San Francisco, but it is still a mystery what their relationship entailed. Maureen Orth published a 2008 article in Vanity Fair claiming that Cunanan and Versace had met briefly in 1990 (according to several eyewitness claims) at a San Francisco nightclub and may have communicated on other occasions because they were both interested in sex-for-hire circles in Miami and San Francisco. Yet the family of Versace has always steadfastly denied that the two had ever met. Investigators also said they don't know why Versace was murdered. "I suppose we will never know the answers," Miami Beach Chief of Police Richard Barreto said. 

Versace's body has been cremated, and his ashes returned to the family estate near Cernobbio, Italy, and were buried at Moltrasio cemetery near Lake Como in the family vault. About 2,000 people, including Elton John and Diana, Princess of Wales, who got killed in a car crash just over a month later, attended the funeral liturgy of Versace, held at the Milan Cathedral.

Designer Yohji Yamamoto is one of those people who survived an assassination attempt in Paris.

FBI agents assume that Versace and Cunanan (Versace's murderer) had previously met in San Francisco.

Celebrate the coming summer with the Versace Summer 2020 capsule collection that boasts a bright, colorful print. 

Blue skies and bold patterns, the Versace collection includes printed designs that evoke sun-drenched holidays. The Mediterranean spirit features vibrant prints and enlivening combinations of colors defined by the capsule collection.

Home or away, the unisex Versace Home bathrobes trimmed with the iconic Barocco motif complement the new Summer collection.

Versace was often known as the "Rock'n'Roll designer," since they were producing attires for music icons, including George Michael, Elton John and Michael Jackson, amongst other the most famous musicians. In 1992, Versace designed the Elton John's stage outfits as well as his album cover costumes. Versace has designed dresses for the Princess of Wales and Monaco's Princess Caroline. In their advertising campaigns, Versace corporation is famous for using the same models as on their runways. 

In 1997, after the murder of the founder Gianni Versace, his sister Donatella Versace, executive vice-president, took over as artistic director, and his older brother Santo Versace became a CEO. Donatella's daughter, Allegra Versace, was left with a 50 percent interest in the business that she took ownership of on her 18th birthday. 

In 2000, Jennifer Lopez's "green Versace dress" at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards gained a lot of media attention, being voted "fifth most iconic dress of all time" in 2008, with Hurley's 1994 dress being first voted in a Daily Telegraph poll.

Michael Kors announced on 24th September 2018 that they were offering a deal to purchase Versace for 2 billion euros. The same month, Versace announced that one hundred percent of all family shares in Blackstone and Versace had been sold to the Michael Kors Limited Group.

Insiders say Victoria Beckham, Mugler, and Alexander Wang this season's collections are going to be striking. Stay tuned, we will be keeping you updated!

The latest fashion looks from Italian design house Versace for their Summer 2020 ready-to-wear collection.

The fashion industry has struggled to adapt to the changes needed to stop the pandemic consequences since the coronavirus first exploded in January. Fashion weeks gradually started to be cancelled throughout Asia — Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo — and houses began to call off their shows, Gucci and Prada leading the pack. 

Now, as the situation continues to escalate in Europe and the US, the apparel industry is moving up further to try to stop the spread of the deadly virus. Over the weekend, LVMH announced that it would take the enormous step of halting the production of its perfumes and cosmetic gels, instead using these resources to manufacture hand sanitizer. 

The French luxury goods group, owned by Louis Vuitton and Dior, will produce the disinfectant gel for free and will donate the products for the foreseeable future to French hospitals, especially those in Paris. LVMH is to produce and deliver 12 tonnes this week alone. 

"These gels will be distributed to health authorities at no charge," the organization said in a weekend statement. "LVMH, in collaboration with the French health authorities, will continue to uphold this pledge for as long as possible." France currently has more than 5,000 cases of coronavirus, of which 127 died sadly. 

LVMH aren't the only ones who step up to do their part. Today Prada's CEO and chairman donated two full intensive care and resuscitation units each to Vittore Buzzi, Sacco and San Raffael hospitals in Milan. 

Donatella and Allegra Versace have announced a joint donation of €200,000 to a hospital in Milan this weekend. The money will go directly to the intensive care unit at San Raffaele hospital, which is struggling to deal with a huge volume of COVID-19 patients. 

"It is vital to be unified and support in times like this but we should help all those on the front lines, battling every day to save hundreds of lives," Donatella said in a statement on Friday. Over the weekend Italy continued fighting against some 25,000 cases of the disease, now under a country-wide quarantine. At this point more than one thousand people have died. 

"Our hearts go out to all those affected by this disease, and to all the doctors and medical staff who have worked heroically non-stop over the past few weeks to care for our loved ones," the designer added. "This is when we must stand together and care for each other." 

Let's hope that more will join the trend in the fashion industry, and step up to help do their part. What will be reaction of Victoria Beckham, Yohji Yamamoto, Rick Owens, Courreges, Mugler fashion houses? Let's see! Stay safe!

LVMH AND DONATELLA VERSACE HAVE CALLED FOR FASHION TO SLOW DOWN

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