Cannes has not only become the mecca of cinema during the month of May, but has also become the perfect venue to present one of Versace’s most anticipated collections. Donatella and Dua Lipa have worked hand-in-hand to launch their first joint capsule, an homage to the brand’s beauty code in the ’90s and the soul of the Italian house, Gianni Versace.
The collection is named La Vacanza and is presented in one show with a “see now-buy now” system (the option to buy garments on the catwalk immediately). “I love summer and for me this collection pays tribute to the best of this season. It is the perfect collection for summer. These clothes take me back to my holidays and sunny days: the pool with a beautiful printed bikini Lie by or wear the perfect evening dress to dance on hot summer nights. Dua loves fashion and I love music, we’re the perfect combination! It feels like we’re on vacation and that’s what we want people to do. Sit down after we put on our clothes”, wrote Donatella about this joint work with an artist of this time.
A villa on the French Riviera has served as the setting to capture this new phase in the relationship between Lipa and Versace. For several seasons now, the Italian house has dressed the British artist in tight-fitting clothes with cut-out details, its metallic designs, and some archival pieces like the one she wore to the 2022 Grammys, giving an idea of Dua’s taste. It is possible to install As for the aesthetics, that elevated Gianni into the ’90s.
At left, a silver two-piece from the La Vacanza collection. At right, Veronica Webb with one of Versace’s designs in the ’90s.
Her ultra-feminine silhouette and her special way of understanding glamor which was embodied in daring corsets, miniskirts, sequined dresses, risky necklines and polka dot and butterfly prints are back with the designs that make up the La Vacanza collection.
At left, a pastel blue suit from the Donatella and Dua Lipa collection. At right, a look from Versace’s Haute Couture 1994/95 collection.
The Versace Spring-Summer 1995 collection is the starting point of the collaboration between Dua Lipa and Donatella Versace. At La Vacenza she reinterpreted the classic skirt and jacket suit that Claudia Schiffer and Linda Evangelista wore on the catwalk in pastel tones like pink and blue. Also oversized miniskirts, metallic dresses, butterfly prints (one of Versace’s favorites and Dua Lipa’s hallmarks) and blazers with polka dots, which Lipa and Donatella paired with butterflies in a tight jumpsuit that went viral Promises to be one of the clothes.
The Medusa collection represents a milestone for the firm and its association with Dua Lipa goes a step further. She’s no longer just the muse who wears Versace’s designs better than anyone. Together Donatella and Dua have explored the archives of the house and created a collection that recovers the silhouettes, fabrics and symbols of the 90s, and confirms what Gianni dreamed and created He is more alive than ever.
