At the end of last year, Donatella Versace celebrated the launch of her new book Versace, published by Rizzolli, with a book tour. In New York in December, she discussed some cherished moments from her career at The Times Center, highlighting specific editorial and advertising campaigns, and her experiences working alongside legendary photographers, designers, and public figures, too. InStyle magazine’s fashion news director Eric Wilson hosted the 30-minute Times Talk.
No topic seemed off-limits, with Wilson asking about Lady Gaga starring as Ms. Versace in the brand’s 2014 campaign, Ms. Versace appearing in Riccardo Tisci’s Givenchy campaign in 2015, modeling industry trends, her involvement in the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge,” male partners kissing in her Versace Dylan Blue fragrance campaign, and the green silk chiffon Versace dress Jennier Lopez wore to the Grammys in 2000 (which prompted Google to create the highly integrated Google Images search database, as so many users wanted to find out who the designer of the dress was, but couldn’t accurately describe it).
Courtesy of Versace.
Ms. Versace also touched upon Palazzo Versace Hotel in Dubai, which is now under construction by Spatium Architecture in Culture Village on Dubai Creek—a 1,400,000-square-feet space to include 169 condominium residences and penthouses, 215 hotel rooms and suits, and the brand’s classic Italian mosaics surrounding art, sculptures, reflection pools, eight restaurants, and a spa.
The phenomenal success of the designer has prompted industry leaders all over the world to challenge their practice and keep up with hers. She’s inventive, creative, and fearless in her ideas and execution, and she hasn’t—and isn’t—shying away.
Courtesy of Versace.
Courtesy of Versace.
