The stars aligned for Versace’s Autumn/Winter 2023 show in Los Angeles, which brought Italian luxury to the Hollywood Hills
From Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson, to Elton John and Lil Nas X – the Los Angeles locals have a longstanding love affair with the glitz and glamour of Italian luxury label Versace, and on Friday last week, it was clear that the feeling was mutual. Rounding off fashion month by landing in LA to present their Autumn/Winter 2023 collection mere days ahead of this year’s Academy Awards (and despite uncharacteristically rainy weather), the show hosted a swelteringly hot collection of grown-up glamour against the sweeping backdrop of the Hollywood Hills at sunset, epitomising the spirit of the city where dreams really do come true – and of course, the stars came out.
It was Versace’s founder Gianni who was credited with creating the ‘supermodel’ phenomenon in the early 90s, transforming the face of modelling from niche notoriety to fully-fledged celebrity status. Now under the reign of his sister Donatella Versace following his passing in 1997, Friday night welcomed some of today’s brightest stars. Naomi Campbell hit the runway in a floor-length, sweeping black gown with crystal embellishment on the bodice, Kendall Jenner made an appearance in a degradé beaded minidress with exaggerated shoulder details reminiscent of a cape, while Gigi Hadid walked in a sheer bodice top and satin skirt featuring an archival Medusa motif that debuted in Atelier Versace’s iconic 1995 campaign featuring Madonna – this same look was worn last night by Lady Gaga at the Oscars.
Also making an appearance on the runway were industry favourites Irina Shayk, Emily Ratajkowski, Anok Yai, Jill Kortleve, and Anna Ewers, and the front row saw an equally spectacular gaggle of cultural figures: Anne Hathaway, Cher, Demi Moore, Channing Tatum, Dua Lipa, Ke Huy Quan, Miley Cyrus, Pamela Anderson and MJ Rodriguez all turned up in head-to-toe Versace, proving that the brand’s innate connection with the glitzy world of celebrity truly is a force to be reckoned with. And who better to sell the unmistakable splendour of the Versace dream than our Hollywood idols?
Harnessing the energy and glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood, the collection adopted a contemporary attitude that provided a wardrobe for today’s A-listers. While Versace has been known in recent years for their kaleidoscopic baroque prints and clashing colours, this collection welcomed a darker, more subdued palette of luxury glamour. Hourglass power suiting came in black with subtle gold buttons, oversized white shirts were worn with front-pleated denim jeans, and twill cocktail dresses with fluid draping swept the body and gathered at the shoulder, all tinged with the powerful silhouettes of the late 80s and early 90s – an aspirational option is offered for every occasion with this Versace collection.
“This collection starts from the understanding and appreciation of the body that we have always had in our heart at Versace,” Donatella Versace said in her show notes. “We applied the lessons learned in the atelier to ready-to-wear: the construction, the tailoring, the beauty of fabric. This is a celebration of our craftsmanship and understanding of true luxury to create a wardrobe for the innovators and changers of the world and the people who champion them.”