A-listers and foreign editors descended on the West Coast to see the most alluring fashions in person as Donatella Versace brought her brand’s autumn/winter 2023 show to Los Angeles. While there were many celebrities on the FROW, like Cher, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, Lil Nas X, Paris Hilton, and Anne Hathaway, to name a few, the runway was unsurprisingly flooded with supermodels, both classic and modern.
According to Donatella Versace, Hollywood’s glitz, dynamism, and influence served as inspiration. I challenged myself with this collection. She says it felt difficult. “I’m at home in Milan; performing in Los Angeles made me step outside of my comfort zone. I want to feel insecure when I make a collection. Maybe I’m crazy, but I can learn and develop by asking questions. With all the street wear` from the previous several years, I wanted luxury; I sought to strengthen the foundations of Gianni’s and the Maison Versace’s creations. I began with a 1995 collection and discovered a newfound interest in tailoring, architecture, shapes, and cutting. “
Versace also needed excellent weather for the decision to work. She was consequently obliged to move her show up a day due at the 25th hour to the likelihood of rain. Even though it was hectic, the decision was the right one. The event on Thursday took place on a stunning rooftop in Los Angeles on a cool but beautiful evening with views of the Hollywood Hills, the sleek skyscrapers, and the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains.
First, Gigi Hadid’s debut outfit combined a peplum with cut pockets and a black power suit that straddled the CEO-celebrity divide. Naomi Campbell arrived later, donning elbow-length mittens and a slinky black dress. While a few micro mini poufs (including one on Kendall Jenner) were a part of the “no pants, no problem” trend and probably a revenge breakup post waiting to happen, croc-embossed miniskirts and tweed cocoon coats were firmly anchored in the reality of working women. Leather trenches, 3-D floral fabrics, and Goth-inspired baby doll dresses were just a few of the many options available in between that adhered to Versace’s assertively sexy party line, which goes, “You’re wearing a Versace, you’d best go party.”
Following a succession of all-black ensembles for men and women, bright pink-colored surfaced. A mini dress in tangerine-colored fabric was followed by a wool-cropped jacket and miniskirt. The opulent, satiny printed dresses—often minis—and those elbow-length gloves for added glitz appeared more than midway through the performance.
As the Los Angeles cityscape turned, purple Versace took her runway bow wearing the same dress that Emily Ratajkowski wore in the show. Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” played over the speakers, and Anne Hathaway belted out every word in a memorable singing performance. Following the performance, guests congregated to sip cocktails and view the sun setting over the mountains covered in snow. Several of the models joined the crowd while still sporting their catwalk attire. The Versace show was no doubt a blockbuster that delivered a star-studded event that is customary, both on and off the catwalk.