It’s a testament to Donatella Versace‘s ability to craft hysteria-inducing clothing that Gigi Hadid’s returning to the runway for the first time since giving birth was only one of many talking points at Versace’s fall winter ’21 show.
Unveiled in a remarkable short film, the collection debuted a new monogram print for the brand, ‘La Greca’, and a cohort of supermodels—Hadid and her sister Bella, Irina Shayk, Adut Akech, and Rianne von Rampaey—marched through a large-scale installation of the logo, which also covered the clothes, the bags, and the shoes.
Donatella, never one to do things by half measures, managed to recreate the innate theatricality and drama that typifies a Versace runway shows for the digital format. The late ’90s synth track ‘Blue Sunshine’ by Viper thrummed as models stomped through the vertical maze in clothes that paid homage to that exact era.
Chunky platform shoes were paired with microscopic mini dresses and thick tights; low-slung mid-length skirts were paired with cropped singlets and playful cherry red slingbacks.
Elsewhere, however, the collection was surprisingly casual. Simple black day dresses, vinyl trench coats, A-line mini skirts, and slick suiting all featured prominently—though all were littered with the new Le Greca monogram, be it sheer logo tights, printed panels, or tasteful cross-body handbags.
Overall, Donatella’s vision for post-pandemic style was singular and compelling—the same vision she has consistently delivered since taking over from her late brother Gianni in 1997—polished sex appeal, refined glamour, and an unrelenting commitment to the maxim ‘go big, or go home’.
