Donatella Versace effortlessly blends the old with the new, keeping Versace both classic and provocatively current. As the artistic director of Versace since 1997, she has navigated the brand through its modern era while staying true to the larger-than-life aesthetic crafted by her brother, Gianni. Donatella’s first collection for the Spring/Summer 1998 Atelier line made a bold statement, staged in pure Versace style at the Ritz in Paris with a glass catwalk over the pool—a declaration that Versace wasn’t going anywhere.
Fast forward to the present, and the Versace empire remains iconic. Donatella oversaw the sale of the company to Capri Holdings in 2018 for $2.1 billion, yet her unmistakable touch remains on every collection. She has embraced collaboration—bringing on Christopher Kane, J.W. Anderson, and Anthony Vaccarello to revive and reimagine Versus, injecting fresh energy while preserving Versace’s signature flair.
A defining moment of Donatella’s leadership was the 2017 tribute to Gianni on the 20th anniversary of his passing. Supermodels of the ’90s, including Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Claudia Schiffer, took to the runway in shimmering lamé dresses that channeled Gianni’s golden years, fusing past glory with current prestige and showcasing everything Versace stands for: excess, beauty, and strength.
Donatella Versace remains the pulse of the house that bears her name. She has kept its seductive and unapologetic character while making it resonate with new generations. Her work continues to blur the lines between fashion, culture, and celebrity, pushing boundaries while reminding us that glamour is, and always will be, a part of the Versace DNA.
