Donatella went all out for this fall/winter Versace collection exploring the 90s and punk culture and giving an all knowing wink to this year’s Met Gala exhibit themed “Punk: Chaos to Couture” which will “examine punk’s impact on high fashion from the movement’s birth in the 1970s through its continuing influence today”.
It might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but then again, Versace was always about sexy, wild and liberating. Who else would ever think to bring vinyl center stage and unapologetically use it in everything from dreses, to jackets and skin tight pants? The collection playfully called “Vunk” (which, I guess, stands for Versace Punk) is full of fetish and dominatrix references.
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I appreciated all the sharp cuts, slashed leather/pleather, the mix of punk and glamorous, the nostalgic feel of the 90’s that made this Versace collection walk the line between extravagance and exhibitionism.
The accessories were literally hardcore and the highlight of the show in my opinion: chokers with nails, colorful crystals and razors, spiky dog collar bracelets, studded black purses worn under the arm, cuffed ankle boots overflowing with spikes, chunky razor blade and heavy silver chains necklaces, spike-like screws that pierced the models' earlobes and originally marked specific cuts on dresses.
The entire feel of the show was defiant, even aggressive but also sexy and glamorous.
I loved how Versace made me simultaneously think about: The Clash, Cher Horowitz, Sex Pistols and Marilyn Manson. But most of all it made me think of that iocnic moment in pop culture when an unkown Elizabeth Hurley accompanied Hugh Grant at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994 wearing the infamous Gianni Versace safety pin dress that subsequently made her famous.
My favorite detail were these cool harnesses worn over see through plastic tees layered over the medusa head Versace logo that looked like metal but were in fact lined silver bugle beads (just imagine the handwork involved to make them).
So, what do you think?