Daria Werbowy, Joan Smalls and Kate Moss photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott.
Gianni Versace was born in 1946 in Reggio Clabria (in
Italy). Thank to his mother, who was seamstress, young Gianni started to
design. His mother was teaching him and letting him taking pieces of materials
laying in workshop to let him sew rag dolls. When he was 9 he designed his
first dress, 8 years later he sold first model, when he was 22 he created his
own collection of woman clothing. He ofren had "business trips; to Paris
and London in order to look at known designers or buy new fabrics with varied
patterns. From 1972 Gianni's life has started to change. He moved to Milan and
created collection for Ezio Nicos(owner of textilies company Florentine
Flowers)/ He aimed into a perfect moment when italian products started to take
international markets. After stopping his work in Florentine Flowers he was working
as a freelancer for a lot of companies. The year 1976 should be considered as
the date of opening the Versace fashion house, when Gianni's brother - Santo
comes to Milan/ First collection with Versace label was presentedin March 1978.
Nowadays Versace is not only clothes. It is galsses, handbags, perfumes,
accesories for home, oridinary stuff and porcelain... Gianni's projects are
very orginal interpretation of prevailing trends. They are perfect mix of
intensive colours, life but clarity as well. According to him, art and fashion
are connected with each other. In the summer 1997, Versace was coming bach from
walk on the Ocean Drive to his palace in Miami Beach. Suddenly "bang"
and the limp Gianni's body touched hot pavement. Andrew Cunanan killed one of
the greatest fashion designers in history. Nowadays boss of Versace together
with Santo is Giani's nice - Allegra. The most important part of the company,
Design Center, is driven by Donatella Versace - the art director and main
designer. To sum up
- Versace is the family business.
This time the Versace company surprised
me less positive than usually. Their projects always associate with delicate
shapes and harder decorating. This time Donatella designed angular 'kitty'
glasses, which I don't like at all. I wonder who could look good in them expect
Kate Moss? Next frames which present Joan Smalls are more beautiful. Delicate
color with darker and brighter streaks perfectly compose with a darker carnation
of Joan, and in addition rounded shape and a little flattened 'nerds' don't
cover her beautiful eyebrows. I have mixed feelings about third one. Shape is
fashionable and facial but reminds me glasses of my grandmother when nothing
was in the shops. And the fourth glasses which I like the most! Timeless flies
and elegant black and Versace's logo from one side. This is my favorite from
all the collection.
