Angelina Jolie opted for her signature look at the Oscars, black dress, stunning face.
But one thing was different with the actress last night – she went to painstaking lengths to show off her thigh through her Atelier Versace velvet gown – stretching it out at every opportunity and almost pulling a muscle in the process.
Usually aloof, it’s not like Ange to care so much about her appearance, making us wonder if something other than a leg spasm is going on ….you heard it here first.
Donatella Versace showed her first haute couture collection in eight years today, with model du moment Karlie Kloss opening the show.
Opening Paris Haute Couture week, Versace presented – as one would expect from the always va-va-voom fashion house – a glittering collection that was the very embodiment of glamour.
Versace hadn’t held one for years because of the prohibitive cost – which made this one, for Spring/Summer 2012, altogether more rarified.
Karlie Kloss for Versace
Reports suggested Versace had managed to capitalise on profits made from last year’s successful collaboration with H&M to finance the collection, a lavish scene of futuristic fantasy met with Grecian drama.
The palette was an ethereal fusion of silver, gold, pale grey, watery green and orange. Fabrics were glimmering metallics, lace, textured silk and leather.
The goosebump-inducing aural backdrop came courtesy of an aria sung by operatic legend Maria Callas.
‘Versace’s woman is sculptured, conscious of her body, and has a taste for futurism,’ Donatella said after the show.
A fitting return to form from Versace.
Donatella takes a bow
Acid brights in va-va-voom shapes that are just pure Versace
IN ATTENDANCE: Anna Wintour, Emanuelle Alt, Chloe Sevigny, Cameron Diaz, Diane Kruger.
PS Fact fans will note that the term ‘haute couture’ is an Appellation contrôlée in France, meaning that it can only be used by fashion houses if certain criteria are met. That includes, but is not limited to, things like the number of hours spent working on each garment, how much is made in-house and by hand etc etc.
The Oracle Wikipedia describes the legal status of the term haute couture thus:
In the genes: Kaia Gerber models for Versace
Pleated black and gold mini, leather biker bomber, socks and sandals…could this be the most stylish ten-year-old ever?
Hardly surprising given that she’s the daughter of one of the most famous supermodels in the world.
Kaia Gerber, CIndy Crawford’s offspring, has made her modelling debut for Young Versace, the new line for kids, and knows how to strike a pose.
She must have gotten tips from her mother, who gave the shoot her seal of approval.
Cindy said: ‘I’m so thrilled that Kaia was chosen to be part of the first Young Versace Campaign.
‘I have so many fond memories of the times I spent with Gianni and Donatella. There is something so very special about the House of Versace.’
Donatella couldn’t be happier either and took advantage of the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane.
She said: ‘Like her mother, Kaia has a very special gift. The camera really, really loves her.
‘Having Cindy on-set for the shoot took me back to all the amazing Avedon shoots we worked on together. It was such a special treat watching Kaia walk in her mother’s footsteps!’
We only wish we were there too!
That’s it. The party’s over. Donatella has hung up her High Street hat (it felt cheap, anyway, darlinks) and has leapt out of bed with H&M. Before she went though, she designed one last swansong collection: Cruise 2012.
The bright and cheerful collection is full of tropical tones and juicy fruit prints, bold gold and classic Versace flashes. We’re loving the blue string bikini printed with more fruit than Carmen Miranda’s hat, the just-bling-enough-not-too-bling statement earrings and the fruity printed silks – especially the dressing gown. Want want want. Downside? Not convinced by the clingy pink dress.
Last month when Donatella’s first collection hit the stores, one disappointed shopper dubbed it a ‘chavalanche.’ So what do you think, fab and flashy, or super trashy?
Vest and shorts, both £24.99
Dressing gown, £39.99
Flats, £39.99
Printed dress, £59.99
Pink dress, £39.99
