Collage Sunday, 27.02.11: Versace goes back to Gianni

I have very seldom posted about Versace on the blog over the last few seasons. Except for the odd red carpet hit it's not a brand that often appeals to me. But every once in a while Donatella rescues some of Gianni's old flavour and manages to create a collection that reminds me of why I loved his brand so much. For fw11 Donatella has done very simple shapes, mostly cocktail dress length and black or white, with bold graphic motifs in purple, yellow and green. These, together with the big gold logo detailing took me back to the Versace of the late 80's and early 90's. I particularly liked the white one-shoulder night number that Abbey Lee rocked on the runway and the incredible bejewelled medusa evening bags, which, I hope, will make a big hit.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com]

Versace in January

When Versace announced that January Jones would be the face of the upcoming SS11 campaign not many people were surprised. We had seen January looking stunning in the brand over the last few months. It all started with the blue show-stopper she donned for the Emmys and after which she attended fashion week in Milan and slipped into one of the fringed numbers that came out the catwalk that day. I think Donatella is so keen on her because January epitomises the late 50's/early 60's look in a very contemporary manner. It makes sense, then, how the brand's designer would pick someone whose style reminds the public of the type of glamour her brother Gianni became famous for when he founded the house in 1978. And so, she's been shot by Mario Testino for the upcoming campaign with styling, despite the (welcomed) lack of clothes, reminiscent of the pin-up movement.

This campaign has obviously been in the works for quite a while as January and Donatella had been collaboration for a while not only for red carpet events but also on an editorial level. Have a look at this video of their featured editorial on Elle US shot by Mariano Vivanco.

What do you think of the first look at the advert?
I'm off.

[Picture: myfashionlife.com]

You got Kane'd

Just as it happened to Miu Miu, Versus is walking steadily towards establishing itself as a respected fashion label rather than a giant's diffusion line. Ever since Donatella Versace brought Christopher Kane on board three seasons ago Versus started to become the young, cool and sexy tentacle of the Medusa's head. The SS11 collection was a repetition of über-girly shapes, plaid and florals. It was almost reminiscent of Luella's rebel Punk schoolgirl is she had ever been to boarding school in Italy. Button downs, plaited skirts and badged cardigans were the protagonists. And it's there where we could see Kane's mark —in the Westwood-esque stripes, the sheer tartan and his unmistakable geometric shapes and skirt pleating. More in line with the season's trends, we saw some mesh and some rather clever colour blocking with florals and circusy dresses.

I'm off.

PS. This is the last from Milan. Stay tuned for all the fashion from Paris. Dries Van Noten today! Follow us on twitter for up-to-the minute-updates!

[Pictures: Style.com]

Best of The Rachel Zoe Project S3E05

I really don't know why I don't do more episode recaps on soVIPzone. It's such a fun thing to do to dissect them and share my favourite moments. I have just finished the last Rachel Zoe Project ( a bit late, I know) episode and, personally, it's been the best so far. These are the reasons why I absolutely loved it.

1. Rachel wearing a hat inside her London hotel room while sharing a coffee with Kate Hudson. If London is too dark to wear sunglasses indoors, what do you do? Wear a hat. There is also something a bit Lady Gaga about this moment.

2. Rachel is very right when she says Kate Hudson is a true free spirit and that she has great energy! (And, man, she can sing!) I love the woman. Not a complaint and she looks just as great with no make up on as she does in Burberry. I particularly liked the 'visual holiday' moment with the Condé Nast Traveller and the DVF dress. What the hell was a summer dress doing there anyway?

3. This was a more personal moment. The 87 was the bus that took me from central London to my first flat in the city. I feel like Rachel wanted me to share the moment with them and specifically asked for that moment to be in the show.

4. Yes, Rach does look great in the vintage cropped fur coat. And, yes, I love bows as much as the next person. But I don't get why this moment was a 'DIE' one. She looks a bit like a suffocating blonde bunny.

5. The visit to casa Missoni was the confirmation that both Angela and Margheritta Missoni are not only lovely people but very natural and chilled. I also love the fact that they're both dressed so casually yet looking very stylish. Oh, and of course Rachel was in paradise. I mean, the woman has a Missoni bedspread!

6. Rachel walking around the Missoni showroom in three layers of their FW10 collection and wearing bananas mirror sunglasses. All very Anna dello Russo. And please notice how absolutely ecstatic Rachel is!

7. Brad meets Donatella. "She's a gay icon. She's the Maddonna of fashion". What I was wondering then was wether she noticed the big 'D' on Brad's chest and whether he made this particular fashion choice on purpose. Maybe he learnt from the Ralph Lauren incident at Oscar de la Renta?

8. The very awkward moment between rachel and Julianne Moore was priceless. R- "This is so your year", J- "I love birds" was followed by Rachel asking what Julianne was wearing for the Oscars. To which she replied Calvin Klein. And then Zoe tries a template compliment while she mentally goes "shit, shit, shit".

Are you watching this season of The Rachel Zoe Project?
I'm off.

PS. If the text was atrocious. Apologies. Somehow, I am super tired today!