Famed designer Donatella Versace was a no-show for Dario Vitale’s first Versace event since she was ousted from her namesake brand. The fashion doyenne, 70, was the brand’s longtime creative director but was pushed into a chief brand ambassador role earlier this year. She wasn’t at the “intimate event” at a 17th-century palazzo to launch Vitale as the new creative designer during Milan fashion week, reports Sara Nathan.
“The fact Donatella wasn’t present says everything,” sniffed a fashion source, who additionally huffed that her late brother Gianni Versace, who was murdered in 1997, “wouldn’t even recognize the brand that bears his name.”
Online, comments from stans were brutal — critiquing Vitale’s collection, with longtime Versace devotees demanding Donatella come back. One commenter called the collection “clumsy copies of Gianni and Donatella’s past glories, paraded down the runway with none of their original power.”
But the show did get some high marks from critics: The New York Times called it “cheeky, in every sense of the word,” while the Cut’s review at first branded Vitale’s looks “tacky” and “downmarket,” but “by look 10” it all had “extraordinary sex appeal.” Donatella was allegedly “pushed out” from her family brand earlier this year, and Prada Group agreed to buy the brand. Vitale, the former Miu Miu designer, was named the creative lead at Versace.
Either way, Donatella is being honored with the Positive Change Award at the CFDA Fashion Awards in November.
“She’s living her best life,” said a pal, adding that although she skipped the Versace show, Donatella was spotted in Milan with longtime friend Anna Wintour, who hosted an intimate gathering with billionaire François- Henri Pinault to celebrate the launch of Cinemoda Club, a film series presented by Vogue Italia and Kering. She’s also been spending more time in the States, we hear.
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