The Versace Attitude and the Strength of Superheroes
Versace presented the FW25 collection during Milan Fashion Week, reaffirming its status as a symbol of power, luxury, and boldness. Donatella Versace, the Maison’s creative director, stated:
“This is a collection of Versace Superheroes. Our codes are recognized worldwide and are our strength. I love clothes designed to give courage, authority, and self-confidence. We should all have at least a little Versace Attitude. With this collection, I didn’t want to follow any rules—only the rules of the Versace DNA.“
The power of superheroes and the Versace Attitude are the beating heart of the collection. However, there is the looming possibility of a brand sale, with Prada rumored to be a potential buyer. If these speculations prove true, this could be Donatella’s final collection for the Maison.
The Location: Between Industrial and Luxury
For this season, Versace chose an iconic Milanese location: the tram station. After previously enchanting audiences at Castello Sforzesco, Donatella opted for an industrial setting that deliberately contrasts with the collection’s craftsmanship.
The atmosphere was evocative: a long runway with a raw, industrial charm, where guests sat on heated benches, each provided with blankets to shield them from the cold. The tram, a historical symbol of the city, transformed from a mere mode of transport into a central character in Versace’s visual storytelling. Today, the tram is a true Milanese design icon, frequently used in advertising campaigns and captured in photographs that narrate the city’s unique essence.
The Looks of the Versace FW25 Collection
The show opened in a bold, theatrical fashion: three looks merging Versace Home with the runway. Quilted fabrics from Versace Home were transformed into couture garments, adorned with iconic prints, in a direct tribute to Gianni Versace.
The silhouette was redefined through new structures: asymmetrical shoulders, inspired by Gianni’s final Atelier Versace Haute Couture collection from Fall 1997, and elements drawn from his ballet costumes, featuring structured bodices and crinoline skirts that seemed to defy gravity.
The brand’s signature prints and motifs appeared everywhere, from linings to pockets, and in unexpected details. Rhinestone-encrusted jeans added a sparkling streetwear energy, while a 3D-printed open-knit metal mesh featuring the Versace logo created a strikingly innovative fabric.
Among the accessories, the standout piece was the Virtus bag, the collection’s true protagonist. The design is distinguished by the new V emblem, a symbol of the Maison, and a top-handle silhouette with a semi-circular shape that moves elegantly and fluidly.
Closing the show were majestic dresses woven with frayed metallic threads in gold and silver. These garments are not just dresses but pieces of history, drawn from Donatella’s first couture show in Fall 1998. The top models Loli Bahia, Mona Tougaard, and Mica Argañaraz graced the final moments of the runway, delivering a spectacular closing.
Donatella Versace: An Ever-Evolving Icon
Donatella Versace has undeniably left an indelible mark on the global fashion industry. Her name is synonymous with audacity, glamour, and Italian excellence.
Her ability to reinterpret the archives with a contemporary language has kept Versace at the forefront of fashion. However, the brand’s future remains uncertain. Financial challenges persist, and there is a risk that Versace could become merely an aesthetic—just a Versace Attitude—without the financial solidity needed to stay competitive. The challenge will be to overcome this critical moment without losing the soul and identity that have made the Maison a global icon.
Donatella has already left her mark on fashion. The future will tell whether the brand can reinvent itself or if it is time for a new chapter in Versace’s history.
