And iconic model Shalom Harlow closed the show (no big deal)
It’s day three of Milan Fashion Week, it’s Friday night, and we’re ready for a party. Where better to start, then, than with Donatella Versace, as the iconique Italian designer presents her vision for SS19. Here’s everything you need to know.
THERE WAS A BOSS BITCH SOUNDTRACK
The show took place in a huge room with geometric markings on the floor, and a v long square runway. As things kicked off and the models started appearing, New York rapper Quay Dash’s track “Queen of this Shit” blasted out across the soundsystem. As ever, Donatella clearly had boss bitches in mind when she was working on SS19.
MORE THAN A FEW FAMOUS FACES WALKED(!)
Where do we even start? After ‘Queen of Cool’ Freja Beha opened, Versace faves including Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerber, Bella and Gigi Hadid, Anja Rubik, and Irina Shayk followed close behind, before the likes of Natasha Poly, Vittoria Ceretti, Edie Campbell, Adut Akech Bior, and Dazed covergirl Anok Yai took their turns on the runway, too. Rounding things off was Emily Ratajowski, who made a surprise appearance in a slinky black satin dress. A Versace girl, if ever there was one.
THERE WAS A PRETTY MAJOR CLOSING MOMENT
As if having a line-up of models like the one listed above wasn’t enough, Donatella enlisted none other than Shalom Harlow to close the show. Dressed in one-shoulder floral mini dress with clashing lace tights, the 90s icon led the models in their final lap of the runway.
THE COLLECTION CLASHED DIFFERENT ELEMENTS
Models wearing structured satin and faux snakeskin jackets paired with striped sweaters and checked pencil skirts were the first to take to the runway, before Donatella's take on the power suit made way for tight, ruched minis layered over long-sleeved mesh tops, and body hugging archival floral dresses worn over flowing blouses, both of which created a unique tension between the garments. Elsewhere, models took to the runway in v v Versace-esque neon evening gowns, and wide flares, cropped tops, and printed silk bandanas, which brought to mind late-90s boho girls on a journey of ‘self-discovery’ in Ibiza, as well as J-Lo circa y2k. “She’s eclectic and refined, all at the same time,” explained Donatella of the woman she had in mind when putting together this season’s collection.
...AND WHILE WE’RE ON THE SUBJECT OF BANDANAS
First Tom Ford showed them as part of his new collection, before JW Anderson made a case for leather ones at his latest show at London Fashion Week – and now Donatella is furthering the case for them. We’re calling it: bandanas are back for SS19. Other accessories included floral tights, big flower earrings, boxy trunk-style handbags, neon perspex sunglasses, and see-through vinyl totes. Also making a comeback was the 90s-style belly chain, some of which had gold clothes-pegs hanging from them. Let’s face it: it was only a matter of time.