Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XIX

1 8 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Suede jackets and coats are quilted in the #GREEK pattern, then hand-stitched in vivid shades, while alpaca zip-up coats pop in strong yellow. The letters of Versace are apparent across the collection on jersey tops and leather jackets, even on sheer cocktail dresses, embroidered in vivid crystals. Accessories are also redesigned tomatch the modern flair of the rest of the collection, with the quilted #GREEK bag made unstructured in the softest leather, accompanying quilted suede clutches and colour-printed quilted leather with a #GREEK key chain. There are maxi belts with maxi geometric buckles, matte and patterned tights, ultra-coloured maxi sunglasses, metal chokers with letter pendants and platform sandals with ankle straps. Beyond that, patchwork thigh-high leather boots are patent at the front, suede at the back, while suede sandals come with #GREEK metal stack heels and platform soles. Versace does not pretend to be fluent in the digital age and she hardly needs to be, but with this collection she has succeeded in combining the iconic, classic feel of her brand with the digital present, with a sense of preparedness for the future throughout. Unmistakably, the muse here is a sexy and energetic woman with a strong sense of humour, her eyes facing forward, towards the future. With this collection, Versace takes her inspiration from Gianni’s beaded James Deans and Marilyn Monroes of the 1990s, but in their place she uses digital symbolism, as powerful and potent in the world today as those classic faces were then: hashtags, @ signs, emojis, emoticons – a simple @ communicates something more meaningful than James Dean in Times Square in the 1950s, it seems. Versace these days is a world that Gianni created, but that Donatella continually ensures is nurtured and fed – this collection is an ode to her creativity, with a possible glimpse of flamboyance and humour. It is to her credit that she can lead the brand through these often confusing modern times, without missing a step. Almost surely she has people to give her cues what this new world is, but her ability to listen and implement must be lauded.