Versace’s Autumn/Winter 2010 collection had all the sensuality we’ve come to expect from the design house.  Strategic cut-outs and thigh-high slits were the recurring theme on this runway.  Even the boots had cleavage.  The color palette consisted of sunshine yellow, lovely lavendar, pristine white, cobalt blue and chocolate brown; it was was pleasing to the eyes, and will be a welcomed sight come fall.  There was even a touch of metallic in bronze and silver to bring shine to the collection.  Versace was not only about sensuality this season, it brought innovation to the runway.  Some of the wool coats had what appeared to be velour pattern sleeves.  Leather was woven throughout much of the collection, and it was mixed in with fabric to construct jackets and pants that stopped at the ankles.  It was always used for the trim of wool coats, like the cuffs, collars, and sleeves.  The leather bags and shoes completed the use of the material.  I loved that the final two looks resembled armour for battle.  It’s as if Donatella was letting it be known that she is a warrior, a metaphor for he willingness to see Versace through these economic times.

Lara Stone heats up Versace’s ad campaign for Versus this spring.  The design house remains true to its nature with this sensual commercial for its fragrance.  Lara has already worked with Givenchy, Calvin Klein, and she recently replaced Madonna at Louis Vuitton.  She is a model in demand, and from the looks of this ad it will stay that way.  So we have selected Lara Stone for our Rollcall list this week.

Versace is hoping you will flip for their new ad campaign starring model Georgia May Jagger.  She is the new face of Versace, and the young daughter of Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger may be just what the label ordered.  The Spring 2010 ad displays an upside-down Georgia with her bag draped over her in what appears to be an unmade bed.  Her hair and make up are flawless, in total, she is very polished.  Even so, there is definitely a youthful and edgy vibe to this campaign.  It’s not even overtly sexy.  Perhaps Donatella Versace is targeting a younger demographic.

Donatella Versace inherited the fashion house through tragedy, but soon found her footing and maintained the house’s relevance for over a decade.  If anyone can bring this house back to profitability during this downturn, it is Donatella Versace.

Versace has not been immune to the economic recession; the company announced last week that it would reduce it’s workforce by 26 percent.  Losses are projected in the near future, but the house is expected to return to profitability in 2011.

When you consider how Donatella was thrusted into a position that, as she says, she never wanted, and thrived, it would be premature to count her out right now.  If she takes this setback as an opportunity to regain the house’s dominance, Versace can emerge from this downturn virtually unscathed. 

Unlike most fashion houses, this one is extremely personal to the designer.  It was founded by her late brother, Gianni Versace, and her daughter now holds a 50 percent share in the company.  There is every incentive to bring this company back to its pre-recessionary days.

Ms. Versace has managed to maintain the prestige of the Versace label.  Known for its overtly sexy designs, it’s difficult to imagine her customer base abandoning her for long.  Combining the house’s ability to maintain the quality for which it’s known with affordable pricing may be its biggest test.  

The company’s greatest asset may be the designer herself; she is Versace, and she’s resilient.  The label is often glorified in rap songs, and sought after by the young and fabulous.  Even through this downturn, the name still maintains its luster, and if Donatella Versace has her way, it will stay that way.

Restructuring Luxury at Versace [NYT/Style]

The shoes for spring 2010 are definitely not your mother’s shoes.  Some are like sculptures you would find in a museum, while others are as delicate as the shoes worn by a ballerina.  The one thing they have in common is that they are incredibly sexy.  They are works of art crafted by some of the best artisans in the world, and they come in various inches.  Some of them are as high as eight inches, talk about elevation.  When a woman walks into a room with these shoes, she is making a statement.  I can’t help but feel that she is saying that she’s in charge.  Who would dare to challenge her?  It may be a challenge to walk in them, but their beauty is undeniable.  Besides, a little balancing act has never harmed anyone, especially when you get to prance around in these stunners.  If you want to see more, take a look here at all the other shoes you will be coveting for spring.

100 Favorite Shoes for Spring 2010 [Coutorture]

Donatella Versace is in New York City for a week, and she sat down for an interview with New York Magazine in her Manhattan store.  She had attended the launch of her new charity, Art Unites, at the Whitney Museum on the prior evening.  Art Unites provides children in need with art supplies to create their own masterpieces.  The fashion community is rooted in charity and philanthropy, and this is just another shining example.  Donatella reveals in her interview that Versace is returning to its roots, the eighties.  Those were the years of Gianni Versace, and the rise of the Italian fashion house.  The eighties were years of excess, daring and in your face fashion say the designer; it’s all about updating and modernizing the looks.  Take a look at the video.