Viva Versace
Writing a feature recently for The Express, I revisited opinions I'd held on the designs of Gianni Versace in the 90s. Namely that his work was too overblown and objectifying of women, for my tastes. I was forced to concede that despite pronouncing his aesthetic as “kitsch” or “gaudy” for appealing to attention-seeking celebrities back then, his pre-show crowd and backstage bling did make for extremely good footage during the Clothes Show.
No coverage of the Milan catwalks was complete without the Versace report complete with full supermodel turn out. And yes he had grasped the power of spectacle in those pre-internet days. As members of the media we were all drawn to this for instant larger than life visuals. So yup 30 years on, I reviewed my judgement and I'm adding the link so you can read my feature
The Gianni Versace Retrospective, opens at Arches London Bridge on July 16, 2025, marking the largest exhibition of its kind in the UK. This showcase will feature over 450 original vintage garments and accessories, including iconic pieces worn by Princess Diana, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Sir Elton John, and George Michael. Why not judge for yourself