The iconic Donatella Versace has joined forces with pop superstar Dua Lipa to co-design a high summer women’s collection entitled ‘La Vacanza’.
Meaning ‘the vacation’ in Italian, the collection was confirmed last October and debuted on the 23rd of May. The exclusive show took place at a villa in the hills of Cannes, with the models walking along a runway submerged in an infinity pool. Audience members sat on ornate coffee tables overlooking the well-manicured gardens and ocean of the French Riviera.
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There were many famous faces at the event, with Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Simone Ashley in the audience, while Lila Moss, Irina Shayk, and Iris Law walked, styled with voluminous hair and 90s makeup.
The pieces took a lot of inspiration from the past, with Dua telling French Vogue “it was a combination of things we’ve worked on over time: performances, red carpet, influences from the archive, and modern Versace”. Metallic mini skirts, butterfly prints, and polka dots all pay tribute to 90s Versace, while the pastel blue and pink tailored suits and terry towelling may have drawn inspiration from Dua’s upcoming Barbie movie. Yes, fashion design isn’t the only new hobby Dua Lipa has dabbled in recently, starring as a mermaid in the upcoming Barbie movie this July as well as writing a song for the soundtrack.
When designing the collection, Dua would sketch ideas and send them to Donatella for approval. Her fresh take on designing was appreciated, as was her perspective on how the clothes fit, considering practicality when performing as opposed to just walking the catwalk.
Dua Lipa has been a Versace ambassador since 2021, frequently appearing in campaigns and even opening and closing shows. She can be spotted on the front row or red carpet, often in custom or vintage Versace. At the collection’s preview in Cannes, Dua revealed that the initial idea to collaborate had come about on a night out together in NYC. She has a close friendship with Donatella, and their relationship began in 2018 when Dua wore a look from Versace’s spring collection for her performance at the Brit Awards. Other iconic Dua x Versace moments include the custom glitter dress for her Levitating music video, the bright bow dress for the 2019 Met Gala, and the vintage AW92 gown for the Grammys.
While the idea of a celebrity ambassador or muse is a longstanding practise, more and more brands are utilising celebrities, especially pop stars, as co-designers. Beyoncé’s album-inspired couture collection with Balmain dropped earlier this year, while Pharrell Williams’ highly anticipated Louis Vuitton collection will show at Men’s Fashion Week in Paris. We can’t wait to see more of our favourite celebs creating art with our favourite designers!
Written By Lucy Walshe
Header Image By Mia Washbrook
