📅 May 15, 2026Videofashion24 MIN1000 VIEWS60 SEGMENTS · 3 SPEAKERS
In this issue of Videofashion Designers: After founding his eponymous label in 1978, Gianni Versace became known for his slick, theatrical runway shows; celebrities couldn’t get enough of his glitzy aesthetic. His genius united contemporary culture and high art into stunning, sexy creations. Versace’s career was tragically cut short in 1997, when he was murdered outside his Miami residence. His sister, Donatella, took over the design helm, and has continued her brother’s legacy into the new millennium—expanding the brand into nearly every division of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, dressing Ho...
What Donatella Versace said
Written from the verified transcript and checked against it. Every figure links to the moment it was said.
Donatella Versace discussed her design philosophy and recent collections for the house of Versace. She said she learned from her brother Gianni to do things with passion and belief, and that she tries to continue his legacy the best she can. Versace stated that luxury must be unique and desired by everyone. For the Fall 2008 collection, she described a more geometric approach with new fabrics and volumes, collaborating with Dutch artist Tim Roeloffs on prints inspired by Berlin buildings mixed with Versace's Avedon imagery. For the Spring 2009 season, marking the house's 30th anniversary, she presented a structured silhouette with small waists and boxy shapes, saying women need confidence in difficult times. She collaborated with British artist Julie Verhoeven to remix the Medusa logo, photographing her paintings to print on clothes, and referenced Shirley Schnabel's smash plates work as homage.
Key takeaways
Versace said luxury must be unique and something everybody desires.
For Spring 2009, the 30th anniversary, she created a structured silhouette with small waist and boxy bottom to give women confidence in difficult times.
She collaborated with Julie Verhoeven to remix the Medusa logo, photographing her paintings to print on clothes.
For Fall 2008, she worked with Dutch artist Tim Roeloffs on prints inspired by Berlin buildings mixed with Versace's Avedon imagery.
Numbers and commitments
Figure
What it refers to
Type
At
30 years
Anniversary of the house of Versace for Spring 2009
A fashion designer's impact goes beyond the runway. They change the way we look at ourselves and those around us. Video Fashion Designers chronicles their past successes and follows their evolution into the 21st century.
Filled with the lavish parties, celebrity entourages, and miles of platinum blonde hair, the glamorous life of Donatella Versace epitomizes the daring, brazenly sexy brand built by her brother, Gianni Versace. Donatella was long Gianni's creative muse, in addition to designing his secondary line, Versus. Sadly, it was Gianni's tragic death in 1997 that catapulted Donatella to the helm of the entire Versace empire.
The DNA of Versace has always been about the strong, bold, Amazonian, sexy, in-your-face woman. I mean, I think Gianni did it in an incredible way and Donatella just continues that tradition. Donatella has done an incredible job of keeping that brand interesting and exciting and relevant. Certainly much more of a feminine element because it's a woman who's designing it.
Drawing from Gianni's signature sex appeal and dramatic flair, Donatella has perfected the unabashedly seductive, show-stopping, red carpet gown. Versace continues to be a go-to label for A-listers looking to raise hemlines and make headlines.
So, it's a really nice combination of feeling quite sexy but on the other hand being quite contained. Versace represents the ultimate glamour. I mean, it's just glamour to the fullest. It's luxury.
Nearly two decades after taking the reins at Versace, Donatella continues to propel the brand into the 21st century, enticing the next generation of Versace customers with her alluring designs and eternally youthful sensibility.
Somebody asked me to describe Donatella, and I always say she's like really fun, really fearless, really female. And I would say this is like the best definition of a collection. I love that Donatella goes to rock and roll roots every time, and she finds new ways to express it. Nothing like a little Medusa and a little S&M to shake things up. Oh, Donatella, I think she's an 18-year-old girl in her heart for her whole life. So, she's always young, she's always feisty. If anybody can pull it off, it's Donatella.
A cool commotion accompanied the Versace Fall 2008 show with Donatella welcoming celebrity friends. Also on hand, the dreamy star of the label's menswear campaign, Patrick Dempsey. The design diva knows how to set the mood.
Versace represents the ultimate glamour. I mean, it's just glamour to the fullest. It's a lot of jewelry, it's luxury. We actually emulated the Versace jet in my glamorous video. That's how much I feel that Versace is glamorous.
14 more exchanges in this transcript
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Versace, D. (2026, May 15). Videofashion Designers: DONATELLA VERSACE [Interview transcript]. Videofashion. CEOInterviews.AI. https://ceointerviews.ai/interview/931228/
