Celebrity designers may be becoming fewer and further in between, but there’s no doubt Donatella Versace’s legacy will live on forever. That’s what she would have you think, at least, after witnessing the immense star power she brought together for her Fall Winter 2023 show in Los Angeles, a rare journey across the pond from Milan for the illustrious designer. Supermodels Naomi Campbell and Gigi Hadid walked the runway at West Hollywood’s Pacific Design Center, which was packed to the brim with stars like Anne Hathaway, Lil Nas X, Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson in attendance.
It was a glamorous, flashy show kicking off Oscars weekend, but not one which went on without any hiccups – the show was shifted a day earlier at the last minute due to concerns over weather conditions in LA. But esteemed guests still turned out en masse, a testament to Donatella’s everlasting clutch on celebrity. It’s the gospel of Versace: if the show was meant to be a religious experience of fashion, then the voice of Prince saying “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today” surely did the trick, heralding the models’ encore walk down the runway.
As for the collection itself, bold, brash prints painted the runway in every colour imaginable, in the form of both slinky cocktail dresses and fabulous evening gowns. It was all classic Versace, channeling the glamour of Hollywood without explicitly saying so – a cheeky wink or a humble brag about the house’s ability to stage an extravaganza of such magnitude in today’s crowded fashion landscape. Now the only question remains, who will wear Versace to the Oscars red carpet this year? See below for some of the celebrities who said hi to Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore before the show, then read ahead to see exclusive behind the scenes photos from the red carpet and the runway.
