STOP. PRESS. This was the night the Earth stood still, at least for London. On the second day of London Fashion Week, Versus Versace’s triumphant return to the Big Smoke was so hot from celebrity wattage—and the sexy clothing on offer—the attendees almost went up in smoke!
What was thought to be just another routine fashion show that was running late for the hoi polloi, on an unassuming Saturday night, turned out to be the social event of the season. The sartorial set got more than what we bargained for when in walked a veritable army of men in black with the couple du jour—Gigi Hadid, fresh off her collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger in New York Fashion Week, and Zayn Malik, professional crooner and full time heartbreaker–in tow.
The cavernous subterranean academic hanger that the Versus Versace show was held could possibly have been a brief crime scene for people suffering from photosensitive epilepsy as flashbulbs went off at a rate that would shock even the most seasoned celebrities. And just like that the Week was turned on its head–and the show had yet to start!
Opening the Italian diffusion line’s Spring/Summer 2017 show was yet another famous Hadid; Bella–dressed in a black leather biker tuxedo lapel jacket that boasted generous pockets and a knee-high utilitarian lace-up boots–with her older sister cheering her on by the wing. The love the two sisters have for each other played out right in front of our eyes–and there was no need for cable television subscription.
With Donatella now returning at the helm of the label, the rest of the show was as expected of a Versace show-quality signature va-va-voom clothing that expose just the right amount of skin for the Instagram generation. The 43 looks were a celebration of Italian craftsmanship done in just the right amount of Rock ’n’ Roll-disregard.
A particular exit of a canary yellow raincoat and gold aviators seemed to have resonated very well with English supermodel Jourdan Dunn and the ever-gorgeous American fashion darling Winnie Harlow, as they were seen nodding and squealing over it—just two seats down from Zayn. Also on the menu were sexy slivers of exotic snakeskin paired with thigh-grazing skirts, padded military fatigues worn as belted coat dresses and distressed denim–frayed just the right way only Donatella can.
This is, after all, the house that Donatella built. And if she proposes an unconventional approach to clothing, and decides to invite Tinseltown’s golden couple, who are we to argue?
Day Three will definitely be hard to beat.
By Adriel Chiun