Donatella Versace Turns 70: Celebrating the Iconic Looks of the Eternal Versace Queen
As Donatella Versace marks her 70th birthday on May 2, the fashion world comes together to celebrate her remarkable legacy. For over three decades, Donatella has been the driving force behind the iconic Versace style, characterised by glamor, excess, and self-confident femininity. In her honour, we take a look at some of the most unforgettable moments in Versace history.
The Safety Pin Dress that Launched a Career
One of the most iconic moments in Versace history is undoubtedly the "Safety Pin Dress" worn by Liz Hurley in 1994. Designed by Gianni Versace, it was Donatella who had the vision to dress the then-unknown model in it. As bluewin.ch reports, "Gianni created the dress, Donatella made it iconic! Liz Hurley became famous overnight in 1994 after wearing the Safety Pin Dress." This moment marked the beginning of Donatella’s legacy as a style-defining force in the fashion world.
A Legacy of Provocation and Subversive Luxury
Donatella has always incorporated the safety pin as an element in her collections, often using it as a symbol of provocation and subversive luxury. In 2023, Anne Hathaway wore a white model adorned with safety pins and pearls to the MET Gala, while Shakira wore a beautiful, asymmetrical and dangerously slit Versace dress with safety pins to the MTV Video Music Awards. As bluewin.ch notes, "A symbol of provocation and subversive luxury, Donatella has always incorporated the safety pin as an element in her collections."
Unforgettable Moments in Versace History
From Jennifer Lopez’s legendary "jungle" dress at the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000 to Angelina Jolie’s "high slit dress" at the 2012 Oscars, Donatella has consistently pushed the boundaries of fashion. In 2019, Lopez’s dress reappeared in a revised and even more daring version at Milan Fashion Week. Meanwhile, Jolie’s pose, with one leg dramatically stretched out, led to numerous internet memes. As bluewin.ch reports, "The ‘High Slit Dress’, the extremely slit dress worn by Angelina Jolie at the Oscars in 2012, has also gone down in history."
Blake Lively’s Transformation Dress
In 2022, Blake Lively made a memorable appearance at the MET Gala in a dress with a train that looked both futuristic and historic. The highlight was the transformation from copper to turquoise right on the red carpet, after a tug on the train. As bluewin.ch notes, "The colors were inspired by the patina of the Statue of Liberty." This moment marked another iconic milestone in Donatella’s career, showcasing her ability to create truly unforgettable fashion moments.
A New Chapter for Versace
As Donatella steps down as Creative Director, she will remain with the house as Chief Brand Ambassador. With Versace now officially part of the Prada Group, the next chapter in the brand’s history is set to begin. However, one thing is certain: Donatella Versace’s legacy as a style-defining force in the fashion world will remain untouchable.
Celebrating Donatella’s Legacy
Throughout her career, Donatella has consistently celebrated femininity with her fashion, often incorporating elements of irony and streetwear. As bluewin.ch reports, "Feminine strength, seduction and dangerous beauty – this is the energy that defines Versace to this day." As we celebrate Donatella’s 70th birthday, we take a look at some of the most iconic moments in Versace history, showcasing her remarkable legacy as a style-defining force in the fashion world.
