District L

"Rigor with sensuality" said Donatella of her spring collection, an elektra-fying parade of energetic, Grecian inspired looks that temper the brand's trademark oozing sexiness with a newfound element of aggressive restraint. Donatella has taken her signature diva - flowing mane, fishtail sequin gown and all - and yanked her back from behind into a highly sartorial, well-edited interpretation of the Versace aesthetic.

We've been seeing a lot of designers in Milan this season step out of their comfort zones and take new approaches to their design process. It stands to reason - with the global economy beginning to take a turn for the better, luxury customer bases are more willing to invest in bolder statement pieces. Versace S/S 2011 embraces the bold turquoise and tangerine hues we've been seeing, but contrasted with beautifully tailored high-waisted skirts and cutout jackets in beige and brilliant white. Take a panoramic view of any seaside island village in the Cyclades and you'll find the same palette - white washed concrete houses with orange tiled roofs and churches with turquoise domed naves.

Finally, the Greek key motif seen on many of the looks was a brave move by the designer - some might say it drives the point a little too far home, but we say it's an assertion of the traditional values of the Versace house.

Post by Nicolas Sera-Leyva

Images from Style.com

She'll ruin you.

Just days following confirmation of the rumor that Versace CEO Giancarlo di Risio was to step down following a dispute with Donatella Versace, it would appear that a successor has already been found. Gian Giacomo Ferraris is to be the next CEO of Versace, following Giancarlo di Risio's creative disagreement with the brand's celebrity creative director which ultimately led to his resignation.

This gentleman believes he has what it takes. We're inclined to agree.

The new meat has quite an impressive resume to boot- since 2004 he has served as CEO of the Jil Sander group, and before that was the managing director of the Gucci Group RTW division.

He better watch it. Period.

The couple, in better days.

Due to a conflict sparked by so-called "creative differences" (not hard to believe) with creative director Donatella, Versace CEO Giancarlo di Risio has decided to step down from the company but will stay on until a successor is found. So the rumors were true.

District L honestly can't think of any conceivable way one could win an argument against Donatella.

Need we say more?

Donatella posed this question following this afternoon's runway in Milan; Iridescence and Metallics reigned supreme for Fall 2009 at Versace today. A stunning assortment of asymmetrically cut, fluid chiffon gowns in shades of aqua, navy, and beige with beaded metallic detailing (some with diaphanous sheer detailing on the torso and bodice as well, right on target) won plaudits, and a selection of skirts and mohair jackets woven with steel thread was an educated twist on the metallic we've seen in other shows. Also, sequined cocktail dresses echoed nature with their fishscale meets snakesin texture- similar to what we saw at Fendi with their nature-meets-industry motif.

Like Prada, Versace really stayed true to its' roots this season: sticky sweet, glamorous, and irreverent. Backs were cut low, colors bold, and detailing was sumptuous and well-balanced. In these somewhat raucous times globally, it was reassuring to see this leit-motif of sticking to one's roots remain prevalent throughout the collections of the luxury houses this season.

Photos from FashionWireDaily.com