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Versace: The Stars Go Down to the Ritz |
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Tue Jan 20,12:05 PM ET |
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Godfrey Deeny
Fashion Wire Daily January 20, 2004 - Paris - Versace went back to its roots last night, or make that the Ritz.
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After a hiatus of several seasons, the Medusa label showed its latest couture collection Monday night in the pool of the Ritz in Paris, scene of the late great GianniÕs greatest triumphs. And the house got a star-studded turnout worthy of the late designer.
Christina Aguilera (news), dwarfed by some immense security guards, caused a stampede on the golden catwalk as made her way to her front row seat, showing off her now look Š she just dyed her hair black.
Near her sat sultry sexy actress Elodie Bouchez and Virgine Ledoyen, plus Pharrell Williams, the latest R n B star with a clothing line to come to couture to complete his fashion education.
"I loved it. It was minimal but not skimpy," Pharrell told FWD, as he proudly showed off a golden robot and enormous ring, part of his own Billionaire Boy collection. "IÕm in the fashion business too," remarked the affable Pharrell.
In a poignant moment, Mohammed Al Fayed, also took a seat front row in the hotel from which his son Dodi and Princess Diana made their ill-fated final journey along the Seine five years ago.
Back up the catwalk, the look kept to the recent Versace preference for Palm Beach meets Las Vegas, as Donatella slickly showed off her mastery of the couture atelier, like the pant suit with lace insertions worn by Karolina Kurkova that opened the show.
There were some great evening gowns, including a spectacularly grand number in black Š think Goya on ecstasy on assignment for Italian Vogue and you get the picture. But the highlight was a clutch of cascading spaghetti dresses with crystal fringes that will grace many a cover, and charm lots of clients.
All great, snazzy and up-tempo fashion that will appeal to lots of Versace fans, who booked out appointments for private fittings all Tuesday above VersaceÕs flagship Faubourg St Honore boutique.
The show ended with an operatic finale with PucciniÕs "Gianni Schichi" mixed with a heavy trance beat before the audience broke into hearty applause.
Also enjoying the scene was Chris Noth (news), here filming the final two episodes of "Sex and the City."
"I never get to shows, but I thought it was tremendous. So much excitement and glamour! But if you want an expert opinion you should really ask her," said Noth, nodding in the direction of the beautiful Spanish actress Maria Jurado, dressed tip to toe in white Versace.
Post-show, the super svelte Donatella showed how much energy this gal has. She staged a party in VIP on the Champs Elysees, where the designer, Pharrell, Aguilera and Kurkova ended up dancing together for 90 minutes.
One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important. - Bertrand Russell
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