VERSACE SPRING SUMMER 2016 WOMEN’S COLLECTION – MILAN FASHION WEEK

The Versace woman unleashed in the urban jungle. Masculine tailoring is feminised by a darted, elegantly sculptured waist, while utility jackets are the new daywear essential. Toughened luxury comes from a laminated boucle jacket with fringed edges of silk chiffon, or the raw edges of a pencil skirt with a thigh high split.

Energised animal prints clash and contrast with the attitude of the street, with acid leopard and zebra prints often combined in the same look. Sportswear is everything, like the poloshirts and sweatshirts in animal print jacquard knit, or the zip-up blousons in acid leopard.

Craftsmanship adds rich detail, like a suede zip-up jacket bonded and topstitched with animal prints, or a utility jacket richly embellished with sequins. Fil coupe animal print dresses are tied as if spontaneously at the shoulder and hip, while lace gives the effect of animal print against the skin.

A new pinstripe appears and fades as if it pulses, on a tailored jacket tied at the waist, or a slashed front dress that’s tied at the shoulder and edge. Flowing gowns of animal print silk chiffon are raw edged, and are tied as they go down the body to the floor.

Platform heels with a rubberised sole are fastened with safety buckles, while platform sandals come embellished with sequins and frayed chiffon. Selected bags from the show, including sequin embellished backpacks and tie-handle bags from the Palazzo family, will be available in select Versace flagships and e-commerce next week.

The music of the show starts with the track Transition by Violet and friends, made for Equality Now, to which Versace is making a donation. “This is a collection for the way women live their lives today, mixing tailoring with sportswear and effortless glamour.” Donatella Versace