Supermodels bare it all

Photo source: Vogue US September 1994, Vogue US September 1996, Harper’s Bazaar US 2009

Ann Demeulemeester

Where were you in 1997? I was living in Russia, still a Uni student. With a very limited access to fashion magazines it was pretty difficult to know what was happening in the fashion industry outside Russia. I had no idea who Ann Demeulemeester was back then. I didn’t even know there was such a designer. Imagine how happy I felt when I stumbled upon an article from the April issue of Vogue US 1997. I must admit, digging into fashion past makes me excited every time I get such an opportunity because it’s about discoveries, the learning process, the tiny precious pearls of information that allow us to understand and appreciate designers’ work, the creative process, right from the start.

Photo source: Vogue US April 1997 via tfs

Versace Spring 2012

I felt as if my heart was about to jump out of my chest. The rush of emotions going through my brain was like an electric shock. And then I just watched. One look after the next, the models gracefully glided on a cloud of light balancing on gorgeous sky-high platforms, their hair bouncing as they walked. The hair, the make-up, the shapes, shoes and soft colours were very Donatella Versace, but some details, patterns, studs and starfish embellishments made me think of Gianni. It felt, in a warm fuzzy feeling of pure love, as if the brother and sister were back together working next to each other, as if Donatella dreamed this collection and used her memories from 1989-1992 when Gianni Versace was still there - the shells and stars from Spring 1992 inspired by Byzantine mosaics, the beading and studs from 1991 and delicate colours and pleating from the Atelier Summer 1989 collection. In her true spirit she brought them into the 21st century and made this collection her own without compromising on that unique, so-very-Versace glamour, keeping beautiful memories alive and sharing them with a new generation (plus using some of these ideas while creating pieces for H&M&Versace November extravaganza, just in case you’re wondering what’s in store).

Photo source: Versace Haute Couture Vogue Italia 1991, Versace Fall 1992, Versace Spring 1992, Atelier Versace Fall 1992, Versace Ready-to-wear Spring 2012 collection via elle.com