Dua Lipa and Donatella Versace's long-awaited ready-to-wear collaboration is finally here. Days after causing a storm at Cannes following her red-carpet debut with her beau French director Romain Gavras, the global superstar brought the festival to a standstill yet again when she unveiled her highly anticipated collaboration with Donatella Versace on the runway.
Firm fashion friends, Dua and Donatella's mood-boosting summer line entitled 'La Vacanza' (which translates to 'vacation') revisited decades-old silhouettes from the renowned house. Integral to the line was Versace's iconic butterfly and ladybugs print, originally featured in the Versace Spring-Summer 1995 collection, spied on models including Precious Lee, Mona Tougaard and Iris Law.
In addition to the nostalgic nod, the line was replete with sizzling, flesh-baring gowns perfect for impromptu dinners, immaculately tailored suiting, and flirty printed sets to make for an envy-inducing wardrobe. Of course, no summer collection is complete without head-turning swimwear and bralet tops to lounge in poolside – and they were dished out in abundance, alongside a dash of metallic thigh-high boots and playful mules.
'Donatella and I bonded over our shared love of this time of year while making this collection. Digging through the archives we discovered we were drawn to a lot of the same references which was such an inspiring and fulfilling process,' Lipa explained of her debut foray into the world of design. 'La Vacanza ranges from metallic miniskirts and sexy bikinis, to butterfly rings and printed pieces inspired by the Versace SS ’95 collection. There’s always an occasion to wear Versace, and I know I’ll be spending my days – and nights – in La Vacanza all summer long.'
The Albanian and British pop star's long-spanning relationship with the esteemed Italian house has been a pleasure to witness. Lipa both opened and closed their SS22 show, in addition to recreating an iconic Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston 1998 VMA moment at last year's Grammy Awards with Megan Thee Stallion and Donatella.
Both performers acted outraged they had both turned up in identical Versace ensembles, only for the Chief Creative Officer to take to the stage and rip apart their dresses.
'I love the summer and for me this collection celebrates the very best of that time of year. Donatella says of the inspiration behind the collaboration. 'Gorgeous colours, fun prints, and light silhouettes. This is the perfect summer collection – from lying by the pool in a fun printed bikini, to dressing-up to dance on hot summer evenings in the perfect evening dress –these clothes immediately make me think of my holidays and being in the sun. We had such a good time designing this collection together. We felt like we were on vacation and that is exactly the spirit we want people to feel when they wear our clothes.'
La Vacanza is available to shop on Versace.com now.
