Leadership shifts within the fashion world aren’t unprecedented, however, the events of this week have the potential to significantly influence celebrity looks at movie premieres – possibly beginning with The Met Gala on May 5 . One can only imagine if celebrities made frantic calls to their stylists on Thursday, when Donatella Versace announced She was retreating from her design responsibilities to assume the role of the company’s brand ambassador, while ex-Miu Miu designer Dario Vitale would be appointed as the new creative director. Shortly after this statement from Donatella, it emerged that Demna is leaving Balenciaga to take over as Gucci's creative director. , and it's enough to make any star's stylist break into a cold sweat.)
"Championing the next generation of designers has always been important to me," Donatella said in a statement released Thursday. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to carry on my brother Gianni's legacy. He was the true genius, but I hope I have some of his spirit and tenacity. In my new role as chief brand ambassador, I will remain Versace's most passionate supporter. Versace is in my DNA and always in my heart."
In essence, Versace has always been perfectly suited for Hollywood ever since Gianni Versace established his brand and inaugurated an identically named store in Milan back in 1978. From the beginning, Gianni favored vivid hues, daring patterns, and unapologetic embellishments, appearing quite progressive compared to the standards of Hollywood at the time. “My objective is to narrate tales through clothing,” he remarked once upon a time. “These narratives can be about dominance and submission, elegance, aggression, sophistication—yet above everything else, my designs convey a sentiment of liberation. My aspiration would be to have these garments embraced by both the affluent and those less fortunate; essentially, anyone who isn’t constrained by societal norms. It’s such constraints that taint our existence.”
But Hollywood caught up with the Versace aesthetic, thanks to one dress, in 1994. That was the year Elizabeth Hurley , followed by an obscure model, who showed up for the London premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral By the side of her then-boyfriend Hugh Grant, she wore a black silk evening dress secured on the sides with large gold safety pins. The actor remembered, “ Poor Elizabeth contacted several renowned designers, but they all responded, 'Who are you?' or 'We won’t lend you anything.'” Hugh Grant: A Journey Through Film In 2024, BBC released a new documentary. "Versace then responded, 'We’ll loan you a gown,’ and they delivered only one, featuring safety pins. She quickly put it on, and I slightly lifted an eyebrow before we departed together."
Hurley remembered, 'We were residing in a small apartment without a full-length mirror, no steamer, and I had nothing,' 2024 podcast interview Adding that the sole feedback on her appearance was Grant’s one-word response: “Christ!” "And then we left," Hurley continued.
The dress — featured in Versace’s spring 1994 collection — catapulted Hurley into global headlines the next day, drawing unprecedented attention to both her and the designer behind it. Although Versace had previously created a bold red gown for Cindy Crawford at the 1991 Oscars alongside Richard Gere, this earlier event didn’t generate the same level of buzz seen with Hurley and Versace in 1994 nor result in comparable advantages. By 1995, Hurley inked a deal with Estée Lauder, solidifying their partnership, while Versace cemented his status as the go-to fashion choice for Tinseltown. Additionally, Princess Diana emerged as another loyal supporter and customer during this period, utilizing Versace outfits as part of what she termed “revenge dressing” after separating from Prince Charles in 1992. Throughout these years, the brand maintained strong ties within Hollywood circles; celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Elton John, Madonna, Penelope Cruz, Dua Lipa, and Blake Lively have all been spotted sporting Versace over the years, highlighting its enduring appeal among A-listers since the mid-'90s.
During the peak of his success, Gianni Versace was tragically killed outside his Miami Beach home on July 15, 1997. The perpetrator, Andrew Cunanan, committed suicide via gunshots eight days after the murder inside a houseboat in Miami. In the wake of this shocking event that sent shockwaves through both the world of high fashion and Hollywood, Donatella Versace—who had collaborated closely with her sibling during his tenure—declared her intention to step into the position of chief designer following the disaster. Critics were quick to voice their skepticism about her capability to handle such an influential job. However, nobody understood Gianni’s vision quite like Donatella did, and it became evident that she inherently grasped how part of the allure behind the Versace brand lay in its knack for drawing public interest.
This confidence was affirmed during a prominent moment that occurred three years later, at the 2000 Grammy Awards. When Jennifer Lopez and David Duchovny took the stage to present the evening’s initial prize for Best R&B Album, they were met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd, which continued unabated. X-Files The actor momentarily stepped back to allow Lopez, adorned in a vibrant green dress featuring palm prints from Donatella’s spring 2000 line, which boasted a dramatically low-cut neckline, to soak up all the attention. “Jennifer, for the past five or six years, this is the first time I’m certain that no one is paying attention to me,” Duchovny commented. This instant sensation even surpassed the media frenzy surrounding Hurley years earlier. To gauge just how impactful it was, consider this: The overwhelming online interest in seeing Lopez wear that dress prompted Google to develop its image search feature—a claim verified by them. Google's own blog .
Twenty-five years later, it’s widely acknowledged that Donatella has successfully upheld her brother's legacy while steering the brand towards new horizons. As Versace CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger stated in Thursday's announcement, “Versace as we know it today exists primarily due to Donatella Versace and the dedication she has shown throughout almost three decades.” Meanwhile, Hollywood has enthusiastically embraced working with Donatella on this journey. Below are some notable milestones for the brand within the realm of Tinseltown's elite celebrities:
2005: Beyoncé at the Oscars
Nearly two years prior to the launch of Dreamgirls In 2005, Beyoncé created quite a stir at the Oscars when she debuted an elegant vintage black velvet Atelier Versace dress featuring a curvy strapless neckline paired with Lorraine Schwartz earrings. Adding to the excitement were her appearances alongside then-boyfriend Jay-Z and her memorable performances of the top three nominated songs from that year’s soundtrack categories, earning the ceremony the playful moniker “the Beyoncé Oscars.”
2008: Gisele Bundchen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala
Picture the excitement when supermodel Gisele Bundchen and NFL star Tom Brady made their debut appearance at the Met Gala in 2008. Bundchen’s elegant pale pink silk dress from Atelier Versace was crafted specifically to pay homage to the event’s theme, “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.”
In 2012: Angelina Jolie at the Oscars
It was the leg that gained global attention: At the 2012 Oscars, Angelina Jolie’s appearance in a black velvet gown from Versace garnered widespread acclaim for its sophistication—especially after she posed with flair. During this formative era of social media, the star's limb quickly turned into one of the evening's hottest topics. Subsequently, Donatella acknowledged the impact of her stance, saying, “There were moments we weren’t sure about some dresses, but seeing them worn like that definitely elevated their status.”
In 2016,Taylor Swift performed at the Grammy Awards.
Transitioning from a country music artist to an internationally renowned star known for selling out arena concerts within minutes, Taylor Swift’s journey has been punctuated with numerous stylish outfits. One notable example was her striking two-piece Atelier Versace ensemble at the 2016 Grammy Awards. This outfit featuring vibrant hues and a revealing midsection signaled a fresh chapter in Swift's personal style evolution.
2021: Zendaya attended the BET Awards.
Zendaya and celebrity stylist Law Roach have collaborated on numerous iconic fashion moments, with one standout being Zendaya’s outfit at the 2021 BET Awards. She sported a dress that mirrored a Versace ensemble worn by Beyoncé in her “Crazy in Love” music video from 2003. Both pieces come from Versace’s spring 2003 collection and share nearly identical styling; interestingly, the dress had been part of Roach's extensive wardrobe collection beforehand.
In 2025, Colman Domingo Attends the BAFTAs
Versace’s creations aren’t solely for women. Actors like Channing Tatum and Cillian Murphy have featured in the brand's ad campaigns—Donatella remarked in 2014, “I enjoy having beautiful men around me.” Additionally, Luke Evans and Matt Bomer have graced the front rows at her more recent runway presentations. In 2025, actor Colman Domingo solidified his reputation as a sartorial icon when he sported a black Versace suit adorned with the brand’s distinctive bold, baroque-patterned shirts and inner linings at the BAFTA awards.
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