UNITED KINGDOM: EXHIBITION OF VERSACE DESIGNS OPENS IN LONDON'S VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM

Record ID: 393141

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: EXHIBITION OF VERSACE DESIGNS OPENS IN LONDON'S VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
  • Date: 14th October 2002
  • Summary: SCU SOUNDBITE (English) TARA PALMER-TOMKINSON SAYING: "I've always had comments when I've worn a Versace dress. And you know you walk in and straight away its the famous safety pin dress which Elizabeth Hurley wore. But actually you know there's a lot of stuff here which you know I wouldn't have seen." WIDE OF EXHIBIT OUTFITS CLOSE OF JACKETS DECORATED WITH LEATHER STRAPS
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, UK
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAD20LWIFVN6T7A4CX54ZVQ0XBY
  • Story Text: A major retrospective of the work of fashion designer Gianni Versace opens at London's Victoria and Albert museum this week. Donatella, Versace's sister who's been the company's chief designer since her brother's death in 1997, showed Madonna and other celebrity guests around the exhibition for a sneak preview before it opens.
    Gianni Versace's designs were the embodiment of flamboyant glamour. His originality and innovation manifested themselves in stunning evening gowns, tailored suits cut from exotic prints and garments sculpted from rubber, leather and metal mesh. His outfits, notably "that dress" worn by Liz Hurley in 1994 at the opening of "Four Weddings and a Funeral", had the power to catapult starlets into the spotlight or transform an image, as did an exquisite pale blue beaded dress worn by Princess Diana for her famous make-over in New York.
    Those who are privileged to wear Versace know the effect of his craftsmanship. "I've always had comments when I've worn a Versace dress.", said Tara Palmer-Tomkinson.
    Tragically Versace's life was cut short in 1997 when he was shot dead outside his home in Miami, Florida in 1997. But that wasn't the end of his label. His sister Donatella, who's been the company's chief designer since her brother's death, has guided the company successfully into the 21st century. Under her direction the Versace label remains one of the world's leading fashion houses and continues to receive critical acclaim for her designs.
    A major retrospective of Versace's at London's Victoria and Albert museum illustrates the diversity of his work which kept him at the leading edge of fashion for nearly thirty years.
    Donatella gave celebrity guests Madonna and daughter Lourdes, Chelsea Clinton, Sting's wife, Trudi Styler and British actress Anna Friel a sneak preview of the exhibition which shows the creative genius behind his work.
    Trudi Styler who arrived wearing a Versace outfit said although her dress was new collection it had all the hallmarks of Gianni. "...it's very evening, very sexy and I feel very womanly in it.
    But it wasn't just Versace's creative flair and sex-appeal of his outfits that lay behind his success. He was an innovative craftsman who's use of materials, idiosyncratic weaving methods and flair for combining unlikely partners - denim with diamante, baroque embroidery with Prince of Wales check, all kept him one step ahead of his contemporaries.
    The retrospective of Versace's work opens on the 17th October and runs until 12th January 2003.
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