Gianni Versace

Fashionologie reports on a comment she found on the popular Fashion/celebrity blog Jezebel. Apparently, there may have been some cheating and some scandal behind the scenes at Versace -- this is all unconfirmed, of course, but interesting to ponder for a minute, all the same:

"I remember an interesting bit of gossip I heard, when I was at W magazine: Donatella's husband at the time, Paul Beck - a gorgeous former male model - was actually Gianni's lover.

For years, Gianni wanted a child and heir. He and Paul couldn't make *that* happen. So, he brokered the marriage between his sister and lover, which produced Allegra and her brother - can't think of his name...and viola! Instant heirs.

Whenever they came into the office, it was always the happy threesome...Donatella coked out of her mind, in a leopard catsuit unzipped to her navel, gold stilettos, white'ish blonde hair and Vuitton bag tan - Paul in distressed button-fly jeans, and a plaid flanel shirt with the sleeves artfully ripped off - and Gianni, smiling, impeccably well put together and warm. Wow...that was a long time ago - but, good memories!"

Source: via Fashionologie
Photo: New York Times.

I usually despise everything that Donatella Versace elaborates, it’s too flamboyant for me. And this season is no exception. But since Alexandre Plokhov was named one of Versace’s main consultants, a certain change on the label’s style - regarding menswear - is visible. It seems like as if Donatella is trying harder to conceive a nice respectable collection.

This season, surprisingly, I found an outfit that I liked. From my point view, it was the only one which strikingly captivated the eye of those who attended Versace’s runway show. It’s a suit, a rather classical one, and it’s blue - creamy blue. Maybe, I don’t like it as much as I believe, and the only thing I’m deeply attracted to is to the amazing resemblance to Adam Kimmel’s all-cotton blue suits that it presents - being Adam Kimmel a designer which I absolutely like.

The one thing I like for sure, is that it fits like an Italian suit and that the shoulders certainly prove it, but it doesn’t look like a typical Italian design - less passion, more refinement. That’s what I like.

Gianni Versace was indeed a fashion icon - a man that should not be forgotten by the industry. Next month, ten years will have passed since the death of the talented artist. But, this anniversary won't be just like any other.

His sister, current creative director of the fashion firm, Donatella Versace, will be responsible - along with Gianni's other brother and the city of Milan - for throwing an enormous set of honoring events in memory of Gianni. These spectacular and emotive events will include a unique exhibition exposing the artist's glorious work throughout the years, a commemorative ballet by Maurice Béjart, the establishing of a fashion scholarship in Versace’s memory, and the city of Milan announced that a street or square will be named after Versace.

In addition, Milan will exhibit large scale sketches of the theatrical costumes on billboards across the city. Without a doubt, Gianni will be all over the place; so let's not forget neither his work nor his audacious personality, because what happened to him is tremendous and atrocious - and because, since his departure Donatella has been running the family business, yuk!

Photo courtesy of FashionWeekDaily