Dua Lipa Co-Designs Her First Collection for Versace with the "La Vacanza" Show
Filled with references from 90s Versace, the Dua Lipa x Versace Pre-Fall 2023 encapsulates vacation glamour
Dua Lipa has long been a muse for Versace. She not only opens and closes the Spring Summer 2022 show in Milan but is also the face of the winter 2021 campaign. Often seen alongside Donatella Versace herself, they both dazzle in sparkling metallic Versace dresses and square heels. Now, taking their partnership to the next level, the two have co-designed a Versace collection titled "La Vacanza," which made its debut at Cannes.
In Italian, "La Vacanza" represents a holiday, and Lipa and Donatella truly embodied the essence of a luxurious five-star vacation with their fashion show held at a stunning riverside villa complex. Models gracefully walked down the runway, positioned at the center of a long swimming pool, showcasing a range of resort outfits. From cotton coveralls and beach-appropriate bucket hats to off-the-shoulder metallic dresses perfect for dancing the night away, the collection exuded elegance and sexiness.
Instead of adhering to the high-fashion party scene of the Cannes Film Festival, Donatella Versace defined her own sense of glamour. Leveraging the media influence of the British-Albanian pop star Dua Lipa and her upcoming role in the Barbie movie, the impact of the new collection skyrocketed, expected to set the trend for the summer of 2023.
Donatella expressed, "Dua loves Fashion, I love Music—we are the perfect duo! 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."
Dua replied: "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. 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 result is a collection that embodies 'freedom, joy, and confidence,' conveyed through exquisite details like the crystal butterfly motif and a vibrant color palette. Many of the pieces reflect Lipa's stage and red carpet presence, featuring metallic accents, sequins, and glittery straps.
The concept behind the collection revolved around always maintaining a chic appearance while on holiday, as suggested by both the show's venue and the collection's name. It aimed to be playful and highlight the holiday wardrobe, with a focus on summer break featuring pastel pinks and sky blues, accompanied by polka dots.
The Dua-Donatella connection embodies the interpretation of iconic Versace designs through a fun and accessible lens. It strives to create a beautiful summer wardrobe that is instantly desirable, combining urban style with a pleasant feel. The collection includes standout pieces such as a high slit mini dress with butterfly embroidery at the back, as well as a light blue body-hugging midi dress that exudes glamour and sexiness similar to the original iterations. Furthermore, the house's 1995 butterfly and ladybug graphic stands out against a black and white polka dot background, appearing on sporty cropped leggings worn with a bomber jacket and logo headband, as well as jumpsuits featuring Medusa silver buckles on the straps.
The sharp cut, which is one of Versace's distinctive features, is now softened in pastel pink and sky blue. Short skirt suits are accompanied by tight blazers, slits, and bold Versace style. Commenting on the collection, the designer stated, "For me, glamour is synonymous with confidence. Clothes are women's weapons to express themselves. It's the inner shine, the energy, and the way you articulate yourself, with clothes serving as a means to express this energy. That's why I believe Donatella's unique presentation to the world is akin to that of a rock star."
