“Back to the fifties” marked the opening of the Paris Haute Couture fashion week with the collection of Atelier Versace, which critics have already described as the most sophisticated of all ever created by Gianni’s sister. Donatella succeeded in something almost impossible: to link Dior’s exaggerated elegance of the “new look” silhouette with inherent ultra-feminine style of modern woman-warrior.

Mind-blowing slits, asymmetric necklines, bustier, gold glitter and rhinestones have not disappeared – after all they are the signature of Versace. But if earlier they formed the “backbone” of the collection, which carried the “quotes” from stories of a particular strong woman character (be it Lady Gaga or Grace Jones), then this time Donatella does not need personalized references – she is self-sufficient and sets the tone.

An example of such unconditional couture discovery that, in my opinion, will make trend on fall prêt-à-porter catwalks, is a set of skirt-pants (and its skirt-shorts variations), half skirt- half trousers, masterfully demonstrated even before the show by a friend and muse of the Italian designer – stunning Jennifer Lopez.

Photo credits: Atelier Versace / Yannis Vlamos