Blonde Ambition

In an exclusive interview with BAZAAR, Donatella Versace shares with Amy Yasmine her most recent venture at this year’s Salone del Mobile Milano, where she shifted her gaze from the world of high fashion to high interiors.

Behind a great man, is a great woman, and although it was her late brother Gianni Versace who founded the iconic Italian house we all know today, it is Donatella who brought it into the 21st century, reinventing a legacy that modernised femininity with unabashed irreverence. Worth at least US SD1.7 billion, the Versace name now spans across multiple annexes; running the gamut of ready-to-wear, fragrances, and even hospitality—see: the Palazzo Versace hotels, situated on the glittering shores of Australia’s Gold Coast and Dubai, with their mysterious Pietra di Fiumi medusas ever watchful, from the hotel’s sprawling foyer to its gilded ceramic trays. Indeed, it’s a symbol of feminity and empowerment that has long resonated with the house’s bold disposition, and while glamorous evening dresses have long presided over its reputation, its home collection has proven to be just as salacious. Here, like any two sides to a coin, Donatella Versace shares her thoughts on her love of contrasts, her dog Audrey, and childhood memories.

Where do you usually find inspiration?

The inspiration is in everything I do ... whether it’s a dress, a new print, or as in this case, a piece of furniture, there are so many elements. The inspiration is the story of Versace, our past that meets today and looks to the future—never take yourself too seriously! We’ve played around, but haven’t forgotten that we’re talking to a demanding consumer. All the pieces were designed as part of an environment, but for me it was important that, taken individually, they could be placed in pre-existing places.

How different is your approach toward home design in comparison to fashion?