So Much More Than A Muse

Designing with Zayn Malik, eating KFC with Trump, being saved by Elton John – Donatella Versace talks about her extraordinary life in fashion.

- Luke Leitch

THE fat, glossy book that rests on Donatella Versace’s print trouser-clad legs makes them look even leaner than they are. She turns a page. “Ahhh!” she exclaims as she swivels on the sofa. “This I have to say something about. It was in Trump’s place!”

Of course the Italian fashion legend has a Donald Trump story. She knew Princess Diana, counts Elton John as a bestie (and a saviour), and currently has former One Direction star Zayn Malik on speed-dial.

This always blonde (well, since she first dyed it aged 11) concentrated personification of Italian fashion va-vavoom has been a member of contemporary celebrity culture since the eighties. So then, Trump?

Donatella’s English can be challenging to decipher. She speaks rather low and very fast in an accent more glutinously rich than a good osso bucco. Now though without words, she’s perfectly clear: Donatella emits a strangled, gagging sound – a heaving dry retch – as nauseated affirmation.

The diamonds in her gold watch glint as she waves at the pages in front of her. On them are two pictures of Madonna shot by Steven Meisel for a Versace campaign back in 1995. Madonna’s lying on some stairs and standing by some palm trees. She gives it the full Madonna in full Versace sheath dresses. How could Trump resist?

“We rented his place, Mar-a-Lago or whatever it is, in Palm Beach [Trump’s beach resort in Florida],” Donatella says. “So when you’ve rented something, you don’t want the owner to come in. Well, he came in. I mean, we couldn’t get rid of him . . .”

She reverts to the guttural, emitting a deep, primitive, horny caveman “URGGGH!” as an impression of Trump seeking entry to the set.