Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace and pop superstar Dua Lipa unveiled their co-designed La Vacanza High Summer 2023 see-now-buy-now collection with a fashion show held on Tuesday, May 23rd in Cannes, South of France. This collaboration represents a groundbreaking moment for the iconic fashion house, as it opens its design process to an external collaborator like never before. The collection showcases Donatella and Dua’s shared vision of absolute modern elegance for “La Vacanza,” meaning “vacation” in Italian. It encompasses the entire Versace lifestyle, ranging from impeccably tailored suits and elegant evening gowns to alluring bikinis and comfortable terry cotton beachwear. Drawing inspiration from a contemporary perspective, Dua and Donatella reimagine the distinctive brand codes. They pay homage to the brand’s history by featuring the iconic Butterfly and Ladybugs prints, originally seen in the Versace Spring Summer 1995 collection. A distinctive aspect of the collection is the juxtaposition of tailored pieces layered over swimwear and styled with bralette tops, creating a unique and playful aesthetic. In terms of accessories, the collection highlights key pieces crafted from laminated metallic leather. The mini Repeat hobo bag, stack loafers, and remarkable boots add an extra touch of glamour and versatility to the ensembles. Completing the looks are the signature Medusa and Greca jewelry, infused with artistic renditions of hand-painted or crystal butterflies and ladybugs, adding a captivating and whimsical touch to the collection.
I love the summer and for me this collection celebrates the very best of that time of year. This is the perfect summer collection – from lying by the pool in a fun printed bikini, to dressing-up to dance on hot summer evenings in the perfect evening dres – these clothes immediately make me think of my holidays and being in the sun. Dua loves Fashion, I love Music – we are the perfect duo! We felt like we were on vacation and that is exactly the spirit we want people to feel when they wear our clothes. – Donatella Versace
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. – Dua Lipa
