Fall Of The House Of Versace

[Acid]

to be honest, i cant see donatella changing the image of versace anytime soon unless sombody has a MAJOR discussion to slap her into place.

donatella still believes that versace provides the untilate clothing and lifestyle. but then again she also said that the versace firming face cream was the best on the market.....and err........look at her face

 

[Atelier]

Versace is one of the most recognized names in the world and to do anything but restructure and move the concern forward would be a lost opportunity--a duty in fact--for many.

mikeijames has several valid points. But I also think that Versace is easily in a position to be a taste-maker and therefore doesn't have to adjust to the industry trends.

Licensing is key too. The Versace Jeans Couture line has new price points and orders have risen. That's saying a lot because sales have been consistently strong so the improvement is good news on top of good news.

I fully expect the house to continue and prosper. The rate will depend on direction and perhaps bringing new people on board. That doesn't necessarily mean getting rid of anyone either.

 

[Mr-Dale]

Though I am no fan of Donatella's work I do think it is a shame that such a big name in fashion is going down the drain. Gianni did such wonderfull things and I don't think that Allegra & Co. should leave Versace for what it is. They need to pump it up and give it a new chance. Perhaps they need to find some new talent outside of the Versace family

 

[mikeijames]

Originally posted by Atelier@Aug 17 2004, 10:39 AM
I fully expect the house to continue and prosper. The rate will depend on direction and perhaps bringing new people on board. That doesn't necessarily mean getting rid of anyone either.

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i think houses like versace (and gucci, but we'll see) and others need these celebrities at their helm bc a lot of their image is guided by the celebrities who wear their stuff and turn their otherwise unremarkable offerings into must haves.

 

[Deleted member 4737]

I read some articles of the "fall of Versace" recently, and not one of them mentioned the recent jump in Versace's sales...Despite a major store closure, and Donatella's rehab incident, I think the house is still on a pretty driven path.

 

[Salvatore]

I think Donatella needs a hit of fresh oxygen. One thing I really do not like is her putting DV on everything. Gianni built the Versace label and all and I think she should respect. The collections are too Donatella. I thought Spring 2004 RTW was great and close to what Gianni would do while her touches were there as well. She needs to find a median between her style and Gianni's style (more his style) and be observant of what's going on in the world today and she could come up with some very good collections Gianni would approve of.

 

[Spacemiu]

versace is so over!

 

[softgrey]

Originally posted by Salvatore@Aug 17 2004, 05:11 PM
I think Donatella needs a hit of fresh oxygen. One thing I really do not like is her putting DV on everything. Gianni built the Versace label and all and I think she should respect. The collections are too Donatella. I thought Spring 2004 RTW was great and close to what Gianni would do while her touches were there as well. She needs to find a median between her style and Gianni's style (more his style) and be observant of what's going on in the world today and she could come up with some very good collections Gianni would approve of.

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so do you think dior would approve of what's going on at dior...shouldn't galliano be more like dior?...and doesn't that mean it's a good thing ford has left ysl because ysl did not approve?...
and isn't nicolas ghesquiere committing atrocities over at balenciaga with his complete disrespect for cristobal's vision and style...hmm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......................?????????????!!!??!!?!?!?!?!?!!!/?

 

[impossibleprincess]

Originally posted by softgrey@Aug 17 2004, 04:06 AM
i have never like the trashy tacky versace look and am glad it's out of fashion...i do not miss it one bit...

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totally agree-Versace is the one house where I have never liked any of their collections.

 

[saturnine]

Hasn't Versace been falling for a long time?

Donnatella still seems to have adoring celebrity clients...

And I feel sorry for her, how she always appears in an unflattering position in her swimsuit on the gossip pages of magazines.

 

[ultramarine]

Originally posted by softgrey@Aug 17 2004, 06:32 PM
so do you think dior would approve of what's going on at dior...shouldn't galliano be more like dior?...and doesn't that mean it's a good thing ford has left ysl because ysl did not approve?...
and isn't nicolas ghesquiere committing atrocities over at balenciaga with his complete disrespect for cristobal's vision and style...hmm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......................?????????????!!!??!!?!?!?!?!?!!!/?

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Hum .... I really liked your post!!!!
But softie ..what about Lanvin&Elbaz ... and Pucci&Lacroix ... or even Chrsitopher Bailey for Burberry!!! I think there ARE success stories ... and there's hope.

I agree that those prints and the medusa head are too flashy for me. I've already mentioned how Versace used to have its niche but now's been lost to Cavalli. Re-vamping its in order ... and I do not know if you guys remember Gianni's postumous collection ...but I REALLY liked it (and I'm not a fan of his)

 

[Incroyable]

Originally posted by ultramarine@Aug 17 2004, 11:00 PM
Hum .... I really liked your post!!!!
But softie ..what about Lanvin&Elbaz ... and Pucci&Lacroix ... or even Chrsitopher Bailey for Burberry!!! I think there ARE success stories ... and there's hope.

I agree that those prints and the medusa head are too flashy for me. I've already mentioned how Versace used to have its niche but now's been lost to Cavalli. Re-vamping its in order ... and I do not know if you guys remember Gianni's postumous collection ...but I REALLY liked it (and I'm not a fan of his)

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I still maintain that Versace Couture produces some of the best silk shirts. Roberto Cavalli is too unpolished in my opinion. Somehow their cachet is towards the unkempt rocker rather than the hedonisitic sex that Versace embodies.

 

[Deleted member 4737]

If you want to revive this house Donatella must step down. She is a horrible designer, and the hype is gone now. The media moved on to D2, Cavalli and other trash. Time to direct the attention to something else. I would definitely hire Tom Ford if I was them

I don't think having Donatella step down and Tom Ford, of all designers to step in* is the smartest thing to do...Most people do not realize that Gianni started Versace in a time when there was nothing else out there like his line...It had so much hype because it was new and exciting, but now with so many options, I think that it is hard for many brands to stay at a "safe place" with their lines.

*Tom Ford's vision is sooooooo different from the house of Versace

 

[faust]

"WAS" is the right word.

 

[mikeijames]

you know who would REALLY wake up the house of versace? julien macdonald.

 

[Atelier]

He is the "Welsh Gianni Versace" you know.

 

[catwalkxxqueen]

I don't own much Versace, I own a few blouses and some trousers, if that. I have been a huge fan of Versace, and I think Donatella is one of the most talentless designers yet. Others have said, the connection with Donatella's personality to her collections is too strong.

 

[Someday]

My two cents....
It seemed, to the fashion elite, that after Gianni's death the rival house of Gucci took most of the interest away from Versace (and a million other houses) because Tom Ford turned Gucci into what Versace should have been.
I have a take-it-or-leave-it view of Versace. I do not think putting Donatella at the helm of the house was such a good idea- I applaud her courage and vision, but, in fashion, just because you have the opportunity does not mean it is in the best interest of the house.

Versace is currently improving it's bottom line- they are projecting a return to profitability by 2009. But they are doing it by selling off licenses left, right and centre-following the lead of other fallen empires.
I would not be surprised if, within the next five years, we see an inexpensive, made in Asia line, sold at mid-range department stores (The Bay, Macy's) or a one-time deal with H&M.

I think the house's only salvation left would be another Tom Ford miracle stepping in. For the record, by 2000, the house and their financial backers were openly pushing to have Donatella step down. Not that she is 100% responsible for Versace's demise- there are a million reasons for this- but, the legend goes that Versace secretly (without Donatella's knowledge) approached many designers to see if they were interested- Allessandro Dell'Acqua, Narcisco Rodriguez, John Galliano (when his contract at Dior was to expire) and even the Holy Grail, Alexander McQueen when it was clear he would not stay at Givenchy. I think Galliano would have been the best fit, but McQueen at Versace? Fabulous or Fatal? Hmmmmm.........

 

[PrincessImp.]

It's been mentioned several times in this thread - Versace has to update their image to move with the times.

Donatella's collections after the demise of Gianni were not entirely trash, just that somehow one always links Versace to a certain time..and era..

An update and shake-up is certainly in order.

 

[Deleted member 1957]

i think Gucci is the one headed south....