The making of Halloween with James Kaliardos and Gemma Ward at the Gramercy Park Hotel
I wanted to ask Donatella Versace if she'd mind me going as her for V's annual blow-out Halloween bash. I went as Karl Lagerfeld last year so I wanted to continue with my iconic designers and who else but Donatella would be next? I didn't want to insult her so I asked fashion editor Brana Wolf in July to ask Donatella if she'd be ok with it. I got a phone call in September from the great glamour goddess herself right before her show, wanting to know if I was still in shape."Great! You are my size, I'll send you two dresses." Didn't think it would happen when a week before the party a box comes from Italy with two gorgeous sculptural gowns—one black, one nude, all silk, pure Versace! Now I really had to do this! What was a fun thematic idea now became a scary sex changing reality. I had just been in Rome for the film festival pigging out on pasta for 10 days and the chosen dress was Donatella's and a size 4. I started on a liquid diet of water, fresh vegetable juice, and vitamins, which was a shock after a week of Tiramisu! Then the quest for man-size womens shoes.
V publisher Jorge Garcia, who was going as a bride, and I went to all these shops specializing in, well that sort of search. Homeboys and their girls helped me select the lucite platform 7-inchers. Then came the waxing appointment for legs, arms, armpits (yikes), chest. Went to Bliss Spa but they wouldn't do everything if you know what I mean...so I went to a "men's spa" that night to finish the job. Strattling a rolling table on all fours, burning wax dripping down my privates—I mean I couldn't have a hairy *** with that transparent beige gown!
Then the wig was better pushed back a bit so I bleached my hair that day, by myself. Hostess Gemma Ward and I met in a room at the Gramercy Park Hotel to get ready. She was painting herself gold and I was painting myself bronze! Coutured, contoured, smoky-eyed, big lashes, borrowed diamonds, I was ready to slip into the dress. I had to squeeze my ribs and waist in about two inches for the dress to invisizip up. I used an old Patricia Field corset with the help of five people. It ain't easy being a blonde but I had the night of my life! I only hope Ms. Versace approved!
vmag