Versace and Givenchy: A Phenomenal Partnership

When both Donatella Versace, the Italian Empress of fashion, and Riccardo Tisci, the Italian born Creative Director of Givenchy, released their photos two months ago in social media, their faithful followers were struck with intense joy. JET, for example, is one of them. 

Donatella Versace, in her photo caption, wrote that she would like to launch the creative collaboration with Givenchy’s Tisci because she wants to break all the barriers in fashion. Tisci, on the other hand, hails Ms Versace as the epitome of glamour and style for a few decades now.

A phenomenal partnership is the apt title of this collaboration since it unifies not only two of the most influential Italian born fashion designers of our time but also and most importantly two of the most best selling fashion houses since the last decades of 20^th century to date.

Never before in the history of fashion have we seen a leading fashion designer models the creations of other leading fashion designer. In the past century, one can never imagine if Madamoiselle Coco Chanel would agree to model the creations of Monsieur Paul Poiret or Monsieur Balenciaga, or Signore Gucci modeled the creations of Monsieur Vuitton. Alas, it would be deemed as utterly inappropriate in the last century.

Fashionistas, we are fortunate to live in the 21^st century where the fashion industry and its actors continues to innovate not only their breakthrough creations but also adapting their principles to the modern environment. Indeed, through this collaboration, Donatella Versace and Riccardo Tisci have left their footprints as innovators in the 21^st century’s fashion industry. Their collaboration mark as the beginning of an era where collaboration among designers are no longer taboo, but in fact it is now strongly encouraged and applauded.  

Versace, which is headquartered in Milan, employs more than 450 employees around the world and was estimated to have an annual revenue of €340.2 million as of 2011. Prior to resuming the role of head designer of Versace, Donatella was the muse to the one and only Gianni Versace, her late brother and the founder of Gianni Versace’s fashion house. Those who have been following the fashion world for decades, such as your truly, would remember how Gianni rocked the fashion industry in the decades of 1980s and 1990s when everyone who was anyone would strut themselves from head to toe in a Medusa print colorful dresses, bags and shoes.

Medusa is a figure Greek mythology. It is believed that Medusa was a woman transformed into a monster by the goddess Athena for her wrongdoings. Her “sin” was that she had lustfully allowed Poseidon to seduce her right in the temple of the goddess Aphrodite. Her beautiful hair was turned into horrible black snakes and anyone who even looked at her would be turned into stone. In connection to Versace, indeed everyone was and still is in awe with Versace’s creations. Versace’s fans include the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who would often seen wearing Versace’s dresses and suits for soirees. One would remember when Princess Diana wore the black suit designed by Gianni Versace to attend the designer’s requiem mass in the Duomo (Cathedral) in Milan in 1997. A few months after Versace’s funeral, the fashion world was back in mourning for Lady Di’s unexpected and tragic death.  

Meanwhile, Givenchy was created by Monsieur Hubert de Givenchy in 1952. Monsieur Givenchy now in his late 80s achieved great success and made all women drooled after his creations in the 1960s when Audrey Hepburn started to wear Givenchy not only for leisure but also during her movie making time in Hollywood. Remember that unforgettable scene where Hepburn wore her famous Givenchy’s gown at Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Funny Faces? However, after Hepburn, Givenchy brand has not quite received the media hype as it should have been. The situation changed until John Galliano and Alexander McQueen came to the scene. Then, as Tisci took over as the Creative Director, Givenchy has become the it brand which all fashionista, including the Hollywood heavyweights began to be dressed up in Tisci’s Givenchy from head to toe, to name a few, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West as well as their bundle of joy little North West, Beyonce and Jay Z, Naomi Campbell.

Now, as these two fashion giants collaborate, the fashion world, particularly those old fashion houses in France, Italy and UK, stand as witness to how rules can be broken, how cooperation in the name of creativity can bear even more fruitful outcomes.

Before I end this piece, let me quote the very words of Donatella Versace in Versace’s official instagram: “I believe in breaking rules. Riccardo Tisci is extremely talented and above all my dear friend. We are family. I want to get rid of the old system, work together, support each other and make fashion a true global community”

Bravo Donatella Versace! Bravo Riccardo Tisci! Thank you for breaking the ceiling of the fashion industry!

Ps. In Indonesia, I have not seen many notable collaborations among designers. To date, I believe there is only one which stands out among the others, namely the Lee Cooper, American denim magnate, cooperation with Josephine Komara (Obin) in 2008 which resulted in her signature Batik-patterned denim biker jacket and skirts. This collaboration was establish to mark Lee Cooper’s centenary. Obin was the only Indonesian among the world’s leading designers and fashion icons which were invited to launch a one off collection for Lee Cooper, among others Paco Rabanne, Jean Charles de Castlebajac, Ora Ito and Jean Claude Jitrois. Their creations were put on auction in 2008 in Paris to support the International Committee of the Red Cross.

It is my expectation that the actors of Indonesian fashion industry, including designers, entrepreneurs, media and fashionistas, would be able to put aside their differences by putting their hearts in executing a closer cooperation. If Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy and Donatella Versace of Versace have been able to do so, why on earth Indonesian designers can not establish a better, if not grander, collaboration?!!! Never forget that to reach a phenomenal partnership as they do, private barriers such as personal ego and popularity competition should be put further aside. Bear in mind that such cooperation is not only admirable in terms of art and creativity but also beneficial in terms of business development and brand acknowledgement. Let the dice rolls now, Indonesian fashion industry!

To stay updated with my newest articles and fab photos with the world’s leading fashionistas and celebrities, add me also on instagram (@JETJAKARTA), Facebook page (JET Fashion Diplomacy) and twitter (@jonesey4eva).

#jetfashiondiplomacy, #donatellaversace, #riccardotisci, #givenchy, #versace, #josephinekomara, #binhouse, #indonesianbatik, #leecooper

Photo source: Riccardo Tisci, Givenchy and Official Versace (@versace_official) instagram account, The Guardian, Reuters, Galoremag, Okezone.

Donatella Versace modeled the amazing and edgy suit by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy.

Donatella Versace appears as a Model for Givenchy’s advertising campaign Fall/Winter 2015/2016 by Riccardo Tisci. Ms Versace is shown wearing an edgy corset jacket.

Donatella Versace in the advertising campaign of Givenchy for Fall/Winter 2015/2016.

In this photo, Donatella Versace declaring her aim to break the fashion boundary with her talented friend, Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy.

A photo uploaded by Signore Tisci in his instagram depicting his collaboration with Donatella Versace.

Donatella Versace with the American diva Jennifer Lopez in 2015 Met Gala recently. Lopez wore a gown designed by Donatella for Atelier Versace. Lopez has been a faithful customer and loyal friend of Donatella for years now.

In this photo, Donatella Versace smiles together with her models for Versace Home line.

The designer and the muse back in 1995. Gianni Versace, the designer, with his sister, Donatella, who served as his muse after a fashion show. Source: Reuters.

In 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, attended the requiem mass for Gianni Versace in Duomo (Cathedral) Milan wearing Gianni Versace’s black dress and croco leather Medusa handbag. This is one of her last appearances before she died in a tragic car accident in Paris.

Diana, Princess of Wales, sharing a tender moment with her front row friends (L-R): Sting, Trudie Styler, Elton John and David Furnish at the requiem mass of Gianni Versace in Milan Cathedral. The gorgeous Carolyn Bessete Kennedy, the late wife of John F Kennedy, Jr is seated behind Sting.

In 2014, the smart and sociable Riccardo Tisci celebrated his 40^th birthday with a lavish celebration which was attended by his closest circle of friends including the Kardashian clan: Kendall Jenner, Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian. Source (http://galoremag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Kendall-Jenner-and-Riccardo-Tisci-and-Kris-Jenner-at-Riccardo-Tiscis-40th-birthday-bash.jpg)

Monsieur Hubert de Givenchy, the founder and head designer of Givenchy (1952-1995), during the opening of his first major retrospective of four decades in fashion in Thyssen-Bornemisza museum in Madrid. The exhibition features 95 pieces and accompanying accessories all chosen by Givenchy. His faithful clients and loyal friends include Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn who frequently worn his creations on set as well as off set. Source: (http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2014/oct/22/givenchy-retrospective-haute-couture-audrey-hepburn#img-1)

Josephine Komara, who is more famous by her nickname Obin, is Indonesia’s well respected Batik cloth maker (center). Obin’s fashion house titled Bin House has been Indonesia’s well known address for the most exquisite Indonesian Batik and Hand-woven cloth for decades now. L-R: Obin’s designed Batik denim jacket to commemorate the centenary of Lee Cooper, American denim magnate. Her creation was auctioned in Paris in 2008, along with the special creations by Jean Charles de Castelbajac and Jean Claude Jitrois. Source: (http://lifestyle.okezone.com/read/2008/05/29/29/113743/obin-akan-lelang-baju-di-paris)