Donatella Versace: “First thing in the morning? No! Because I’m not a morning person. Maybe around 12, I start to find my inspiration! I find inspiration in books, but also mostly in the streets. Looking at younger people… sometimes they mix clothes together in a way that is so interesting. The youth.”
AW: “This question is from Fausto Puglisi, the creative director of Roberto Cavalli. Versace has always been a manifesto of freedom, and you have always worked all your life for LGBTQ+ causes. Do you feel that they are now under threat? And how can we try to be more united and more resilient?”
DV: “They are definitely under threat. What is going on in Italy, what is going on in America… I don’t care. I am going to keep doing what I used to do. What can they do? Be put in prison? I don’t think so. These people need to be heard and they need to be helped too, because they have a lot of problems that we don’t have.”
AW: “This next question is from somebody that you once told me was the one designer that you haven’t collaborated with that you wish that you had. And his name is John Galliano. His question to you, Donatella, is, ‘how do you ever escape from being the icon that you are?’”
DV: “I stay home! Me and John Galliano, we have a history of friendship from the ’90s. He is amazing, an unbelievable talent. I adore him.”
AW: “This question is from Sabato De Sarno, who is here tonight. His question is: ‘I wonder, what would inspire [your brother] Gianni today? What do you think would most catch his attention?’”
DV: “Gianni was going to the theater, the movies. For Gianni it was culture. He was looking for young new artists who were breaking through.”
AW: “This one is from Alessandro Michele: ‘If your brother walked through the door today, what would you say to him?’”
DV: “Oh my god. Me and Gianni had a great relationship, but we fought all the time! About ideas in fashion.”
AW: And this question is from Tom Ford: ‘Donatella, you are an icon in the truest sense of the word, and you have been portrayed by Gina Gershon twice, by Lady Gaga, by Penelope Cruz, by Maya Rudolph several times, and even Miss Fame on Drag Race. So which portrayal was your favorite, or did you love or hate them all?’”
