The Best A-List Runway Moments From Donatella Versace's Reign
Before Donatella stepped down from creative director of Versace, she brought star power to the runway, complementing her sexy and bold designs.
Last month, the fashion world was rocked by yet another major creative director shake-up: Donatella Versace, the legendary force behind Versace for nearly three decades, stepped down. Dario Vitale was swiftly announced as her successor, marking a historic shift—the first time in Versace’s nearly 50-year history that neither its founder Gianni nor his sister Donatella is at the creative helm.
Though Donatella is transitioning into a new role as Versace’s chief brand ambassador, her impact on the brand is undeniable. She not only preserved her late brother’s vision but evolved Versace into a global luxury lifestyle empire, spanning accessories, home furnishings, and even hotels. From buzzy collaborations like the “Fendace” collection with Fendi to jaw-dropping runway moments, she understood the power of spectacle—none more so than when A-list celebrities traded red carpets for the catwalk.
Across Donatella's years leading the luxury fashion label, she poignantly knew how to use star power to enliven her designs and Versace's signature bold prints, for example. To bring this to life, the Italian fashion designer did everything from bringing '90s supermodels and pop culture figures on the catwalk to recruiting music icons like Prince to perform at branded events.
Keep scrolling to discover some of the most unforgettable celebrity cameos during Donatella's Versace reign.
The '90s Supermodels Return
The rise of the supermodel in the 1990s transformed fashion into a cultural phenomenon, where models became larger-than-life figures. Few moments capture this shift better than the finale of Gianni Versace's Fall 1991 runway show, when Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford strutted arm in arm, lip-syncing to George Michael's “Freedom.” Decades later, Campbell and Crawford—joined by Claudia Schiffer, Carla Bruni, and Helena Christensen—paid homage to that legendary moment, closing Versace's Spring/Summer 2018 show.
Prince's Show-Stopping Performance in 2011
In 2011, Versace joined the wave of luxury brands collaborating with fast fashion retailers, launching a highly anticipated collection with H&M. The Italian fashion house debuted the line with a star-studded runway show in New York City, drawing a star-studded crowd.
The highlight of the evening came when the stage lights turned purple—a signal to the audience that something extraordinary was about to happen. As anticipation built, Prince took the stage to deafening cheers. Urging guests to put away their cameras and "experience the music," he delivered a mesmerizing nine-song set. The unforgettable performance culminated with his legendary hit, "Purple Rain," leaving the crowd in awe.
J.Lo's Jungle Dress 2.0
Imagine wearing a dress so iconic that it inspires the creation of Google Images. That’s exactly what happened when Jennifer Lopez stepped onto the 2000 Grammys red carpet in Versace’s daring “jungle” dress. The ultra-low-cut gown, originally from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2000 collection, sparked an overwhelming demand for photos, ultimately influencing Google to develop its image search feature. Two decades later, J.Lo closed Versace’s Spring/Summer 2020 show in a reimagined version of the legendary dress. She has since paid homage to the moment multiple times on stage and red carpets.
Paris Hilton Channels Her Iconic Chainmail Look
Paris Hilton’s silver, slinky chainmail dress remains as stylish as it is iconic. She first wore the daring Y2K-inspired look in London to one of her many 21st birthday parties, and it’s since been emulated many times. Kendall Jenner recreated the look for her own 21st birthday in 2016, while Hilton’s sister, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, also paid homage to the style. Hilton herself revisited the moment, channeling the iconic dress at the Versace Spring/Summer 2023 show and again at an event the following year.
Dua Lipa Makes Her Runway Debut
Dua Lipa made her runway debut at Versace Spring/Summer 2022, stepping off the stage and onto the catwalk alongside Donatella for the finale. The singer has maintained a strong relationship with the Italian house throughout her career, frequently wearing their designs on stage and red carpets, as well as appearing in several Versace campaigns. In 2023, Lipa took her partnership a step further with the launch of her collaborative collection, “La Vacanza,” with Versace.
