Versace’s Milan Show Aims for ‘Optimism and Joy’ with Colorful Prints

 A model wears a creation as part of the Versace Spring Summer 2025 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP)
A model wears a creation as part of the Versace Spring Summer 2025 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP)
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Versace’s Milan Show Aims for ‘Optimism and Joy’ with Colorful Prints

 A model wears a creation as part of the Versace Spring Summer 2025 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP)
A model wears a creation as part of the Versace Spring Summer 2025 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP)

Presenting a playful and colorful collection of mismatched prints, Italian designer Donatella Versace said she had set out to bring "optimism and joy" to the catwalk with her show at Milan Fashion Week.

Friday evening's Versace show, held at the medieval Castello Sforzesco, kicked off with models wearing clashing prints: zigzag tops and floral skirts, an aesthetic that dominated the spring/summer 2025 line for both womenswear and menswear.

The mixed prints featured on silky dresses and skirts, shirts and knitwear which came in brown, blue, lilac and yellow, with hints of the Versace Medusa head print on some designs.

Outfits nodded to 1990s' styles, with shirts sticking out from under short, unbuttoned cardigans, and there was also a selection of tailored suits and trousers in lemon.

"When there is so much darkness in the world - with this collection, I wanted to bring color, light, optimism and joy - we have never needed it more," Versace, the design head at the Italian fashion house, said in a statement.

Some pieces were cut in shimmering gold - a corset, skirt and strapless dress.

Models also wore colorful tights as well as slinky heels or platforms in bold hues, while menswear models wore suits with trainers or socks and sandals.

Milan Fashion Week runs until Monday.



Saudi 100 Brands Program Announces Winner of 'Saudi Heritage Revival’ Competition

The competition was launched in July by the Saudi 100 Brands Program -- an initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission
The competition was launched in July by the Saudi 100 Brands Program -- an initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission
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Saudi 100 Brands Program Announces Winner of 'Saudi Heritage Revival’ Competition

The competition was launched in July by the Saudi 100 Brands Program -- an initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission
The competition was launched in July by the Saudi 100 Brands Program -- an initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission

The "Saudi Heritage Revival" competition winner was announced Wednesday at the Creative Residence under the Fashion Commission FCR headquarters at JAX District, in the presence of the jury and competition participants.

The competition was launched in July by the Saudi 100 Brands Program -- an initiative of the Saudi Fashion Commission -- with the aim of encouraging sustainability within the field of fashion design and the Saudi fashion industry by highlighting the cultural and national heritage.

Specifically, it provided an opportunity for participants to submit unique fashion designs using a group of classic Swarovski crystals while integrating the features and elements of heritage and design art with Saudi culture.
The stages of the competition included allocating a virtual introductory meeting for participants about the objectives and requirements of the competition on August 26 and guidance workshops with Swarovski experts in Riyadh on September 2-4, in addition to individual virtual sessions to follow up on the work of participants. The participants' outputs were subject to arbitration by the jury, and the winner was chosen on September 25 at the Creative Residence under the Fashion Commission FCR headquarters. The winning designer receives a training opportunity at the headquarters of Dar Al-Hanouf Fashion in Jeddah, while the top five designers get to participate in an international academic competition by Swarovski called “Interpretation of the Swarovski SS 2025 Inspiration Theme Street Art in a Commercial Ready to Wear Outfit.”
The winner was Hebah Baatiyyah and the top five designers were Hebah Baatiyyah, Alanood Aljabeer, Lama AlHabashi, Rawan Alyami and Reem Bashawri.