The colorful world and the creative legacy of the legendary fashion designer Gianni Versace are celebrated in a new London exhibition: it presents over 450 rare and vintage versace pieces. These include clothing that was worn by celebrities such as Princess Diana, Elton John and Kate Moss.
The ‘Gianni Versace Retrospective’, which has already stopped the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Sweden and Spain, can be seen in the Arches London Bridge until March 2026. The new exhibition offers an updated and expanded insight into the creation of the visionary designer. The focus is on three topics: Gianni Versace as an Italian and the influence of Italian cultural history on his work; His relationship with London and British personalities; And for the first time a complete chronology with looks of all seasons from HW87 to his last collection for HW97.
“With this retrospective we celebrate the extraordinary Italian designer Gianni Versace, a visionary that was much more than just the founder of a fashion brand,” explain the exhibition organizer: inside. “He was both a reflection of the rapid developments of his time as well as a driving force that raised these changes to life and reinforced their effects.”
The exhibition in the iconic brick arches under the London Bridge station is the largest retrospective of Great Britain, which is dedicated to Gianni Versace. It shows many pieces that have never been issued in Great Britain before. Many of the pieces come from private collectors: inside from all over Europe, including Antonio Caravano, Rossella Catapano, Franco Jacassi, Salvatore Alderuccio and Doris Brugger. They all collect his clothes for decades and preserve them for posterity.
Curator Karl von der Ahe von Dreamrealizer said in a explanation: “To bring this retrospective to London is particularly important. Gianni Versace’s bold, uncompromising vision revolutionized fashion. This city, which is so rich in creativity and cultural influence, offers the perfect stage to celebrate its heir.”
Arches London Bridge presents ‘Gianni Versace Retrospective’ with over 450 Versace pieces
The retrospective begins with a focus on Gianni Versace’s love for daring and colorful prints. A number of silk shirts from the wardrobe by Elton John are presented. This is a tribute to the preference of the designer for magnificent design and his characteristic baroque print as well as his friendship with the British singer, who collected every silk shirt designed by Gianni Versace.
The exhibition then focuses on Gianni Versace’s Italian heritage. It shows how motifs from Italian cultural history and Catholicism inspired his work. Examples of this are neo-baroque patterns and religious artifacts, which are highlighted by a leather jacket with pearls and embroidery with a crucifix from the HW91 collection. Then his work area is presented. His interactive, collaborative design process is illustrated by a studio with fabric rolls, patterns, buttons, rivets and needles. Sketches are also shown with handwritten notes by the designer and Kodak photo deductions, which illustrate the practical approach of the designer to his fashion.
In addition to Gianni Versaces design talent, the exhibition also illuminates how the Italian designer created a brand. He raised the Versace house with its glamorous and provocative interpretation through marketing. For this he hired world -famous photographer: inside like Richard Avedon and booked models like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell for his campaigns and shows. The exhibition also shows how he expanded his offer from clothing to accessories, household goods and fragrances as well as gold jewelry. This mainly wore the Versace Medusa symbol and underlines its bold fusion of luxury and classic symbolism to create a comprehensive lifestyle brand.
‘Gianni Versace Retrospective’ is updated for London
One focus of the London exhibition is the collections from FS88 to HW97. They are chronologically curated and show iconic visual moments from the 19 years that the designer spent with his label. From the precise tailoring and the strong color and print combinations of the 1980s to the theatrical opulence of his early 1990s aesthetics to his last collection before his early death, his vision of power and glamor is illuminated.
The central space of the exhibition is devoted to Gianni Versace’s relationship with Great Britain. He highlights his relationships with stars like Princess Diana, Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. This shows how his fashion came into the pop culture, music and art and how he contributed to the rise of supermodels. Key look that everyone wore was presented in addition to photographs, editorial reporting and original recordings by catwalks.
His love for the British style became clear with the introduction of safety needles in its so-called ‘Bondage collection’. This was inspired by the British punk scene and became an iconic element of his work. The Versace Safety needle look became part of pop culture in the 1990s when Liz Hurley wore a black evening dress at the premiere of ‘Four Wedding and a Death’, which was held on the side with large safety needles. This catapulted not only Versace, but also the actress in the spotlight.
Liz Koravos, Managing Director of Arches London Bridge, said in a statement: “It is fascinating to see these incredible collections gathered under the curved arches of the event location; Gianni Versace was a genius of his time. He connects so much with modern culture and his legacy – a sign of a talented designer.”
She continued: “Versace was a pioneer in collaborative art, something that is everyday today. The overlap of fashion, music, pop culture, visual arts, antiques, sculpture and the rise of supermodels is summarized in his work. The largest collection of Versace vintage pieces that has ever visited Great Britain: Inside, visitor becomes a Kaleidoscopic look offer on the 90s. “
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